Choosing the right cat litter is one of the toughest jobs for any pet parent. Cat urine and feces can kick up a mighty smell so it must be tackled that only the best kitty litter strategy.You’d think that picking a toilet option for your feline friend's cat litter boxes would be a breeze. Surely you could just buy the cheapest option and be done with it, right?
Unfortunately, cats can be very picky about where and how they go to the bathroom. Choose the wrong litter, and you could end up with a grumpy moggy who pees outside of a clean litter tray!
Clumping litters are a big favorite of today’s cat owners because they’re great at reducing smell, adding fragrance, and simplifying the dreaded clean-up. However, not all clumping litters are the same. Here, we’re going to introduce you to some of the best clumping cat litters of 2021.
Who Should Buy Clumping Cat Litter?
First, let’s define the kind of person who should buy clumping cat litter.
Clumping litters are appealing because they soak up the smell of urine and making for an easy cleanup. Because everything clumps together in a handy chunk, you can just scoop the debris from time to time, rather than emptying the entire box.
Most clumping cat litters also come with features that help to reduce the smell too.
As you remove soiled litter from the cat tray, you top it up with new litter, making clean-up a breeze. If you don’t have an automatic cat litter tray, it’s much easier to keep a litter tray looking neat and tidy with clumping litters. If you do have an electronic box, clumping can make those more efficient too. Just make sure that you’re using something compatible with your box.
Of course, you still need to empty your litter tray from time to time, but there’s not as much maintenance as you’d get with non-clumping litter.
Clumping cat litter is an excellent option for homes with multiple cats because the texture of the litter makes keeping on top of waste easier. Plus, when you do scoop, you can rest assured that you haven’t left too much behind.
Important Features to Consider
Clumping cat litters come in a variety of different types. There are options that have scents added to them to balance out the smell of your cat’s bathroom habits. You can also find clumping cat liters that are hypo-allergenic – ideal for sensitive cats.
Here are some of the valuable features you might want to consider while shopping:
Ideally, you’ll also want to look at a cat litter that has all-natural ingredients. The more natural the litter, the less likely it is that your cat will be exposed to anything dangerous. Remember, your cat licks himself to get clean – they might accidentally consume some litter from time to time.
Clumping Cat Litter FAQ
How does clumping litter work?
Clumping litter forms clumps thanks to its unique ingredients. Using substances like sodium bentonite, the litter reacts to moisture by swelling and binding the litter together. The better the litter, the harder the clumps will be, making them easier to remove.
How often do you need to change clumping litter?
Clumping litter doesn’t need changing as frequently as non-clumping litter. If you scoop on a daily basis, you’ll probably only need to change the litter full box every 2-3 weeks. If you notice that the litter is highly saturated, then clean it out earlier.
How do you use clumping cat litter?
Clumping cat litter works the same as cat litter material. You fill your cat’s tray with enough litter for him to dig through to hide his waste. Once you notice some urine or poop in the tray, you scoop it away. Every few weeks, clean out the full litter tray.
Is clumping cat litter more expensive?
Clumping cat litter can be a little more expensive than non-clumping litter in some cases. However, this kind of litter will also last you longer because you don’t need to switch out the whole tray as often.
Can you mix clumping and non-clumping litter?
You can if you have to, but it won’t work well. Mixing non-clumping and clumping cat litter will dilute the clumping qualities. That means that you’ll just end up with a messier litter tray, and potentially stickier litter.
The 9 Best Clumping Cat Litters
Now that you know your way around how clumping cat litters work, and what kind of features they need to have, let’s sort through some of the better options on the market.
1. ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal Platinum Clumping Clay Litter - Best Overall Option
Arm and Hammer cat litter is a powerful, odor-controlling option for clumping cat litter lovers. The product is excellent for cutting down on dust, thanks to its unique formula. Plus, the litter comes with a clump and seal design that locks away unwanted smells.
All you need is a few inches of litter in your cat’s tray, and you’ll have a fresh litter box for a couple of weeks. Just remove the clumps as they appear. Arm and Hammer advise cleaning your full tray at least once per month. This litter is great for anyone who wants odor-managing litter without any artificial perfumes or fake smells. Unfortunately, it’s pretty darn heavy. You might need help to pour it.
2. Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter - Best Premium Option
Dr. Elsey’s premium clumping cat litter is a good option for cat parents that are happy to spend a little more. The unique formula combines non-tracking granules with clay, for an excellent litter that eliminates moisture buildup. The fine clay in this litter stops the moisture from spreading to the bottom of your litter tray.
This is a lovely choice for anyone who wants to control odors naturally and access a high-quality clumping formula. It’s easy to scoop, which means it stays cleaner for longer. Plus, the Dr. Elsey litter also works well with mechanical litter boxes. The biggest issue with this litter is that it comes in a pretty fragile package.
3. Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter
Purina’s tidy cats litter is a convenient clumping litter option that comes in a handy jug. Although plastic jar might not be the best for the environment, it does make pouring a bit easier. Plus, you can get a pack of 2 jugs for a great price. The litter neutralizes all feces, waste and bacterial odors quickly, which is excellent for keeping your home fresh.
The tidy cat clumping litter also comes with an added scent. The floral smell helps to counteract some of the unwanted odor from your cat. Delivery is pretty quick for this product too.
4. World's Best Cat Litter, Clumping Litter - Best for Multi-cat Households.
If like me, you have a multi-cat household cats at home, then you’re going to need high-quality litter. Fortunately, World’s Best Cat litter has you covered. This special clumping formula is ideal for protecting your home against horrible spells when you have more than one furry friend.
The litter clumps quickly, easily soaking up all moisture, so you get less of a nasty smell. Plus, this cat litter is flushable too – which is a convenient extra feature. The lightweight design makes the litter easy to pour, and the ingredients are environmentally friendly. On the downside, it is still quite a bit dustier than most non-clumping litters.
5. Fresh Step Clean Paws Unscented Low Tracking Clumping Cat Litter - Best Unscented Option
Fresh Step Clean paws litter is a great choice if you don’t like unnaturally a scented type of litter. This non-scented product fights against odors for longer, with a patented formula that soaks up moisture fast. The biggest benefit of this litter is its low-tracking design. The dust doesn’t cling to your cat’s paws like it does with other litters.
There’s also less dust in this litter overall than some of the other options that we tested. You don’t have to worry about clouds of dust floating up whenever you re-fill the litter tray. It’s pretty impressive that there’s so little dust when you consider the odor control can last for up to 10 days.
Unfortunately, the clumping power is a little limited here. You might have to scrape through the litter a bit more to get all the waste.
6. Fresh Step Extreme Scented Litter - Best-Scented Option
This is another top clumping litter option from fresh step. Again, it’s great for those who want litter with low trackability. You shouldn’t end up with silica dust everywhere. However, this litter also comes with a fresh mountain scent included helping reduce the unwanted odors in your home. If you have a particularly smelly cat, or multiple cats using the same box, this might be a good choice.
The mountain spring scent helps to deodorize the litter box without adding any harmful chemicals to the mix. However, it’s worth noting that the smell is a little strong for some. If your cat has a sensitive nose, they might not want to use it.
7. Fresh Step Lightweight Clumping Cat Litter - best lightweight option
Another leading choice from Fresh Step, this lightweight version of the anti-tracking cat litter is a real treat for people who don’t want to heave heavy bags around. This odor-control cat litter is one of the more attractive choices for any pet parent looking for quality on a budget.
The activated charcoal helps to soak up smells for up to 10 days. Plus, the clumping formula makes scooping and clearing the litter tray much easier. This clumping choice is also designed to leave less dust behind, so you don’t have to worry about too much mess around the house. One downside is that there is more of a smell than you might expect from a non-scented litter.
8. Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter with Activated Charcoal & Natural Odor Control - best natural option
One final option from the Fresh Step manufacturer is this advanced clumping litter. Designed to fight odor for longer, this litter will help to keep your home smelling great for up to 10 days at a time. The unscented litter is better for cats with sensitive noses, and vets even recommend it. With a 99.99% dust-free formula, you’re not going to aggravate any respiratory issues for you or your feline friend.
The advanced formula cat litter from Fresh Step is also intended to reduce tracking, so you have less to clean up after your kitty goes to the bathroom. The litter is also very easy to scoop when you’re keeping the litter tray clean.
One slight problem is that it’s extremely difficult to lift this cat litter and pour it. You might need some help from a couple of extra people.
9. Ökocat Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter - Best wood clumping option
Finally, let’s look at an option for anyone who wants to give their cat an all-natural cat litter. This next-generation mix from the Okocat brand features a completely plant-based formula. That means no chemicals at all to harm your kitty or your home.
The Ökocat mix stops odor before it can start to develop, with wooden fibers that prevent smelly enzymes from bonding with waste and liquid to create ammonia blockers. Despite being wood and plant-based, this natural litter still clumps very well, making it great for quick scooping and cleaning. There’s also minimal dust for a healthier and cleaner home.
You can even flush this litter down the toilet, and rest assured that it will last longer (up to 7 weeks). The biggest downside is the price, which is probably too much for some budget shoppers to handle.
Finishing Thoughts on Clumping Cat Litter
There’s no one-size-fits-all choice when it comes to picking the best clumping cat litter. The right litter for you will depend on what your kitty likes most, and what you need. For instance, you might want something that’s low on dust if you’re worried about having to tidy around the litter tray every day. Alternatively, you may be looking for something all-natural.
For a high-performance litter that provides excellent value and performance, I’d recommend the Arm and Hammer clump and Seal litter. This high-performance litter is strong enough to handle multiple cats, which means that it stays in excellent condition for longer. You can even benefit from reduced odors too. What more could you ask for?
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