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Premium-Priced Cat Litters

Last updated by Brandon F. on June 3, 2020

This is a list of all of the premium-priced cat litters that we have reviewed and ranked.  We define “premium” as being a litter that is typically more expensive than what is in both the budget and mid-tiers.  This is the most expensive tier that we review, and these products can oftentimes creep over a dollar per pound and beyond.  Many of the more exotic materials such as crystals, silica gel, and a lot of the eco-friendly and recycled products fall under this category.

These unique materials have special advantages (and sometimes disadvantages) so it will be up to you to decide if they are worth the extra money.  Also, many of the specialty litters such as respiratory-assistance and long-haired compatible products will be in this tier.

Finally, some of these litters might be higher due to lack of availability or that they come from a smaller company that doesn’t have as much exposure as the big guys.  A majority of these will have some level of clumping capability and the smallest percentage of these will be strictly clay.

It is important to note that specialty litters that are intended for cats with medical issues or that have unique circumstances and have to stick with a specific type of product do not weigh into the ratings.  We encourage you to look through our reviews and, if your budget allows, try out some of these higher-end litters and see if their unique qualities are something that you see being with the extra money.

Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care Premium Unscented Hypoallergenic Multi-Cat

cat's pride fresh & light ultimate care premium unscentedOur Rating:

4.5 star

This product does everything well.  It has some of the best clumping we have experienced and is extremely easy to maintain.  This sort of performance would be more than enough even in the top price tier and the fact that it is still technically a mid-level litter makes it even better.  We definitely recommend this.  It is available in 12 pound jugs and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Amazing clumps, locks in odors, basically no tracking

Cons:  Somewhat time-sensitive clump removal

Read Review of Cat's Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Premium Scented Multi-Cat

Ever Clean EverFresh

ever clean everfresh 1 fullOur Rating:

 4 star

This product has some of the best clumping we have come across.  The inclusion of activated charcoal is an added bonus and really makes this litter great against tough cat odors.  Cleanup is quite simple as well.  However, we have seen it for a pretty high asking price online.  We aren’t saying it isn’t worth it, but we encourage you to shop around and try to find it at a lower deal to make it a truly recommended purchase.  It is available in 25-pound boxes, is comprised of clay, and is available in the premium-price range.

Pros:  Excellent clumping, completely covers cat odor smells, very little tracking

Cons:  Rather expensive, a bit too dusty

Read Review of Ever Clean EverFresh

Garfield Flushable Tiny Grains

garfield tiny cat litter reviewOur Rating4 star

A great performing product that delivers rock-hard clumps and no powerful odors.  The added flushing ability is also a nice touch.  Does struggle somewhat with busy litter boxes in regards to feces, and tracking can be an issue due to how lightweight it is.

Pros:  Excellent clumping, no chemical fumes, flushable, gentle on paws

Cons:  Doesn’t fully lock in odors, tracks easily

Read Review of Garfield Flushable Tiny Grains

Pretty Litter

pretty litter reviewOur Rating:

 4 star

A very unique silica gel cat litter that has a feature that makes the litter change colors depending on certain health conditions that may exist in your cat.  In addition, there is a really cool subscription service that takes all of the headaches out of cat litter shopping.  You will also enjoy great odor control and easy cleanup but it does come at a higher asking price.

Pros:  Unique color-changing ability, Awesome odor control, Delivered monthly

Cons:  Quite expensive, Tracks quite a bit

Read Review of Pretty Litter

Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Unscented

fresh step extreme odor control unscentedOur Rating:

 3.5 star

Good clumping ability and odor fighting from the CarbonPLUS feature make this a buy.  It is a bit on the pricey side but if you should not be disappointed with how it performs and neither should your cat.  It is available in 20 and 25 pound boxes and is comprised of clay, carbon, and antimicrobial agents,.

Pros:  Great small clumps, excellent at sealing in cat odors

Cons: Somewhat dusty, a little pricey

Read Review of Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Unscented

UltraPet Crystal Clear Litter Pearls

ultrapet crystal clear litter pearlsOur Rating:

3.5 star

A very unique crystal approach with phenomenal odor control, but for a phenomenal price.  The beads will be gentle on cat paws and attack waste smells like no other, but are you ok spending 3 bucks a pound on a cat litter?  It is available in 7 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Extremely good at locking in odor smells, quite absorbent, no litter smell

Cons:  Somewhat dusty, expensive

Read Review of UltraPet Crystal Clear Litter Pearls

CatSpot

catspot cat litter review

Our Rating:

3.5 star

CatSpot Cat Litter is a really cool litter that takes advantage of the natural absorbency and great scent of coconut.  This non-clumping product is eco-friendly and perfect for owners and cats who may have sensitive allergies.  There are some tracking issues and you are required to mix the litter around while using to get the full effect, but the sheer originality of a coconut-based litter is worth checking out.

