The 14 Best Cheap Cat Litters

Reviews

Dr. Elsey’s Clumping Cat Litter – Overall Winner
 

Clumping Cat Litter by Dr. Elsey is a medium clay litter. It includes hefty granules that your cat’s paws will not track through the home.

It reduces odor from pee and feces and keeps liquids from sinking to the tray’s bottom.

The clay clumps readily and does not break down once clumped, so you can remove used sections of the tray litter without having to do a full empty every time your cat visits.

The hard-clumping clay litter is nearly dust-free, making it acceptable even for people with allergies or an allergic response to clay dust.

It also comes in a variety of bag sizes, the largest of which is more than enough for a multi-cat home.

Pros

• Removes smells
• Clumps and continues to clump
• Large bags are a good buy.

Cons

• Sets on the tray’s bottom.

 

Cat Litter Arm & Hammer Slide Scented Clumping Clay
 

This Arm & Hammer clay cat litter claims to be 100% dust-free and to slide right out of the litter box when it’s time to clean it. With clay litter, dust is a serious issue.

Not only is having clouds of cat litter dust surrounding the litter tray unpleasant, but it also leaves surfaces looking dusty and grimy, and this isn’t limited to the region directly around the litter tray.

As your cat stands in the litter and goes around your house, they will leave dusty paw prints and little clumps of litter behind.

Because Arm & Hammer Slide Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter clumps rapidly and solidly, the litter will slide out when cleaning.

There’s no need to chisel away at solid litter remains or wipe down corners where it’s gotten trapped.

Unfortunately, this is a pricey litter that, despite having a somewhat chemical odor, does little to combat odors.

Pros

• Clumps rapidly
• There is no dust.
• When it’s time to clean, it slides out.

Cons

• It does not control smells.
• Expensive

 

Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter Purina Tidy Cats
 

Non-Clumping Tidy Cats Clay Purina Cat Litter is a low-cost cat litter. Because it is a non-clumping recipe, it should be easy to clean because it will not build a concrete layer on the bottom or edges of the litter tray.

It also contains a deodorizing mechanism to hide the odor of cat urine and excrement, and Purina says that it is dust-free.

Unfortunately, the non-clumping formula causes urine to settle to the tray’s bottom and isn’t absorbed by the litter.

Finally, the ammonia scent of cat urine will permeate through, usually within a day of putting new litter.

Pros

• Really low-cost
• Formula without dust

Cons

• Non-clumping
• Ineffective odor control
• Frequently changing

 

Clumping Wheat Cat Litter sWheat Scoop
 

Scoop of Wheat Natural wheat is used to make Clumping Wheat Cat Litter. As a result, it is safe for accidental intake, making it perfect for kittens and senior cat owners.

It clumps faster than clay, so it controls odors better and is easier to clean up, whether you’re doing a quick scoop or a full tray change.

Wheat does not solidify as it clumps, so you won’t have to chip away at the hardened residues of litter from the bottom of your litter box. This litter is environmentally beneficial because it is 100% biodegradable and made from wheat.

Unfortunately, wheat costs more than clay, making this one of the most expensive litter solutions.

It also does not form a firm clump like clay, which can make cleanup more difficult and need a lot more work to remove regions.

Because it does not compact, the litter does not do as well at preventing or decreasing odors.

Pros

• Derived from wheat
• Environmentally conscious

Cons

• Ineffective odor control
• It does not clump.
• Expensive

 

Okocat Clumping Wood Cat Litter
 

Okocat Wood Clumping Cat Litter is created from plant fiber that has been sustainably sourced. It is fully biodegradable, and you may remove and flush it clump by clump.

The wood fibers in the litter naturally collect fluids, trapping odor and preventing it from spreading throughout the house.

This signifies that no chemicals have been introduced to the litter to prevent or cover undesirable odors.

The fibers also cluster fast and remain clumped, making them easier to clean and remove. The wood pellets were dedusted before packaging, reducing the amount of dust produced by this litter.

It is more expensive than many of the other products on our list, but it does get caught in paws and tracks throughout the home.

