Top 5 Cat Litters That Check Our Low-Tracking, Dust-Free, Eco-Friendly Boxes

It takes a certain amount of trial and error to determine the kind of litter your cat enjoys most, but beginning your search with the most reliable option is a fool-proof order of operations. The peace of mind that PrettyLitter’s color changing formula provides to cat parents is a feat all on its own, but its convenience and superior performance put it over the top, which is why it’s our all time favorite litter. The founder, Daniel Rotman, describes the concept behind the high-tech litter: “Cats can be very stoic, so it’s not easy to know what's going on with their health. Early indications of illness like cat UTIs or bladder crystals could help not only to save on vet bills, but could potentially save your cat's life.” This lifesaving litter is top of its class.

When Socrates said “know thyself,” he should have amended that statement to “know thyself as you know thycat.” But those were the days well before the internet, and lugging 40 pounds of cat litter up your four story walk up wasn’t as much of an issue as, say, the plague. Luckily for the savvy cat owner, Tuft and Paw’s Really Great Litter formula delivers low-tracking, flushable litter right to your door in the appropriate quantities, so you can say goodbye to the days of hiding excess litter under your kitchen sink. Plus, it’s made from a soybean byproduct that would otherwise end up in a landfill, so you can feel good about the way your litter choice impacts your cat, home, and planet.

It’s important to use a litter that checks all of your boxes. While fragrance and dust-free litters are certainly a priority, no formula is more prized than an exceptional clumping litter. According to Dr. Louviere, “While not all cats are the same, studies support that cats generally have a preference for clumping clay litters,” making it an excellent choice for anyone who is looking to appease a picky cat. If your cat can think of more reasons than not to avoid the litter box, you should return to one that’s reliable and widely beloved. “The cat needs to accept the litter substrate type,” Dr. Louviere urges. “No matter how much a pet parent likes it, if the cat doesn’t then you can’t force them to use it.”

This unscented litter gives the best bang for its buck and it’s perfect for cats (and cat parents) who are sensitive to smells. Just because a litter is unscented, doesn’t mean your whole apartment will end up wreaking of cats. In fact, many litters use fragrance to cover up smells rather than using materials that absorb odors, like baking soda and charcoal. According to Dr. Louviere, “You can’t seem to beat activated carbon if using an odor-control additive.” Most veterinarians recommend avoiding scented litter all together, but since all cats are unique and some may prefer it, Dr. Louviere suggests that you “lean towards cedar and avoid citrus” when going the fragranced route.

This sustainable, renewable, and responsible litter is perfect for the eco-friendly pet parent. It conceals odor using an upcycled wood substrate, and its lightweight formula makes it a favorite for cats with sensitive paws. Compared with clay litters that use more added materials, it’s better for the environment; it uses wood fibers that trap malodor while using zeolite to release a mild fragrance that’s non-offensive to cats and their humans. Since we’ve learned that cat’s don’t urinate outside of the litter box for no reason, Dr. Louviere says, “The best way to address ‘inappropriate elimination’ is to get to the underlying reason, whether medical or behavioral (like a litter substrate preference...or avoidance).” If your cat is dissatisfied with their current litter, they may be trying to tell you that they’d like to go a more natural route.