Pros:  Smells great, Very absorbent, Eco-Friendly, Lightweight

Cons:  Easily tracks, Expensive, Requires Mixing

Read Review of CatSpot

PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal

petsafe scoopfree crystal litter mediumOur Rating:

 3.5 star

One of the more affordable crystal cat litters, PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter manages to capture much of the magic of a silica gel-based litter but in a more budget-friendly package.  The dust levels are kept in check and there are even a few different scents to choose from.

Pros:  Good odor fighting, Multiple scents to choose from

Cons:  Prone to tracking

Read Review of PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Essentials Double Duty Natural

arm & hammer essentials double dutyOur Rating:

 3 star

This litter does nothing wrong but at the same time doesn’t knock it out of the park on anything, either.  We feel this type of description should come with a more “average” price as well.  Unfortunately the sticker shock associated with this doesn’t make it a great buy, despite being a decent performer overall.  For those of you looking for a more natural choice litter choice and willing to spend extra for it, however, we wouldn’t fault you for giving this a go. It is available in 9 pound bags and is comprised of corn fiber and baking soda.

Pros:  Quickly clumps, more natural smell, lightweight

Cons:  clumps don’t stay hard for very long, unique materials cause tracking

Read Review of Arm & Hammer Essentials Double Duty Natural

Healthy Pet ökocat Soft Step Clumping

healthy pet okocat soft step clumping Our Rating:

 3 star

Good clumping and good odor control as well as a good texture for cat’s paws, but these come at the cost of being a bit messy also being pricey.  If your cat has sensitive paws and you are willing to dish out some extra money to make it happy then this product will perform well enough.  It is available in 7, 11.2, and 16.7 pound boxes and is comprised of wood granules.

Pros:  Soaks up moisture and forms hard clumps, great job of hiding cat odors, gentle on cat paws

Cons: Product is easily wasted, pretty expensive

Read Review of Healthy Pet ökocat Soft Step Clumping

UltraPet Litter Pearls Micro Crystals

ultrapet litter pearl micro crystalsOur Rating:

 3 star

These micro crystals will feel great on cat paws (albeit track easily) and will stop odor with great ease but, like other similar crystal litters, it comes with a hefty price tag. It is available in 3.5 and 7 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Handles both feces and urine odors with ease, locks in odors for days at a time, low maintenance

Cons:  Very expensive, beards are tiny so they are kicked around and tracked easily

Read Review of UltraPet Litter Pearls Micro Crystals

UltraPet Ultra Micro Crystals

ultrapet ultra micro crystalsOur Rating:

 3 star

For challenging odor control scenarios or cats with sensitive paws this might be the answer.  Coincidentally the owners will likely have to have a rather large cat litter budget!  A premium litter for those willing to spend the money for the unique odor control that exists with crystals. It is available in 5 pound bags, and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Great job at sealing in strong cat odors, soaks up moisture like a sponge, no litter scent

Cons:  Beads are easily kicked around and tracked, very expensive

Read Review of UltraPet Ultra Micro Crystals

Jonny Cat Fragrance Free

jonny cat fragrance freeOur Rating:

 3 star

A well-performing litter that is true to its promise of being fragrance free while still handling cat odors without issue.  The lack of dust and minimal tracking is nice, too.  However, why is it so expensive?  It checks all the boxes for a premium litter but the lack of clumping makes us question why the price is so high.   It is available in 10 and 20 pound bags and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Very little litter smell, blocks cat odors for up to a week, tracking isn’t an issue

Cons:  A little on the expensive side

Read Review of Jonny Cat Fragrance Free

World’s Best Cat Litter Forest Scented Clumping

world's best cat litter forest scented clumpingOur Rating:

3 star

This product has the same great clumping qualities we have come to expect from World’s Best Cat Litter and the odor control is serviceable (although we prefer the natural and lavender scent) but why is this product so much more expensive than the other examples?  It is still a decent buy but if you have the choice between this and others we recommend the latter, especially at this price.  It is available in 6, 12, and 24 pound bags and is comprised of wood fiber and corn kernels.

