8 Best Cat Litters for Senior Cats – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
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Maybe you’ve noticed your cat has stopped using the litter box, and you’re wondering what to do. Sometimes an older cat might become a little more finicky when it comes to litter you’ve used for years. Other times it could be that there’s something else going on, like a medical issue, and it might be a good idea to contact your veterinarian for some advice. If you find yourself in search of new cat litter for your senior cat, we have you covered. These reviews should give you an idea of what is on the market, and you can determine which brands will work for your senior kitty!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Dr. Elsey's Precious Crystal Cat Litter |
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Best Value
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Feline Pine Original Wood Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice
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PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter |
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Tidy Cats Clay Cat Litter |
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Dr. Elsey's Paw Sensitive Cat Litter |
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The 8 Best Cat Litters for Senior Cats
1. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Crystal Litter – Best Overall
| Litter Material: | Crystal |
| Litter Features: | Non-Clumping, Odor Control, Unscented, Multi-Cat |
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter is our pick for the best overall cat litter for senior cats. It’s designed to absorb odor and urine on contact, so it keeps your cat’s genital area clean, which lowers the risk of urinary tract infections. The particle sizes are small, and the fine dust coats and dehydrates feces to reduce odor.
Some owners commented on the dust getting everywhere, and it made some cats sneeze. Because this litter doesn’t contain wheat, pine, corn, or paper, it is also hypoallergenic, which is handy for those more sensitive cats.
- Absorbs urine on contact and lowers the risk of urinary tract infections
- Fine dust controls odor
- Hypoallergenic
- Dust can get everywhere
2. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Litter – Best Value
| Litter Material: | Pine, Wood |
| Litter Features: | Non-Clumping, Unscented, Odor Control, Natural |
Our pick for the best cat litter for senior cats for the money is Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter. This cat litter is designed so that it won’t stick to your cat’s paws or fur, and it is also relatively low-tracking and a low-dust product. Owners commented on it doing an excellent job of absorbing liquids and controlling odors. However, some cats didn’t seem to like the texture of the pellets.
There is also a learning curve when cleaning out this litter. Once it’s saturated, the waste turns to sawdust, so you have to sift it out while saving the remaining pellets. A sifting litter box makes this easier.
- Less dusty than other options
- Effective odor control
- Free of artificial dyes and fragrances
- Some cats didn’t like the feel of the pellets
- Can be tricky to clean out effectively
3. PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Scented Crystal Litter – Premium Choice
| Litter Material: | Crystal |
| Litter Features: | Non-Clumping, Odor Control, Scented, Dust Free, Low Tracking |
PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter might be one of the more expensive options, but it advertises that it uses up to five times less litter than other brands. Some pet parents mentioned that it didn’t control the odor as much as suggested, so they had to change it more often than expected. PetSafe is a low-tracking, dust-free option for your senior cat. On the whole, owners were happy with the product and said it was easy to clean.
- Low-tracking and dust-free
- Easy to use
- Quick-absorbent
- Needs changed more often than advertised
4. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Lightweight Clumping Clay Litter
| Litter Material: | Clay |
| Litter Features: | Clumping, Unscented, Lightweight, Odor Control, Dust Free |
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter doesn’t have any synthetic fragrances. Instead, it offers odor control through odor-absorbing activated charcoal. These small, dense granules are easy on the paws and the litter scoop as it forms solid, easily scooped clumps. I
Unlike some clay products, Tidy Cats won’t stick to your cat’s paws. It is a relatively low-dust option, and while it creates a small amount of dust when you pour it, owners were still pleased with it.
- Clumps without turning sludgy
- Relatively little dust compared to other brands
- Gentle to paws and doesn’t stick
- Tends to track
5. Dr. Elsey’s Paw Sensitive Multi-Cat Strength Cat Litter
| Litter Material: | Clay |
| Litter Features: | Clumping, Multi-Cat, Dust Free, Odor Control |
Dr. Elsey’s Paw Sensitive Multi-Cat Strength Cat Litter is perfect for cats with sensitive paws. The finer granules are ideal for seniors since joint inflammation can make your cat uncomfortable standing on denser litter. Also, it’s ideal for older cats and owners with respiratory issues. The dust-free formula is preferable to discount clay brands that leave a cloud of dust whenever they’re added to the litter box. However, some cat owners mentioned it tracked pretty severely and was tricky to clean since it took on a concrete consistency when it dried out.
