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7 Best Crystal Cat Litters of 2024
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There are so many different kinds of cat litter that it can be hard to know which one to use, especially if you have a particular picky kitty. And while traditional litter is usually clay based, there are a variety of other options on the market you can choose from. One in particular which is very popular (for good reason) is crystal cat litter.
Crystal cat litter is a type of litter that is made from silica gel which is very absorbent and great for trapping odors and moisture. This litter varies from average litter because it does not clump.
Keep reading to find out all the benefits of this type of litter and which one would be best for your kitty!
Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented
Our choice is the Fresh Step Crystals Premium Cat Litter, the best non-clay litter you can buy for your cat!
Who Should Buy Crystal Cat Litter?
As you can tell, crystal cat litter is pretty different from your typical cat litter. And some people may be hesitant to try it when it is so different than what they are used to. But this crystal type could possibly be the litter box godsend that you have been looking for!
First of all, crystal cat litter is fantastic for houses that have only one cat. Since crystal cat litter is not clumping, you have to change the entire litter pan regularly. With just one cat, this could mean changing the litter out only once a month, depending on your cat’s litter box habits.
However, crystal cat litter can certainly work for houses with multiple cats. While you will probably need to change the pan more frequently than once a month, you will still notice a longer period of time between changing crystal litter compared to clay litter.
Crystal litter provides a more hands-off litter box experience which is why many users choose it. I mean, who doesn’t love the sound of spending less time maintaining the litter box?!
It even helps you save on litter because you need far less crystal cat litter than clay litter. Crystal particles are much smaller than traditional litter. Not to mention, since it is so efficient at absorbing odors and moisture, you don’t need to use as much of it when filling the litter box.
Crystal cat litter is also very light and it appeals to people who don’t like lifting heavy bags of litter. This is especially handy if you like to buy your litter in bulk.
Finally, many people turn to crystal kitty litter if they or their cats suffer from asthma or other breathing problems. It doesn’t produce dust like clay cat litter which is a great way to cut down on the amount of harmful things you or your kitty are breathing in.
Important Features of Crystal Cat Litter to Consider
When looking for a crystal kitty litter, there are several different features that you want to consider before you pick a litter.
First is odor control. The crystal make up of this type of litter is often considered far superior to clay litter because of its odor control. The silica gel that crystal cat litter is made out of is super absorbent, so it is fantastic at trapping odors as it absorbs the moisture from your cat’s bathroom visits.
However, some crystal cat litters also have an added form of odor control, like baking soda or lavender scents.
Another feature of crystal litter is that they don’t typically clump. Some do clump by design, but usually this type of cat litter is clump free so it is super easy to dispose of the solid waste. Those that do clump clump really well, so they are still just as easy to clean.
The silica gel that crystal cat litter is made out of is also very soft on your kitty’s paws and doesn’t have much dust. Some claim they are “dust free” while others claim they are “low-dust.”
There are many benefits to this. One is that less dust means less harsh chemicals in the air for your or your kitty to breathe in. Another is that it makes it easier to clean, especially since there will be less for your cat to track outside of the litter box.
Finally, crystal cat litter is very durable and can last as long as a month depending on how many cats you have and their litter box habits. Many cat owners who prefer this clay-free cat litter prefer it because it takes much less maintenance and requires much less changing.
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On a slightly negative note, crystal litters can be more expensive than traditional clay litter. However, many users find that the cost evens out since they are changing the litter box less and that the higher price is worth all the benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal Cat Litter
What is crystal cat litter and how does it work?
Crystal cat litter is a litter that is made from silica gel instead of clay like traditional cat litters. The silica gel has lots of tiny channels that are very absorbent, so it will absorb all the moisture from your cat’s trip to the litter box. When it absorbs all the moisture, it also absorbs the odor that comes with it.
Crystal kitty litter also does not clump like traditional cat litters, so it requires less scooping. But you do have to change the pan out on a regular basis.
Is crystal cat litter better?
The answer to this lies in you and your cat’s own preferences. Crystal cat litter is great, but some cats might prefer clay cat litter.
However, if you compare crystal cat litter side-by-side with clay litter, it does appear that crystal cat litter has more benefits over clay.
Do cats like crystal cat litter?
Cats can get pretty picky when it comes to their litter box. What works for some cats may not work for others, so you will have to consult your own cat to answer this question!
However, according to the ASPCA, many cats prefer clay litter. This doesn’t mean that they won’t ever like the crystal type! It just means that they are probably used to clay and we all know how well cats accept change.
Just like any new thing you introduce your cat to, do so gradually and they just might end up loving it!
How often do you change crystal cat litter?
Crystal cat litter can last anywhere from one week to one month, depending on the number of cats you have and their typical litter box habits. Multiple cats would probably mean you have to change it sooner. So would cats who have IBS or other issues that show up in the litter box.
The rule of thumb for changing crystal litter is whenever it starts to become stinky. When it starts to get stinky, that means there are no more fresh silica crystals to continue absorbing moisture from your pet’s waste. Just throw it out and put down some fresh, and you’re all good to go!
Our 7 Best Crystal Cat Litters of 2021
1. Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented - Best Overall Crystal Litter Option
The Fresh Step Crystal, Premium Cat Litter, Scented is a great option for anyone looking to start using crystal cat litter in their cat’s litter box. It consists of odor locking crystals that absorb moisture. It even comes with a 30 day odor control guarantee!
