Our feline friends can be temperamental when it comes to their litter boxes. The smell and texture of litter grains alone can turn a cat off from their sacred sandbox. 

To avoid accidents in your nearest dresser drawer or cardboard box, we put five of our best cat litters to the test: Sustainably Yours Multi Cat Plus, Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Litter, Naturally Fresh Quick Clumping, World's Best Cat Litter, BoxieCat, and Lonestar Pine Pellets. 

We tested their clumping ability, tracking, texture, ingredients, and longviety. All to help you determine which kitty litter best suits your cat! Here is how they stacked up...

Clump, clump, clump it up!

Clumping cat litter not only helps with scoopability, but hygiene and odor too. Containing yesterday's news to a singular area helps eliminate odors, keep litter fresh, and slows the spread of bacteria.

Here is our score out of five on clumping:

While Naturally Fresh & Dr. Elsey's need time (about 15 mins) to completely harden and clump up, Sustainably Yours and World's Best Cat Litter provide immediate absorption.

Even though the Pine Pellets scored lower, they still work great at providing immediate absorption. Once moisture hits the pellets, they turn to dust and drop to the bottom of the litter box pan. Get a sifting litter pan or metal scoop and you're all set.

That tracks...

There is nothing worse than walking barefoot and stepping on lost litter grains. But, unfortunately tracking comes with the territory!

For all those messy cats out there, we tested their tracking and dust quality.

Here is how they measured up:

Check out these litter pans and will help with tracking.

What's in the bag?

Cat litter is one of the biggest pet waste polluters. It is estimated that 4 million tons of cat litter material goes into landscape and landfills each year. Without environmentally friendly ingredients, litter can leave behind toxic chemicals in soil and pollute waterways.

Here are the ONLY ingredients you'll find these litter options:

Clay litter is a traditional litter choice, and Dr. Elsey's is a top-tier, widely loved sodium bentonite clumping clay litter.

But new enhancements like corn, cavassas, and walnuts have created a sustainable pathway for cat litter. And, these ingredients have put clumping litter back on top as the best at odor control.

These ingredients also mimic what many cats would find outdoors. Making them a great choice for any indoor/outdoor feline friend.

Grain, pellet, or other?

It's an important question. Usually, smaller grains mean high tracking. But, this is mostly a personal preference. And by personal, we mean your cat!

Here is what grain size your cat will expect:

Tomlinson's Pro Tip: Does your cat have Urinary Tract issues? Sustainably Yours is almost white in color, making it easy to spot color difference in urine.

Going the extra mile...

Because litter is one of the most purchased cat essentials, selecting a long-lasting product helps keep costs low. All five of these litters go above and beyond traditional cat litter brands and have multi cat household formulas.

This is how long one bag will last for your average kitty cat:

Cat Litter FAQs

What is the difference in Clumping vs. Non-Clumping litter?

Non-clumping litter grains are designed to absorb moisture. This means you only remove the solid waste and redistribute the grains that have soaked up any urine. Non-clumping litter needs to be completely changed on a weekly basis.

Clumping litter grains stick/clump together when introduced to moisture, making all cat waste a solid. With clumping litter, scooping out the solid masses leaves fresh grains behind for further use.

I heard clumping litter is bad for kittens...

That is usually because kittens are known taste test their litter. 🥴 If you cat or kitten is eating litter, they might have a deficiency. Take them to the vet! Although eating litter sounds dangerous, most litter contains relatively safe ingredients that, while not meant to be ingested, can be eaten without harm. 

But, do not let eating clumping litter continue. A trip to the vet, a good diet, and a close eye on their litter box habits will put a stop to this.

How often should I completely change my cat's litter box?

The average is every 2-3 weeks for most cats. But, this depends on the clumping ability and your cat's litter preference and bathroom habits.

A high-quality clumping litter will have a longer lifespan and a non-clumping litter will begin to grow bacteria if not cleaned out regularly. In general, keeping your cat's litter box clean will extend the life of their litter. 

Scented litter or unscented litters?

This is a personal preference. We tend to lend towards unscented, like Naturally Fresh with it's earthy aroma.

A natural cat litter will usually skip fragrances and chemicals and opt for a more eco-friendly approach to odor control. But, go with what your cat prefers.

We're cat people!

Cats can be tough to impress. But we have all the bells, whistles, and scratch pads your home needs to make even the grumpiest cat purr. 

We love helping cat parents raise happy and healthy kitties. That's why we have tons of information on our blog to help you get more cuddles and nose boops.