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10 Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters That Your Pet Will Most Likely Enjoy

You want to create the greatest environment for your lovable pet as a cat owner.

A nutritious diet, stimulating toys, and a comfy bed can all help an anxious cat adjust to a new home, but have you chosen a cat litter for your young friend?

There appear to be as many different brands of litter as there are cat toys, making the selection process difficult for new pet owners.

Despite the fact that litter pellets are created from various materials, all litter products can be classified as clumping or non-clumping.

If you're not sure which type to buy, we can assist you in making your decision.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has included extensive assessments of the best non-clumping cat litters brands, as well as a handy guide that explores the benefits and drawbacks of using non-clumping products versus clumping litter.

Reviews

Best Overall: Feline Pine Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
 

Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is our best overall non-clumping cat litter.

We chose Feline Pine above the competition because of its highly absorbent pellets and chemical-free recipe.

Although it is more expensive than clay litter, it is less expensive and more effective than other non-clumping pine products.

The only ingredient in Feline Pine is pine fiber, and it does not contain any artificial perfumes or chemicals to mask the odors of pee and feces.

Its litter is twice as absorbent as its prior formula, and no other kind of non-clumping litter works as well.

Unlike clay litter and certain other non-clumping pine litters, Feline Pine is dust-free and will not produce clouds of dust when you empty the litter box.

The sole disadvantage of the brand is that the pellets cannot erase fecal odor. The pine absorbs urine quickly, but it does not dry out or absorb excrement as efficiently.

However, much like with most non-clumping litters, you can remove the feces every day to avoid residual odors.

 

Best Value Cat’s Pride Premium Clay Cat Litter
 

Finding a low-cost non-clumping litter is be difficult, but we named Cat’s Pride Premium Clay Cat Litter our finest non-clumping litter for the money.

The huge clay particles absorb urine and eliminate odors really well. It has no chemical perfumes or additives and absorbs 100% of its weight in moisture.

Cat’s Pride is an outstanding clay litter for the money. The biggest concern with the litter, though, is the excessive level of dust.

When emptying the litter box, you may need to use a mask and goggles to protect yourself from the dust cloud. Cats and owners with respiratory concerns should use a dust-free formula.

Tracking is also an issue, but it isn’t as serious as it is with clumping items. The majority of the bad feedback came from customers who expected clumping litter.

The package does not specify whether the litter is clumping or non-clumping. Overall, if you can take the dust, it’s a good product.

 

Premium Choice Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Crystal Cat Litter
 

Premium litter brands hold a sizable market share, but our personal favorite is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter.

It quickly absorbs liquid and reduces odors by using silica crystals.

Its hypoallergenic recipe is great for cats who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems, and the fine-grained crystals are 99.9% dust-free.

Dr. Elsey’s contains no artificial ingredients, however it does use hydrolyzed herbs to produce a relaxing environment and prevent residual odors.

If your cat has never used crystal litter before, it may take some time for the animal to get used to the texture.

Dr. Elsey’s crystal litter is finer than other crystal products and has a softer feel than litter with larger bits, however the sound the material creates when a cat scratches the box may be unpleasant to certain cats.

Dr. Elsey’s forms into a dense block after absorbing pee, despite not being a clumping litter. Cleaning the litter box becomes laborious and annoying as a result.

 

Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter from Yesterday’s News
 

Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is one of the most environmentally friendly non-clumping litters available.

It makes use of 100 percent recycled newspaper to decrease odors and tracking.

It does not use chemicals or scents in its product and instead depends on the naturally existing carbon in paper to retain urine and fecal odors.

Its dust-free pellets are perfect for cats suffering from allergies or respiratory issues, while the larger pieces decrease tracking and keep your cat’s paws litter-free.

Paper pellets are softer than pine and clay, but they dissolve quickly, making litter box cleaning a work.

Although the larger pellets prevent tracking, you lose more material when removing excrement from the box.

 

Pellet Refills for Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
 

The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System Pellet Refill is a great way to keep the litter box clean.

To capture odors, BREEZE employs a natural mineral pellet, which the manufacturer claims will last up to a month before needing to be changed.

The dust-free mixture promotes healthy air quality and a clean environment. You will need a BREEZE litter system if you have not already purchased one.

Essentially, the BREEZE pellets work as a filtering material, absorbing odors and allowing urine to drain to the absorbent pad beneath.

You can house the pellets in a hooded box, open box, or extra-large system (for numerous cats), but expect a significant initial expenditure as well as recurring costs for pads and pellet refills.

Many cat owners rely on Purina pellets and systems to keep their homes dust-free, and BREEZE products are frequently out of stock and difficult to find.

