Fresh Step, Arm and Hammer, and More
Kayla Blanton is a freelance lifestyle writer, editor, and reviewer of seven years and a proud cat mom to three very spoiled rescues. She’s previously covered pet content, and she grew up with cats, so she has a good understanding of their finicky tendencies and special needs.
As a cat parent, finding the best cat litter is like discovering a holy grail — you want to share the news with the world. And that’s exactly what we’ve come here to do. Not two, not four, but 14 brave felines (with help from their owners) switched up their existing bathroom setups to test the below formulas for you — and we are pleased to note that most of them walked away from the four-week trial with new-and-improved litter lives.
It’s worth noting that the following results came after litter was scooped promptly every day for a month — as no litter can make up for not scooping. The below litters are made of different materials, come at different price points, and work best for different types of litter boxes, so we have high hopes that one of them is a good fit for your fur baby. Just know that, if you do switch litters, it’s normal for cats to need a couple of days to transition and adjust.
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What to Know About Cat Litter, According to a Veterinarian
Julie Hunt, DVM, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance and professor of veterinary medicine at Lincoln Memorial University, recommends keeping the following factors in mind when litter shopping.
- Type: Most cats prefer soft, clumping litter. It’s easy on their paws and effectively covers waste. However, some cats are picky and like other textures, or may require low-dust versions, like pellets, if they have feline asthma or allergies.
- Scent: It’s common for cats to be particular about scented litter, so it’s more likely that you’ll have success with an unscented one.
- Box: Cats tend to have strong opinions about their litter boxes. Uncovered options tend to yield the most success, Dr. Hunt says. The box should also be filled deep enough for proper digging and scratching around, she adds.
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This litter claims to neutralize smells and be “dust-free,” which, honestly, is a stretch when it comes to any type of litter. However, we are pleased to report that our tester found it “did not stink at all,” nor were there any dust clouds created by her two cats when they used it.
It’s worth noting that she does use automatic litter boxes that scoop regularly. But there was also no stench when she emptied their waste bins late — and she has two cats capable of kicking up a stink. The dust-less quality makes litter tracking minimal and easy to clean up. “And [the grain is] made from corn and cassava so I could feel good about it,” our tester adds. “My cats sleep in bed with me and the fact that they didn’t track litter all over the place and there’s not a gray, nasty dust cloud when you pour it [is a] win-win.”
Type: Corn, cassava | Clumping: Yes | Unscented: Yes | Number of Cats Who Tested: 2 | Ages of Cats: Adolescent, senior (approximated)
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At less than a dollar per pound, it’s difficult to find cat litter this effective and easy to use at such an affordable price. Our testers especially loved that the granules are packaged in an ergonomic plastic jug that makes lifting and tilting it a breeze when replacing the litter.
We noticed the “Fresh” scent can be quite strong but fades over time while it works to mask odors. All of the cats who tested this litter adjusted to it quickly and easily — some even had a little play date in their box, kicking and scratching, which is a good sign!
Type: Clay | Clumping: Yes | Unscented: Yes | Number of Cats Who Tested: 4 | Ages of Cats: 4, 3, 1, 3 months
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A combination of plant-derived microgranules and Arm & Hammer odor control make this litter a cat owner’s dream. The granules are moisture-activated, which allows them to form a tight seal around waste that becomes solid. Our tester found that the technology along with the small grain size made the litter generally easier to scoop than others she’s tried. Those two factors also allowed for less tracking.
Lastly, scooping yielded less dust than other litters she’s tried, and the fragrance, although noticeable, is not overpowering and helps keep the litter area feeling and smelling fresh.
Type: Plant-derived microgranules | Clumping: Yes | Unscented: No | Number of Cats Who Tested: 1 | Ages of Cats: 3
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This fragrance-free formula uses activated charcoal to absorb odors rather than add scents to mask them. And according to our tester, it works: “Living in a tiny apartment, the litter box has to be right next to my desk where I work all day. With the wrong litter, it can be a miserable experience,” she says. “This covered the smells very well!” An added bonus is that the litter doesn’t leave the room or cats’ fur smelling artificially flowery.
Type: Clay | Clumping: Yes | Unscented: Yes | Number of Cats Who Tested: 4 | Ages of Cats: 2, 4, 6
Other Cat Litters We Tried
Of all the litters we tested, these two didn’t make the cut because others simply outperformed them. We found the PetSafe litter poorly absorbs urine and the Ever Clean has a strong smell.
How We Tested
Over a four-week period, our testers, many of whom have multiple cats, put the above litters to the test with their pets. They tracked the litters’ scoopability, dustiness, odor control, and most importantly, how well it suited the needs of their furry friends. They also paid attention to litter packaging, weight, and ease of use when refilling the litter box(es).
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Goes Well With
Beyond litter, we’ve tried (with the help of our cats) many other pet products. You can check out more PEOPLE- and cat parent-approved buys, including litter boxes, toys, scratchers, and more for kitties below.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
