Choosing the right cat litter is more important than many cat owners realize. While it might seem like a mundane purchase, the type of litter you select can significantly impact your cat’s health and well-being, as well as your household environment. Many conventional cat litters are made from clay, which can be dusty and contain crystalline silica, a known carcinogen. Fortunately, there’s a growing awareness of healthier, more sustainable options: Natural Cat Litters. These litters are made from renewable resources and often boast superior odor control, lower dust, and better environmental footprints.
If you’re seeking a healthier and more eco-conscious option for your feline friend, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rigorously tested a variety of natural cat litters to bring you our top recommendations. We considered factors like clumping ability, odor control, dust levels, tracking, and of course, their natural composition. We purchased all litters ourselves and tested them with multiple cats over several weeks to provide you with unbiased and practical insights.
Our Top Natural Cat Litter Picks: Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Features | Price & Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter | Overall Best | Renewable resources, fine texture, silica dust-free | $12.35 per month At CatalystPet *Check for savings |
| tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter | Best Low-Tracking | Biodegradable, compostable, flushable, lightweight pellets, clumping | $29 At tuft + paw |
| ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter | Best Biodegradable | High absorbency, biodegradable, flushable, reasonably priced | $27.99 At Chewy |
| Feline Pine Original Cat Litter | Best Odor Control | Immediate odor elimination, safe if ingested, dust-free | $21.49 At Chewy |
| sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Cat Litter | Best Organic | Week-long odor protection, biodegradable, effective clumping | $27.99 At Chewy |
| Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter | Best Clumping | Affordable, low-tracking, environmentally friendly | $16.99 At Chewy |
| Arm & Hammer Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Cat Litter | Best Budget Pick | Reasonably priced, natural odor protection, low dust | $10.87 At Chewy |
The Top 7 Natural Cat Litters: Detailed Reviews
Let’s delve deeper into each of our top natural cat litter selections. We’ve evaluated these based on real-world testing to help you make the best choice for your cat and home.
1. Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter: Overall Best Natural Cat Litter
Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter
Alt Text: Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Natural Cat Litter bag, showcasing its eco-friendly packaging and fine texture.
$12.35 per month At CatalystPet *Check out savings
$24.99 At Chewy
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Catalyst Pet stands out by crafting its litter from upcycled softwood fiber, a resource that would otherwise be wasted. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their product line, which includes Healthy Cat, Unscented, and Multi-cat formulas, all boasting an impressive 99% dust-free composition.
Close-up of Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula texture
Alt Text: Close-up view of Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula Natural Cat Litter, highlighting its soft, fine-grained texture ideal for sensitive paws.
Scooping Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula clumping litter
Alt Text: Scooping clumped Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula Natural Cat Litter, demonstrating its strong clumping capabilities for easy cleaning.
Pouring Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula into a litter box
Alt Text: Pouring Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula Natural Cat Litter into a litter box, showing its lightweight nature and minimal dust.
This sustainable natural cat litter is not only lightweight and gentle on paws but also delivers robust clumping and exceptional odor control. Its absorbency is noteworthy; one pound of Catalyst litter can reportedly match the performance of three pounds of traditional clumping clay litter. For multi-cat households or single-cat homes alike, the 40lb option offers significant value, potentially costing just $12.35 per month and lasting up to four months for a single cat, making it a surprisingly affordable natural cat litter choice.
Pros:
- Made from renewable, upcycled resources
- Fine-grained texture is soft on sensitive cat paws
- Formulated without crystalline silica dust
Cons:
- Can track slightly outside the litter box
- May produce minimal dust when initially poured
2. tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter: Best Low-Tracking Natural Cat Litter
tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter packaging, emphasizing its low-tracking and natural soybean-based formula.
$29 At tuft + paw
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Many low-tracking cat litters are often dense and heavy, but tuft + paw’s Really Great Cat Litter breaks this mold. Crafted from soybean byproducts and formed into small, oblong pellets, this litter is designed to minimize tracking. The unique shape and size of the pellets are key to keeping litter inside the box, reducing mess around your home.
