10 Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Choosing a cat litter can be an overwhelming experience. You need a litter that will meet your requirements, but your cat has to enjoy using it, too. Since these products differ in terms of what they offer, it can be difficult to choose the right one.

Clumping and non-clumping varieties each have their benefits, depending on what you and your cat prefer. Non-clumping litter has better absorbency powers and more odor control, but an entire box change is necessary when the litter is saturated with urine. Clumping litter may be easier to scoop without changing the entire box, but it costs more for less.

If you’re interested in a non-clumping litter, we created this list with reviews to help you choose the best one for your cat.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters

1. Kitty Poo Club Fine-Grain Silica Cat Litter — Best Overall

Our favorite non-clumping cat litter is Kitty Poo Club’s Fine-Grain Silica Cat Litter. This hypoallergenic cat litter is made from natural minerals and is very absorbent. 

It’s at the top of our list because it is easy to clean and does an amazing job of controlling odor. Its fine texture makes it very low-tracking, and it even works with automatic litter boxes. The only thing we don’t love is that the dust level is slightly higher than we’d like.

Kitty Poo Club also provides a great litter box subscription service that will send you a recyclable litter box and a bag of cat litter every month. Plus, the company guarantees all of its products 100%! Overall, we think Kitty Poo Club’s Fine-Grain Silica Cat Litter is the best non-clumping litter on the market.

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2. Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Cat Litter — Best Value

Our pick for the best non-clumping litter for the money is Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Cat Litter. It uses an extended-release deodorizing system to keep odors away. It works to keep your home smelling fresh around the clock. The litter absorbs moisture, keeping the top layer dry and comfortable for your cat.

Tidy Cats is also suitable for multi-cat households due to its long-lasting odor control. It gives your home triple protection against odors and can handle large amounts of liquid at a time. It will need to be changed more often than clumping litter, however. The liquid will pool on the bottom of the box if it is not refreshed often enough. There are also reports of the litter being dusty.

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3. Dr. Elsey’s Cat Crystal Silica Cat Litter — Premium Choice

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Crystal Silica Cat Litter is made from silica gel infused with hydrolyzed herbs, making it our premium choice for non-clumping cat litter. The scent attracts cats to the litter box. This is an option for cats with long hair that often get covered with litter whenever they use the box.

Dr. Elsey’s litter will not stick to your cat’s coat. The silica gel traps odors instantly while absorbing urine. The litter is also hypoallergenic and non-toxic. It was developed by Dr. Bruce Elsey and his wife, Kathy. They make products that help the cats that have experienced issues using a litter box.

While the product is hypoallergenic, there are reports of the litter being dust-heavy.

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4. Frisco Pine Pellet Wood Cat Litter

The affordable, non-clumping Frisco Pine Pellet Wood Cat Litter brings a pine aroma to your home while blocking out unpleasant odors. The natural pine combats the odors naturally, with no chemicals or fragrances added.

The all-natural litter also has less dust and no dyes or additives. This is a safe alternative if your cat is sensitive to clay litter. The pellets absorb three times their weight in liquid, so scooping it once daily will keep the box free of odors.

However, there are reports of the litter having a foul odor even when it’s clean. Some cats also refuse to use it because they don’t like the texture.

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5. Fresh Step Febreze Scented Cat Litter

A great choice for non-clumping litter is Fresh Step Febreze Scented Cat Litter. The activated carbon makes it weigh less than other brands and eliminates odors. It absorbs liquid quickly, and the litter filters the odor out of the waste as it passes through.

The scent of Febreze is released every time your cat paws the litter. This is a low-dust litter for a cleaner home and air. It doesn’t stick to the box, so there’s no scraping involved, and the bag is conveniently resealable.

There have been reports of the litter being too strongly scented for some people.

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6. Naturally Fresh Pellet Walnut Cat Litter

This Naturally Fresh Pellet Walnut Cat Litter is made of walnut shells to stop odors without adding chemicals. This non-toxic litter doesn’t stick to your cat’s fur, and there is less tracking with it compared to clay. It is dust-free, which is ideal for cats with respiratory issues. Since the litter is made of walnut shells, it is not soft.

The shells are approximately ½ to 1 inch long, and if composted, they are biodegradable. This eco-friendly litter is reported to work well until it doesn’t, meaning the odors are nonexistent until one day, they are overwhelming. Frequent changes of the litter are required to prevent the odors from getting out of control. Naturally Fresh can be used as an alternative to pine litter, and the shells don’t dissolve when wet.

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7. Okocat Dust-Free Paper Pellet Cat Litter

The texture of the Okocat Dust-Free Paper Pellet Cat Litter is soft on paws and free from inks and dyes. The odor control in this formula is plant-based and fights urine and ammonia odors. The dust-free formula makes it easier for cats to breathe while using their litter boxes and for you to breathe while filling them.

Okocat litter is an option for cats that have just had surgery and can’t use clay litter. The highly absorbent pellets can hold liquid up to two times their weight. There is a low amount of tracking with this litter, but there are reports that it is still happening. Howoever, the litter is flushable, making waste removal even easier.

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8. Special Kitty Natural Clay Cat Litter

Special Kitty Natural Clay Litter is made from 100% natural clay. The lack of added fragrances or chemicals makes it a healthy option for long-lasting odor control. People with respiratory issues will benefit from the low-dust formula. After about 5 days, the litter will take on a mud-like consistency after it absorbs liquid.

