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The 6 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litters (2024): Low Track & No Stick Picks

Posted in: Cat Litter - Last Updated: January 8, 2024 - Author: Rebekah Carter
Posted in Cat Litter 
Last Updated: April 3, 2023  
Author:  Rebekah Carter

In this guide, we’re testing, reviewing and comparing some of the best non-tracking cat litter options. Cat litter is one of the most important resources you’ll invest in when you bring your kitty companion home. It’s a must-have purchase for any feline-friendly household, but it also comes in a variety of styles with different pros and cons to consider. 

non-tracking cat litter

Many cat litters have a major problem with tracking. Every time your kitty jumps into the cat litter box or tray, then back out again, they may take dust, and litter fragments and mess with them. This can be a serious problem for anyone who wants to keep their home clean and hygienic. Non-tracking cat litter helps to eliminate this problem, with carefully chosen ingredients. 

While non-tracking kitty litter might not eliminate mess completely, it can be a great way to reduce the litter sprays around your trays. With a little help from our own cats and kittens, we examined some of the best non-tracking litters in the market, to bring you this list. 

Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter: Overall Choice

Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter is a good non-tracking cat litter due to its heavy granules, which minimizes the likelihood of it sticking to your cat's paws and being tracked throughout your home. 

Additionally, its excellent clumping ability allows for easy cleanup, while the hypoallergenic formula caters to sensitive cats. The litter's dust-free quality also contributes to a cleaner environment, making it a popular choice among cat owners seeking a low-maintenance and effective cat litter solution.

3 Top Non-Tracking Cat Litter Picks – Best, Value, and Premium

There is no shortage of "best litter" options on the market that claim to make tracking a problem of the past. However, not all of them are as effective as they seem. We chose these top three options based on their performance, design, and overall ease of use.

Our Top 3 Choices

Best Overall

Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Clean Tracks - Low Dust, Low Tracking, Hard Clumping, Superior Odor Control, Unscented & Natural Ingredients 40 LBS

Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter

  • Minimal tracking and dust
  • Easy to clean with hard-clumping components
  • Unscented for sensitive noses

Best Value

ökocat Less Mess Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter Mini-Pellets, Great for Long-Hair Breeds, Medium, 14.8 lbs. (Packaging May Vary)

ökocat Less Mess Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter

  • All-natural, sustainable cat litter
  • Clumping formula for easy cleaning
  • Excellent odor control

Premium Choice

Purina Tidy Cats Non Clumping Cat Litter, Instant Action Low Tracking Cat Litter - 30 lb. Bag

Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter

  • Nonclumping for long-lasting litter
  • Designed for low tracking and dust
  • Moisture-activated odor control system

So that’s a quick chart showing our three best non-tracking cat litter picks. Now let’s take a deeper look at these and more.

Let's start with the top 3 in a little more detail.

1. Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Best Overall

Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Clean Tracks - Low Dust, Low Tracking, Hard Clumping, Superior Odor Control, Unscented & Natural Ingredients 40 LBS

Designed to minimize both dust and tracking, Dr. Elsey’s Premium cat litter is brimming with great benefits. Made with bentonite clay, it offers fantastic clumping capabilities and creates litter particles just the right size for kitties. 

With minimal dust and no scents, it’s great for sensitive cats and owners alike. Plus, the product is carefully formulated to keep the litter in the box (where it should be) rather than allowing it to cling to cat paws. 

As an added bonus, this fantastic cat litter comes with odor control built-in, designed to minimize the often terrible smells of your kitty’s bathroom habits.

It’s even suitable for multi-cat households, and it’s wonderfully simple to use and clean. 

Pros

  • Minimal tracking and dust
  • Easy to clean with hard-clumping components
  • Unscented for sensitive noses
  • Odor control is already built-in
  • All-natural and safe ingredients

Cons

  • The clumps can stick to the side of the pan
  • Odor control doesn’t last forever

2. ökocat Less Mess Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter - Best Value

ökocat Less Mess Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter Mini-Pellets, Great for Long-Hair Breeds, Medium, 14.8 lbs. (Packaging May Vary)

Made with unscented wooden particles, the Less Mess clumping cat litter is wonderfully absorbent and great at reducing tracking issues. 

Unlike many wood-based litters, the product can create solid clumps around waste and urine, so it’s easy to remove waste from the tray quickly. The wood fiber also naturally prevents ammonia smells from becoming too much to bear. 