Close-up of Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter pellets
Alt Text: Detailed view of Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter pellets, showcasing their unique oblong shape designed for minimal tracking.
Scooping Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter clumps
Alt Text: Scooping clumped Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter, demonstrating its ability to form cohesive clumps despite being a pellet litter.
Pouring Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter into a litter box
Alt Text: Pouring Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter into a litter box, highlighting its lightweight pellets and dust-free nature.
While it comes at a premium price point, Really Great Cat Litter offers benefits that few competitors can match. It’s not only biodegradable and compostable, making it an eco-friendly natural cat litter, but also flushable. Though it requires soaking the clumps in the toilet before flushing to ensure proper breakdown, the soybean-based material is designed to disintegrate effectively.
In terms of performance, this natural cat litter rapidly absorbs liquids and forms solid clumps. While the clumps might be slightly more delicate than those of clay litter, careful scooping prevents them from breaking apart. Cats seem to accept the pellet texture readily, and the formula effectively controls odors without relying on added fragrances.
Pros:
- Biodegradable, compostable, and septic-safe flushable
- Lightweight, oblong pellets designed for minimal tracking
- Forms easy-to-scoop, cohesive clumps
Cons:
- Primarily available through subscription
- More expensive than average cat litters
3. ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter: Best Natural Biodegradable Cat Litter
ökocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: ökocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Natural Cat Litter bag, showcasing its natural wood composition and biodegradable claims.
$27.99 At Chewy
$17.96 At Amazon
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ökocat is renowned for its exceptional absorbency. The manufacturer claims it can absorb up to five times its weight in liquid before becoming overly saturated. This high absorbency contributes to its impressive odor control, capable of managing smells in multi-cat households for up to a week.
Made from natural wood fibers, ökocat is a truly biodegradable natural cat litter. It’s also flushable, offering a convenient disposal method. Its natural composition ensures it’s environmentally friendly, breaking down naturally without causing harm. This eco-friendly cat litter is as safe for the environment as cat waste itself.
Pros:
- Exceptional absorbency compared to other litters
- Naturally biodegradable and flushable in septic systems
- Offered at a reasonable price point
Cons:
- Clumping may not be as firm as some competitors
- Can track outside the litter box to some extent
4. Feline Pine Original Cat Litter: Best Natural Cat Litter for Odor Control
Feline Pine Original Natural Wood Non Clumping Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: Feline Pine Original Natural Wood Non-Clumping Cat Litter bag, highlighting its pine scent and odor-controlling properties.
$21.49 At Chewy
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Despite being a natural cat litter, Feline Pine Original is not recommended for flushing. While flushability is often touted as a benefit of natural cat litters, it’s important to note that not all natural litters are suitable for septic systems. Always check specific product guidelines.
Close-up of Feline Pine Original Natural Wood Litter pellets
Alt Text: Detailed view of Feline Pine Original Natural Wood Non-Clumping Cat Litter pellets, showing their compressed pine composition.
Using a sifting litter box with Feline Pine Original Litter
Alt Text: Using a sifting litter box to clean Feline Pine Original Natural Wood Non-Clumping Cat Litter, demonstrating its non-clumping nature.
Feline Pine is on the pricier side compared to some natural kitty litter options, but it offers significant advantages, particularly in odor control. It effectively eliminates odors on contact, making it an excellent choice for households concerned about litter box smells.
It’s also highly absorbent. However, Feline Pine is a non-clumping litter, meaning it won’t form solid clumps when wet. This necessitates more frequent complete litter box changes rather than just scooping clumps.
Pros:
- Eliminates unpleasant odors immediately
- Safe for cats, even if ingested in small amounts
- Dust-free formula, promoting respiratory health
Cons:
- Not flushable, despite being a natural litter
- Can be more expensive than some alternatives
5. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Cat Litter: Best Organic Natural Cat Litter
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter bag, emphasizing its wheat-based organic composition and clumping ability.