Pros:  Superb clumping, does alright jobs of locking in odors for a few days, easy clump removal

Cons:  A bit expensive, tracking from corn kernels, smell can become foul if left alone too long

Read Review of World's Best Cat Litter Forest Scented Clumping

Arm & Hammer Essentials Multi-Cat Natural arm & hammer essentials multi cat natural

Our Rating:

 2.5 star

Clumping ability is acceptable but that is about it.  When you are paying nearly 2 dollars per pound for a litter you should expect better.  Obviously part of the expense comes with the “natural” tag territory. If you shop around and can find it for closer to a dollar per pound offline it isn’t a terrible buy but for this price you can find better, even if you are avoiding conventional clay-based litters. It is available in 18 pound bags and is comprised of corn fiber, plant extracts, and baking soda.

Pros:  Clumps are hard initially, little dust

Cons:  Expensive, recommended that you remove clumps daily, odd smell despite being natural

Read Review of Arm & Hammer Essentials Multi-Cat Natural

Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Scoopable

Fresh Step Multi-Cat with Febreze Freshness full

Our Rating: 2.5 star

We are a bit underwhelmed with the performance of this product, given the price.  The only bright spot is the clumping but everything else is average at best, with certain issues actually being below average.  It is available in 14, 20, 25, 34, and 38-pound boxes and 42-pound bags, is comprised of clay, activated carbon,  and plant extracts and is available in the premium-priced tier.

Pros:  Pretty good odor blocking, above average clumping

Cons:  Very dusty, strong chemical smell, pretty expensive for what you are getting

Read Review of Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Scoopable

Fresh Step Plus Dual Action Crystals

fresh step plus dual action crystalsOur Rating:

 2.5 star

We understand that generally crystal-based litters run more expensive than conventional clay.  However, the product in question doesn’t necessarily do anything better than many other clay litters that are half the price.  It doesn’t completely miss the mark in any regard, but why pay so much for something that is so ordinary?  It is available in 14 and 25 pound boxes and is comprised of clay and crystals.

Pros:  Locks in nearly all cat smells for a long time, decent at clumping

Cons: Very expensive, not as strong at clumping as conventional clay, tracking and dust can be an issue

Read Review of Fresh Step Plus Dual Action Crystals

Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Easy Care Crystal

nature's miracle just for cats easy care crystalOur Rating:

 2.5 star

A low-maintenance choice for those that would rather avoid having to scoop out cat waste.  Compared to other crystal litters it performs average, but it definitely comes at a hefty price. It is available in 8 pound bags and is comprised of crystals.

Pros:  Great job of locking away odors for several days, very absorbent, little dust

Cons:  Crystals can break down and be tracked, very expensive

Read Review of Nature's Miracle Just for Cats Easy Care Crystals

Precious Cat Long Haired

precious cat long haired cat litter fullOur Rating:

 2.5 star

This is one of the most expensive non-clumping litters on the market.  This is simply the cost of admission when you go with some of the more exotic materials such as silica gel.  However, if your cat has long hair and has struggled with other litters you might not have a choice. The odor control is very good, but it does track a bit too much for our liking. It is available in 8-pound jugs, is comprised of silica gel, and is available in the premium price tier.

Pros:  Does not stick to cat fur even on long-haired cats, acceptable litter smell

Cons:  Can be a messy cleanup, cat smells are easily kicked up, very expensive

Read Review of Precious Cat Long Haired

So Phresh Dual Odor Guard

so phresh dual odor guardOur Rating:

 2.5 star

For being a dual odor guard, we were a bit disappointed in the struggles that it when clumps fall apart, which they can sometimes do with this litter.  If this wasn’t an issue we would have rated it much higher.  There is also some tracking issues but this is quite common with the litters that have crystals mixed in with them.   It is available in 16 and 20 pound tubs and is comprised of mineral crystals.

Pros:  Good moisture absorption, good at capturing urine smells

Cons:  Clumps could be a bit better, tracks easily, can struggle with combating feces odors

Read Review of So Phresh Dual Odor Guard

Tidy Cats Glade Tough Odor Solutions

tidy cats glad tough odor solutionsOur Rating:

 2.5 star

The clumping is decent and the odor neutralization is serviceable, but the price is just a bit too high in our opinion for what you are getting.  You won’t be overly disappointed with the features of this litter but we feel you can achieve the same results with several cheaper options. It is available in 23 pound boxes, 14, 20, and 40 pound jugs, and 35 pound pails and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Acceptable clumping, handles feces with ease, low dust levels