This crystal cat litter is the longest lasting odor control that Fresh Step offers. In fact, one 8 pound bag of this crystal cat litter contains the same number of uses as a 28 pound bag of clumping cat litter. It only needs to be changed every 20 to 30 days, as long as you are following directions and stirring it every other day.
Besides being long lasting and great for odor control, the Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented comes with a low dust formula for easy clean up. However, this crystal cat litter does not clump like traditional litter.
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2. PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal - Best Value Crystal Kitty Litter Option
PetSafeScoopFree Premium crystal cat litter comes in pre-portioned bags that each weigh about 4.5 pounds and works with any type of litter box. One bag is supposed to last an entire month, but some users report having to change it more frequently.
This lavender scented crystal cat litter both absorbs urine and dries solid waste. PetSafe states that it does this five times better than any clumping clay litter. PetSafe also states that this litter is low-tracking and 99% dust free.
However, many users report that PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal cat litter can get pretty dusty. Also, for users who find that they change it more frequently than once a month, they find that this litter can get kind of expensive, especially if they have multiple cats.
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3. Ultra Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals - Best Odour Controlled Crystal Litter Option
The Ultra Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals is a great crystal cat litter for odor control. This crystal cat litter offers maximum odor control that is super absorptive and soft to your cat’s paws. These micro crystals feature 1000s of mini channels that absorb liquid waste and dry solid waste.
Besides being amazing at odor control, this crystal cat litter is lightweight, easy to maintain, and is low-tracking. While it claims to be low-dust, some users have found that this litter gets pretty dusty.
The Ultra Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals cat litter requires less scooping than traditional cat litter. However, it doesn’t quite last an entire month like promised. Instead, users find they have to change it every three weeks. And they have stated that once the scent starts to fade, it fades fast so make sure to change it right away when that happens.
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4. PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Tray Refills - Best Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter Option
PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Tray Refills is the best crystal kitty litter for anyone looking for non-clumping options. In fact, this crystal cat litter is super easy to maintain, requires no scooping, and is great at keeping things neat and tidy since it is 99% dust free.
Like many other crystal cat litters, this one absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste. Any extra smells are trapped thanks to the covered trap. This trap also includes a plastic tray lining that provides you with an extra barrier from messes.
To clean the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Tray Refills, all you have to do is throw away the disposable tray that comes with pre-portioned litter! One tray of this crystal based litter should last one cat about one month or two cats half of a month. The one downside is that some longtime users have noticed that the crystals aren’t lasting as long as they used to.
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5. Ultra Pet Clumping Crystal Cat Litter - Best Clumping Crystal Kitty Litter Option
The Ultra Pet Clumping Crystal Cat Litter is a great litter if you are used to traditional clumping litters. This cat litter requires scooping about twice a week, but is otherwise pretty easy to maintain.
It is great at control odor, but some users report that they like to use some extra deodorizer just to keep things fresh. Made from multi colored high quality silica gel crystals this litter is also soft on your kitty’s paws.
Some added bonuses of the Ultra Pet Clumping Crystal Litter are its affordability and how lightweight it is. While some users report that this cat litter is pretty dusty, others report having no issues with the dust of this crystal cat litter.
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6. Just the Crystals 2 Pack. Longest Lasting Premium Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter - Longest Lasting Crystal Cat Litter Option
The Just the Crystals 2 Pack Longest Lasting Premium Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter really lives up to its name. Many users report that this cat litter lasts much longer than other crystal brands.
Like many other crystal cat litters, this one absorbs urine and dries solid waste. However, unlike many other crystal litters, this one is unscented. Even though it is unscented, it does a fantastic job of eliminating cat box odors. It is also 99% dust free and is low-tracking.
The Just the Crystals 2 Pack Longest Lasting Premium Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter comes in two pre-measured bags of litter and works great with any kind of litter box. Not to mention, Just the Crystals reports that it has the highest measured absorbency of any crystal kitty litter on the market!
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7. Catit Silica Cat Litter
The Catit Silica Cat Litter is a great crystal option. It is made out of 100% silica crystals that are a tad larger than usually found in crystal litter brands, which helps reduce its tracking. These silica crystals have millions of micro pores that lock those bad odors away.
Not to mention, this cat litter features fast acting odor absorption and a lavender scent that helps everything stay nice and fresh. This helps make sure this crystal cat litter is safe for any and all cats!
The best part of Catit Silica Cat Litter is that it is safe and non-toxic. The brand also states that it can last for up to two months. One downside is that it is not great for automatic litter pans. It can also get pretty expensive over time.
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Crystal Cat Litter - Our Verdict
Crystal cat litter can completely change your litter box system for the better! There are loads of benefits to using this type of cat litter including less odor, less maintenance, and less dust. In fact, many cat owners prefer it over traditional clay litter!
We have found that the overall best crystal cat litter is Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented. It is affordable, lasts up to a month, is made with a low dust formula, and has a 30 day odor control guarantee!
If you are looking to step up your litter box game, trying Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented is a great place to start!
Just one more thing. We deliberately didn't include Pretty Litter in this crystal litter test because it's got a unique offer and the Pretty Litter cost is a bit higher. But, it's definitely worth looking at and we have a video Pretty Litter review here.
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