Best cat litter for kittens that is gentle on tiny paws

The best kitten-friendly cat litters on the market.

Best cat litter for kittens top products on a pink background

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

If you've just welcomed a new adorable kitten into your home, buying the best cat litter for kittens should be right at the top of your priority list. Just in front of buying cute kitten toys and giving them endless amounts of cuddles, of course.

Kittens are clever and inquisitive, and using the litter tray normally comes as second nature to them. Cats are incredibly clean creatures and they will rather go to the same place to do their business even if it is outdoors. You will just need to choose a litter tray and find a clean and easy play for them to do their business inside your house and they will (usually) stick to it.

Best cat litter for kittens at a glance:

When it comes to finding the best cat litter for kittens, you'll want to choose from all the different options out there, from non-clumping to eco-friendly. Kittens don't really need special litter, but it has been recommended by experts that you try to go for non-clumping clay, natural pellet or crystal litter when your kitten is under four months old.

You'll be needing a lot of cat litter over the years, so it is best to get the knowledge in early. We've rounded up the best cat litter suitable for kittens on the market and answered all of your questions to try and figure out what will be the best option for your lifestyle.

Best cat litter for kittens

Best overall cat litter for kittens

Blazers Kitten Friendly Cat Litter, Beige, 10LBlazers
Price: $11.78

Blazers Kitten Friendly Cat Litter is an excellent choice for young kittens, praised in many positive Amazon reviews. Made from milled light wood pellets, it’s designed with smaller, softer pieces that are gentle on sensitive paws. Its naturally antibacterial properties help prevent sore pads, while the dust-free formula protects developing lungs. The litter instantly absorbs moisture and traps odours, and with its natural pine fragrance—free from added perfumes or chemicals—it’s a safe and comfortable option for kittens.

One pet owner shared, "This seemed to help absorb the urine and smell better." However, some users have mentioned the litter can be a bit messy.

Since kittens explore the world with their mouths, it’s crucial to choose a non-toxic, safe litter. This product avoids harsh chemicals, added fragrances, and clumping properties, which could be dangerous if ingested. Blazers Kitten Friendly Cat Litter is also ideal for litter training, thanks to its softer, lighter pellets that are easy for kittens to dig in. The natural pine fragrance makes the process even more appealing.

To use, simply fill the tray with 2-3 cm of litter and level it out. Remove solids daily using a biodegradable bag and dispose of them in household waste. Once a week, empty the tray into newspaper, wrap it up, and bin or compost it. Wash the tray with a mild pet-friendly detergent, dry thoroughly, and refill with fresh litter. This litter can also be used for household spills, making it a versatile and eco-friendly option.

Pros

  • Gentle on sensitive paws, non-toxic and safe for kittens
  • Naturally antibacterial
  • Dust-free formula protects developing lungs
  • Instantly absorbs moisture and traps odours
  • Natural pine fragrance (no added perfumes or chemicals)
  • Ideal for litter training
  • Can be used on household spills

Cons

  • Can be a bit messy according to some reviews

Best cat litter for kittens from birth

Breeder Celect Paper Cat Litter Breeder Celect Paper Cat Litter Breeder Celect Paper Cat Litter Breeder Celect Paper Cat Litter Breeder Celect Paper Cat LitterBreeder Celect

Breeder Celect Paper Cat Litter is a popular choice for both cats and kittens, particularly among breeders. Made in the UK without any additives or chemicals, it’s safe for all cat breeds, including young kittens. The highly absorbent pellets lock in moisture and odours, keeping the litter tray hygienic, while the low dust formula helps reduce irritation to sensitive lungs. The soft pellets are gentle on little paws, and being made from 99% recycled paper, it’s both environmentally friendly and safe for your pet, as it can be composted after use.

Available in 10-litre and 30-litre bags, this litter is a preferred choice for many. One customer shared, "We had a lot of accidents and them not wanting to use the litter tray, so we changed to paper pellets and haven't had any accidents since." Other reviews highlight its excellent absorbency, low odour, and ease of scooping. However, several customers mention that it’s slightly more expensive than other brands.

Pros

  • Safe for kittens and all cat breeds
  • Highly absorbent, locks in moisture and odours
  • Low dust formula reduces irritation
  • Soft and gentle on paws
  • Made from 99% recycled paper, environmentally friendly
  • Can be composted after use
  • Available in 10-litre and 30-litre bags

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than other brands

Best biodegradable cat litter for kittens

KatKin cat litterKatKin

KatKin is a 100% biodegradable cat litter made from industry food waste, making it both eco-friendly and safe for your cat. It’s delivered through a convenient subscription service with flexible options based on how many cats you have and how often you need a delivery. On average, a 4.5kg bag lasts a 4kg cat up to a month.

The lightweight, dust-free pellets are low-tracking, reducing mess around your home. KatKin’s litter is highly absorbent, naturally locking in odours with no lingering smells. Made from pea and millet, it clumps instantly upon contact with moisture, keeping the rest of the litter dry and preserved.

Customer reviews rave about KatKin’s performance, with one pet owner noting, “Odour control is phenomenal. It clumps really well, so it's easy to scoop.” Plus, the subscription service makes it hassle-free to keep your cat’s litter stocked.

Pros

  • 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly
  • Made from industry food waste (pea and millet) that's completely biodegradable
  • Lightweight, dust-free and low-tracking
  • Highly absorbent with excellent odour control
  • Instant clumping, keeping the rest of the litter dry
  • Convenient subscription service with flexible delivery options

Cons

  • Subscription model may not be suitable for everyone

Best clumping cat litter for kittens

Sanicat - Clumping Cat LitterSanicat

Sanicat's clumping cat litter contains large and highly absorbent granules that form compact clumps that make it much easier to remove, keeping your kitten's litter tray clean and fresh. Also the granules are large so your kitten isn't tempted to eat them, but they are made of natural minerals, which makes it a lot safer.

In reviews, customers mention that the dust-free formula is gentle on both cats and their owners, helping to minimise mess and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.

Do bear in mind this cat litter is fragranced, which some pet owners will love and others will prefer unscented products. But, as one owner describes, the Marseille Soap scent keeps litter smelling fresh, "there is never any bad odours which was my biggest worry of having indoor cats."

Pros

  • Large, highly absorbent granules for easy clumping and removal
  • Reduces the risk of kittens ingesting litter
  • Made from natural minerals
  • Dust-free formula minimises mess and respiratory irritation
  • Marseille Soap fragrance helps keep the litter tray smelling fresh

Cons

  • Fragranced, which may not suit all pet owners

Best natural cat litter for kittens

Lifelong Corn Cat Litter, Unscented,10L (Pack of 1)Lifelong
Price: $29.00

Choosing a natural cat litter can go a long way in doing your bit for the environment and we love Lifelong's Corn Cat Litter as it is 100 per cent natural and biodegradable. Its suitable for automatic litter trays. Plus, it can even be flushed down the toilet for easy, hygienic disposal – just make sure you check your local rules and regulations.

A customer praises its clumping properties: "It dries just right to not stick to the sides of the litter box…" Another review praises it for being low dust, low odour and easy to clean. There are mixed opinions on whether it tracks, but all-in-all this Amazon's Choice recommended product is an affordable, natural and effective litter for your little ones.

Pros

  • Natural and biodegradable
  • Suitable for automatic litter trays
  • Flushable for easy disposal (check local regulations)
  • Strong clumping properties
  • Low dust and low odour
  • Easy to clean
  • Affordable and popular on Amazon UK

Cons

  • Mixed opinion on tracking

Best non-clumping cat litter for kittens

Catsan is an incredibly popular choice of cat litter. It is non-clumping, meaning it absorbs odour before it can develop. The 100 per cent natural litter is suitable for kittens too and is unscented. Locking in liquid, the fine-pored granules made of natural quartz, sand and lime are much smaller than 'normal' clay litter which many cats prefer.

While it is praised for its absorbency and being a lightweight litter, amongst the customer reviews there is mixed opinion about its odour control and dust. A customer comments: "I do find I have to clean the tray completely much quicker than I would do with clumping litter, after about five days I start to notice the smell slightly." Another review says that is it an effective cat litter because the granules lock in liquids. So for absorbency and a non-clumping option, Catsan is a top choice.

Pros

  • Popular and widely trusted brand
  • Non-clumping formula with great absorbency
  • Natural and unscented, safe for kittens
  • Fine-pored granules lock in liquid effectively

Cons

  • Mixed reviews on odour control and dust
  • Requires more frequent full tray changes compared to clumping litter

Best crystal cat litter for kittens

Nobleza - Silica Cat Litter Diamond Gel kitten Litter 3.8L Absorbent, Comfortable BiodegradableNobleza

This Nobleza Silicia Cat Litter is a fab option for kittens as it is non-toxic, non-dust and unscented - perfect for the first months of your kitten's life. It is also long-lasting, with one bag of litter used for up to one month. No bacteria can grow on this silicone-based litter, plus it is excellent at absorbing odour and it's biodegradable.

You can visibly see the changes in the silica as the crystals turn transparent after absorbing moisture, then turn into a matte texture when dry.

While it has a lot of benefits, silica cat litter is more expensive and comes in smaller bags. There is mixed opinion amongst customer reviews, while some praise this litter for its odour control and ease of cleaning, others highlight that it tracks.

Pros

  • Non-toxic, dust-free and unscented—safe for kittens
  • One bag lasts up to a month
  • Excellent odour absorption
  • Biodegradable and prevents bacterial growth

Cons

  • More expensive than other litter types and comes in smaller bags
  • Mixed reviews on tracking

How we chose the best cat litter for kittens

All of these cat litter products for kittens have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered comfort, absorbency and odour control in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching good cat 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.

Best cat litter for kittens FAQs

What if kittens eat cat litter?

Your kitten is like a baby, so will want to put anything and everything in their mouth. Kittens eating cat litter is a common problem, but it is always best to get them checked out by the vet as some types of litter can cause choking or an intestinal blockage - even if they show no signs of illness. Clumping cat litter is best avoided in at least the first four months as your kitten may try to eat it.

How to train kittens to use their litter tray?

Cats are clever little creatures and using a litter tray often comes with instinct; some even know before eight weeks of age. 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. In their first days, try and make sure you observe your kitten using the litter tray, as some may eat their new litter or have trouble walking on it.

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.

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