Cons:  Goes through product quickly, struggles with urine, some tracking

Read Review of Tidy Cats Glade Tough Odor Solutions

UltraPet Trackless Litter Pearls

ultrapet trackless litter pearlsOur Rating:

 2.5 star

We weren’t as impressed with this product as other crystal litters.  The odor control is still good but comparably lower than equivalent examples and the mess is a bit more than we like.  While the price is a “little” lower than some of the other options the performance took a big enough hit that we feel it needs to be even lower to be an easily justifiable purchase.  It is available in 3.5, 7, and 10.5 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Great odor control, pretty absorbent

Cons:  Still tracks, crystals are sharp and can cause scratches, expensive

Read Review of UltraPet Trackless Litter Pearls

Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Wood Clumping

healthy pet okocat natural wood clumping Our Rating:

 2 star

A messy litter than tries to be more nature-friendly but at the cost of performance and likely an increase in price.  If you are dead-set on having a more eco conscious litter there are better options.  It is available in 7.5, 12, and 18 pound boxes and is comprised of wood.

Pros:  Good at masking odors short-term, no dust

Cons: Clumps are quite weak, easily tracked, pretty expensive

Read Review of Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Wood Clumping

Perfect Litter

perfect litter cat litter fullOur Rating:

2 star

Don’t let the “perfect litter” name fool you.  While we do enjoy the lightweight characteristics of the product, the cool ability to detect warning signs of FLUTD, and the inclusion of some really unique materials, it just doesn’t come together into a viable litter.  There are definitely some pros here but there are some kinks they need to work out before we can justify this for the price.  Obviously, if you are using it for the detection capabilities then price won’t be as big of an issue.  It is available in 4 and 10-pound boxes, is comprised of vermiculite, perlite, guar gum, and proprietary materials, and is available in the premium-price area.

Pros:  Unique ability to detect FLUTD, decent clumping, scentless litter smell

Cons:  Can’t handle a lot of fluids, easily tracked, extremely expensive

Read Review of Perfect Litter

Precious Cat Senior

Precious Cat Senior Cat Litter fullOur Rating:

 2 star

The high price is the only thing that really stands out to us with this product.  For the benefits it has for older cats, you might be willing to look over the relatively poor odor control and high dust levels.  However, unless your cat absolutely needs those features there are much better choices on the market.  It is available in 8-pound bags, is comprised of silica gel, and is available in the premium-price area.

Pros:  No overpowering litter smell, gentle for older cats

Cons:  Poor clumping, struggles with feces odors after a couple days, can be messy during cleanup, expensive

Read Review of Precious Cat Senior

Tidy Cats Lightweight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions

tidy cats lightweight with glad tough odor solutionsOur Rating:

 2 star

The lightweight feature hurts things more than helps here, and just makes the whole thing a dusty, poorly clumping mess.  And for a price that is near the top in what is available online, there really isn’t a good justification for using this product.   It is available in 6 and 8.5 pound jugs and 12 and 7 pound pails and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Great job of covering up odors for being so lightweight, clumps hold up decent enough

Cons:  Clumps tend to sink to bottom, when clumps do fall apart it kicks up odors, tracks very easily, quite expensive

Read Review of Tidy Cats Lightweight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions

Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented

Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented Cat Litter 1 fullOur Rating:

 1.5 star

For the high premium associated with this litter, you would expect something that performs well across the board. Instead, you get a product that struggles in most.  We recommend shopping for other options.  It is available in 12, 20, 25, 28, 34 and 38-pound boxes and 42-pound bags, is comprised of clay, carbon, and antimicrobial agents, and is available in the premium-priced tier.

Pros:  Clumps harden easily

Cons: Goes through product very quickly, overwhelming artificial scent, very messy

Read Review of Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scented

World’s Best Cat Litter Advanced Natural Original

world's best cat litter advanced natural originalOur Rating:

 1.5 star

We are really disappointed with this litter, especially considering how well its sister products are.  The decision to go “all natural” comes at a hefty price here, and that price is lackluster clumping ability, difficulty masking scents, and an overall huge mess. It is available in 6, 12, and 24 pound bags and is comprised of wood/plant fibers and corn kernels.

