The Best Natural Cat Litters of 2024

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Choosing the best natural cat litter is crucial for your cat’s health and the environment. Whether you’re a new cat owner or looking to switch litters, finding the right natural option can enhance your cat’s comfort while minimizing ecological impact. We have compiled the Best Natural Cat Litters of 2024 in the comprehensive list below!

1. TEDDYBOB Pidan Tofu Cat Litter: Faster, Firmer Clumping with Dual-Diameter Tofu Pellets! 

Experience the superior quality of pidan Tofu Cat Litter, designed with two different pellet sizes for quicker and stronger clumping.

First Impressions: Our special blend combines different pellet sizes for better absorption and clumping, along with excellent odor control. This means a cleaner, fresher, and easier-to-manage litter box for you and your cat. With features like low dust, quick clumping, low tracking, long-lasting freshness, and strict safety testing, it’s the perfect choice for a healthier, happier home. Upgrade your cat’s litter box with Pidan Tofu Cat Litter. It’s more than just litter; it’s a superior, 100% natural solution for a cleaner, healthier home.

Key Features:

• High-Quality, 100% Natural Ingredients: Made from pea dregs selected from Canada, our cat litter uses top-quality, natural materials for the best results.
• Optimized Mix: Composition: A blend of 70% 2mm pellets and 30% 1.5mm pellets creates smaller gaps, leading to faster and firmer clumping.
• Absorbent Pellets: Absorption: The 2mm pellets act like sponges, with 10g of litter absorbing 50g of water for thorough and efficient absorption.
•  Efficient Performance: Efficiency: The 1.5mm pellets fill in the gaps, absorbing quickly and completely for better performance.
•  Odor Control: Certified: Our litter removes over 90% of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, keeping your home smelling fresh, certified by the Centre Testing International Group Co., Ltd.
•  Eco-Friendly and 100% Natural: Flushable: Our litter dissolves in water, making disposal easy and environmentally friendly.
•  Low Dust: Healthier Home: Our low-dust formula keeps your home cleaner and healthier, reducing respiratory issues for you and your cat.
• Quick Clumping: Easy Cleaning: The rapid clumping action makes it easier to scoop and clean the litter box, saving you time.
• Low Tracking: Clean Floors: Designed to stay in the litter box and not track around your home, keeping your floors clean.
•  Soft on Paws: Comfort: Gentle on your cat’s paws, providing a comfortable and pleasant experience every time they use the litter box.
•  Long-Lasting Freshness: Extended Use: Our formula keeps the litter box smelling fresh for days.
•  Safety Testing: Quality Assurance: Pidan sends samples to an internationally certified testing facility to ensure all batches are safe and free from contaminations. Only those that pass the test are packaged for sale.

Helpful Reviews:

Very nice product. No Mess, no dust, smells good. Cats like it. Thank you! – Olena

Glad I’m not dealing with litter dust anymore! I love its small. Shipping is free and fast! I’ll definitely keep buying. – Elsie

I love the smell of the original Pidan Tofu Litter, kind of has a nice light vanilla sweet scent. Clumps and keeps odor outside of the litter box to a minimum. Hope to see this brand sold at more local shops around Canada, especially in cities of Ontario.

US Canada

2. Catalyst Pet Wood Litter

First Impressions: One of the best high-performing natural litters available on the market today, Catalyst Pet is made from upcycled softwood pine. It’s completely sustainable, biodegradable, and contaminant-free, ensuring a healthy environment for cats and pet parents alike. The litter is lightweight, soft underfoot and cats take to it quickly. And because of its efficiency and high absorption rate, on average Catalyst is at least 43% cheaper than other litters, making it an affordable natural option. Available in 3 formulas, Healthy Cat: Mild wood scent and best for owners with one cat, Multi-Cat: Best for pet parents with multiple cats with mild wood scent and enhanced clumping, and Unscented: Ideal for kittens, senior cats, and cats with sensitivities with no added scent. What’s more? Catalyst recently improved its formulation to optimize overall performance, providing even stronger clumping power, an increased rate of absorption, an improved scent, and even less dust.

Key features:

•     Eco-friendly, compostable
•     Great clumping
•     99% dust-free
•     Supports better cat health
•     Lightweight
•     Amazing odor control
•     Affordable
•     Delivered to your front door

Helpful Reviews: 

“I’ve tried every type of clay litter under the sun and have found NOTHING to help with the odor of having four cats. Catalyst is a dream come true. The pine smell is amazing, and the odor control is unmatched. Not to mention it is super lightweight and clumps better than any clay litter I ever used. It also doesn’t track like regular clay litter. 10/10 recommend. I’m not going back!” – Sara S.

“Two things I love: First, there’s no dust! I mean none. It’s remarkable. Second, it clumps and the rest of the litter stays pristine (as well as litter can be). Two thumbs and paws up from Bootsie and me!” – Marina Barry, Catalyst subscriber for 3+ years.

“I love the way Catalyst litter works and keeps my house not smelling like a litter box. I have four cats and this litter really works. It’s better for the environment and it’s much more pleasant to deal with.” – Loree S.