This high-performance litter is 99% dust-free, so it’s great for people with allergens or sensitive noses. What’s more, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re investing in a sustainable product.

The litter is freer from any dangerous chemicals and toxins, and it can be composted too.

Pros

  • All-natural, sustainable cat litter
  • Clumping formula for easy cleaning
  • Excellent odor control
  • Almost completely dust free
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • May have a slight scent to it
  • Can occasionally have scattering issues

3. Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter - Premium Choice

Purina Tidy Cats Non Clumping Cat Litter, Instant Action Low Tracking Cat Litter - 30 lb. Bag

Another excellent solution for pet parents tired of cleaning up litter, the Purina Tidy Cats product is a simple, unscented, and reliable litter choice. 

The instant-action litter is specially designed to soak up moisture, to eliminate horrible smells as quickly as possible. It’s also non-clumping, which means it can last a little longer than some alternative products. 

The moisture-activated odor control system helps to neutralize ammonia, so your litter boxes can stay fresher for longer.

Plus, the formula aims to reduce tracking and dust to the absolute minimum, with particles that don’t stick to your cat’s feet.

Pros

  • Nonclumping for long-lasting litter
  • Designed for low tracking and dust
  • Moisture-activated odor control system
  • Safe and natural ingredients
  • Unscented, for sensitive cats

Cons

  • You may need to change the litter tray quickly
  • Heavy bags can be difficult to lift
best non-tracking litter

The Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter: Alternative Picks

We chose the options above to appeal to all kinds of pet parents in search of premium, budget-friendly, or just all-around effective litter products. However, if none of those solutions matched your needs specifically, the following alternatives might just do the trick.

4. PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Cat Litter

PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Blue Crystal Litter, 4.3 lb (Pack of 2) – Includes 2 Bags – Absorbs Odors 5x Faster than Clay Clumping – Low Tracking for Less Mess – Lasts up to a Month - Lightly Scented

Crystal cat litter can be an excellent choice for people who want to reduce dust and mess. The PetSafe crystal cat litter is carefully formulated to minimize odors as quickly as possible. It absorbs urine and dries out solid waste, removing odors faster than most alternatives. 

This long-lasting product can withstand up to 30 days of use, and it’s extremely low-tracking. 

To make your life easier, the product even comes pre-packaged in the perfect quantity for most litter trays, so all you need to do is open the pack and dump in the litter.

As an added bonus, the crystal cat litter is eco-friendly too. 

Pros

  • Removes odors rapidly
  • Long-lasting, so you can clean less often
  • Pre-portioned packages for ease of use
  • Minimal dust and tracking

Cons

  • Stains very quickly
  • The crystals can be difficult to clean out

5. Litter Pearls Trackless Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter

Litter Pearls Tracksless Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter with Odorbond, 7 lb, White, Clear and Blue Crystals

These low-tracking litter crystals are completely fragrance-free, and produce minimal dust, so you don’t have to worry about excess allergens in your home. 

Not only are they soft and comfortable on cat paws, but they’re entirely safe and non-toxic too. 

The litter comes with a carefully formulated odor-control system to neutralize ammonia and powerful smells. Plus, the non-clumping litter is easy to dump out and change whenever you need a tray update.

Suitable for cats of all sizes and breeds, as well as multi-cat households, this litter option is as convenient, low-dust alternative to clay litters. 

Pros

  • Minimal dust and low tracking
  • Odorless for sensitive noses
  • Clump-free for quick cleaning
  • Odor control built-in

Cons

  • Difficult to clean between full changes
  • May not be the most durable option

6. ARM & HAMMER Feline Pine Platinum with Baking Soda Non-Clumping Cat Litter

Feline Pine Platinum Non-Clumping Cat Litter 18lb.

The Arm & Hammer pine platinum cat litter comes with baking soda integrated into the formula to neutralize unwanted smells. 

This easy-to-use no-fragrance cat litter features absolutely no harsh chemicals and is made from 100% pine, which naturally absorbs waste. An excellent alternative to clay, the pine pellet litters are low dust, and great for reducing tracking.

Even if a few pellets do end up falling out of the litter tray, they’re relatively easy to clean up due to their size.

The pine litter is also sustainably sourced, so you can rest assured you’re not having a negative impact on the planet. 