Despite being dedusted, it contains a lot of dust, which immediately leaves the litter when poured. It’s also an unpleasant sensation, and not all cats will be at ease stepping on or utilizing this litter.

Pros

• Biodegradable
• Can be flushed slowly
• Before packaging, dedusted

Cons

• It’s still dusty.
• More expensive than clay
• Tracks really readily

 

Clumping Walnut Cat Litter that is Naturally Fresh
 

Natural walnut shells are used to make Naturally Fresh Clumping Walnut Cat Litter. It uses a malodor counteractant to combat the odor of pee and feces, and it outperforms practically all other natural litters in this regard.

It is marketed as dust-free, so it should be appropriate for allergic cats and humans, but we discovered that there was still a significant amount of dust. Although it aggregates briefly at first, the clumps are short-lived.

As a result, unless you scoop right away, it will require frequent changes and cleaning. Furthermore, the shells quickly get into your cat’s claws, which means they will track all over the place and are tough to keep out of the rest of the house.

Pros

• Natural
• Recyclable
• Does a good job at odor control.

Cons

• It does not clump.
• Despite promises, it is extremely dusty.
• It is not inexpensive.

Buyer's Guide: Finding the Best Low-Cost Cat Litters

Buying cat litter entails deciding on the material and whether you want clumping or non-clumping litter.

Some litters also include extra aroma to assist hide the odor of pee and feces, but the material and clumping nature of the litter are the most essential considerations.

Material

Cat litter can be made from a variety of materials, including:

Clay 

Depending on the brand and type of cat litter you purchase, clay might be clumping or non-clumping. This is most certainly the most often used and purchased substance.

It’s inexpensive, and the clumping variety makes removing urine-soaked litter a breeze. Clay is dusty, and it is not biodegradable.

It is also advised not to use this substance for kittens because they will play with it and may consume it.

Eating too much clay litter might result in a significant, potentially fatal gastrointestinal obstruction. Wood is the second most popular material for cat litter.

Pine wood

It may originate from a sustainable source, but if this is essential to you, make sure the packaging specifically specifies that it is created from recycled or repurposed materials.

Pine is popular because it has a natural odor that is far better to ammonia from cat pee.

Paper 

You thought the days of lining a cat litter tray were over. Aside from the obvious color difference, paper pellets resemble wood pellets.

They’re constructed from old newspapers, magazines, and even phone books.

They are considered environmentally benign and may be recycled after use, although they do not clump well and may not provide enough odor control.

Natural materials

In addition to wood, can be used to manufacture cat litter. Some examples are corn husks and walnut shells. These contain a natural perfume that can effectively disguise the odors of pee and feces.

Simply because something is natural does not mean it is effective or even environmentally beneficial. Examine the quality and reviews to ensure that they are effective.

Silica

Silica crystal cat litter is not included in a list of inexpensive cat litters since it is considered a luxury alternative and costs more than other materials.

It is, nevertheless, incredibly absorbent and can be reused or cleaned for an extended period of time. It also has great odor control.

Is it clumping or not?

Whatever material you choose, there will be clumping and non-clumping alternatives. When wet or soiled, the individual grains of clumping litter clump and adhere together.

This clumping prevents the stench from escaping and also makes clearing or cleaning the litter tray simpler.

However, clumping litter is usually dustier than non-clumping litter, especially when it comes to clay, and it can be more expensive.

Conclusion

Cat litter is essential in the lives of the average cat owner. It is used to absorb urine and collect excrement. It can help keep their odor from permeating the rest of the house.

Manufacturers employ a number of materials to do this, including clay, pine, silica crystals, and corn husks.

Each material has advantages and disadvantages, and many cat owners have their own beliefs about which material and brand of litter is best.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes that our review list of the best cheap cat litters will assist you in finding the one that best meets your needs.

Dr. Elsey’s Clumping Cat Litter provided the finest mix of price, odor management, and clumping, whereas Cat Litter Arm & Hammer Slide Scented Clumping Clay is inexpensive and simple to clean up while minimizing fuss and odors.