The Best Cat Litters of 2023

Thinking about changing litters or trying to find the right litter for your cat? Look no further than our picks for this year’s best cat litters of 2023, broken down for concerns and cats of all types.

1. ökocat

Key Features: 

Helpful Reviews: 

The original OKOCAT is my favorite – no large clumps and my cat prefers it. – ohwell1

Both of our cats have serious asthma and okocat is the only litter that won’t cause asthma attacks! We have tried all the clay litters at our local store and every time they would use the box we would have to give them a dose of oral steroids or their chamber because they would have an asthma attack. They very rarely (maybe once a month) will have asthma attacks now since switching litters. – Anonymous

2. Dr. Elsey’s

Key Features:  

• Silica gel litter infused with hydrolyzed herbs draws cats to the litter box.
• Particle-size long-haired cats prefer, won’t adhere to or colour kitty’s coat.
• Traps urine and odour on contact.
• Hypo-allergenic and non-toxic.
• Easy to scoop, low tracking formula.

First Impressions: Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Crystal Silica Unscented Non-Clumping Cat Litter is safe and healthy for your cat. It is an amorphous silica gel infused with hydrolyzed herbs to draw cats to the litter box. Long Long-haired litter traps urine and odor on contact and has the particle size that long-haired cats prefer. It will not adhere to the cat’s long fur and it will not colour the coat.

Helpful Reviews: 

This litter is amazing. Rather than clumping, this crisp, white litter seems to absorb the urine so that after a few weeks, the white becomes a little off-white, which is when you need to replace it. In the meantime, there’s no need to do anything more than stir it; there are no odors, it’s simply miraculous. My cat (the spoiled little girl that she is) has two litter boxes so she seldom poops in this litter. If she does, it is easy to scoop out. Dr. Elsey’s company creates wonderful products that help keep the house fresh and clean, regardless of cats and their litter boxes! – Codester

I have six rescue kittens, which all ‘eliminated’ under the bed onto my hardwood floor in the guest room. Thank heavens for Dr. Elsey! – Shirley

3.  Fresh Step

Key Features:  

• DETECT POTENTIAL ILLNESS EARLY: pH-activated litter changes color instantly to detect irregularities in your cat’s urine, which could indicate health issues like UTIs and acidosis; pack may vary.
• LIGHTWEIGHT AND EASY TO USE: Crystals litter is lightweight and easy to use; one bag equals 25 pounds of traditional clumping cat litter and is easy to pour
  POWERFUL 30-DAY ODOR CONTROL*: Ammonia Block Technology helps control odors for up to 30 days, keeping the litter box clean and smelling fresh between changes.
• A VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED BRAND: This innovative health monitoring litter was created with your cat’s health and happiness in mind by Fresh Step®, a veterinarian-recommended cat litter brand.
• MANAGE YOUR CAT’S HEALTH ONLINE: Scan the QR code on the back of the package to get help interpreting your cat’s litter usage, access helpful highlights about pH urine from a veterinarian and more.

First Impressions:  Now you can easily monitor your cat’s health and detect potential illness early with color-changing cat litter from Fresh Step. Designed to be a proactive partner in your cat’s health, Fresh Step Crystals Health Monitoring Litter changes colors when it detects irregularities in your cat’s urine pH, which could indicate health issues like UTIs, bladder stones, and acidosis. Color changes are instant and easy to interpret; simply reference the color scale on the package to find out what they could mean. Available at Target.

Helpful Reviews: 

I’m so impressed with this cat litter. It is colour-changing when your kitty pees (it has a pH indicator)to let you know early warning signs of certain illnesses! This is so important to me and my two babies really like this litter so it’s not only human mom-approved but fur baby-approved also! Definitely using this litter from now on. – reneesbeautyloves 

love how this cat litter monitors my cat’s health. I can easily track my cat’s health by looking at the color of the litter after he uses it. The litter is easy to scoop and I have noticed there is no odor. I think this is a great way to keep an eye on my cat’s health! – triciamo

4. Pioneer Pet

Key Features:

• 100% Grass
• Paw Soft & Safe
• Clay Free
• Renewable
• No-Added Chemicals
• Biodegradable
• 99.9% Dust Free
• Fragrance-Free
• Non-GMO

First Impressions: SmartCat Lightweight Clumping Litter is half the weight of traditional clay litters. Easy Cary, Easy Scoop & Easy Clean!

Helpful Reviews:

I was so sick of the dust that I and my cat were breathing in from clay-clumping litter! I was reluctant to try this product but IT”S AMAZING. Unscented, lightweight, all natural! Love it. The only gripe I have is that my cat tracks it everywhere! I have a great mat in the front that catches most of it but I have to keep up with the little granules 2 times a day or it will be hell. Worth it tho! – Terrah T on amazon.com

I gave a 4-star review because of the higher cost. I truly love this cat litter. It’s natural, biodegradable, and no dust. I buy the unscented kind. The box doesn’t smell at all, even if I don’t clean it daily. The clumping is great, so it makes cleaning very easy. I was using walnut cat litter before because it is also natural, but it did not hide the smell of urine, did not clump well, and still had a little dust. – M on amazon.com

5. Catalyst Pet

Key Features:

• Superior Odour Control
• Unrivaled Cat Acceptance
• Easy Clumping
• No Dust
• Low Tracking
• Lightweight

First Impressions: This lightweight litter is easy to lift, carry and pour and since it has zero airborne dust, it helps keep surfaces cleaner and air clearer. This super-soft formula is crafted from upcycled softwood fiber that delivers performance all while giving you peace of mind.

