If you've just welcomed home an adorable kitten or own pampered indoor cats, having a litter box or tray filled with the best cat litter in your house is a must. It should be one of the first things you should consider when owning a cat, and is just as important as the food they eat and having somewhere for them to sleep.
Cats are clever little creatures, and using a litter tray often comes with instinct; some even know before eight weeks of age. You just need to choose a litter tray and find a clean and easy play for them to do their business. If you rehome a really young kitten who is having a bit of trouble with the litter tray, picking them up and putting them there every hour will get them used to the new surroundings.
The best cat litter at a glance:
We've rounded up the best cat litter on the market and answered all of your questions to help you try and figure out what will be the best option for your lifestyle.
Best cat litter
Best cat litter overall (Editor's Choice)
CatsanA popular choice reviewed by over 25,400 people on Amazon alone and easy to find in supermarkets and pet stores, Catsan Cat Litter is a bestseller for a reason. Each granule of Catsan Hygiene Cat Litter ensures reliable and long-lasting odour control by absorbing liquids and locking away moisture before odours can develop. The 20L bags of this non-clumping litter make bulk-buying easy - great for if you own an army of cats.
Reviewers online as well as our reviewer Hannah, appreciate how easy this litter is to clean up and that it does a great job of keeping smells to a minimum. Some reviews online thought that the packaging could be better as some have had issues with it ripping easily.
Reviewed by Hannah Mellin and her three cats: "I've got three indoor cats at home and Catsan is the litter that I've settled with for the long run. The litter is non-clumping so it is super easy to clean up the mess and I know I can always order more from Amazon or even a supermarket. It's great value for what you get. I've tried so many cat litters on the market and I always come back to Catsan. The 20L bag normally lasts a few weeks."
Pros
- Absorbs liquids and locks in moisture before odours can develop
- 20 litre bag is great for buying in bulk or for homes with multiple cats
Cons
- Some reviewers online have had issues with the packaging ripping easily
Best for odour control
SanicatCat wee and poo can be extremely smelly, but Sanicat's non-clumping cat litter offers high absorption capacity and effective odour control thanks to its lavender scent. Coming in the form of Silica pearls, the litter is lightweight and provides very little dust, ideal for busy pet owners who are looking for a low-maintenance litter to clean up.
Many reviewers online mention that since using this litter, they've barely noticed the smells coming from their kitty's litter tray and that they're highly absorbent. As this is a silica cat litter, you may find that the small 'crystals' could get scattered around by your cat kicking the litter to cover their waste.
Pros
- Effective odour control as it's lavender scented
- Really easy to clean and low maintenance
Cons
- Some found the 'crystals' could get scattered across the floor by cats trying to cover their waste
Best clumping cat litter
Ever CleanEverclean Cat Litter has been enhanced with specially formulated with extra odour fighters for multicat households and heavy-use litter trays to keep the toilet smells at bay. The low dust formula is equipped with activated charcoal technology to lock in smells, rather than mask them, with the addition of a paw-activated fragrance. Easy to remove with the high absorbent clumping, there's no crumbling here. The 10L boxes are designed to last for up to two months, which means less mess and a huge money saving.
Some reviewers online dislike the 'stickiness' of this cat litter as they found that it could sometimes get stuck to the bottom of the litter tray and to their cat's paws. However, this 'stickiness' means that it clumps together more easily making it easy to pick up.
Pros
- Great for removing and hiding toilet smells
- Easy to scoop out mess
Cons
- Some customers thought this litter was a little bit 'sticky'
Best health-monitoring cat litter
KatKinwww.katkin.com
Described as the "UK's first health-monitoring litter", KatKin Scoop Health contains colour-changing silica crystals that react with the pH of your cat's urine to reveal their urinary health. While it can't detect all urinary abnormalities and doesn't replace a trip to the vet, it does help to give you peace of mind that your kitty is staying happy and healthy.
