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The best cat litter for your pet

If you’re welcoming a feline friend or have noticed stronger odours, it may be time to research litter options.

White cat sitting in Petco litter box with one paw stretched out White cat sitting in Petco litter box with one paw stretched out

How to find the right cat litter

Prevent feline stress and other issues by experimenting with different types and textures to find the best match for your cat.

Cat litter textures and scents

From non-clumping to unscented, get the scoop on the most common types of litter below.

Litter comes in both scented and unscented varieties

Scented cat litter

  • Scented litters are designed to mask litter odours
  • But some cats dislike strong scents and prefer unscented litters

Unscented cat litter

  • Unscented cat litter brands rely on ingredients such as carbon and natural plant extracts to help absorb odours from urine and feces and reduce litter box smells

Cat litter can also be clumping or non-clumping, impacting how pet parents clean and empty the litter box

Clumping cat litter

  • Clumping litters form scoopable, solid masses for quick and easy waste removal and generally provides reasonable odour control

Non-clumping cat litter

  • Non-clumping needs to be fully replaced more often than clumping

What is cat litter made of?

Cat litter can be made from various ingredients with different properties and uses. See our list below for more details.

Litter type

Scented or unscented

Clumping or non-clumping

Features & benefits

Things to consider

Clay

Available in both scented and unscented varieties

Quick clumping

  • One of the most popular cat litter materials on the market
  • Good odour control, many brands rely on ingredients such as plant extracts to absorb smells
  • Clumps quickly for easy cleanup
  • Typically needs to be changed less frequently than other litters
  • Not biodegradable and may create dust

Corn

Available in natural and scented varieties

Natural clumping

  • Dust-free
  • Biodegradable and eco-friendly

Wheat

Naturally scented

Natural clumping

  • Naturally clumping and odour-absorbing
  • Dust-free
  • Biodegradable and eco-friendly
  • May not clump as firmly as clay litter
  • Must be stored carefully to prevent pests

Wood

Naturally scented

Does not clump

  • Natural pinewood by-product
  • Natural deodorizer
  • Dust-free
  • Environmentally safe and biodegradable
  • Can be used to landscape mulch and composting

Recycled paper

Unscented

Does not clump

  • Eco-friendly
  • Dust-free
  • More affordable than most natural litters
  • Great for cats recovering from surgery
  • Less odour control than other litters
  • Not flushable or compostable
  • May need more frequent changes other than litters

Silica

Unscented

Clumping

  • Highly absorbent
  • Trackless and dust-free
  • Some cats may not like the feel of crystal litter on their paws

Grass

Naturally scented

Natural clumping

  • Lightweight
  • Biodegradable
  • Dust-free
  • Soft on paws

Ready to make the switch?

When changing litter, transition slowly by adding small amounts of new litter to the old over the course of 7 to 10 days until you have switched over entirely.

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Choosing the right cat litter