Helpful Reviews:

We love this litter. It’s so much easier to handle, clumps well, and lasts forever! I have to carry everything up three flights of stairs and am so thankful to have found an option that works! The tracking is significantly less than with clay litters, and I love how much more environmentally friendly it is. My only complaint is that it doesn’t neutralize the smell of fences at all of it isn’t covered up, and Jack has never covered it for some reason. — JacksMom on chewy.com

As perfect as litter can be. I live in a small apartment and this is the most low-tracking and odour-busting litter I’ve found so far. Favourite part is that it doesn’t have that nasty litter smell that many others have right out of the package. The fact that it is meant to be more eco-friendly is just the cherry on top. — Jenn on chewy.com

6. Snappy Tom

Key Features:

• Lightweight
• Environmentally safe
• Inhibits bacteria

First Impressions: Snappy Tom litter is a non-clumping litter that only requires the removal of solid waste. The crystals trap urine and odours and come in either lavender or unscented varieties. Low-tracking ensures that the litter stays where it’s supposed to, and as an added bonus, it’s environmentally friendly,

Helpful reviews:

Didn’t have a bit of trouble changing Gilbert over to the new litter. It is the greatest. Would differently recommend – Gilbert on chewy.com

This litter works very well. Lasts a long time. Just scoop out the feces and leave the urine. It keeps the smell locked in. Once it gets really dirty just throw out the litter, clean the box and put in new litter. Pretty great. One of our cats really prefers this litter.—AndreaS on chewy.com

6. Boxie Cat

Key Features:

• Free clumping cat litter
• Destroy unpleasant odour
• Easy to scoop
• Low-tracking formula
• Purr-fect for both single- and multi-cat homes.

First Impressions: BoxiePro’s Flat Top clumps trap and prevent ammonia odours, helping to keep your home fresh and odour free. Cleaner Paws = Cleaner Home is about peace of mind and a more hygienic home for your family.

Helpful Reviews:

Ok, I have to admit that I bought BoxiPro because I loved their packaging (lol), but surprisingly their litter is as wonderful as their packaging! I have three indoor cats and have tried every litter under the sun … this litter is too dusty, and this litter doesn’t clump, but ah this litter is Perfect – very little tracking, clumps perfectly, not dusty, and is unscented. Your search is over, BoxiPro is here to save the day! Side-note: (I add approx. 1/4 cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the litter boxes every few days to stop any ammonia smell that may sneak by.  —Goldilocks21 on chewy.com

Works great for odor. Makes solid clumps. My cat digs around litter with gusto so it is hard to tell what is tracking and what is kicking out litter. I like that even though it is unscented it kills litter smell. Clay is messy in general but best at odor control and my cat loves it. I tried crystal litter with him but he stopped using the box, so his preference wins.—Mali on chewy.com

5. TeddyBob 

Key Features:

• Charcoal odour control
• Extremely absorbent
• Lightweight

First Impressions: For those not quite ready to completely give up on clay, TeddyBob offers a composite litter that’s 70% tofu and 30% bentonite. It manages odour well and promises little tracking. As a bonus, vacuum-sealed bags save space.

Helpful Reviews: 

It doesn’t hurt my cat’s sensitive paws, smells good, clumps, and doesn’t track too much. My favourite litter I’ve used!—LaurenW on Teddybob.ca

Good quality, has no smell, clumps very well, and does not track as much as other litter. Also, it’s very light, I was very happy to find out that that does not take away from its performance. Very good product.—ZeynepS on Teddybob.ca

Tired of scooping the litter box? Consider using an automatic litter box!

 Casa Leo

Key Features: 

• Turn your Leo’s Loo Too off or adjust key settings using Alexa or Google voice assistants.
• Remotely monitor and control your Loo from anywhere in the world
• Easy to clean & maintain
• Pet-Friendly Safety Protection

First Impressions: Leo’s Loo Too is a massive step forward for cat families looking for a better alternative to traditional litter boxes. With four fun colors, a modern design, a larger waste drawer and a whisper-quiet motor, Leo’s Loo Too will improve life for you and your fur baby.

Helpful Reviews: 

THE BEST INVESTMENT 🙂 From a cat momma to another, I highly recommend this product and you can stop your search because THIS IS THE ONE! – Trina

Worth Every Penny. The bags are easy to change. The app is easy to use. I had nothing but issues with the last litter robot-type contraption I had. This one has been smooth sailing, thankfully. – Nicole