It's also easy to clean, fast-absorbing and odour-eliminating, according to customer reviews online but some felt it's a little dusty so you may find some of it ends up outside of the litter tray. KatKin offers this litter on a subscription-based service so you're in control of how much litter you have and when it's delivered straight to your door. This means that the price will vary based on how much you have in your subscription and you'll need to remember to cancel or pause if anything changes.
Pros
- Contains pH indicator to monitor your cat's health through their urine
- Fast-absorbing and odour-eliminating according to customers online
Cons
- Some reviewers have found it's a little dusty
Best eco-friendly option
Bio-CatoletPaper is a great option for cat litter as it is extremely absorbent, dust-free, all-natural, and 100 per cent biodegradable. As well as having all those benefits, this Bio-Catolet Cat Litter is gentle on your cat's paws and doesn't stick to their fur, plus it's manufactured without causing any pollution to the environment. Made from residual waste paper pressed into absorbent granules, it's an insect repellent too and easy to dispose of. Not to mention, this Bio-Catolet Recycled Paper Cat Litter can be used for small pets as well as mulch in the garden.
The big positive of this cat litter for reviewers online is that it's an eco-friendly option as it's made using recycled paper. They also appreciate that it's easy to clean and very absorbent but there are many comments saying it can get a little smelly.
Pros
- Eco-friendly option as it's made using recycled paper
- Doesn't stick to cat fur and is gentle on their paws
Cons
- Can be smelly
Best kitten-friendly cat litter
BlazersKittens can be naughty little babies and tend to nibble on non-clumping and clumping cat litter, which can cause tummy issues. This Blazers cat litter is perfect as it is all-natural, so you don't need to worry about your kitten eating things they shouldn't. As well as being environmentally friendly, it is naturally antibacterial as well as pine fragranced to keep things fresh in their litter tray.
The texture of this Blazers Cat Litter is very soft say online reviewers so it'll be gentle on little paws. However, they do also mention it is a little dusty and some say they've had issues with their kitties tracking it around their house.
Pros
- Naturally antibacterial and pine fragranced for added freshness
- Gentle on paws as customers feel it's very soft
Cons
- More sawdust than pellets, which means it is a little dusty
Best for value
PettexThis huge 10kg bag of Pettex Premium Dust Extracted Clay Granule Clumping Cat Litter is great value for what you get and is free from any additives. It has the ability to reduce bacterial activity and is fully biodegradable, as well as forming distinguished clumps that can easily be removed and disposed of. Great for indoor cats that never venture outside, it's recommended for all breeds of cats, with the exception of kittens.
Customers appreciate that this big bag of cat litter is good value for money but found it the bag was quite heavy to move so it took longer to fill up the litter tray when changing it for fresh litter.
Pros
- Clumps well and hides odours
- Great value as you get 10kg for the price
Cons
- Some customers found the big bag to be heavy so it took longer to fill up their cat's litter tray with fresh litter
Best flushable cat litter
Worlds Best Cat LitterWorlds Best Cat Litter is lightweight and is proven to be flushable. Yep, instead of scooping up your cat's mess into plastic bags, this litter has been tested and made to be flushable and safe for septic and sewer systems. It's quick clumping, which locks in odours and makes litter changing a breeze. Plus, the fact it is flushable makes this a great litter to use if you're trying to 'toilet train' your cat.
Although this litter is marketed as having a 99 per cent dust-free formula, some customers feel like this litter can be quite dusty and have found their cats often tread it around their house.
Pros
- Made to be flushable for easy clean ups
- Offers quick clumping to lock in odours and to make litter changes simple
Cons
- Cats can tread it around the house
How we chose the best cat litter
All of these cat litters have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered value, absorbency and odour control in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching good kitty litter brands to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Our verdict: What is the best cat litter?
In our opinion, the best cat litter is the Catsan Hygiene Cat Litter. Our Homes & Garden Writer, Hannah Mellin, has been using this cat litter with her three indoor cats for years and has found that it’s super easy to clean up and great value for money as it usually comes in huge bags that will last a good couple of weeks, even with multiple cats using it.
FAQs
What to look for when purchasing cat litter?
When it comes to choosing the best litter for cats, there are a couple of things to think about to ensure it meets your cat’s needs and your preferences for maintenance.