Regular box changes are necessary to keep the odors down and litter dry. By adding baking soda to Special Kitty litter, you can add even more odor protection. This also works well for cats that are sensitive or allergic to scented litter.

It will also provide traction for tires stuck in the snow or for absorbing oil spills in the driveway. Just pour it on the oil and sweep it up!

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9. Jonny Cat Unscented Clay Cat Litter

The Jonny Cat Unscented Clay Cat Litter uses an ingredient derived from fruit and vegetable extracts to provide long-lasting, natural odor control. No dyes, irritants, or perfumes are added. If your cat is allergic to additives in cat litter, Jonny Cat is a natural alternative. Like other non-clumping litters, frequent total box changes are necessary to reduce the buildup and odor.

This formula recently changed from white to dark gray clay. The biggest criticism is the new color. There are reports of black sand in the bag, which wasn’t the case when the litter was white. If the litter box is on a light-colored floor, the remnants are easier to spot due to this change.

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10. Arm & Hammer Feline Pine Cat Litter

The Arm & Hammer Feline Pine Litter is highly absorbent and can soak up and neutralize ammonia odors with the help of added baking soda. It is not as heavy as clay litters. This litter is chemical-free and works for liquids. For solid waste, it doesn’t work as well at covering odors, but that isn’t an issue if the box is scooped daily.

The large pellets are low-tracking, but there are a few reports of the pine smell being unpleasant once it is wet with urine, but regular litter changes will help. However, there are no added fragrances. For comparison, 40 pounds of this litter equals 114 pounds of clay litter.

 

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters

Whether you choose clumping or non-clumping litter comes down to the preferences of you and your cat. Clumping litter is easier to scoop and will give you more time between complete changes of the litter box. By scooping the clumped waste daily, the surrounding litter stays cleaner longer.

If you already empty and refill your cat’s litter box once a week, non-clumping litter is an option for you. It requires more frequent changes and regular scooping of solid waste to keep the odors under control. It is highly absorbent of liquids and odors. Cat owners who prefer non-clumping litter also usually like that it is more affordable than clumping litter. You get more for your money per pound versus clumping litter.

If your cat tends to eat litter or you have kittens that eat anything, clumping litter is not recommended. It expands when it absorbs liquid. Once ingested, the expansion continues, which can cause serious health issues. Once the litter stops expanding, it can form a hard obstruction in your cat’s intestines.

How to Choose a Non-clumping Cat Litter

Cats are clean animals and like their litter boxes to be clean, too. If the box isn’t clean enough for a cat, they may go elsewhere. When using non-clumping litter, the litter box needs to be thoroughly changed more often to eliminate the liquid that can pool on the bottom after a few days.

If you regularly change your cat’s litter box, it isn’t an issue. If you are using clumping litter now and want to switch, you’ll have to change the litter more often.

Odor Protection

Non-clumping litter absorbs liquids well and provides efficient odor control. Most brands have odor protection added to the formula, like baking soda. This gives the litter extra odor protection.

Absorbency

While non-clumping litter absorbs liquids well, it can only do so to a certain point. Once the litter has reached its capacity, the liquid will pool on the bottom of the box. The better the litter’s absorbency power, the less this will be an issue. Regular box changes with any non-clumping litter will be needed, but a higher absorbency will keep your kitty dry and comfortable between changes.

Dust

Neither you nor your cat should be breathing in litter dust. While clay litter is usually dusty, there are a few low-dust options available. Natural non-clumping litters are free of most dust, especially if they are made from paper or pine.

Granule Size

Tiny granules of litter scatter easily, get stuck between your cat’s toes and are hard to clean up. Large granules may be uncomfortable for your cat’s paws but are less likely to stick and make a mess.

Added Fragrances

While added perfumes and scents may help hide odors, they can also irritate you and your cat to inhale. If your cat has no allergies or respiratory diseases, added fragrances may be a suitable option.

The Amount of Litter to Use

Finding the right amount can be tricky with non-clumping litter because you empty the entire bag with each litter change. You don’t want to waste too much litter, but you don’t want to give your cat too little. Filling the bottom of the box with 2–3 inches of litter to start and adding more if needed will help you determine the correct amount for your cat. If your cat likes to dig, more litter will be better.

Frequency of Litter Changes

Emptying the entire box, cleaning it, drying it, and refilling it sounds like a great deal of work, but since you won’t be scooping the box to remove the liquids, it is necessary. While some of the waste can be removed through scooping, the liquid will soak into the litter and be difficult to remove without scraping it.

Messes and smells are part of living with a cat, but you don't want to spend your whole day cleaning!

Our Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer can help keep your litter box smelling fresh for longer. This natural litter additive uses bio-enzymes to "eat away" the odors, saving you time and money. It's fragrance-free, safe for cats of all ages, effective on all types of litter, and fully biodegradable.

Final Thoughts

Our best overall choice for non-clumping cat litter is Kitty Poo Club Fine-Grain Silica Cat Litter. It has a high absorbency and works to control odors. Our value pick is Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Cat Litter. It is good for multiple cats and provides odor control around the clock.

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Crystal Silica Cat Litter is our premium choice. It was developed by a veterinarian and is hypoallergenic. We hope our reviews have helped you decide which non-clumping litter is best for you and your cat.

• See also: Clumping vs Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Which Type is the Best?

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Featured Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock