Clumping cat litter makes it easier to sift out waste matter from your cat’s litter box, whether with a scoop or a sifting litter box. It also makes it less likely for small pieces of litter to be thrown out of the litter box and end up all over your home. Many cat owners already use clumping litter without even realizing it, since several popular brands offer clumping cat litter.
We reviewed dozens of clumping cat litters to determine which was the best. We considered the brand, the formulation, and the price in our research. We also looked through hundreds of online reviews from customers to see what real life users had to say.
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter stood out as a clear winner, offering a combination of features needed to keep your litter box clean and odor free. It focuses on clumping quickly to lock in waste and smells. It also uses ingredients that won’t cause allergy or other problems, making it a good choice for any cat.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Clumping Cat Litters
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick | Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter | 4.2 |
| Runner Up Pick | Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter | 4.5 |
| Best Budget Pick | Fresh Step Light Weight Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter | 4.5 |
| Best Scented Clumping Cat Litter | Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter | 4.6 |
| Best Unscented Clumping Cat Litter | World's Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is our top pick for clumping cat litter. The most important feature of any type of cat litter is its ability to deal with moisture. Clumping cat litter reacts to the moisture of your cat’s waste and begins to make a shell around it. When it hardens into a clump, you can scoop it out of the litter box. Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is hypoallergenic so that it won’t hurt sensitive cats. It also reacts to moisture quickly so that it can catch waste and seal it away before it spreads.
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is designed to support multiple cats in the same house. To do this, it must have exceptional odor control. Cats are territorial and won’t want to share the litter box if they can smell each other in it. Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter clumps and locks in odors as well as moisture so that cats can’t smell each other. This also helps you keep the odors out of your house.
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is made from all natural ingredients. These ingredients won’t aggravate your cat’s skin or senses. That way, he or she won’t avoid the litter box. Plus, Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is made using a dust-free formula so that your breathing won’t be affected at home.
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter Key Features:Â
- No dust
- Creates hard clumps quickly
- Locks in odors before they can be released
- Formulated to support multiple cats.
Our Runner Up Pick: Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter
Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter is our runner up pick for clumping cat litter. It is designed with TidyLock technology to lock in specific odors. The litter is clay-based, which naturally deodorizes the litter box. Because of this, it is able to keep odors at a low level at all times.
One of the best features that Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter has to offer is its ammonia blocker. Ammonia has a strong smell and is present in urine and fecal matter. This ammonia blocker is designed to isolate ammonia and lock it is. That way, it can’t release strong odors into your house or cause bacteria to grow faster.
Another useful feature is how Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter clumps. It is formulated to make smaller and tighter clumps. Since these clumps are smaller, you only need to scoop once to get it. Plus the added hardness keeps the clumps in one piece. That way, they won’t break apart as you clean up.
Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter Key Features:Â
- Designed for multiple types of odors
- Ammonia blocker
- Clay deodorizes litter box
- Makes tighter, stronger clumps
Best Budget Pick: Fresh Step Light Weight Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Fresh Step Light Weight Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is our best budget pick. It stands as a testament to the fact that clumping litter doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive to be effective. At around $10 for a 15.4-pound box, this product gives you the features of other top clumping litters but at a more affordable price.
One of the best features of Fresh Step Light Weight Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is that it includes activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is exceptional at absorbing things including smells. It can also absorb several times its own weight, making a little go a long way. In short, this means that this product will effectively control odors without the need for you to use a lot of extra litter.
This clumping clay litter also harnesses the power of Fresh Step’s Ammonia Block Technology, which is designed to minimize odors by controlling bacterial growth and deactivating enzymes. In fact, this particular variety is fragrance-free, so it’s perfect if you or your cat aren’t a fan of all kinds of smells and scents! We think you’d agree this product delivers a lot considering it’s priced at only 4 cents an ounce!
Fresh Step Light Weight Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Key Features:Â
- Contains activated charcoal
- Unscented
- Controls bacterial growth
- 15.4-pound box
Best Scented Clumping Cat Litter: Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter
Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter is a top option for pet parents in search of a scented clumping litter that gets the job done while masking unpleasant litter box odors. Controlling odors is important, but adding a fresh scent can make your litter box much nicer. Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter has a light, fresh scent to it that controls odors and makes you litter box more pleasant to be around.
Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter offers a formidable odor reducing system, that includes immediate odor control, as well as ammonia, urine and fecal smell neutralization. When you use this product precisely as directed, you can look forward to a whole 10 days of odor control!
Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter Key Features:Â
- Fresh scent
- 40 lb bag
- Ammonia, urine and fecal smell neutralization
- Odor blocking lasts up to 10 days
Best Unscented Clumping Cat Litter: World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is a great choice if you’re looking for a good clumping cat litter without added scents. Unscented cat litters are the right choice if you or your cat is sensitive to smells. World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is made without any artificial fragrances or other smells like ammonia. So you can trust that you and your cat won’t need to battle with unwanted smells.
This unscented clumping cat litter is certainly one of the innovative out there, as it’s made with whole corn kernel and 100% free from harmful chemicals. In fact, it’s so natural that you can flush it down the toilet, and it will be completely A-OK for both septic and sewer systems! A few other features that impressed us include its 99% dust free status and enhanced moisture lock technology that promises to ensure clumps stay hard around moisture.
World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter Key Features:Â
- Made with whole corn kernel
- Unscented formula for sensitive cats and people
- 100% free from harmful chemicals and artificial perfumes
- Enhanced moisture absorption
Who Should Buy a Clumping Cat Litter
Cat owners that scoop out their litter box without the help of an automatic system should strongly consider choosing a clumping cat litter. This type of litter makes it easy to maintain a neat bathroom, closet or utility room without stray bits of litter ending up in all nearby crevices. It makes it easier to scoop out cat waste from the litter box and ensure that you don’t leave any waste behind.
Clumping cat litter can also be beneficial for cat owners that use an electronic cat litter box. The clumping properties of the cat litter make it easier for the machine to thoroughly sift through waste matter. This means fewer times when you’ll have to manually clean out your cat’s litter box.
Important Features to Consider
Clumping cat litter should have several important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a package of clumping cat litter:
- Hypo-allergenic. Some cats could be sensitive to some of the ingredients in clumping cat litter. A hypo-allergenic formula can help reduce the chance of a sensitivity.
- Multi-cat formula. If you own multiple cats, choosing a multi-cat formula can prevent odors from building up when you have more than one cat using the litter box.
- Non-tracking. A non-tracking cat litter won’t stick to your cat’s paws when they leave the litter box, so it won’t end up on the floor.
- All natural ingredients. Some formulas of clumping cat litter use all natural ingredients.
- Hard clump. A hard clump litter creates stronger and larger clumps that won’t fall apart when you scoop it.
- Odor control. Not all clumping cat litters have odor control properties.
- Dust-free. A dust-free litter won’t have dust or other small particles that come off the litter as it is poured into the litter box.
- Moisture-activated formula. A moisture-activated formula only clumps after the litter comes into contact with
- Scoopability. Scoopable cat litter can be hand-scooped with a litter box scoop, as opposed to mechanical litter boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clumping cat litter and how does it work?
Clumping cat litters are designed with specific ingredients, such as bentonite, that form a hard ball when it comes into contact with urine or feces. This makes it possible to scoop out the pet waste without having to dump out the entire litter box to clean it.
How do you use clumping cat litter?
Clumping cat litter is used similarly to regular cat litter. Cat owners need to put the clumping cat litter into the litter box. Instead of dumping out the entire litter box to clean it, cat owners can scoop out the clumps each day to keep the litter box clean.
How often do you need to change clumping cat litter?
You should refer to each manufacturer’s instructions with regards to how often to change out your clumping cat litter for new litter. Generally, clumping cat litter should be scooped out every day and completely replaced every two to four weeks. Homes with more than one cat should switch out the cat litter closer to every two weeks.
Can you mix clumping and non-clumping cat litter?
Technically, you can mix clumping and non-clumping cat litter. However, it will function as non-clumping cat litter and will need to be completely replaced sooner.
Other Best Clumping Cat Litter We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other clumping cat litters. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best clumping cat litters list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your cat. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
- Natural Clumping Cat Litter
- Scented Clumping Cat Litter
- Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Multi-Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Multi-Cat Litter is used for multiple cat houses. It comes in a 40-pound bag that is enough for several large litter box reloads. It will stay odor free for up to seven days without maintenance. Odors are neutralized on contact as the litter clumps to contain what smells. The clumps stay extra hard so that they are easy to lift out. That way, it will keep all of the extra litter in place so that it doesn’t go to waste.
Key Features:
- Clumps quickly
- Comes in a 40-pound bag
- Enough for multiple cat houses
- Odors are neutralized on contact
Cost:Â $25
Cat’s Pride- Fresh and Light Premium Clumping Fragrance Free Scoopable Cat Litter Jug
This Cat’s Pride- Fresh and Light Premium Clumping Fragrance Free Scoopable Cat Litter Jug gives you 15 lb of clumping cat litter. It is not made using perfumes or dyes for cats that are sensitive to them. This litter is designed to absorb odors on contact so that it keeps your home smell free. It also has a low dust level so that you won’t be disturbed by bad air quality. A normal sized litter box should not need new litter for 35 days and will make nearly 140 clumps.