Odour control
As you’d expect, a used cat litter box isn’t the freshest thing in the world but you can keep the smells at bay until the next clean-out by choosing a cat litter with odour control properties. This is especially important if your litter box is placed in a prominent place in your home, such as your bathroom, or if you have multiple cats using a litter tray to do their business.
Dust levels
To ensure litter stays in your kitty’s litter box or tray, look for one that has low-dust or a no-dust formulation. This will help to keep the area around your litter tray cleaner after each toilet use or litter change. It will also help reduce tracking, which is where litter can cling to your moggy’s paws and fur.
Absorbency
Having a litter that has high absorbency levels is a must-have for a cat litter. It’ll help keep the litter box dry, make it easier to clean and also help to reduce odour.
The type of litter you choose and its clumping ability are also big factors to consider, so keep reading for more information…
What are the different types of cat litter?
The type of cat litter you choose is also an important thing to consider when purchasing the best cat litter for your moggy. Here are the most common types on the market:
Non-clumping cat litter
Non-clumping litter is cheaper and more simple than other cat litter. Made from clay, it absorbs a large volume of liquid and locks away odours. If you remove any faeces daily, the litter tray will stay fresh for up to a week, but it still needs to be changed more often than others. It is the best litter for kittens under 12 months of age because the litter is less likely to cause trouble if eaten.
Clumping cat litter
Clumping cat litter has been developed to be much more absorbent than standard litter, forming clumps when it comes into contact with liquid. The chunks absorb the smells, so it is more hygienic, and cats often prefer it as the clusters can be pushed aside. When the litter clumps, it can turn heavy and cleaning the litter out can become tricky if you leave it for a while.
Wood and paper cat litters
Wood and paper-based litters are usually cheaper and made from trees, which, if responsibly sourced, can be a sustainable option and are biodegradable. They tend to get messy quickly, so you'll need to keep on top of things as you don't want them to turn into sawdust.
Silica cat litter
Crystal litters are usually made from silica gel, which absorbs the liquid waste. All you have to do is scoop out and flush down the solids. They last a lot longer than other cat litter brands but tend to be more expensive. They are often scented cat litters, too.
Clumping vs. non-clumping cat litter
There are pros and cons to both clumping and non-clumping cat litter. Clumping cat litter is easier for kitty owners to clean up as it forms solid clumps when wet so soiled litter can just be scooped out. You do need to be on top of the cleaning out though as because it can turn heavy if left for too long and become trickier to remove from litter.
Non-clumping litter is typically more absorbent as it’s made from clay so it can hold a large volume of liquid and keep those toilet odours locked in but keep in mind, you’ll probably be changing it more frequently than clumping cat litter.
Ultimately, what type of litter you choose will come down to your preferences for clean up and what your cat likes, but it may take a little trial and error until you find one that your moggy is completely happy with.
Do cats know how to use a litter tray?
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home explain,"Cats generally don't need to be trained to use a litter tray, as their natural instincts are to go to the toilet in a material where they can dig and bury. This behaviour tends to occur naturally when they are tiny kittens and, if a litter tray is nearby, they will instinctively use it."
Some kittens may need a little helping hand with using the litter tray but will find it incredibly easy to pick it up.
How often should I change my cat's litter tray?
How often you should change cat litter will depend on the type. Clumping litter should be scooped at least twice a day to remove any lumps. Non-clumping litter should be changed every day or every few days as necessary. Cats are clean creatures and will tend not to use a dirty litter tray, so it is best to get into a routine to avoid any accidents elsewhere.
Where is the best place for a cat litter tray?
The best place to put your cat's litter box is the bathroom, a spare room or a laundry room. If you can, it is important not to put a cat's litter tray next to where they eat and drink.
How big should a litter tray be?
Most vets recommend that the ideal litter tray size is 'one and a half times the length of your cat, from their nose to the base of their tail'.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. Pets are her thing and she's on a mission to get every pet owner clued up on everything they need. She's a very happy owner of three cats, a tortoise and a sausage dog called Waffle.