Last updated Mar 31, 2023
If you’re looking for a cat litter brand that is highly affordable and also high quality, consider Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter.
This brand offers over a dozen unique formulas for cat litter to address specific issues including non-use of the litter box, tracking, respiratory problems, and more.
Aside from one silica gel formula, all of Dr. Elsey’s cat litter recipes are made from 100% sodium bentonite clay to maximize clumping ability while minimizing dust and tracking. Keep reading to see our reviews for three of Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat’s most popular cat litter formulas.
Ratings
- Variety of Products – 5/5
- Price Per Pound – 4/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 4/5
- Clumping Ability – 5/5
- Long-Lasting Odor Control – 4/5
- Natural/Alternative Options – 3/5
Overall Score: 4/5
| Products Included in This Review | ||||
| Name | Materials | Clumping? | Life Stage | |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief | Clay | Yes | All | |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter | Clay | Yes | All | |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Cat Litter | Clay | Yes | All | |
How We Tested the Litter:
- We purchased 3 of the best cat litters Dr. Elsey’s has to offer.
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters on several cats.
- We did not receive these products in exchange for a favorable review, they were purchased with our own money.
Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter Brand Overview
Company founder Dr. Bruce Elsey is a feline-only veterinarian and has been for more than 35 years. Through his work and products, his goal is to help cats live longer, happier, and healthier lives while also making things a little easier on cat owners.
The Dr. Elsey’s brand offers a selection of high-protein cat foods for all life stages as well as a variety of cat litters and litter box supplies.
What sets Dr. Elsey’s brand apart from other cat litter brands is the fact that his formulas are uniquely designed to address specific issues. The brand offers cat litters to relieve respiratory problems, to resolve litter box odors, and to address the unique needs of kittens and senior cats. You’ll also find additional products such as a urine removal product and cat litter attractant.
Dr. Elsey’s cat litter is made from premium clay materials to ensure superior clumping action. In addition to forming hard clumps on contact with urine and feces, this cat litter locks in odors.
This cat litter has the ideal texture and particle size to suit your cat’s preferences while also preventing clumps from breaking down and tracking throughout the house. These litters are not flushable, but the hard clumps are generally easy to scoop and discard.
What Kinds of Litter Does Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter Offer?
Dr. Elsey’s brand offers a dozen different formulas for cat litter and several litter box products.
This brand offers several different formulas in both scented and unscented varieties. Precious Cat Clean Tracks offers superior clumping action for less litter box mess while Precious Cat Ultra offers multi-cat odor control. Cat Attract and Kitten Attract litters feature a cat attractant herb to help resolve non-use of the litter box, and there is a simple Classic recipe as well. You’ll also find litters designed for senior cats, health monitoring, respiratory relief, and more.
The three formulas reviewed below are unscented, clumping clay litters.
Top 3 Cat Litters Reviewed
| Product Name | Type | Price | Overall Rating |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief | Clumping | $0.85 per lb | 4/5 |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter | Clumping | $0.78 per lb | 4/5 |
| Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Litter | Clumping | $0.51 per lb | 4/5 |
#1 Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Additional Features: Hypoallergenic, Clumping, Odor Control, Unscented
Many clay cat litters contain silica dust which can contribute to lung disease with long-term exposure. This respiratory relief clumping cat litter is specifically designed to control respiratory disease by being hypoallergenic, low in dust, and free from perfumes and deodorants. In addition to being low in dust, this clay cat litter contains natural essences which help reduce stress.