Key Features:
- 99% dust free
- Absorbs odors instantly
- Enough for multiple cats
- Lightweight design
Cost:Â $62
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Scoopable Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Scoopable Cat Litter is designed to help people with problem litter box users. Cats can be territorial and picky about litter boxes. This litter uses an herbal attractant to draw cats in. That way, you can get a problem cat to use the litter box. It has a very low dust rating and manages odors well. Your house won’t be disturbed by problem smells.
Key Features:
- Available in a 20 or 40-pound bag
- 99.5% dust-free
- Herbal attractant included
- Designed for problem cats
Cost: $30
Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Litter with the Power of Febreze, Clumping Cat Litter
Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Litter with the Power of Febreze, Clumping Cat Litter uses multiple methods to control odors. It starts by absorbing liquids quickly so that they don’t have time to smell. Then, it releases a fresh scent using Febreeze when your cat walks on it. Every time your cat goes to the litter box, it releases more of the scent to keep your house from smelling.
Key Features:
- Uses Febreeze to help control odors
- Comes in a 34-pound container
- Odor control lasts up to 10 days
- Step activated scent control
Cost:Â $18
Scoop Away Multi-Cat, Scented Cat Litter
Scoop Away Multi-Cat, Scented Cat Litter can be used in multiple cat homes for cats that share a litter box. The new formula is designed to produce less dust. It also has ammonia-blocking technology so that bacteria cannot grow and produce new smells. You can get Scoop Away Multi-Cat, Scented Cat Litter in containers up to 76 lb. It clumps tightly to save litter and to make sure that nothing escapes. Tight clumping also helps reduce the smell.
Key Features:
- Redesigned for a lower dust rating
- Designed for multiple cats
- Ammonia shield to reduce bacteria smells
- Lightly scented
Cost:Â $34
So Phresh Extreme Clumping Unscented Grass Seed Cat Litter
So Phresh Extreme Clumping Unscented Grass Seed Cat Litter is made entirely from grass seeds. It can absorb liquids quickly, and it clumps when wet to trap in smells. It is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Plus, it is 50% lighter than clay making cleanups much easier. This litter is unscented so it won’t put smells into your house. Grass seed clumps tightly when wet making it an ideal option for cat litter.
Key Features:
- Ultra clumping technology
- Unscented
- Made from seed
- 50% lighter than clay
Natural Clumping Cat Litter
Forest Fresh Cat Litter is made from all natural ingredients including Hinoki Wood. Hinoki Wood is highly absorbent and makes a good litter material. The clumps that it makes are smaller and tighter so that they can lock in waste and smells without wasting extra litter. The materials in Forest Fresh Cat Litter are eco-friendly. Once you have used up your litter, you can compost it to reuse it. That way, nothing goes to waste.
Key Features:
- Compostable
- Makes smaller clumps
- All natural odor control
- Includes Hinoki Wood
Cost:Â $10
ökocat Super Soft Natural Wood Clumping Litter
ökocat Super Soft Natural Wood Clumping Litter offers better absorption rates so that it can trap in waste and smells quickly. This litter is made out of wood fibers that are natural ammonia blockers. These stop bacteria from growing, which prevents the spread of diseases and other smells. When cleaning the litter box, you can flush ökocat Super Soft Natural Wood Clumping Litter since it is biodegradable. This makes cleanup fast and easy without the need for extra trash bags and creating more waste.
Key Features:
- Controls odors for up to seven days
- Dust-free
- Made from biodegradable ingredients
- You can flush it
Cost:Â $10
Rufus & Coco Wee Kitty Clumping Corn Cat Litter
Rufus & Coco Wee Kitty Clumping Corn Cat Litter is designed to be highly absorbent. It is made of corn and can absorb up to four times its own weight in liquids. The materials are flushable, which makes the cleanup process less messy. It absorbs odors so fast that it can eliminate an ammonia smell in five minutes. Your house will be smell free for a long time.
Key Features:
- Made from corn
- Won the Hot Diggity Award in 2017
- A single bag can last eight weeks
- Available in multipacks and larger size bags
Cost: $16
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter is made from grass seed, which is renewable and eco-friendly. This litter is made without chemicals and fragrances since some cats are sensitive to them. Plus, it is made without clay so that it can be lightweight and less messy. Grass seed forms small, tight clumps that are easier to remove. That way, you can keep more of your litter in the tray instead of in the trash or on the floor.
Key Features:
- Chemical-free
- Fragrance-free
- Clay-free
- Made from renewable sources
Cost: $32
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Cat Litter
1-3 sentence summary description.
