Choosing the best clumping litter for your litter box can sometimes be a pain, but no need to fear -we’re here to help you out! The truth is, there’s no one size fits all for your cat’s litter box, which largely depends on what you’re after as a cat owner!
You may be after odor control, a certain litter material, or scented cat litter, but we’ve got you covered, no matter what you’re looking for!
Clumping litter contains any waste in tight clumps making it much easier for pet owners to remove from the litter boxes. It’s also highly absorbent, making scooping easier, as one scoop will get it all!
There are many options out there that are some of the best for your cat, and we’ve listed them below with a detailed review of each one to help you determine what’s best for you! Let’s take a look!
Product
Details
Most Affordable
Frisco Fresh Scent Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
- Material: natural clay
- Size: 40LB
Best Odor Control
Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
- Material: sodium bentonite
- Size: 40LB
Best Clumping Ability
World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula
- Material: Biodegradable Warning
- Size: 7lb
Best Low-tracking
Tidy Cats Scoop 24/7 Performance Formula
- Material: clay with natural ingredients
- Size: 27lb
Best Multi-cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
- Material: diatomaceous earth
- Size: 28lb
Best Scented
Scoop Away Complete Performance Scented Cat Litter
- Material: Clay
- Size: 25lb
Most Versatile
Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented Litter
- Material: Fiber
- Size: 14lb
Easy-to-use
Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter
- Material: sodium silicate
- Size: 43lb
Best Eco-friendly
Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
- Material: Walnut
- Size: 14lb
Our Top Picks for Best Clumping Cat Litter
Listed down below are the top picks for the best clumping litters to choose from.
1. Frisco Fresh Scent Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
This cat litter is fairly affordable ($0.35/pound – wow), and Frisco’s cat litter is one of the cheapest cat litter brands with very high quality!
You’ll find that this clumping clay litter has excellent odor control, which will most definitely benefit you as you won’t smell your cat’s waste in their litter box every time you walk into the room! Cat owners – they’ve got you covered!
The hard clumps formed are easier to scoop up, and it has quite a fresh litter scent.
This litter is also perfect if you have multiple cats and is very pocket-friendly too.
Pros
- Hard-clumping cat litter
- Fast clumping and absorbing moisture
- Dust free
- Low in tracking
Cons
- Bags can be large and heavy
Frisco Fresh Scent Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
The price of “Frisco Fresh Scent Multi-Cat Clumping Litter” varies, so check the latest price at
2. Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Made of medium-grain clay, Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is more or less dust free and is brilliant at its job.
You’ll find that this cat litter is brilliant at odor control, keeping your home smelling fresh rather than like cat urine or other waste. The second that odor appears – it’ll be gone! It’s also suitable for different types of cat litter boxes, like mechanical litter boxes and sifting ones.
When they say that this is clumping litter – they’re not lying! This litter has very strong clumping power and is more suited to adult cats. However, make sure you don’t leave it for too long, or the clumping ability may be too much, and the clumps can move to the bottom of your litter box – making removal more difficult!
Dust isn’t only frustrating for you but also for your cat, so both of you will be pleased to know that this clumping cat litter is low dust, making cleaning much easier for cat owners and keeping your cat’s paws happier!
Pros
- Odor control
- Strong clumping power
- Low dust
Cons
- Clumps can gather at the bottom if left for too long
Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
The price of “Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter ” varies, so check the latest price at
3. World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula
This particular cat litter is certainly one of the best in multi-cat households, so if that’s you – this could easily be one of the best clumping litters for you! You’ll need high-quality litter if you have multiple cats, and this one certainly has you covered!
This is designed to ensure that your cat waste is kept in one place through clumping, which is brilliant for multiple cats. In addition, it can easily absorb moisture, so any bad smells are masked and aren’t obvious.
An extra benefit that some cat litters may not have is the fact that this is flushable! This means you can easily get rid of any waste down the loo!
Also, you’re not going to need to haul a heavy bag around as this is a fairly lightweight litter with lightweight packaging. However, despite being a clumping cat litter, it can be a bit dustier than a non-clumping litter.