Though this formula’s claim to fame is its respiratory-protectant properties, it is also a great multi-cat formula. This cat litter forms hard clumps for superior odor control, and it is low-tracking for less mess. One potential issue is the fact that, because it is free from perfumes and common odor-fighting chemicals, the litter itself does have a noticeable smell. It does, however, do a good job of containing urine and feces odor for several days at a time.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 5/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 4/5 |
| Scent | 3/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 4/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 |
Pros
- Low-dust formula uniquely designed to prevent respiratory problems
- Hard-clumping action, locks in odor and moisture on contact
- Hypoallergenic formula free from plant proteins, perfumes, and deodorants
- Contains natural essences to help reduce stress
Cons
- Litter itself may have a slight odor to it, generally not a problem
- May become sticky when wet, can stick to the sides of the litter box
#2 Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter
- Additional Features: Unscented, Multi-Cat, Odor Control, Clumping
A clay-based litter, this formula is designed to solve litter box problems by attracting the cat to the litter box. In addition to all-natural clay materials, this litter contains a natural herb attractant, and it comes in the ideal particle size and texture to suit your cat’s preferences. In addition to these benefits, the litter comes with a handy booklet to help cat owners solve litter box problems.
Like all of Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat formulas, this litter offers hard-clumping action and excellent odor control. The litter itself has a very subtle scent to it but nothing heavy or unpleasant. The formula is very low-dust and low-tracking, thanks in part to the fact that it forms very hard clumps. The only potential issue is with large volumes of liquid which can sometimes cause caking and sticking to the sides of the box. This may not be the best choice for automatic litter boxes.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 4/5 |
| Scent | 4/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 4/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 |
Pros
- Forms tight, hard clumps to lock in odors and moisture
- Very subtle scent from natural herb attractant
- Low-dust and low-tracking, keeps the litter in the box
- Designed specifically to address litter box issues
Cons
- Very large clumps can become quite heavy
- Large volumes of liquid may cause caking and stick to sides of the box
#3 Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Cat Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Additional Features: Clumping, Multi-Cat, Odor Control, Unscented
Easily one of the brand’s most popular formulas, this clumping cat litter offers excellent odor control and hard-clumping action. Though it is a clay-based litter, it is 99.9% dust-free and hypoallergenic. This cat litter combines the heavy non-tracking granules found in their classic litter with a medium-grain clay to provide excellent clumping ability with less mess.
With its hard-clumping action, this cat litter contains odors well for several days, even in multi-cat households. When it comes to dust, we found it to be moderately dusty, though there are customer reviews stating that some bags are dustier than others. The main problem is with high volumes of urine. Though the clay materials are highly absorbent, a large volume of liquid all at once can overwhelm the litter and result in a cement-like consistency that may stick to the sides of the litter box.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 3/5 |
| Scent | 4/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 4/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 |
Pros
- Hard-clumping action seals in moisture and odors on contact
- Moderately low in dust and hypoallergenic, moderately low tracking
- Works very well in multi-cat homes and sifting/mechanical litter boxes
Cons
- Large volumes of liquid may overwhelm the litter and cause caking
- Wet litter can stick to the sides of the litter box, making scooping harder
This cat litter comes in 18, 20, and 40-pound bags and can be purchased online and in pet stores. Because it is made from clay, it can be fairly heavy, depending on the size you choose.
What Do Customers Think of Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter?
Generally speaking, cat owners are very pleased with Dr. Elsey’s cat litter. All three recipes reviewed above carry at least a 4-star rating with hundreds of individual reviews.
Customers love the hard-clumping action and the affordable price of this litter, though there are some comments that it can become sticky when exposed to a large volume of liquid. In terms of dust, however, it is generally fairly low, and odor control is not an issue.