Pros:  Holds in odors alright when clumps stay together, environmentally friendly

Cons:  Very soft clumps, quite dusty, on the expensive side for what you are getting

Read Review of World's Best Cat Litter Advanced Natural Original

UltraPet Better Way Flushable

ultrapet better way flushableOur Rating:

1.5 star

We were really disappointed with this litter.  The clumps just don’t seem to form as we would like and this in turn makes it struggle with odor control.  Furthermore, it is rather dusty and cleanup can be a huge headache.  It would be one thing if this was a super affordable example but it can be in the premium category depending on where you buy it!  Definitely try another option.  It is available in 12 pound bags and is comprised of zeolite.

Pros:  Subtle litter smell

Cons:  Soft gooey clumps, struggles with odors especially urine, dusty and sticks to litter box easily

Read Review of UltraPet Better Way Flushable

Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance

tidy cats 247 performanceOur Rating:

 4.5 star

This really is a fantastic product.  The clumps are some of the hardest that we have seen and that stay so for multiple days.  There is essentially no odor issues in both urine and feces.  Minor tracking and a somewhat high price are the only minor complaints but the rest of the positives easily trump them.  It is available in 14 and 20 pound jugs, 27 and 35 pound pails, and 23, 27, and 40 pound boxes and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Clumps harden quickly and effectively, tackles both feces and urine smells with ease, easy cleanup

Cons:  Minor tracking

Read Review of Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance

Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Premium Scented Multi-Cat

cat's pride fresh & light ultimate premium scented multi-catOur Rating:

 4 star

Great clumping, decent scent, and acceptable mess levels make this a buy.  The price is more than acceptable for what you are getting with this product. It is available in 12 pound jugs and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Fantastic clumping, good at capturing odors

Cons:  Pretty dusty, somewhat artificial scent

Read Review of Cat's Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Premium Scented Multi-Cat

Garfield Flushable Grand

garfield grand cat litter reviewOur Rating4 star

Another cat litter that takes advantage of its unique plant-based material to deliver great clumping.  Being slightly larger than its sister product the tracking is kept in check a bit better but at the cost of slightly worse odor control as well as going through a bag quicker.  However, the pros easily outweigh the cons.

Pros:  Good clumping, odor-free, less tracking than fine grain product, gentle on paws

Cons:  Can struggle with feces odors, goes through bag quicker

Read Review of Garfield Flushable Grand

Cedarific

cedarific cat litter fullOur Rating:

 4 star

An all-around great performing wood cat litter, Cedarific has really made a name for itself.  We like the subtle cedar scent and the innate ability of the wood to lock in odor and moisture.  Your cat will also like the soft shredded wood under their feet.  Our only minor complaints have to do with the high asking price and the inability to clump.  If you have an extremely active cat, there may also be some light tracking.

Pros:  Great scent, Good odor control, Easy to use

Cons:  Pricey, May track some, Doesn’t clump

Read Review of Cedarific Cat Litter

Precious Cat Ultra Scented

precious cat ultra scented cat litter fullOur Rating:

 3.5 star

The definite strong point of this product comes with the great clumping.  However, the litter smell is a bit too intense and the online price for this litter is a good bit higher than some of the other Precious Cat products, so we had to bump the rating down a bit.  Still a solid choice for most applications.  It is available in 20 and 40-pound bags and boxes, is comprised of clay, and is available in the mid to premium-priced areas.

Pros:  Awesome clumping, better than average at stopping cat smells, little dust

Cons:  Litter scent can be a bit much, somewhat expensive for a clay litter

Read Review of Precious Cat Ultra Scented

ProSense Fresh Results Crystal

prosense fresh results crystal cat litter Our Rating:

A silica-gel based cat litter that performs very similar to other types on the market made of similar material.  You can expect great odor control and little litter smell but you do sacrifice clumping ability, higher tracking levels, and a premium price tag.

Pros:  Great at Locking in Odor, Very little litter smell

Cons:  Tracks very easily, Quite expensive

Read Review of ProSense Fresh Results Crystal

Weruva

weruva cat litter review full Our Rating:

This is certainly one of the more unique eco-friendly cat litters that we have tested.  We love the originality and the scent is very pleasant.  However, there are some struggles with clumping, messiness, and asking price.

Pros:  Unique approach to a cat litter, Great scent, All-natural

Cons:  Clumping could be better, A bit messy, Expensive

Read Review of Weruva Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Ultra LastArm & Hammer Ultra Last Cat Litter 1 full

Our Rating:

3 star

This product has pretty good clumping and while it has a bit of caking, cleanup is, for the most part, a breeze.  However, the litter smell is simply way too much.  If you can handle the scent or decide to wear a gas mask around the litter (might need one for your cat as well) then it isn’t a terrible deal.   It is available in 20, 26.3, 31, 37, 40, and 50-pound boxes, is comprised of clay and baking soda, and is in the mid to premium-price range.