3. ökocat Original Premium Natural Cat Litter

First Impressions: ökocat original premium natural cat litter is relentless at controlling odor, while offering a pleasant, playful texture that’s easy on paws and a fresh natural scent reminiscent of the great outdoors. Made entirely from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural wood fiber for a better performing litter, that’s cleaner and healthier for your cat, family and home.

Key Features:

• STOPS ODOR – Wood fiber naturally prevents enzymes from bonding with liquid & waste to stop the creation of ammonia & odor.
• CLUMPS SOLID – Precision-cut fiber absorbs liquid on contact to form solid clumps for easy scooping & cleaning.
• 99% DUST FREE – Clean wood fiber is screened & de-dusted for a cleaner pour. No dirty clay dust.
• Biodegradable – Degrades quickly and cleanly unlike clay litters that sit in landfills for years.
• No artificial fragrance, harmful chemicals, toxic dyes, or mined clay or silica

Helpful Reviews:

I have a small one bedroom flat and this is perfect for my cat. No dust layers lingering on every surface anymore! It clumps, it absorbs, and it is odorless for the most part. It is so much easier to clean the flat now that there is no clay dust everywhere! It is not heavy, lasts ages, and is better for the environment. – Sheena

I love this litter, but most of all my kitties love this litter. It clumps great and there is no smell. I scoop the litter boxes twice a day to keep it clean and put the scooped litter in my litter genie. This litter lasts a really long time if you keep the litter box clean. I also love that it’s natural. If you’re on the fence, it’s worth a try.– Jennifer

4. SOYSAND Tofu Cat Litter

First Impressions: SOYSAND is the first Tofu Cat Litter designed to look and feel like clay/sand so it is compatible with self-cleaning litter boxes, and comfortable even for picky cats!  With all of the benefits of a premium low dust, eco-friendly litter, and all the functional advantages of a tight clumping, odor controlling clay litter, SOYSAND is sure to be your go-to litter for years to come!  Available  in “Unscented” or “Scented” (many users say it smells like baked goods)!

Key Features:

• Compatible with any self-cleaning litter box that use Clay litters
• Sustainable and Biodegradable litter is flushable and eco-friendly
• Extremely absorbent granules surround waste to lock in odors
• Tight clumps stay together when sifted, keeping litter fresher for longer
• Low impact litter is 99% dust free and low tracking compared to traditional sand or clay litters

Helpful Reviews:

One bag lasts multiple weeks without needing to top off or refresh the litter, especially when sifted well.  In my experience, the tofu litter stayed fresher and more effective far longer than clay litter. – Foster with the Stray Cat Alliance

Scoops nicely and clumps very well.  Great size for sifting. Initially worried thinking it wouldn’t clump with urine, but it absolutely does.  Much prefer it to other eco-friendly alternatives like pellets and soft wood.  – Foster with the Stray Cat Alliance

Was a little nervous about how my cat would react to the change of litter but she took to it right away.  I love how easy it clumps and super easy to scoop up.  I especially love the low dust!  – Cristine J. Long Beach, CA

After years of using different litter products, finally one that REALLY controls the odor and the dust!  I’m Team Tofu with SOYSAND! – Rand S. Long Beach, CA

Tester said it lasted longer than the eco-friendly  olive pit litter they were previously using.  She considered it a HUGE bonus that it worked in her litter robot, saying it is hard to find an eco-friendly litter (or any litter besides clay that does so). – Stray Cat Alliance feedback from a Foster Family

5. Sustainably Yours

First Impressions: Sustainably Yours delivers fast and firm clumping, odor elimination, and virtually no dust. Their plant-based formula comes in three versions, all of them full of benefits for both you and your cat—all while remaining sustainable. High-performance litter has never looked better!

Key Features:

• Stops Ammonia Odor
• Made from corn and cassava, it is naturally rich in starches
• No dust or chemicals, making it safe for cats with respiratory sensitivities
• Light & bright colour, making it easy to monitor your cat’s health

 Helpful Reviews:

I’ve tried literally all the litters. This has been incredible for clumping, odor control, and dust. The price point is quite high, but it’s worth it. My 2 cats took to it so quickly. Huge plus that its renewably sourced. – Selby

Great absorbency, very little litter comes out of the litter box on the cat’s paws, clumps & hardens beautifully making it very easy to scoop, no scent but really helps eliminate odors of cat’s urine & feces. Some static within the plastic litter box causes some litter dust to cling but it seemingly does not get into the air or outside of the litter box. Our cat & we are so glad we were introduced to Sustainably Yours – can no longer imagine using anything else!

6. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

First impression: Better for cats, people and the planet, sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter and sWheat Scoop Original Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter are natural, plant-based litters that smell like a fresh wheat harvest. Since wheat is virtually dust-free, this litter helps to minimize tracking and makes cleanup a breeze. It clumps quickly and this extra strength litter is a purr-fect choice for multi-cat homes. Odor-neutralizing enzymes help to naturally eliminate smelly odors to keep your home smelling fresh, and this litter is free of added dyes, perfumes, or chemicals.