With nearly a dozen products to choose from, Dr. Elsey’s has something for everyone. Keep reading to see a positive and negative customer review for each of the three cat litter formulas featured above:
Positive Reviews
“I have been in search for the best ‘dust free’ cat litter for a while. Many out there state that they are dust free, but in reality, some are only dust free until the litter starts breaking down. I have had some litters that have left a coating of dust all around the area where the cat boxes are placed. Dr. Elsey’s is the best on the market that I could find. It is definitely pricier than most, but I find that it’s worth it.” – Skacnt, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Cat Litter
“I have 4 cats, and one had started avoiding the litter boxes and doing EVERYTHING out of them. We put out more litter boxes where she was going most of the time. I was constantly searching and cleaning up after her. I read about Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter and thought I would try it before I had to do something drastic. IT WORKED! We’ve had it about two weeks and no more going out of the box.” – PickyPam, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter
“Why I like this product. A) It is unscented – I can’t understand adding stink to stink. This litter adds no additional odor of “springtime violets” or other nonsense, AND it keeps cat odor down. B) It advertises that it doesn’t track, and that advertisement is true based on my experience. There is some tracking but very little. C) It clumps up like a box. Nuff said. D) The cat likes it. Sold.” – SunShade, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Cat Litter
Negative Reviews
“I had high hopes with this litter but found that when the clay got wet, it stuck to the litter box and was really difficult to scrape up. Think wet clay that’s caked on plastic. Also, our cat was limping around and we noticed that some of the wet litter had stuck to the inside of her paw and hardened between the pads and it actually took a good deal of effort to get it all out.” – Gutterz, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Cat Litter
“While this product does attract the cats to use the box, it doesn’t last very long. I have to completely change the litter boxes every single day. There’s no just scooping out and adding a little in. I have to completely clean the boxes every day. This product has no clumping action and no real absorbency ability so the urine pools on the bottom of the box after turning their litter into mud.” – CusReviews, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Cat Litter
“I used to love this cat litter after having tried many different brands. It used to be easy to clean litter. But recently, the formula seems to have changed as others have noted it felt like I was digging a giant concrete block off the bottom of the pan, in my daily scooping. Plastic scoopers would break with the effort, and I found I was changing the entire pan weekly instead of once every 2 or 3 weeks.” – Iris, reviewing Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Cat Litter
How Much Does Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter Cost?
Clay cat litter is usually much more affordable than cat litters made with other natural materials like corn or wheat. Even so, Dr. Elsey’s cat litter is highly affordable, costing well under $1.00 per pound for most formula. The three formulas reviewed above cost between $0.46 and $0.80 per pound which is highly affordable. Plus, since the litter forms hard clumps, there is less waste which means that each bag or box of litter goes further.
Overall, Is Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter a Good Choice?
After testing three formulas, we’re happy to say that Dr. Elsey’s cat litter is an excellent choice. Not only is it highly affordable, but the hard-clumping action makes it ideal for multi-cat households. This litter can sometimes be a bit dusty at first, but it is low-tracking and less messy than many clay litters. Most formulas come in a scented or unscented formula as well, so you can decide based on your preference.
One thing to be mindful of with this cat litter is that it tends to get a bit sticky when exposed to a large volume of liquid. The litter still clumps around liquid waste, but large volumes may turn the litter into a cement-like substance until it dries. Very large clumps can stick to the sides of the litter box and may be heavier and more difficult to scoop than smaller clumps.
Generally speaking, clay cat litter is somewhat heavy, so be careful which size bag you purchase. Dr. Elsey’s cat litter is safe for kittens 8 weeks and older as well as senior cats and cats with respiratory issues. Take the time to choose the perfect formula to meet your cat’s unique needs.
Where Is Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter Sold?
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter is sold online and in pet stores. You can find it in big box stores like Target and Walmart as well as both local and national chain pet stores like Petco and PetSmart. If you’re looking for the lowest price, your best bet is to check with online retailers like Chewy and Amazon.
Shopping for Dr. Elsey’s in the UK? You can find it through select UK distributors, including the BYMiT Premium Pet site.
I have an 8 year old Calico I clean her box daily she always pees in her box but once in a while she poops on my bed. She pees in the box then goes on my bed and poops. Don’t understand why??
Hi Geri, I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your cat! I can’t tell you exactly what’s going on, but I can give you some ideas. The first question is whether you only have one litter box – some cats prefer to pee in one and poop in another. Mine do. The second question is where the litter box is placed. You might try adding another one and putting it in a different room. If that doesn’t work, trying a new litter or switching to a different type of litter box may help.
Good luck!
