What are the Least Dusty Clay Cat Litters?
Updated by Brandon F. on June 10, 2020
Clay litter can offer many benefits that cat owners look for: great clumping, high moisture absorption, affordable costs, etc. However, one area that it can often struggle with is in the dust department. Unfortunately, clay cat litter can be quite dusty.
Dust can be frustrating for multiple reasons. First, it can easily stick to things, especially if it has hair or fibers. This can include clothing, carpet, furniture, and even your cat itself! This brings us to another major qualm: dust is easily trackable. It would be one thing if the dust was kicked up but found itself near the litter box.
However, with high-tracking litter this dust can spread to all different areas of your house, making for an even bigger mess. Third, dust can be easily inhaled which can not only cause allergies but is also unsafe.
Because of these reasons and others, we analyze dust levels of the litters we review very closely, and their results have a direct impact on how well or poorly we rank them. Many litters on the market simply have unacceptable dust levels and it is holding them back from otherwise being an excellent litter.
However, not all hope is lost! Some clay-based cat litters are available that have found a way to keep their dust in check, and we have listed a few of them below. These products should have minimal dust, at best, which makes them perfect for those people and cats who are sensitive to dust or that are sick and tired of cleaning up the litter mess that arises from trackable dust.
Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care Premium Unscented Hypoallergenic Multi-Cat
Our Rating: 
This product does everything well. It has some of the best clumping we have experienced and is extremely easy to maintain. And despite this great performance, dust levels are kept in check. It is available in 12-pound jugs, is comprised of clay, and is available in the mid to premium-priced tier.
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
Precious Cat Ultra
Our Rating:
Nothing but positives to say about this product, particularly when it comes to low dust levels. It has some of the best clumping you will experience and the scent control is good enough for most applications. And that price! Definitely a good choice especially if you are budget-conscious. It is available in 18, 40, and 80-pound bags and 40-pound boxes, is comprised of clay, and is available in the budget-price tier.
Pros: Some of the best clumping out there, handles both feces and urine odors for several days, mostly dust-free, fantastic price
Cons: Can be overwhelmed by moisture, caking can be an issue
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance-Free Clumping
Our Rating: 
We are really impressed with this litter. It has rock hard clumps that last for days and the smell isn’t too overbearing. It is powerful enough to do the job for multiple days so constant maintenance isn’t necessary. And on top of this, it comes at a great price. Sometimes sticking with clay litters can result in a lot of dust but that isn’t the case here. We definitely recommend this Intense Defense offering. It is available in 20 and 28-pound bags, is comprised of clay, and is available in the budget to mid-price range.
Pros: Very good at clumping, easily masks cat waste odors, easy cleanup
Cons: Actually has a litter smell despite being “fragrance-free”
Read Review of Nature's Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance Free Clumping
Precious Cat R&R Respiratory Relief Clumping Clay
Our Rating:
If only it didn’t smell bad! Honestly, that can be overlooked because the ability of this product to handle waste and lock in the smells for days is quite impressive. And the dust levels are kept in check quite well. Add to that the fact that it is extremely affordable and you have a definite buy in our book. It is available in 20-pound boxes, is comprised of clay, and is available in the budget-price tier.
Pros: Fantastic clumping, essentially no dust, easy clump removal, great price
Cons: Quite stinky litter
Read Review of Precious Cat R&R Respiratory Relief Clumping Clay