 Helpful Reviews:

sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat is a really good cat litter. I’ve been using it for 20 years. I like it because it’s all natural and safe for my cats, I don’t have to worry when it gets ingested when they groom themselves. Unlike clay litter, that binds together in their digestive system and can cause a blockage. sWheat Scoop is odorless and doesn’t smell. It clumps nicely and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the litter box so it’s easy to clean. – Daria, June 2024

7. Almo Nature Natural Cat Litter

First Impressions: Almo Nature Natural Cat Litter is a plant-based, planet-friendly cat litter. It’s ultra-absorbent, quickly forming a thin layer to trap moisture and odors. Free of additives, this litter is safe for your cat and the entire household. Plus, Almo Nature is owned by a nonprofit foundation and all of its profits go to protect biodiversity projects. Almo Nature Cat Litter is a top choice for your home and the environment.

Key features:

• 100% plant-based (made from cassava)
• Ultra-fine texture, virtually dust-free and soft on paws
• Eco-friendly: biodegradable, compostable and made from a renewable source
• Instantly absorbs urine while neutralising bad odours
• Efficient and economical: One 4.54kg bag lasts up to one week
• Ultra-absorbent and quick-clumping

Helpful Reviews:

“One of my cats had stopped using the litter box with the current litter we had. We like biodegradable cat litter so I did some research I found this litter and after a week of use and two cats there is no smell and really no tracking and my cat is using the box again.”  – Ladybug

“I have 4 cats, two seniors and two kittens and they all seem to really enjoy this litter! We have tried sooo many different kinds of litter and this one is the best so far. It’s not super dusty, is easy to scoop, and isn’t as hard on my old lady cats feet like clay or pellet litter (she’s picky about that’ll do if things).” – love

“This cat litter is amazingly good. It works so well and it clumps really well, it does not have any weird after smell when they use it, and it covers the smell pretty good you can’t even tell it’s there. It is not dusty or messy. I highly recommend it.” – Alex

How to Care for Orphaned Kittens

Caring for Kittens Without a Mother

If the kittens are under four weeks old (to determine a kitten’s age, read part two), they need to be housed in a way that keeps them safe and warm, and they need to be bottle-fed until they are big enough to graduate first to gruel, then solid food. The tips here will help you set up a cozy and safe home for the kittens and will let you know what to expect in those first weeks.

A warm kitten is a healthy kitten

Keep kittens warm! A dog crate or kennel is a good choice of enclosure for keeping the kittens safe and contained, as well as for monitoring the temperature. This is important because keeping kittens warm is crucial. Janice Dankert, Best Friends community cat program supervisor, explains, “When kittens are cold, their bodily functions quit working.” If any of the kittens are limp or minimally responsive, or are cool or cold to the touch, this is indicative of an emergency situation – you should provide heat to the kitten and take him or her to the vet right away.

Best Friends veterinarian Dr. Patti Patterson recommends keeping the room temperature above 75 degrees or so. Kittens also need constant heat by way of a heating pad, without an automatic shutoff, set on low. Trielle Gritton, senior manager of adoptions and outreach at Best Friends Animal Society–Utah, says, “The heating pad should be covered in cloth – old towels, throws or blankets work well. And it should only cover half the enclosure so the kittens can move away from it.” An alternative to a heating pad is a microwaveable disc (called SnuggleSafe) made just for keeping pets warm.

Regular monitoring is important to ensure the kittens aren’t too hot or cold. Dr. Patti says, “If the kittens feel cold to the touch, they’re too cold. They should feel toasty warm, but if they are panting or seem to be stretched out away from each other, this may indicate too much heat – you can turn down the heating pad or open the top of the dog crate to allow the area to cool down.”

Trielle adds, “It is also very important to remember that a kitten should never be fed cold formula, and they should never be fed if they are cold.”

Feeding time for Bottle Baby Kittens

“Kittens need to be bottle-fed formula until they’re about four weeks old, and then they can begin to wean,” says Trielle. If you have found the kittens after the pet supply store has closed for the day, you can use goat’s milk as a stopgap, but this should not be used for an extended period of time. Kitten formula, bottles, rubber nipples, and cleaning supplies are available at most pet supply stores, and even many grocery stores. Follow the instructions carefully on the formula package to ensure proper mixing and handling.

Trielle says, “It is important to note that kittens should never be fed on their backs, but their bellies should always touch the floor (or other surface) when being bottle-fed.” Best Friends veterinarian Dr. Patti Patterson recommends allowing the kittens to eat until satiated. On average, it should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to properly feed each kitten at every stage until weaned.

Kittens also need help eliminating (going to the bathroom) until they are about three to four weeks old. To do this, use a warm, damp washcloth to gently massage the anal area until they go. This should be done every time you feed each kitten. A litter box with only non-clumping litter can be introduced when kittens are about three weeks of age. Kittens will not have solid stool while still drinking formula.

For more information on feeding and caring for bottle babies, read this article.

Learn more about Best Friends Animal Society’s work with cats, kittens and other pets.