$27.99 At Chewy
$17.96 At Amazon
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sWheat Scoop is a highly recommended natural cat litter, earning top marks from both cat experts and veterinarians. While it’s positioned at a higher price point, many cat owners find the benefits justify the cost, especially for a clumping litter that minimizes dust tracking and offers an all-natural, cat-safe formula.
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Wheat Cat Litter in use
Alt Text: sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Wheat Cat Litter in a litter box, illustrating its natural wheat texture and clumping action.
Specifically designed for multi-cat households, sWheat Scoop is often recommended by veterinarians due to its cat-friendly texture and effective odor control. It excels at preventing urine and fecal odors for up to a week, even in homes with multiple cats, making it a top contender in the organic natural cat litter category.
Pros:
- Provides odor control for up to one week
- Naturally biodegradable, minimizing environmental impact
- Forms very effective and solid clumps for easy scooping
Cons:
- One of the more expensive natural cat litter products available
6. Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter: Best Natural Clumping Cat Litter
Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter bag, highlighting its walnut-based formula and clumping capabilities.
$16.99 At Chewy
$27.95 At Amazon
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If tracking litter dust through your home is a primary concern, Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter is an excellent solution. This litter is designed to clump effectively and quickly absorb cat urine, minimizing the potential for dusty paw prints around your house.
While its rapid absorption and clumping are beneficial, it can sometimes clump too quickly and become muddy if not scooped frequently enough. In some cases, more frequent litter box changes might be necessary.
The ingredients are all-natural and environmentally friendly, positioning it as a responsible eco-friendly cat litter choice. You can dispose of this biodegradable litter with the confidence that it’s free from harsh chemicals and toxins.
Pros:
- Offered at an affordable price point
- Minimal to no tracking, keeping homes cleaner
- Made with environmentally conscious, biodegradable materials
Cons:
- Can become muddy if not replaced or scooped regularly
7. Arm & Hammer Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Cat Litter: Best Budget-Friendly Natural Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Cat Litter bag
Alt Text: Arm & Hammer Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Cat Litter bag, promoting its budget-friendly price and natural corn-based formula.
$10.87 At Chewy
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Arm & Hammer Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Cat Litter utilizes a low-dust formula to minimize tracking and maintain a clean home. This natural cat litter effectively eliminates odors and keeps your house smelling fresh.
This clumping litter effectively absorbs urine, making scooping used litter straightforward. Its high absorbency means that immediate scooping isn’t always necessary, as it can continue to control odors and maintain litter box freshness for an extended period. For cat owners seeking an affordable natural cat litter option, this is a strong contender.
Pros:
- Available at a reasonably low price point
- Provides natural odor protection
- Produces very little dust, beneficial for respiratory health
Cons:
- May develop an ammonia smell once used
What to Consider When Buying Natural Cat Litter
While we’ve highlighted some excellent natural cat litter products, finding the perfect one for your cat might require considering a few key factors. Here’s what you should keep in mind when choosing the best natural cat litter for your feline companion:
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Choose the Right Type: Natural cat litters come in various materials, including corn, paper, wheat, walnut, and wood. Each type has unique characteristics. Consider any allergies your cat might have and observe their preferences. Some cats may prefer certain textures or materials over others.
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Be Skeptical of “Natural” Claims: Just because a product is labeled “natural” doesn’t guarantee it’s entirely toxin-free. Some litters might contain a mix of natural and synthetic components. Our top picks have undergone safety testing, but always research any product you’re considering to ensure it meets your standards for a safe natural cat litter.
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Start Small: It’s wise to purchase a small bag of a new litter initially. You can’t predict how your cat will react to a new type of litter. They might love it or completely reject it. Testing a small amount helps you gauge their acceptance before investing in a larger bag.
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Consider the Number of Cats: Some litters are better suited for single-cat homes than multi-cat households. If you have multiple cats, ensure the litter you choose can handle the increased waste and odor. Multi-cat formulas are often designed for enhanced odor control and absorbency.
We believe natural cat litter is often the superior choice for cat health and environmental responsibility. While personal preferences and your cat’s needs will guide your final decision, exploring natural cat litters is a worthwhile step toward a healthier and happier home for you and your feline friend.