Pros

  • Completely natural non-toxic ingredients
  • Natural odor control with baking soda
  • Low dust and easy to clean
  • Excellent ease of use

Cons

  • Can be a little pine dust at times
  • Odor control could be better

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nontracking cat litter

Non-Tracking Cat Litter Buyer’s Guide

Although there are dozens of cat litter brands that promise to provide non-tracking cat litter on the market today, finding the right one for your kitty can be complex. Not only do you need to consider things like your budget and personal preferences, but you’ll need to adhere to the tastes of your kitty too. Here are some points to consider when selecting your litter:

  • Odor control: We all love our cats, but we’re not so fond of the smells they can create in their litter tray. Odor control in a non-tracking cat litter can help to minimize unwanted odors, so your home can stay smelling fresh. It may be particularly important to invest in this feature if you have a multi-cat household, where smells can quickly build up. 
  • Tracking: Obviously, the most important factor to look at in a non-tracking cat litter is its ability to reduce tracking. Although very few cat litter will be able to eliminate tracking completely, it’s worth looking into the reviews of the product to see how effective it is. Opting for a low-dust option can also significantly reduce your cleaning time.
  • Eco-friendly materials: If you’re worried about sustainability, the eco-friendly structure of your cat litter might be important. It’s helpful to look for a product made with all-natural ingredients, free from chemicals and toxins, which can be disposed of easily. A non-toxic, eco-friendly option material will also reduce the risk to your cat. 
  • Ease of cleaning: Cleaning out the cat litter tray is an important task. Ask yourself whether you prefer to dump everything out at once with a non-clumping litter, or like to remove waste one section at a time with a clumping litter alternative. It’s also worth looking at how easy it is to clean up any mess around the litter tray – just in case.
  • Cat friendly: A good cat litter should always be comfortable for your cat to use. Make sure it’s free of any chemicals or toxins which might be harmful to your feline friend. It’s also worth looking for something that’s soft and easy on the paws. This might be particularly crucial if you have a sensitive cat.
  • Lightweight: Pouring cat litter into a box or tray can be quite a task if you’re dealing with a heavy bag. A lightweight option can be a lot easier to use, and it’s much easier to transport if you need to take your litter tray with you anywhere. Make sure the litter is as easy to lift and handle as possible. 
  • Scent: Although scented cat litter can help to mask some odors, they can be problematic for certain cats. Heavy scents can cause disorientation and discomfort, for both you and your kitty. For the most part, an unscented litter will usually be the best option for most cats. It also makes it easier for them to find their litter tray when they want to use it. 

FAQs:

What makes a litter low tracking?

There are a few things that can transform standard cat litter into non-tracking litter. Larger granules and particles are often less likely to cling to cat paws and get tangled in their fur. Additionally, litter with less dust will create less mess when your kitty is jumping in and out of the litter box. Some types can be made out of different materials from the standard litters. These include compressed corn and walnuts (walnut shells) which may be mixed with activated charcoal to provide good odor control.

Why is my cat tracking litter everywhere?

Litter can easily get stuck to a cat’s paws or fur when they’re in the litter tray. Most of the time, your kitty won’t be deliberately tracking litter with them wherever they go. However, their litter habits, such as how they enter and exit the box can make a difference. The type of litter you use, such as clay litter with small particles, can also increase the problem. 

How do I stop my cat from tracking poop?

If your cat is taking more than just litter grains with them out of the litter tray, such as feces or clumps, this is usually a sign that you need a bigger litter tray that gives your kitty more room to maneuver. Clean out your cat litter regularly to reduce the risk of accidents, and consider using a specially-designed mat to capture any loose particles. 

best non-tracking litter

Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter: The Verdict

A non-tracking cat litter can be an excellent way to reduce the mess around your house. While no litter will eliminate tracking completely, choosing one of the specially formulated options above should help you to minimize your issues with the mess. 

Our best cat litter option overall is Dr. Elsey’s Premium cat litter. This clay cat litter offers great clumping capabilities, with minimal dust, and no scent. It’s great for absorbing odors, and it’s even suitable for multi-cat households. 

This litter offers an all-natural way for pet owners to cut down on the issues of cat litter tracking. 

Another great option to avoid litter being walked through your home is litter mats. Cat owners, check out our cat litter mat article here.

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About the author

Rebekah Carter is a dedicated animal lover. Her Savannah cat, Roscoe, has a lot of attitude, while her Maine Coon, Dukino, is full of love. When not writing, she’s looking after her cats and researching ways to help them live their best possible life. Her passion for animals and natural skill for writing led her to pursue pet blogging.

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