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11 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litters – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

Vet approved

Dr. Tabitha Henson  Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Tabitha Henson

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Grey cat stepping out of litter box

Cat litter can be a source of significant waste. So, switching out to eco-friendly cat litter is an excellent way to help the environment and live responsibly.

We know that cats can be picky about their cat litter. Fortunately, many eco-friendly cat litter options are available for all kinds of cats. We have reviews of cat litter made with different kinds of materials. So, you’ll be able to find something that your cat is sure to like.

Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of cat litter and how to successfully transition your cat to one that is more eco-friendly.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Kitty Poo Club Cat Litter Kitty Poo Club Cat Litter
  • Biodegradable and renewable
  • Subscription includes recyclable litter box
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Fresh News Unscented Cat Litter Fresh News Unscented Cat Litter
  • Affordable eco-friendly option
  • Uses 100% recycled paper
  • Biodegradable
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Alpha Paw Genius Litter Alpha Paw Genius Litter
  • Health tracking feature
  • Fast absorption
  • Low-tracking
  • Best for Kittens
    Okocat Original Premium Cat Litter Okocat Original Premium Cat Litter
  • Dust-free
  • No synthetic chemicals, dyes, and artificial fragrances
  • Prevents ammonia odors
  • World’s Best Unscented Cat Litter World’s Best Unscented Cat Litter
  • Lightweight and causes minimal tracking
  • Quick-clumping formula
  • Flushable
  • The 11 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litters

    1. Kitty Poo Club Cat Litter Subscription – Best Overall

    kitty poo club litter box

    Size Options: 19”L x 15”W x 10”H
    Material: Corn and wheat
    Features: Unscented, clumping, odor control, low dust, biodegradable, comes with recyclable litter box

    Our top pick for eco-friendly cat litter is a convenient subscription from Kitty Poo Club. This company will send you a recyclable litter box and a bag of non-GMO corn & wheat cat litter every month. The corn and wheat are grown on US farms, and the litter is both biodegradable and renewable.

    We love this litter because it is not just eco-friendly; it is also effective and convenient. It clumps well, offers excellent odor control, and has a lightweight texture that cats seem to like. On top of that, you get a fully recyclable litter box and a 100% satisfaction guarantee! The only downside is that this subscription is a little pricier than some options, and the material has a light natural scent. But overall, we think this is the best eco-friendly cat litter you can buy this year.

    Pros
    • Non-GMO corn & wheat sourced from US farms
    • Biodegradable and renewable
    • Subscription includes recyclable litter box
    • Excellent clumping and odor control
    • 100% satisfaction guarantee
    Cons
    • A little pricey
    • Some natural scent

    2. Fresh News Original Paper Cat Litter – Best Value

    Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter

    Size Options: 4 lbs., 12 lbs., 25 lbs.
    Material: Paper
    Features: Unscented, non-clumping, odor control, low tracking

    Selecting eco-friendly cat litter doesn’t always have to make a huge dent in your wallet. Fresh News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is the best eco-friendly cat litter for the money. It is a good affordable option for cat owners that want to be more environmentally conscious.

    The litter uses 100% recycled paper that’s completely biodegradable, so it reduces landfill space and saves trees. The paper litter comes in the form of pellets and does a great job of minimizing tracking. The pellets also help to absorb more moisture.

    However, the one downside of the pellets is that it’s difficult to scoop up soiled litter without picking up dry litter. The packaging could also use some improvements. It’s currently made out of plastic, which isn’t the most eco-friendly option.

    Pros
    • Affordable eco-friendly option
    • Uses 100% recycled paper
    • Biodegradable
    • Minimizes tracking
    Cons
    • Difficult to scoop
    • Uses plastic for packaging

    3. Alpha Paw Genius Litter – Premium Choice

    Alpha Paw Genius Litter

    Size Options: 6 lbs.
    Material: Crystal
    Features: Biodegradable

    Alpha Paw Genius Litter does more than just absorb cat waste. It also contains health tracking properties that can help you monitor your cat’s wellbeing. The litter changes colors if there are concerning factors in the composition of your cat’s urine.

    The litter quickly absorbs waste to keep litter boxes dry and clean for longer. It also has low-tracking properties and doesn’t stick as much to cat paws. It has a natural scent, which can help mask odors, but it can be a bit strong for people who have sensitive noses.

    Pros
    • Health tracking feature
    • Fast absorption
    • Low-tracking
    • Has natural scent
    Cons
    • Deodorizing scent may be too strong for some people

    4. Okocat Original Wood Clumping Cat Litter – Best for Kittens

    Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter

    Size Options: 9.9 lbs., 13.2 lbs., 19.8 lbs.
    Material: Wood
    Features: Flushable, odor control, clumping, unscented

    Kittens can be particularly curious, so it’s important to use cat litter that’s as safe as possible. Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter uses sustainably sourced natural wood fiber that’s dust-free and doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals, dyes, and artificial fragrances.

    The biodegradable wood fibers also work naturally to prevent ammonia odors from triggering, and the natural scent of the wood keeps your home smelling fresh. This litter also does a great job of clumping and is completely flushable.

    While this litter does an excellent job of eliminating odors, it’s not the best with tracking. The particles tend to get stuck on paws, which leaves trails around the house.

    Pros
    • Dust-free
    • No synthetic chemicals, dyes, and artificial fragrances
    • Prevents ammonia odors
    • Flushable
    Cons
    • Tracks around the house

    5. World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter

    World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

    Size Options: 8 lbs., 15 lbs., 28 lbs.
    Material: Corn
    Features: Unscented, flushable, odor control, dust-free

    World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter definitely lives up to its name and is a great eco-friendly cat litter for several reasons. This lightweight cat litter feels great for all kinds of cats and kittens and does a great job of reducing tracking around the house.

    The base of this cat litter is made from whole kernel corn. It also has a quick-clumping formula and is easy to scoop and dispose of in the toilet. Just make sure to only flush clumps because large portions of litter can still clog toilets.

    While this litter is dust-free and doesn’t contain any silica dust, it still tends to form a small dust cloud when you pour a fresh batch into a litter box. As long as you make sure to pour slowly, the small particles shouldn’t be an issue.

    Pros
    • Lightweight and causes minimal tracking
    • Quick-clumping formula
    • Flushable
    • Dust-free
    Cons
    • Still forms small clouds of dust when poured

    6. sWheat Scoop Original Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

    sWheat Scoop Natural Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

    Size Options: 12 lbs., 25 lbs., 36 lbs.
    Material: Wheat
    Features: Flushable, unscented, odor control

    sWheat Scoop Original Natural Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter is a great clumping cat litter that’s also flushable. The natural starches found in the wheat help cat waste clump quickly, making clean-up very easy. The wheat enzymes in the litter also help neutralize odors.

    The litter also doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients and is safe for cats of all life stages. It’s also dust-free. However, the litter does tend to get stuck underneath paws. So, it’s not the best litter for preventing tracking. It’s also pretty sticky, so you might find yourself having to clean your cat’s paws frequently.

    Pros
    • Flushable
    • Clumps quickly
    • Natural wheat enzymes neutralize odors
    • No harmful ingredients
    Cons
    • Tends to track
    • Sticky and gets stuck on paws easily

    7. Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Clumping Walnut Cat Litter

    Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter

    Size Options: 14 lbs., 26 lbs.
    Material: Walnut
    Features: Clumping, odor control, unscented, dust-free, low tracking

    If you’re looking for a low-tracking solution, Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter is a considerable option. The litter isn’t sticky and the size of the grains prevents tracking. It is made with 100% walnut shells and has minimal dust. So, it’s a safer option for individuals and cats with any respiratory issues.

    The formula is also unscented and does a good job of covering up scents. However, it doesn’t do the best job with clumping. It has a slower reaction time, so urine ends up seeping to the bottom and can get stuck.

    Pros
    • Low-tracking
    • Litter isn’t sticky
    • Minimal dust
    • Unscented
    Cons
    • Doesn’t clump quickly

    8. Michu Natural Clumping Flushable Tofu Cat Litter

    Michu Natural Clumping Flushable Tofu Cat Litter

    Size Options: 5.5 lbs.
    Material: Tofu
    Features: Unscented, odor control, dust-free, low-tracking

    Michu Natural Clumping Flushable Tofu Cat Litter is a premium cat litter that may be worth the price increase if you’re looking for an effective clumping litter. It comes in the form of pellets, and they don’t really stick to cats. So, they’re a great option for people looking for low-tracking cat litter.

    This cat litter also comes in fun different colors, but the colors don’t indicate that the litter is scented. All varieties are unscented, so if you’re looking for cat litter with a fragrance, you won’t want to select this litter.

    Keep in mind that two packages of this cat litter are supposed to last a month. While this may be adequate for one cat, this litter won’t last that long for multi-cat households.

    Pros
    • Fast clumping
    • Low-tracking
    • Dust-free
    • Unscented
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive
    • Won’t last a month in multi-cat homes

    9. Pioneer Pet SmartCat All Natural Clumping Grass Cat Litter

    Pioneer Pet SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter

    Size Options: 5 lbs., 10 lbs., 20 lbs.
    Material: Grass
    Features: Clumping, unscented, dust-free, odor control

    The texture of Pioneer Pet SmartCat All Natural Clumping Grass Cat Litter can be a little grainy, and some finicky cats may not like the texture. However, if your cat doesn’t mind, it’s one of the best cat litter for odor control.

    The litter reacts and clumps very quickly so that smells don’t have time to escape the litter box. It’s effective in trapping both urine and fecal odors. You also don’t have to worry about any strong fragrances because the formula is unscented.

    We also like that this cat litter is dust-free and lightweight. So, clean-up and maintenance is pretty easy.

    Pros
    • Excellent odor control
    • Clumps quickly
    • Dust-free
    • Easy to scoop and clean
    Cons
    • Some cats may not like grainy texture

    10. Frisco Paper Pellet Cat Litter

    Frisco Unscented Non-Clumping Recycled Paper Cat Litter

    Size Options: 25 lbs.
    Material: Paper
    Features: Unscented, odor control, multi-cat, dust-free, low tracking

    There are several benefits to using Frisco Unscented Non-Clumping Recycled Paper Cat Litter. First, it comes in the form of highly absorbent pellets. The size of these pellets minimizes dust and tracking. The pellets are made with 95% post-consumer recycled paper.

    The formula also contains baking soda to act as reinforcement for trapping odors. There are very few issues with this non-clumping cat litter, and it performs just as well as its competitors.

    However, if the cat litter is eco-friendly, we would have liked to have seen more sustainable packaging. The litter comes in a plastic package and isn’t recyclable.

    Pros
    • Unscented
    • Minimizes tracking
    • Highly absorbent
    • Contains baking soda to trap odors
    Cons
    • Packaging isn’t eco-friendly

    11. Vetbasis Herbal Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

    Vetbasis Herbal Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

    Size Options: 7 lbs., 15 lbs.
    Material: Corn
    Features: Clumping, scented, odor control

    Vetbasis Herbal Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is made with ground corn cobs, which is a highly absorbent material. It’s also 100% biodegradable and clumps very well. It’s also relatively lightweight and scoops easily. So, keeping the litter box clean is fairly easy with this cat litter.

    While the litter doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, it’s infused with a strong lavender scent to control odors. Similar to many scented cat litter, the fragrance of this cat litter can be overwhelming. Overall, lavender fans will love this cat litter, but if you don’t like floral scents, you’re better off passing up this option.

    Pros
    • Highly absorbent
    • 100% biodegradable
    • Clumps quickly
    • No harsh chemicals
    Cons
    • Lavender scent may be too strong

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter

    Cats can be picky about their cat litter, so it can be challenging to switch them over to a new brand. Fortunately, there are a couple of tricks you can try out to transition your cat to using more eco-friendly cat litter.

    First, make sure to take your time with this transition. One of the most successful methods of changing cat litter is to make the process unnoticeable to your cat.

    Start with adding just a scoopful of the new cat litter to the current one. Gradually add more of the new litter until you’ve completely switched over.

    This process can take at least a week and can be drawn out for several weeks, depending on how picky your cat is.

    A lot of cats don’t like new litter because of the change of texture. So, another thing you can try is to add the new litter to the bottom of the litter box and cover it with the current cat litter. You might also find more success if the new cat litter is odorless. Some fragrances and scents can deter a cat’s sensitive nose, especially citrus scents.

    Sometimes even the best litter box setup needs a helping hand in combating invasive smells. Our Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer naturally breaks down odors at the source. This effective litter additive can help all types of cat litter last longer, saving you money, and is safe for all life stages. Best of all, it's 100% biodegradable and fragrance-free.

    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder
    • Bio Enzymatic Cat Litter Freshener - Smart formulation uses natural ingredients eliminating cat...
    • Save Money - Stuff for cats isn’t the cheapest. With this litter box odor eliminator, you’ll...

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    Conclusion

    Our reviews show that the best eco-friendly cat litter is the Kitty Poo Club Subscription as the litter is both biodegradable and renewable. If you are looking for a more affordable option, Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter performs well for a non-clumping cat litter.

    Switching over to eco-friendly cat litter is a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. With a little time and research, both you and your cat can reduce your carbon footprint and help take better care of the environment by making this simple and practical switch.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Litter Robot, Unsplash

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