    Pros:  Good clumping, little to no caking on box

Cons:  Very off-putting litter smell, somewhat pricey for a clay litter

Read Review of Arm & Hammer Ultra Last

Fresh Step Lasting Power Scoopable

fresh step lasting powerOur Rating:

 3 star

The clumps and odor control are on point with this product.  It is also relatively headache-free other than the dust and tracking, but the price is a bit higher than we would like.  If you could find this close to a dollar per pound we would definitely recommend it as a buy.  It is available in 25 and 38 pound boxes and is comprised of clay and antimicrobial agents.

Pros:  Very effective clumping that stays hard for a long time, great job of locking in odors

Cons:  Hit or miss in actual litter smell, extremely dusty, very expensive

Read Review of Fresh Step Lasting Power Scoopable

Scoop Away Extra Strength Scented

scoop away extra strength scentedOur Rating:

 3 star

What this litter does well it does extremely well, and what is struggles with it has major struggles with.  It has some incredible clumping that stays rock hard for extended periods of time, but the smell from it can simply be overpowering.  The dust aspect is also quite frustrating.  Finally, the high price was the final nail and is what stopped us from rating it higher despite being one of the best clumping litters on the market. It is available in 25 and 38 pound boxes and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Incredible good hard clumping, feces and urine odors stay locked in for days

Cons:  Very strong off-putting perfume smell, extremely dusty, quite expensive

Read Review of Scoop Away Extra Strength Scented

So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellet

so phresh odor control paper pelletOur Rating:

 3 star

Generally the specialty litter materials have a bit of baggage, either via their odor absorption, clumping specifics, or price tag.  In this case none of these are major concerns although the price is a bit high.  For being an eco-friendly option it does everything well enough to warrant a soft recommendation from us.  It is available in 25 pound bags and is comprised of paper pellets.

Pros:  Overwhelming litter scent, paper absorbs most cat odors, no dust

Cons:  Requires a bit more maintenance, somewhat pricey

Read Review of So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellet

World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping

world's best cat litter clumpingOur Rating:

 3 star

Both the clumping and absorbency really shine in this product, thanks to the inclusion of wood fibers and corn kernels.  However, this comes at the cost of some issues with smell as well as a bit too much tracking.  We wish the price was a bit lower and we would be more inclined to recommend this litter. It is available in 7, 8, 14, 15, and 28 pound bags and is comprised of wood fiber and corn kernels.

Pros:  Rock hard clumps, very absorbent towards all moisture, no litter smell

Cons:  Can struggle somewhat with masking cat odors, pretty expensive, large clumps

Read Review of World's Best Cat Litter Clumping

UltraPet Ultra Pearls 

ultrapet ultra pearlsOur Rating:

 3 star

Crystal-based litters are a unique and pricey approach, and this is no different.  Some of the best odor control in the market is here but at the expense of nearly 4 dollars per pound.  Whether this is worth it to someone is on a case by case basis.  It is available in 5 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Excellent at concealing urine and feces odors, beads are comfortable on cat paws, absorbs all moisture

Cons:  Some tracking issues, incredibly expensive

Read Review of UltraPet Ultra Pearls

ProSense Fresh Results Clumping

prosense fresh results clumping cat litter Our Rating:

A corn-based cat litter that tries to keep up with traditional clay products in clumping and odor-control.  It does fall a bit short in clumping but does smell nicer and is more eco-friendly than most clays.  But it also comes with a high price tag.

Pros:  All-natural, Pleasant litter smell

Cons:  Less than amazing clumping, Struggles locking in odors, Rather expensive

Read Review of ProSense Fresh Results Clumping

Fresh Step Fast Acting Scoopable

fresh step fast actingOur Rating:

 2.5 star

A very average-performing litter than unfortunately comes at an above average price.  While it doesn’t necessarily do anything terrible (other than having a rather high dust content) if you are willing to spend this kind of money there are much better options out there.  It is available in 25 pound boxes and is comprised of clay and plant extracts.

Pros:  Captures fluids before they can make it to the bottom, odor eliminated for long periods

Cons:  Clumps can fall apart over time, very dusty, pretty pricey

Read Review of Fresh Step Fast Acting Scoopable

Fresh Step Crystals

fresh step crystalsOur Rating:

 2.5 star

For being a crystal litter it does what it is intended to pretty well.  Good odor absorption without overpowering perfumes and relatively easy to monitor and maintain are two definite positives.  But for over 3 dollar per pound?  If you are dead-set on a crystal-based litter then this one shouldn’t disappoint but we have a hard time justifying the extreme price.  It is available in 4, 8, and 10 pound bags and is comprised of crystals.