Pros
- High quality
- Good for multiple cat households
- Easy clumping
- Flush friendly
Cons
- Slightly dustier
World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula
The price of “World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula” varies, so check the latest price at
4. Tidy Cats Scoop 24/7 Performance Formula
You may have heard of Tidy Cats because they are quite popular in the cat litter industry. They have many different formulas, and the 24/7 is an example of one of them and is designed in particular for odor control over a longer period.
This cat litter is low-tracking and dust-free, meaning that your feline isn’t going to scatter litter all over your freshly cleaned house. The TidyLock protection and hard clumping ability will also help your cat litter be almost completely odorless and natural all the time.
Once again, you may find some waste gathering at the bottom of the cat litter box prior to clumping as it is so absorbent. This may make cleaning a bit more difficult, but on the whole, this is an excellent clumping cat litter for longer-lasting odor control.
Pros
- Control odors all the time!
- Forms hard clumps of litter
- Low tracking and dust free
Cons
- Waste may collect at the bottom
Tidy Cats Scoop 24/7 Performance Formula
The price of “Tidy Cats Scoop 24/7 Performance Formula” varies, so check the latest price at
5. Arm & Hammer Clump Clumping Litter
Once again, this is a great option if you have more than one kitty at home. This is a very powerful clumping litter – considering its name! If you need to cut down on that extra dust, this is definitely the one for you!
You also don’t need tons of this product for it to be effective. A few inches will be enough, and your litter box will stay fresh for a few weeks – perfect!
If you don’t want to use artificial perfumes or scents, this is an incredible option! This cat litter is completely natural and odorless but can be quite heavy, so you may need some help to lift and pour!
Make sure you clean out your entire litter tray around once a month but of course, keep removing and scooping those clumps as they appear.
Pros
- Brilliant dust-removing formula
- The large box lasts for a while
- Really good value
- Reduces odors and keeps scents natural
Cons
- Can be heavy and pretty awkward to lift
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
The Price of “Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Litter” varies, so check the latest price at
6. Scoop Away Scented Cat Litter
Scoop Away has thought of it all with their scented, clumping cat litter. You won’t have to worry about any smell because this product has special odor-fighting antimicrobial agents that will keep your house smelling as fresh as ever for up to 7 days. Isn’t that amazing?
We all know how bad the smell of litter boxes can get, which is why the brilliant paw-activated scent is something you’ll always look for once you’ve experienced it. Who doesn’t want their house smelling like Fresh Meadows?
You also won’t have to worry about all that dust that comes with cat litter, as Scoop Away has made this a dust-free formula. This will keep you and your furry friends’ airways clear, helping you breathe easier.
Clumping litters make your life as a pet owner so much easier. The litter is highly absorbent and will form hard clumps that are easy for you to scoop away. No more spending precious time every week changing your litter box; simply scoop away and replenish the litter to keep it smelling as fresh as roses!
Pros
- Keeps your house smelling fresh at all times
- Clay cat litters have great absorbency
- Clumping agents help save time in cleaning
- The dust-free formula is perfect if you or your kitten have sensitive respiratory systems
- Ammonia Shield and odor-fighting antimicrobial agents are great at controlling odors
Cons
- The product is thin, and therefore you might go through it quickly
Scoop Away Complete Performance Scented Cat Litter
The Price of “Scoop Away Complete Performance Scented Cat Litter ” varies, so check the latest price at
7. Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented Litter
Now, this is another great clumping litter with a few different scents available. So, you don’t need to sprinkle baking soda or use an air freshener with this.
Ammonia blockers, as well as paw-activated fragrances, will keep that litter box of yours smelling as good as ever. I’d go for the Mountain Spring scent, but Gain original scent, and Hawaiian Aloha are available if you prefer those.
Another important feature of this clumping litter is the activated charcoal technology. Activated charcoal helps fight off the smell of urine, and this is paired with ammonia blockers which means you won’t have to suffer the smell of your cat’s litter ever again.
