Last updated Apr 26, 2024
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
Veterinary review of this article includes only the medical information in this article. The veterinarian reviewing this article does not personally endorse, recommend, or vouch for the efficacy or claims of any product mentioned in this article.
With so many cat litter brands out there, it can be tough to know which one to choose. We’re here to help you sort through the options and figure out which non-clumping cat litter brand is best.
At A Glance: Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Pretty Litter Ultra-Premium Cat Litter
- Highly absorbent for liquid waste
- Detects changes in urine pH
- Lightweight, very fine granules
Cat’s Pride Premium Fresh & Clean Clay Litter
- Highly absorbent for liquid waste
- Helps control urine odors
- Slightly larger granules than some
Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping 24/7 Performance
- Long-lasting odor control for urine and ammonia
- Absorbs large volumes of liquid
- Multi-cat litter
Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Crumble Litter
- Made from 100% recycled paper materials
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable
- Up to 3x more absorbent than clay
Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter
- All-natural pine materials, absorbs liquid very quickly
- Very low dust and low tracking
How We Tested:
- We purchased the best non-clumping clumping cat litters on the market today
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters with several cats
- We did not receive these product in exchange for a favorable review, they were purchased with our own money
Why Should You Trust Our Recommendations?
You care about your cat as if he were your own child, so we understand that you want what’s best for him. We’re cat owners and pet lovers ourselves, so we know that picking the right products for your cat can be stressful. We also know that there are an unbelievable number of cat litter reviews out there, making it difficult to know who to trust.
After testing dozens of cat litter brands, we know what to look for and what features or drawbacks could affect your decision.
All of the brands recommended here have been tried and tested personally, though we’ve also read other user reviews and have evaluated any information provided by the manufacturer. Not every cat litter on this list will be the perfect fit for your cat, but hopefully the insight we’ve provided will help you make the right choice.
The 11 Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters
Because all cat litters (and all cats!) are not the same, it’s hard to say whether a single one is truly the best. We’ve done our best to summarize the key features of each of our favorites and recommend them in specific categories so you can quickly find the best litter option for you and your cat. Here are our top picks!
#1 Overall Best: Pretty Litter Ultra-Premium Cat Litter Subscription
- Materials: Silica
- Price Per Pound: $5.50
- Key Features: Lightweight, traps odors, eliminates moisture, changes color
A unique silica crystal litter that helps detect changes in urine pH, Pretty Litter also has the benefit of being available through a convenient monthly subscription.
Pretty Litter is lightweight and fine in texture, making it a great choice for older cats and cats with sensitive paws. It absorbs urine odor and eliminates moisture quickly, and its non-clumping formula means a single bag can last up to 30 days. Simply scoop away solids and stir the box daily to keep the litter fresh for your cat.
We found Pretty Litter a little more expensive than other silica litters, and it started to struggle with odor control in a multi-cat household, but overall we were impressed. Monthly delivery makes it a very convenient option, and you’ll enjoy being able to keep tabs on your cat’s urinary health.
What We Liked:
- Highly absorbent for liquid waste
- Detects changes in urine pH
- Lightweight, very fine granules
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, even for a silica litter
- Not ideal for multiple cats
#2 Runner Up: Cat’s Pride Premium Fresh & Clean Clay Litter
- Materials: Clay
- Price Per Pound: $0.21/pound
- Key Features: Highly absorbent, controls odor, affordable price tag
Easily one of the most affordable brands of cat litter in general, Cat’s Pride offers several different formulas including this Premium Fresh & Clean non-clumping clay litter.
It is highly absorbent, helping control urine odors before they start, without the use of heavy perfumes and fragrances. It soaks up liquid very quickly and the affordable price means it’s not a big deal to change out the box once a week or more.
We found that it was a little dustier than some brands and did track to some degree, despite having larger granules than many brands. Overall, it’s a good choice for people looking for an affordable brand or one they can change often.
What We Liked:
- Highly absorbent for liquid waste
- Helps control urine odors
- Slightly larger granules than some
What We Didn’t Like:
- A little dustier than some brands
- Tracks to some degree
#3 Best Odor Control Non-Clumping Litter: Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping 24/7 Performance
- Materials: Clay
- Price Per Pound: $0.26/pound
- Key Features: Long-lasting odor control, multi-cat friendly, eliminates urine odor
Clumping cat litter typically forms hard clumps to lock in moisture and odor. Non-clumping cat litter needs to be emptied more often, but it can still control odor.
This Tidy Cats Non-Clumping 24/7 Performance formula is a great example because it offers triple odor protection against urine, feces, and ammonia. It is also a great option as a multi-cat litter because it offers around-the-clock odor protection.
This formula is very absorbent, capable of handling large volumes of liquid, though you will need to change the litter more frequently if that happens.