Key Features:
- Available in containers up to 36 lb
- Clumps quickly
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Designed for multiple cat homes
Cost: $28
World’s Best Cat Litter, Clumping Formula
World’s Best Cat Litter, Clumping Formula is designed to help reduce odors and cleanup from litter boxes. It has a very low dust rating and is made entirely of eco-friendly materials. You can choose from a variety of package sizes and counts to get as much as you need. The clumps are small so that you won’t take out extra litter. You can keep more in the litter box so you save money over time.
Key Features:
- Safe for septic tanks
- Eco-friendly
- 99% dust-free
- Available in multiple sizes and pack quantities
Scented Clumping Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Scented Litter Bag
If you want good odor control alongside a fresh scent, check out scented clumping cat litter. The Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Scented Litter Bag gives you light, fresh scent to go with better odor control. The litter is made out of hypoallergenic materials so that it is clean for your house. With a low dust rating and hard fast clumps, you can reduce odors in your home. Plus, this litter is designed to fall off of cats before they leave the litter box so that your cat won’t track it across the house.
Key Features:
- Made from hypoallergenic materials
- Low tracking design
- Creates hard clumps
- Moisture-activated scent control
Cost: $19
Ever Clean Scented Clumping Cat Litter
The Ever Clean Scented Clumping Cat Litter uses advanced technologies to make your home more enjoyable with cats. It is designed to catch odors before they escape and to emit a fresh scent. The scent is motion and pressure-activated, so it releases every time your cat steps into the litter box. It includes activated carbon, which is both mixed in and formulated into the litter. Activated carbon has exceptional absorption abilities and can hold multiple times its own weight. Your litter box will absorb all of the waste and odors so that your home stays fresh.
Key Features:
- 10-day freshness
- Motion activated scent release
- Carbon Plus technology
- Improved clumping
Cost: $24
Fresh Step Scented Litter with The Power of Febreze, Clumping Cat Litter
This Fresh Step Scented Litter with The Power of Febreze, Clumping Cat Litter spreads a light scent when stepped on. Your cat will be its own air freshener every time it enters the litter box. The odor control lasts up to 10-days with no maintenance making it a good option if you will be away often. This litter clumps to make it easier to clean up. You can keep the extra in the resealable container to keep it fresh.
Key Features:
- Odor control lasts 10 days
- Clumping formula
- Made to handle tough odors
- Comes in resealable containers
Cost: $12
Scoop Away Extra Strength Scented Litter
Scoop Away Extra Strength Scented Litter makes it easier for you to keep your litter box clean since it does a good job at clumping. The better the clumps are, less litter is needed. This can help you save money over time since you will never need to dump the entire litter box. If you have a lot of cats, there is a 114 lb container available that can make it easier to stay well supplied. It is made with both Ammonia Shield and OdorGuard technologies to improve the air quality in your house.
Key Features:
- 114 lb containers available
- Made using OdorGuard technology
- Ammonia Shield
- No need to dump the whole litter box
Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
Boxiecat Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Boxiecat Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter is designed to outperform other options. Its advanced clumping technology lets it form clumps on top. That way, you don’t have to dig for the clumps and it uses less litter. Overall, you can save money with Boxiecat Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter because you use less of it each day.
Key Features:
- Lower cost per day
- Forms clumps near the top
- Designed to prevent tracking in your house
- Won the Cat Fancy Editor’s Choice Award – Best Product of the Year
Cost:Â $18
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance Free Clumping Litter
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance Free Clumping Litter uses bio-enzymes to kill bacteria quickly. This stops the growth of smelly bacteria to help reduce odors. This litter does not have a fragrance so that sensitive cats can use it. Plus, it clumps well making it easier to clean up after your cat.
Key Features:
- Fragrance-free
- Designed for stronger clumping
- Available in 20 and 40-pound containers
- Bio-Enzymes
Cost: $40
Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Clumping Cat Litter
Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Clumping Cat Litter uses Tidy Lock technology to lock in odors so that your house won’t smell. It also includes activated charcoal, which absorbs multiple times its own weight. Tidy Cats has a long history that stretches back more than 50 years. You get a fragrance and dye free alternative litter that keeps your house clean and smelling fresh.
Key Features:
- No fragrance
- No dyes
- Includes activated charcoal
- Tidy Lock technology
Cost: $20
Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter
Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter is made from recycled paper so that no new trees are cut down. Paper is absorbent and can help control smells. It is made without a scent so that it doesn’t make your house smell. Plus, the eco-friendly formula is biodegradable.
Key Features:
- Unscented
- Made from paper
- Uses recycled ingredients
- Eco-friendly formula
Cost:Â $20