Pros:  Excellent job of masking odors for multiple days, no dust

Cons: Extremely expensive, requires a bit of maintenance

Read Review of Fresh Step Crystals

Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Paper Dust Free

healthy pet okocat natural paper dust free Our Rating:

 2.5 star

Like many of the other eco-friendly litter options on the market by going with abnormal materials it sometimes comes at the cost of performance.  While this product doesn’t do anything inherently bad, there are lots of small issues that add up and take away from it being a recommended choice.  It is available in 5.1, 8.2, and 12.3 pound boxes and is comprised of paper.

Pros:  Handles liquids very well, essentially scentless litter smell, does good job of capturing odors short-term

Cons: Can struggle clumping solids, light weight so it tracks easily

Read Review of Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Paper Dust Free

LitterMaid Premium Natural Clumping

littermaid premium natural clumpingOur Rating:

 2.5 star

Average clumping.  Average odor control.  Pretty good cleanup capabilities.  A lot of litters have this description but not all of them are so expensive.  We won’t talk you out of trying this litter if you want but we aren’t going to try to sell you on it, either.   It is available in 7 pound bags and is comprised of clay and corn.

Pros:  Captures moisture quite well, very little litter smell, basically no dust

Cons:  Clumping could be better, can be a bit messy, a bit expensive

Read Review of LitterMaid Premium Natural Clumping

Precious Cat R&R Respiratory Relief Silica Gel

precious cat r&r respiratory relief silica gelOur Rating:

 2.5 star

This is a specialty litter intended for cats with medical issues, and as such you are primarily paying for that aspect and not particularly the odor neutralizing or cleanup specifics.  For someone who doesn’t have a cat that has these specific respiratory problems you would be crazy to spend this kind of money on what is honestly an average at best offering. It is available in 7.5 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Very little litter smell, decent odor control, no dust

Cons:  Urine can easily overwhelm, extremely expensive

Read Review of Precious Cat R&R Respiratory Relief Silica Gel

Tidy Cats Lightweight 24/7 Performance

tidy cats lightweight 247 performanceOur Rating:

 2.5 star

An average to slightly below average choice.  The lightweight aspect hurts it here because the clumps just don’t get very hard and this also affects how well it is able to absorb odors.  The fact that it is quite messy and especially the high price add up to make us not real excited about this one.  It is available in 8.5 pound jugs and 18 pound boxes and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Pretty good clumping, can handle good levels of both feces and urine

Cons:  Clumps tend to stink to bottom, extremely dusty

Read Review of Tidy Cats Lightweight 24/7 Performance

So Phresh Odor-Lock Crystal

so phresh odor lock crystalOur Rating:

 2.5 star

For the high price the sale points just aren’t there.  The fact that this litter doesn’t clump is a big reason, but even beyond that the crystals don’t do a significant enough of a job in locking in odor to warrant the sticker and other problems.   It is available in 8, 15, and 30 pound bags and is comprised of silica gel.

Pros:  Handles feces and urine odors for several days, crystals absorb most of the moisture

Cons:  Can easily be overwhelmed if litter box is used too much, pretty expensive

Read Review of So Phresh Odor-Lock Crystal

UltraPet Ultra Lite

ultrapet ultra liteOur Rating:

 2.5 star

The combination of unique ingredients plus the lightweight formula makes for a poorly-clumping and messy concoction.  However, it does a reasonably good job of stopping odors.  We are pretty neutral on this product overall. It is available in 5 and 10 pound bags and is comprised of clay and silica gel.

Pros:  No overpowering litter smell, locks odors in for several days, not overly dusty

Cons:  Clumps are too soft, tracks extremely easy, quite pricey

Read Review of UltraPet Ultra Lite

Tidy Cats Yesterday’s News Original

tidy cats yesterdays newsOur Rating:

 2.5 star

A rather unique approach in terms of the shape and specifications of the litter but the end result is pretty ordinary.  It doesn’t clump per se which we wouldn’t mind seeing here and the price could be a bit lower to make it a more attractive buy.  It is available in 5,15, and 30 pound packages and is comprised of recycled paper.