All About Cats is literally the BEST Pet Care community anywhere, I read it everyday, and i’m also so grateful I found http://bit.ly/RechargeableDogCollar, it helped me to teach my dog basic obedience commands and solve an uncontrollable dog’s behaviour problems, hope it helps some others!
This is the worst cat litter. It is heavy to walk out of the store and carry it. I bought the boxed version and it is wasteful with the thick cardboard. It does not mask odor and there is tracking. It is Clay which I can just dig up from my backyard. It is waste of money. I prefer FreshStep, lightweight, with charcoal deodorizer. Much better! Me and my cat Mr. Huggsalot love it.
I’m sorry to hear of your dislike of Dr Elseys cat litter. I have three cats and we travel in an RV fulltime, thus only one cat box. We use cardboard liners in a clear tote and Dr Elseys ultra cat litter, in our opinion is top notch. We also have a litter champ which we absolutely love and we clean the box twice a day. We haven’t experienced any of the issues others have written about. It’s important to keep the litter to a maximum height as stated on the package. If too low, that’s where a problem can occur. Thumbs up to Dr Elseys.
As far as bag being too heavy (40 llb) we order from Chewy and use one of the boxes that we’ve bought previously of Dr Elseys boxed litter.
Hope that helps!!
Sadly, Cat Attract (red box) did not work for me. Cat does not dislike this litter, but does not like it any better than a much less expensive brand. The problem continues. This is a newly adopted, 8-year-old, spayed, declawed cat. I’ve had her for about 2 weeks. She seemed to adjust rapidly and seems happy. She is the only household cat but I do have a dog also and they get along well. Cat ALWAYS urinates in litter box but ALWAYS defecates next to the box. I’ve tried every suggestion provided in Dr. Elsey’s pamphlet that was attached to the box, including: 1) two litter boxes placed a slight distance apart; 2) putting litter in just one end of one box; 3) putting feeding dishes near the box; 4) putting feeding dishes in a different room; 5) using a box cover and not using a box cover; 6) confining the cat; 7) letting her have run of the house. Don’t know what else to buy or try.
Zan, you mentioned that the cat is declawed. In this case you might want to look into a litter that is specifically for declawed cats, as this one is too heavy. Try one for declawed cats, and it might solve the problem.
I just got Dr.Elsey’s Attract, kitten litter after trying three other brands. My problem was with odor and tracking, and I decided to give this one a try. My kitten got so excited when I changed the litter and used Dr. Elsey’s, that rolled in it like in a sandbox. My kitten definitely loves it, and I love it as well. It masks the odor really well, it clumps well, and it does not track. I also think it’s really affordable.
Compared to the Frisco unscented litter, which is better price aside?
Good question, Hannah! In my opinion, there aren’t any significant differences between the two. They are both unscented, clumping clay litters and any difference would be limited to granule size and amount of dust. I haven’t noticed any major differences in those aspects between the two, so I’d say either would be a good choice but Frisco is a few dollars cheaper. If you don’t like lugging around the big 40-pound bags, Dr. Elsey’s does come in a 20-pound box with a handle.
I like Dr. Elsey’s except for poorly designed plastic handles to carry the 20 lb boxes. Most often they break & I have to be careful to not have it land on a foot. I can’t carry the bags because of the weight. They’ll carry it my car but the I can’t get from car into house.
Lin
Hi Hannah, while I can’t speak for everyone, my experience with Dr. Elsey’s litter has been significantly better than that with Frisco. Compared to Frisco’s litter, I’ve found that Dr. Elsey’s is much less dusty and doesn’t stick to my cat’s paws. Hope this helps!
Do you have a litter choice for high volumes of liquid? One of our cats just pees and pees. Nothing wrong with her, she’s is just a big urinator.
Hey Julie, great question! I’ve heard that wood-based cat litters like Oko do really well with high volumes of urine. It’s fairly expensive, though, so if you’re looking for a cheap alternative you could try the kind of wood pellets you’d get at Tractor Supply Co. and similar places. It’s highly absorbent and the wet pellets clump together enough that you can scoop them fairly easily.