Tracking is reduced thanks to a 99.9% dust-free formula. Not only will this help you breathe easier, but minimal tracking also means you don’t have to worry about cleaning up around the litter box as well as the litter itself.
Clump Lock technology will make keeping your kitty’s litter box clean much easier. This technology forms tight clumps in the litter as it absorbs everything meaning you can scoop solid waste rather than emptying an entire litter box after your cat has used it.
Pros
- Clay clumping litter is great at absorbing cat urine
- Cat with respiratory issues won’t suffer thanks to the dust-free formula
- Controls odors with activated charcoal technology
- Forms hard clumps with ClumpLock technology
Cons
- Some scents mix poorly with the smell of urine
Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented Litter
The Price of “Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented Litter” varies, so check the latest price at
8. Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter
Purina Tidy Cats not only neutralizes the smell of urine but ammonia and fecal odors as well. If you have multiple cats, then this is the litter for you. This product will stand the test of a multi-cat household with decent odor control, leaving your house smelling brilliant!
It’s also 99.9% dust free which not only makes cleaning easier because of low tracking, but you’ll also be able to breathe easier when you use it. Dust-free litter is amazing if you have sensitive cats; make their life a little bit easier, and they’ll thank you for it!
Clumping cat litters will cut your clean-up time in half. We all know the pain of cleaning up after multiple cats, which can become draining after a while, so why not make it simpler if you can?
The tight clumps are easy to scoop, meaning you can always keep on top of the mess your furry friends are making.
Pros
- Prevent odors
- Kiss goodbye to the days of cleaning litter tracks with the 99.9% dust-free formula
- The clumping formula helps form solid clumps for easier clean up
Cons
- Some people have had trouble with the clumping technology
Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter
The Price of “Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter ” varies, so check the latest price at
9. Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
Cats with sensitive paws might prefer unscented cat litter as it lowers the risk of irritation. Naturally Fresh has you covered with its brilliant litter made out of walnut shells; it almost sounds too good to be true.
If you have environmental concerns when it comes to litter, then maybe it’s time to switch to an all-natural, eco-friendly option. It has so many perks that other litters might not have even considered.
All-natural cat litter eliminates the silica dust that comes from most clay litters. As a result, natural cat litters have virtually no dust, which means there’s no need to worry about all the particles getting in your lungs when you’re putting out new litter.
If your cat prefers to keep itself clean, it might also love this litter as it doesn’t stick to its paws. Your furry friend is happy, and you have no litter tracking to clean up, a win for everyone!
Generally speaking, eco-friendly litters are far more absorbent than materials such as clay, with Naturally Fresh having 3x the absorption. We know how much litter you can go through if you have more than two cats, so this sounds great.
Clumping litter makes everyone’s lives easier which is why it’s so popular. This clumping formula means you can spend less time cleaning up after your cats and spend more time doing what you love with them.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly means no harmful chemicals
- Excellent odor control
- Absorbs three times as much as clay litter
- No need to worry about dust or litter tracking
- Clumping action makes for an easy cleanup
Cons
- Walnut shells can have an unpleasant smell
Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
The Price of “Naturally Fresh Cat Litter ” varies, so check the latest price at
Choosing the Best: What to Look For
Finding the best clumping litter and choosing the best one is largely based on what you and your cat prefer. However, many of the following important features will determine the quality of your clumping cat litters.
So, let’s take a look at what you should look for when choosing the best cat litter for your litter box.
Material
One thing you’ll want to consider is the cat litter material. More often than not, cat litter is made of bentonite clay which looks a bit like rocks and has a clumping formula. However, this isn’t the only material out there.
Fuller’s earth, the non-clumping material, is also available, as well as the more natural litter.
Bentonite clay litters are certainly more popular in the industry because they make scooping up waste super easy and fight the odors that naturally come with cat litter.
However, you may find that there are many concerns that some people may have with clumping cat litters. It’s not biodegradable, which doesn’t go hand in hand with environmental factors, and small cats may try and eat it, which could affect their respiratory tract.