- Gentle on sensitive paws
- Fine granules are easier to stand on
- 99% dust-free
- Tends to track
- Tricky to clean
6. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Litter
| Litter Material: | Wheat |
| Litter Features: | Clumping, Odor Control, Unscented, Multi-Cat, Flushable, Natural, Eco-Friendly |
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter is environmentally friendly and biodegradable and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, which is a plus, especially if you have a cat that is prone to eating litter. SWheat is a good choice for seniors, especially for cats that are sensitive to scents or dust. However, because it is unscented, it doesn’t mask odors very well. You will also have to be careful how you store this litter, as it is very attractive to pests that may want to nest inside.
- Environmentally friendly and biodegradable
- Excellent choice for cats that are sensitive to scents or dust
- Ideal for cats that dislike fragrances
- Doesn’t mask odors very well
- Need to store it well
7. World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
| Litter Material: | Corn |
| Litter Features: | Unscented, Flushable, Odor Control, Clumping, Natural, Dust Free, Eco-Friendly |
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is a natural option that clumps, making it easy to scoop out and flush away. Although it does not contain fragrances or added chemicals to control odors, the natural corn aroma can offset the litter box odors as long as it’s dumped daily.
World’s Best claims to be dust-free, but some pet owners have complained of it being quite dusty and might be tracked through your house. However, some of this may be due to the delivery process; the corn granules can get crushed into powder if the container is not insulated during delivery.
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy to clean
- Free from harmful chemicals or artificial perfumes
- Is quite dusty
8. Yesterday’s News Original Cat Litter
| Litter Material: | Recycled Paper |
| Litter Features: | Non-Clumping, Unscented, Natural, Dust-Free, Eco-Friendly |
Yesterday’s News Original Cat Litter is an excellent option for cats that might have a health issue like diabetes, for example. Because it doesn’t clump, it’s easier for you to check their urine output. The paper also doesn’t stick or track, and it’s gentle if your cat has sensitive skin. Although it’s nice that Yesterday’s News uses recycled paper, it seems less effective than other natural materials. Several customers mentioned that the litter did not mask the odors from the box.
- Excellent choice for cats with sensitive skin
- Doesn’t clump or stick
- Doesn’t track
- Doesn’t mask odors
Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Cat Litters for Senior Cats
There are several reasons you might need to switch cat litter, and we’ll discuss them in greater detail to help you determine if your senior feline needs a new brand.
Allergies
Cats can be born with allergies, but they can also develop over time. If you notice any of these signs, it could be an indication your cat has developed an allergy to their cat litter:
- Facial swelling
- Itchy skin (scratching to the point of drawing blood or over-grooming, which causes hair loss)
- Runny nose
- Sneezing while using a litter box
- Using the bathroom outside of the litter box
- Watery eyes (especially after using the litter box)
If you suspect your cat has an allergy, contact your vet. They might ask you to bring some clean litter with you that can be used in testing.
Sensitive Paws
When most mammals get older, they can develop sensitive skin, so it’s not uncommon for a senior cat to become more sensitive. Cats that have been declawed will also suffer from more sensitive paws. If you think your cat is suffering from sensitive paws, the first thing you should do is take them to the vet to ensure there is no underlying health condition that is causing them pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common ailment in senior cats, and you might be wondering how their cat litter can be linked to suffering from this ailment. When the litter becomes hard and compact, cats with arthritis may struggle to walk over it, and some may decide to go elsewhere if the experience is too painful. We researched brands that offer softer textures so that older cats could tolerate walking on them. Signs of arthritis to be on the lookout for are:
- Biting, chewing, or licking themselves repeatedly
- Clumsiness
- Crankiness
- Limping
- Muscle loss
- Not being able to jump as easily
- Not using the litter box
Fragrance/Texture Sensitivity
It’s not uncommon for a cat to become a little crankier as they get older, and something that didn’t bother them before, like a pretty fragrance, might suddenly annoy them. If you’ve ruled out a medical issue with your vet, you might then have to do some experimentation when it comes to finding a new cat litter they like.
Conclusion
Our pick for the best overall cat litter for senior cats is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter which is a crystal that reduces the chances of a urinary tract infection. Next, we have Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter which is the best value cat litter for senior cats. This is a natural option that is also affordable. Getting older can be as difficult for your cat as it is for you to witness.
So, the best advice we can give you as things change is to remain patient and kind. You might have been using the same litter for years, and this feels like it’s come out of nowhere, but it’s clear that there are a few reasons why your cat might require this change. It’s wise to contact your vet to ensure there are no medical reasons behind this change. We hope these reviews have helped you narrow your search for a new cat litter that will work for that special senior kitty in your life!
Featured Image Credit: Yuliya Alekseeva, Shutterstock