Liquid may pool on the bottom of the litter box if this litter isn’t changed often enough and, as a clay litter, it did have some dust and tracking.
What We Liked:
- Long-lasting odor control for urine and ammonia
- Absorbs large volumes of liquid
- Multi-cat litter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some dust and moderate tracking
#4 Best Recycled Material Non-Clumping Litter: Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Crumble Litter
- Materials: Recycled paper
- Price Per Pound: $0.60
- Key Features: 100% recycled materials, low tracking, soft texture, highly absorbent
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and natural cat litter, consider Fresh News. Made from 100% recycled paper, this litter is biodegradable which helps reduce space in landfills.
With its soft texture, Fresh News Original Crumble is a great option for kittens or cats with sensitive paws. For other cats, there is also a pellet version available. The non-clumping formula absorbs up to three times as much liquid as clay, and it doesn’t have all that silica dust to irritate your cat’s nose and lungs.
Fresh News’ original formula comes in pellets that are large enough to reduce tracking. They’re infused with baking soda to help neutralize odors.
Because the material is paper and this is a non-clumping litter, it can be a little tricky to scoop. We recommend changing the entire litter box once a week – maybe more often in multi-cat households.
What We Liked:
- Made from 100% recycled paper materials
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable
- Up to 3x more absorbent than clay
- Crumble variety is soft on sensitive paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can be tricky to scoop
- May need to be changed frequently in multi-cat homes
#5 Best Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter
- Materials: Pine
- Price Per Pound: $1.03/pound
- Key Features: Absorbs liquid quickly, locks away ammonia odor, all-natural materials
A chemical-free and clay-free litter, Feline Pine Original non-clumping litter is made from 100% natural pine. Made in larger granules, this litter absorbs liquid like tiny sponges, soaking it up very quickly.
It controls urine odor fairly well but is a little less effective for solid waste. We loved that it is an all-natural litter with a very low-dust formula.
Plus, the larger granules prevented tracking for the most part. One downside to this litter is that the combination of urine and the pine materials can create an unpleasant odor, but this can be remedied by emptying the box frequently.
What We Liked:
- All-natural pine materials, absorbs liquid very quickly
- Very low dust and low tracking
What We Didn’t Like:
- More expensive than other options
- May develop unpleasant odor if not scooped often
#6 Best Walnut Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Naturally Fresh Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
- Materials: Walnut shells
- Price Per Pound: $0.64/pound
- Key Features: All-natural walnut materials, highly absorbent, virtually dust free
Many natural litter brands use paper or grain-based materials, but Blue Buffalo Naturally Fresh uses 100% natural walnut shells. This litter is highly absorbent which helps control odors from urine, feces, and ammonia.
The dust-free formula is great for cats with sensitive noses and lungs, plus it is free from chemicals and toxins.
Though this formula was lower in dust than many, the pellets tracked to a fair degree. We also found that the odor of the urine combined with the walnut materials became unpleasant over time, but it shouldn’t be an issue if you scoop out dirty litter once a day.
What We Liked:
- Made from 100% natural walnut shells
- Highly absorbent for liquid, very low dust
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some issues with tracking
- Unpleasant odor when combined with urine
#7 Best Lightweight Non-Clumping Cat Litter: CatSpot Coconut Non-Clumping Cat Litter
- Materials: Coconut
- Price Per Pound: $3.59/pound
- Key Features: All-natural materials, highly absorbent, lightweight and biodegradable
Clay litter can be very heavy, as can other natural materials. This CatSpot Coconut non-clumping cat litter is extremely lightweight while also being natural and biodegradable.
Made from 100% coconut materials, this formula doesn’t contain any of the chemicals or artificial ingredients found in other litters. It is a great option as a hypoallergenic cat litter as well because it is clay-free and virtually dust-free.
Not only is this litter natural, but a 5 pound bag absorbs as much liquid as a 20 pound bag of clay litter.
The only challenges we found with this litter were that it was difficult to separate dirty litter from clean litter and that the price was a little higher than most, making it difficult to replace the litter as often as would be ideal. This litter is only available on Amazon, not Chewy.
What We Liked:
- Made from 100% natural coconut materials
- Highly absorbent formula
- Virtually dust-free
What We Didn’t Like:
- Difficult to separate out dirty from clean litter
#8 Best Silica Crystal Non-Clumping Cat Litter: SoPhresh Odor-Lock Silica Crystal Litter
- Materials: Silica crystal
- Price Per Pound: $1.33/pound
- Key Features: Odor-lock crystals, highly absorbent, dries fairly quickly
One of the issues with non-clumping litter is that it needs to be replaced more often than clumping litter. Crystal litter is unique because it absorbs liquid extremely quickly and doesn’t stay as wet as many clay and natural litters.