Regardless of its popularity, numerous consumers were dissatisfied with the litter’s aroma and said that it was ineffectual at suppressing odors after 30 days.

How to Choose The Best Non-Clumping Cat Litter

As you can see, not all non-clumping trash is created equal.

Ordinary clay litter was significantly cheaper than wet clumping forms before producers began selling non-clumping goods comprised of natural components.

Non-clumping brands now attract premium prices and are constructed from natural components such as pine fibers, recycled paper, silica crystals, walnuts, and others.

There are a few factors to consider while comparing different brands.

Price

If your cat care budget is already stretched thin and you need a low-cost non-clumping option, unscented clay litter will normally cost less per pound.

The more expensive varieties, which come in compact five-pound or three-pound bags, are supposed to give longer odor control and require less frequent replacement.

Behaviour of Cats

Is your cat careful about covering up its urine and excrement, or does it prefer to run from the box as soon as the act is finished?

The behaviors of your cat might help you choose the best litter. Pine litter is biodegradable and absorbs urine, but it is not ideal for felines who prefer to keep their excrement exposed.

However, if you scoop the litter box on a daily basis, pine litter can be useful even with messy cats.

Because silica dehydrates the feces and absorbs the stench, crystal litter, such as our top pick Dr. Elsey’s, is ideal for cats who leave uncovered presents.

Human Action

If you’re used to scooping the litter box at least once a day, you can utilize any of our ten recommendations to reduce tracking and odors.

A BREEZE system or crystal litter can control odors better than other materials without frequent scooping for owners who prefer to check the box every few days.

However, your cat will be happier and healthier if you’re able to keep the litter box clean.

Changes to the Formula

Even companies that have given the same product for decades, such as Jonny Cat, make product adjustments.

Sometimes the change improves the product, but more often than not, the adjustment irritates the company’s most ardent supporters.

Jonny Cat isn’t the first company that has altered its ingredients or quality, but it’s odd that litter engineers determined that dark green was a better color for pellets than light gray or beige.

The majority of customers who noticed the color change also stated that the new recipe was less effective.

If the litter you ordered arrives in a different tint or texture than you expected, contact the company before throwing it in the litter box.

The color change in the Jonny Cat case was not caused by contamination or error, but it’s best to consult with a company representative to confirm the material is safe.

An ingredient change could indicate that the company needs to get raw materials from a different source, or that it simply changed recipes under new management.

Respiratory Issues

If you or your cat suffer from respiratory issues, consider using a dust-free non-clumping litter to keep the air and litter box area cleaner.

Dust-free solutions reduce the amount of dust created when your cat scrapes and covers up.

Pine pellets, like our top pick, Feline Pine, are wonderful for keeping the air dust-free, and Dr. Elsey’s is a fantastic choice for owners and cats with respiratory concerns.

Although several crystal products, with the exception of Dr. Elsey’s, claim to reduce dust, they are frequently filled with dust when they are delivered.

Some of the more fragile silica crystals get agitated during transportation, and as a result, they arrive partially disintegrated.

Tracking

The reduction in tracking is one of the benefits of choosing a non-clumping litter over a clumping litter.

Clumping litter can adhere to paws, especially if the box is overflowing with feces and pee, and end up on your floors, furniture, and bed.

Non-clumping material features larger pellets, but some brands reduce tracking better than others. The best low-tracking pellets were pine, walnut, paper, and premium silica.

Although the coconut, clay, and cheaper crystals had tracking concerns, they outperformed the clumping brands.

Concerns for Kittens

When caring for a kitten under the age of 12 weeks, a non-clumping litter is preferable for the kitty’s health and well-being.

Non-clumping litter is recommended by veterinarians and breeders for kittens since the small ones are more inclined to eat their litter.

Ingesting filthy material can introduce dangerous germs into the kitten’s digestive system, resulting in urinary tract infections and kidney damage.

If a substantial amount of clumping litter is consumed, it might cause intestinal swelling and injury.

If you’ve noticed your cat eating litter on a regular basis, you should use a straining litter box that sends pee to a pad underneath.

Conclusion

Using a non-clumping litter in your home can help to decrease dust and tracking.

Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is our top overall pick. It absorbed odors more effectively than competitors and created almost little dust.

Cat’s Pride Premium Clay Cat Litter is our winner in the best value category.

Its chemical-free mix quickly absorbs liquid and prevents odors, and it’s less expensive than other premium clumping litters.

Finding a brand that meets your cat’s needs can be difficult, but our reviews and guide should have made your decision a bit easier.

We appreciate you taking the time to read this far. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes that this article will assist you in selecting the best non-clumping cat litters.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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