No problem with the litter, but wish they would put the handle on the opposite side of the box. Would make it so much easier to pour if were opposite the opening for pouring.
Great observation!
I purchased Dr. Elsies Ultra and love it. I find that it isn’t sticking to the side of the box. I’m sure most litters do at one point. It’s also dust free and no odor. The clumping is great. This is what I’ll be using all of the time. I highly recommend it!
Glad to hear that it works for you, Dwight!
I purchased Dr Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter for the first time with a discount. It was the best litter I ever had in my home. No odor, or tracking dust. I have allergies. Even with cleaning the litter several times a day, my eyes tear., with other brands. I would highly recommend this product. I did have the 40# bag delivered and it was still hard to manage. In addition, when I went to purchase the litter again, the price was $19.99, which n comparison to other brands I felt was high.
I just ordered the Ultra Dr. Elsey’s because I have a Litter Robot. Can you tell me what unscented litters you recommend for use with the LR automatic box?
Hi Amber, a few good products to use in the Litter-Robot:
– Litterbox.com litter
– Tidy Cats Free n’ Clean
– Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented
I’m getting a kitten soon and have cared for adult cats (I was too young to remember the kitten stage) and was wondering what litter would be the best? I’ve looked at the difference between pellet and clay and can’t decide between even those. A friend recommended Pretty Litter and I was looking at Dr. Elsey’s for at least the kitten stage to get them used to the litter box. We always used Scoop Away with my other three adult cats but it ALWAYS smelled and one of my cats really didn’t like it and never covered her waste. I was also looking for something cost-effective, but don’t really care about whether I can buy it in-store or have to get it online. Just looking for some suggestions so I can make up my mind before I get my new kitty!
Young kittens (under about 3 months) should use a non-clumping or soft-clumping litter, so paper pellets (Fresh News) or something that doesn’t create hard, potentially intestine-blocking clumps, like Sustainably Yours or SmartCat, would be a good option. After that, you can switch to a good clumping clay litter like Dr. Elsey’s.
Dr. Elsey’s clumping litter is highly recommended on many lists for its clumpability BUT this caveat: It is made from bentonite which according to the medical literature is carcinogenic* due to the particles of dust** that are breathed in during the process of using it. Use a mask and consider writing to the CDC, Health Canada, etc., about a warning label being used on all bentonite litter products.
*Similar to the smoking of cigarettes, not all users will develop cancer.
** There is no such thing as dust-free bentonite litter despite what is printed on the packaging.
Hello , I searched for months for a litter for my 6 year old female cat. She is declawed and through the years I tried several cat litters and one was good for 1 month and the next she was good for a little while and it went on and on . I was constantly cleaning my rugs and floors.
I was at Pet Smart looking for another litter and I started reading about Dr. Elsey Kitten Attract . I purchased it one year ago and she has never from the first day soiled outside the box . ( I have a large stainless steel litter box )
Yes, it is for kittens but I feel that her declawed paws were the problem and this litter is like a sand and also very easy to scoop. And the tracking is much less . I am so happy with this litter and hopefully she will still be using Kitten Attract in her old age and remain as content and as happy as I am happy with this magnificent cat litter…
I purchased the Ultra Dr. Elsey’s cat litter and I have to say it is junk. my cat has his own bedroom and his litter box is in there and it is now covered in cat little dust so thick. It is going to take me a whole day to strip his room and clean it. I am horrified to think what went into his lungs. Please do not purchase this cat litter for the protection of your fur baby
Thanks for sharing your experience, Darlene! Dustiness does seem to be a common issue with recent batches of Dr. Elsey’s litter, based on other customer reviews I’ve seen.
I have been buying the Scented Ultra (pink/white packaging) and it rocks. Wonder why not reviewed here
Hi Carmen! We try to cover the most popular products from any given brand which can be tough with a brand like Dr. Elsey’s that has such a wide range of different products. I’m glad the Scented Ultra is working for you and your cat, though!