Pros:  Environmentally friendly, no litter smell, handles feces well for the most part

Cons:  Messy cleanup since no clumps, can be overwhelmed by too much urine

Read Review of Tidy Cats Yesterday's News Original

Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Wood Clumping for Long Hair Breeds

healthy pet okocat natural wood clumping Our Rating:

 2 star

The struggles this litter has with any hard waste really bumps it down in our ratings.  Also the fact that it is quite expensive doesn’t help, either.  We understand how frustrating it can be to find a good litter for long-haired cats but unfortunately we would recommend continuing to shop around and skip over this one. It is available in 8.4, 13.5, and 20.2 pound boxes and is comprised of wood pellets.

Pros:  Handles urine well, very little tracking, no off-putting litter scent

Cons: Struggles with feces clumping, expensive

Read Review of Healthy Pet ökocat Natural Wood Clumping for Long Hair Breeds

So Phresh Advanced Odor Control Scented

so phresh advanced odor control scentedOur Rating:

 2 star

There are too many small issues with this example to consider it a buy.  It is extremely messy and the smell can be a bit much.  At least the clumping is alright, but unless it was half the price that it is we wouldn’t recommend it.  It is available in 16 and 30 pound tubs and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Clumps are serviceable in short-term, good at moisture absorption

Cons:  Can struggle with locking in odor long-term, on the dustier side, clumps can fall apart and become a gooey mess

Read Review of So Phresh Advanced Odor Control Scented

Tidy Cats Lightweight Instant Action

tidy cats lightweight instant actionOur Rating:

 2 star

A dusty, gooey, expensive mess.  It might act somewhat quickly, but it is more that the overpowering perfumes are masking the cat odor smells than anything else.  Definitely shop around before trying this product out.   It is available in 8.5 pound jugs and 17 pound pails and is comprised of clay.

Pros:  Product will last a while, hides cat odor smells quickly

Cons:  Clumps are not very hard, strong artificial smell, very dusty, extremely expensive

Read Review of Tidy Cats Lightweight Instant Action

World’s Best Cat Litter Advanced Natural Scented Pine Blend Multi Cat

world's best cat litter advanced natural scented pine blend multi catOur Rating:

 2 star

Too many issues make this a struggling multi-cat option.  The clumping, while not awful, has some underlying issues directly related to fluids.  The cat waste scents can rear the ugly head way too quickly and the cleanup could become too burdensome for those large multi-cat households.  There are better options out there at this price. It is available in 6, 12, and 24 pound bags and is comprised of pine composition.

Pros:  Small tight clumps, enjoyable pine litter smell, easy clump removal

Cons:  Can struggle with large amounts of fluid, rather dusty

Read Review of World's Best Cat Litter Advanced Natural Scented Pine Blend Multi Cat

Fresh Step Extreme Lightweight Scented

fresh step extreme lightweight scentedOur Rating:

 1.5 star

An expensive option that fails in just about every area.  Your cat, your patience, and your pocketbook will thank you if you go with one of the many better options that can be had for this price.  It is available in 15.4, 20.8, 23.4 and 25.8 pound boxes and is comprised of clay and carbon.

Pros:  Relatively lightweight

Cons: Extremely weak clumps that fall apart, powerful artificial perfume scent, struggles to retain cat odors, extremely mess, very expensive

Read Review of Fresh Step Extreme Lightweight Scented

Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Natural Pine

nature's miracle just for cats natural pineOur Rating:

 1.5 star

This litter really misses the mark unfortunately.  The clumping is severely lacking, it has some glaring odor control problems, and the decision to use pine can result in quite a mess.  To top it off, it is priced as being one of the premium litters on the market.  We understand the desire to go with a more eco-friendly medium but it just doesn’t work here. It is available in 8 pound bags and is comprised of pine granules.

Pros:  Refreshing pine litter smell, little dust

Cons:  Really struggles with clumping, off-putting smell when cat waste mixes with pine scent, quite messy, expensive

Read Review of Nature's Just for Cats Natural Pine

UltraPet Better Way Cedar

ultrapet better way cedarOur Rating:

 1.5 star

We have seen the wood-based litters struggle and this one is no exception.  While it is inherently more eco-friendly, the extremely high price and poor performance (in clumping, odor neutralization, and cleanup) you pay for it just isn’t worth it in our opinion.   It is available in 14 pound bags and is comprised of benonite and cedar.

Pros:  Refreshing wood litter scent, odor control is alright with timely litter box maintenance

Cons:  Very expensive, weak clumping, messy cleanup

Read Review of UltraPet Better Way Cedar

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