This, combined with the odor-locking powers, means that it may work well as a multi-cat litter and may not need to be replaced as often. There is some concern about silica dust for crystal litter, but we didn’t find this formula to be particularly dusty.
We did notice, however, that the crystals crackled when exposed to liquid – it could be a little off-putting for some cats. This litter is only available on Amazon, not Chewy.
What We Liked:
- Made from non-toxic silica gel
- Absorbs liquid and odors quickly
- Fairly low tracking
What We Didn’t Like:
- More expensive than average litter
- Crystals crackle with liquid contact
#9 Best Dust-Free Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Okocat Dust-Free Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Cat Litter
- Materials: Paper
- Price Per Pound: $2.51/pound
- Key Features: All-natural paper materials, highly absorbent, soft and lightweight
Some paper cat litters come in large pellets which can be a little uncomfortable on your cat’s feet, but Okocat Natural Paper litter is much softer.
Made from natural paper materials, it is free from synthetic fragrances and chemical additives in addition to being dust-free. This paper litter is highly absorbent and offers impressive odor control for a paper litter.
The granules absorb up to two times their weight in liquid, plus the unique texture keeps the litter drier than some other paper litters. We liked that the granules were smaller and lighter than many paper litters, though there was a little bit of tracking because of this.
It was harder to scoop out solid waste than some litters, but it wasn’t a significant issue.
What We Liked:
- Made from all-natural paper materials
- Absorbs twice its weight in liquid, lightweight granules
What We Didn’t Like:
- Solid waste can be a little tricky to scoop
- More expensive than the average litter
#10 Best Multi-Cat Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Fresh Step Premium Non-Clumping Litter with Febreze
- Materials: Clay
- Price Per Pound: $0.37/pound
- Key Features: Superior odor control, refreshing Febreze scent, weighs 30% less
If you’re looking for an instant action cat litter that offers superior odor control, consider Fresh Step Premium Non-Clumping Litter with Febreze.
This clay-scented litter is surprisingly lightweight compared to other clay litters and still more affordable than most natural non-clumping litters. It absorbs liquids very quickly and traps odors for long-lasting odor control.
Powered by Febreze, this litter offers paw-activated freshness, so the box always smells clean and fresh for your cat. As a clay litter, it was a little dustier than some natural litters, and there was some tracking as well.
What We Liked:
- Superior odor control with the power of Febreze
- Weighs 30% less than other clay litters
What We Didn’t Like:
- A little bit dustier than most natural litters
- Some cats may be sensitive to fragrance
#11 Best Non-Clumping Cat Litter System: Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter System
- Materials: Proprietary zeolite clay formulation
- Price Per Pound: $2.14/pound
- Key Features: Low tracking, 99% dust-free pellets, refillable pee pads
When it comes to non-traditional cat litter, they can be very hit or miss. The Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter system uses specially designed pellets that are low-tracking, 99.9% dust free, and made to dehydrate solid waste.
Used in conjunction with the Breeze litter box system, liquid waste passes through the pellets onto a refillable pee pad below. This litter box system is unique and many cat owners like it. We liked the pee pad refills and the design of the litter box itself.
The pellets, however, were a little large and hard for comfort and they were difficult to scoop unless the solid waste had time to really dehydrate.
Overall, however, it could be a good choice if you’re looking for a cat litter box your cats might dedicate solely to liquid waste. You’ll need to buy pee pad refills but won’t have to replace the pellets themselves as often.
What We Liked:
- Liquid soaks through into refillable pee pads
- Pellets dehydrate solid waste
- Helps control odor
What We Didn’t Like:
- Requires special pellets and pee pads
- Some cats dislike the size and texture of the pellets
Is Non-clumping Litter Right For Your Cat?
Many cat owners prefer clumping clay litter because it is affordable and is easier to scoop. Most clumping litter is made from bentonite clay.
It forms hard clumps around cat urine and sticks to solid waste, making it easy to scoop and dispose of. One of the primary concerns about clay cat litter, however, is that the process through which it is extracted can be damaging to the earth.
Though natural cat litter does exist in clumping varieties, it often doesn’t compare to the clumping ability of clumping clay litter. For this and other reasons, many cat owners prefer non-clumping litter since they just empty and refill the litter box once a week anyway.
Not all non-clumping cat litter is eco-friendly or biodegradable – there are still formulas made from bentonite clay and similar materials. There are, however, still some benefits to consider.
Non-clumping cat litter is good at removing odors from cat litter because it absorbs large volumes of liquid. Many non-clumping formulas also include deodorizers like baking soda. Depending on the materials from which it is made, non-clumping litter can actually be less expensive than a clumping formula.
Also Read: The 5 Best Cat Litter Deodorizers
What To Look For In A Non-clumping Litter?