Odor-fighting
Odor control is also something to consider if you’re on the hunt for the best cat litter. There is no doubt that cat litter can truly stink, so if your cat litter box is somewhere where many people may gather, having an odor-fighting cat litter may benefit you.
This is, of course, partially dependent on personal preference. If your litter box is located somewhere hidden, then a stronger odor may not be terrible but definitely consider this – especially if you have guests over often! Kitty litter isn’t the most pleasant smell when welcoming guests into your home!
Low Dust
This is an increasingly important factor, especially if your cat is allergic. Having more hypoallergenic cat litter (lower dust) will ensure that your cat doesn’t react to anything in it.
Clumping cat litter can be quite dusty in general, but a few have a significantly smaller dust print compared to others. A lot of dust can actually lead to a few respiratory problems in you and your cat, so it’s worth staying away as much as possible.
Low dust will also leave less mess around the house, and you won’t have dusty paw prints scattered around your home, making cleaning easier!
Scented or Unscented
There’s a lot of talk over scented and unscented litter, mainly because the scented litter can actually affect your cat’s respiratory system – just like dust can. Yes, it covers the more unpleasant smell of cat litter, but it could also take your furry friend more to the ill side.
On the other hand, the unscented litter will neutralize these odors a bit more without sacrificing clumping action or your cat’s health at that!
Clumping
If your cat litter doesn’t clump well, then what is the point?! If you’re after clumping litter, you might as well get the good stuff with strong clumping power.
Clay tends to form harder clumps, but natural materials may work too and can easily separate the clean and dirty litter – making it easier to scoop. Fantastic!
Low Mess/Tracking
Clumping cat litter can be a pain because of the small particles that may attach to your cat’s paws and could scatter all across your floors – especially your carpets! Try and hunt for some “non-sticky” stuff, as this will decrease any mess that may happen!
So, these are a few things worth considering when buying your new clumping cat litter, which will help you determine the best option.
FAQ‘s
How Often Do You Need to Change Kitty Litter?
How often you change your cat’s litter tray will depend on the type of litter you use.
If you’re using non-clumping litter, you’ll want to consider replacing it around once a week, as a lot of your cat’s urine can be collected at the bottom of your litter tray.
On the other hand, clumping cat litter means you won’t have to clean it as often if you’re regularly scooping. You can go around four weeks without cleaning it completely but make sure you scoop at least once a day!
How Do You Clean a Litter Box?
All cat owners do this differently; it’s whatever works for you, but here’s what we recommend!
- Collect all pet products you might need, such as litter, scoop, and somewhere to dispose of the old litter.
- If you use clumping cat litters, scoop out clumps and droppings once a day.
- Dispose of the waste safely to not harm the environment.
- Make sure your scoop is clean before storing it.
- Use soap and water to quickly wipe over the edges of the box and cover.
Now, what do you need to do weekly? Well, let’s take a look at how to deep clean your cats’ litter tray.
- Completely empty the litter tray in order to clean it.
- Use only soap and water as cats can be sensitive to smells, and this could cause them to not want to use the box, creating more hassle for you in the long run.
- Refill the box with whatever litter you use, whether that be clumping litters or non-clumping litter.
If you have a multi-cat household, you might have to do this more often and with more than one litter box.
How Do You Dispose of Kitty Litter?
The most convenient way to dispose of kitty litter is to pop it in a biodegradable bag and put it in your normal trash can. It is never recommended to flush your litter as this can cause many problems.
Final Thoughts
So that’s everything you need to know to choose the best clumping litter for your furry friend. Picking the right cat litter is super important if you want them to be comfortable using their litter tray.
You need to look at many things like odor control, if you have one litter box or more and how much litter you’ll be using because of this, if it’s biodegradable, and many other things.
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option, then Naturally Fresh is a great product. Maybe you’re looking for something with better odor control. You might like Fresh Step in that case.
Take a look at our pros and cons to decide which will work best for you and your cat!