A clean litter box is every cat’s dream. Cats are naturally fastidious animals, so they clean themselves constantly.
As a cat owner, it’s your job to keep the litter box clean to ensure that it’s a pleasant environment for your cat to do his business. If it isn’t, he may start doing it somewhere else.
We’ve tested and evaluated dozens of cat litter brands to bring you our top picks, but we also want you to know what you should be looking for in a non-clumping cat litter.
Here are some things to look for in the best non-clumping cat litter:
- Contains odor. It’s difficult to say that any litter is completely odor-free, but non-clumping litter absorbs liquid well, which helps prevent odors from becoming too overpowering. For extra odor protection, you might look for a cat litter formula that contains deodorizers like baking soda.
- Very absorbent. Non-clumping litter typically does well in absorbing liquid but large volumes can start to pool on the bottom of the box if you don’t empty it often enough. An absorbent litter is particularly important for multi-cat litter.
- Low dust. Clay litter is often very dusty and it can be bad for your cat to inhale the dust. Many natural cat litters are closer to dust-free but not all of them are. Natural cat litter made from materials like recycled paper tend to be less dusty than clay litters.
- Low mess. Dust is part of the equation when it comes to cat litter clean up, but you also have to consider tracking. Smaller particles tend to track more than larger ones, but larger granules can be uncomfortable on your cat’s feet, leading to litter box avoidance issues.
- Scented/unscented. A scented cat litter can help mask odors, but there’s also the potential for it to irritate your cat’s nose and lungs. You can consider it for cats who aren’t sensitive, but be mindful of artificial fragrances versus natural ones.
Now that you understand the difference between clumping litter and non-clumping cat litter and know the pros and cons of our favorite brands, you’re prepared to pick the ideal litter for your cat. Be ready to try a couple different types if needed, since each cat’s litter preferences are unique.
Final Remarks
The biggest decision you need to make about cat litter is whether you want a non-clumping or clumping formula. From there, you still have to choose from dozens or even hundreds of different options.
All non-clumping cat litter products are not created equally. They are made from a variety of materials, many of which are eco-friendly and biodegradable. This is a key difference from the average clumping litter.
When it comes to picking a cat litter, the best type of litter for you is one that suits your cat’s preferences and is easy for you to afford. Hopefully the recommendations we’ve made above help you find the right cat litter for you and your cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?
If you hate scooping the litter box, adding extra boxes may mean scooping it less often. Having several options for your cat to choose from can also be a benefit in that it may prevent non-use of the litter box.
The general rule is to provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra. You also need to think about where you’ll place the litter boxes. You don’t want them to be in the middle of your living room, but they should still be easily accessible in a quiet area that your cat feels safe in.
It doesn’t hurt to place one on each floor of your house to make sure your cat never has to go too far to access a litter box from wherever he is.
How Much Litter Should You Use?
This is largely a matter of preference, though the general recommendation is to fill the box at least 2 to 3 inches deep. If your cat tends to dig a lot and fling litter outside of the box, you may want to add a little more.
Because you’ll be emptying the entire litter box instead of scooping clumps, however, you will have to find the right balance between using enough litter and not wasting too much extra.
How Often Should You Empty the Litter Box?
Because you won’t be scooping clumps of litter, it’s best to empty the entire litter box, clean it, and refill it. You may be able to scoop out solid waste and some of the wet litter daily, but you really need to empty the box and refill it with fresh litter about once a week.
If you have more than one cat, you may need to do it more often unless you provide multiple litter boxes.
Good morning, I am disappointed not to see Worlds Best Cat Litter on your list as one of the top litters. I have been using Worlds Best Cat Litter for many years and found it to be environmentally friendly and very safe for my pets. I had been informed clumping litters can be harmful to cats as they tend to get in-between their paws and as the cat cleans its paws possibly end up in the cats digestive track.
Thanks for mentioning this, Dorothy! We’ll consider WBCL for a future update of this article!
Hi Mallory,
My name is Chantelle and I live in Ontario. I have just discovered your website and I am very impressed. Thank you so much for having this website. It was and will be helpful for me in the future. Lots of great and accurate information. What a great tool to have found.
Again, thank you very much.
Chantelle
Thanks for being here, Chantelle.
Pretty Litter is silica. There is silica gel and chrystalline silica. BOTH are risky to inhale (for humans, and likely for our cats, as well). I believe a mask should be worn when pouring these types of litter at the very least. Please look up this warning from the CDC and reconsider if you want to promote and support silica litters. I’m sure there has been more research into this since this paper was published. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nioshtic-2/20022534.html
Hi Vicki, thank you for mentioning this. I agree that the potential hazards of silica gel are worth considering, and we’ll review our recommendations with that in mind.