The 8 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litters Of 2024 - Cats.com (2024)

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Overall Best

Runner Up

Premium Pick

Budget Pick

Best Clumping

Best Lightweight

Best Sustainable

Best Silica

In addition to four clay cat litters, I also tested four alternatives including three all-natural options. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

To gauge each litter’s potential for tracking, I weighed a 1/4-cup sample in both ounces and grams. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

#1 Overall Best: Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter

• Type: Clay
• Clumping: No
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 3.14 oz. (89g)
• Price: $0.45 per lb

While many cat owners prefer clumping litter, I’ve frequently found that non-clumping litters have larger granules. This Tidy Cats non-clumping formula is designed specifically for low tracking, and it was the second heaviest of the eight litters I tried. A ¼-cup sample weighed 3.14 oz. (89g).

This non-clumping cat litter is unscented, and it is economically priced at around $0.32 per pound when you buy the 40-pound bag. It’s also available in 20-pound and even smaller 10-pound bags which makes it a convenient option for those who have trouble lifting heavy objects.

I tested this litter in the PetFusion BetterBox and found that it was low-tracking and performed well in absorbency and odor control. Even after two weeks of testing with daily scooping, there’s no overwhelming odor from the box. It’s worth noting, of course, that several other litter boxes were available in the same room during testing. I was also pleased to find that the litter didn’t stick to the sides of the litter pan as much as other non-clumping litters I’ve tried.

One cat owner commented on Chewy that, “Instant Action really helps control odors and the size of the clay minimizes how much gets caught in cats’ paws.”

What We Liked:

• Larger granules than typical clumping clay litter
• Heavier weight than many litters
• Strong odor-control capability
• Didn’t stick to the sides of the litter box

What We Didn’t Like:

• Doesn’t clump
• May need to be replaced sooner than clumping litter

#2 Runner Up: Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter

• Type: Natural (pine)
• Clumping: No
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 1.94 oz. (55g)
• Price: $1.16 per lb

Though litter weight certainly plays a role, granule size may have a bigger impact on how much a cat litter tracks. Feline Pine had the largest granules of the litter I tested, and I found only a few pieces on the floor around the litter box over the two-week testing period.

Feline Pine is an all-natural alternative to clay litter. The large pellets consist of 100% natural pine and are completely free from chemicals and artificial fragrances. Customers often note a subtle pine scent that can sometimes become unpleasant when combined with large volumes of urine but changing the litter every 10 to 14 days will help control litter box odor.

This lightweight litter does not clump but it is highly absorbent. The process through which Feline Pine dehydrates the pine fibers enables them to absorb more liquid than an equal amount of clay litter at less than half the weight. You can buy the litter in 7-, 20-, and 40-pound bags.

While Feline Pine is extremely low-tracking, it may not be the right choice for every cat owner. My cats personally didn’t take to the larger granule size but, with so many other litter boxes available, it’s hard to say whether they would have gotten used to it in another situation.

What We Liked:

• Large pellets are very low-tracking
• Natural alternative to clay litter
• Pine fibers are highly absorbent
• Available in small 7-pound bags

What We Didn’t Like:

• Does not clump
• Some cats dislike the large pellets
• Urine odor may unpleasantly combine with pine scent

#3 Premium Pick: tuft+paw Really Great Litter

• Type: Natural (soybean byproduct)
• Clumping: Yes
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 2.15 oz. (61g)
• Price: $3.05 per lb

When it comes to natural cat litter, Feline Pine is one of the oldest brands on the market. tuft + paw, a brand known for its premium cat furniture and litter box solutions, recently entered the cat litter market with the release of Really Great Litter.

Really Great Litter is an eco-friendly alternative to clay made entirely from soybean byproducts. This makes it a sustainable choice that is compostable, flushable, and septic-safe. It comes in thin, elongated pellets that are very lightweight, but their size and shape help minimize tracking.

I found the litter to be very low-tracking and it clumped pretty well. The product doesn’t clump as hard as you’d expect from a clay litter, but it’s fairly easy to scoop, provided you have a scoop with wide enough slots. I’d recommend scooping carefully, however, because the clumps may break apart more easily than with clay litter. It also controlled odor well, perhaps in some part due to the inclusion of odor-neutralizing charcoal in the formula.

At over $3 per pound, Really Great Litter is one of the pricier picks on my list. You can, however, save 10% if you purchase a 3-month supply through the tuft + paw website.

What We Liked:

• Large, thin pellets minimize tracking
• Clumps quickly and controls odor well
• All-natural, sustainable, and flushable

What We Didn’t Like:

• Fairly expensive
• Some cats may not like the texture

#4 Budget Pick: Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra-Premium Clay Litter

• Type: Clay
• Clumping: Yes
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 3.35 oz. (96g)
• Price: $0.65 per lb

With over 5,500 customer reviews on Chewy and a 4 out of 5-star rating, Dr. Elsey’s is a popular pick among cat owners and a personal go-to for me. It’s also been named one of the best litters you can buy by trusted publications like Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets.

During testing, I found that the litter performed well in maintenance and odor control. The litter forms hard, tight clumps that make scooping easy and it didn’t stick to the sides of the litter box as much as other clay litters I’ve tested like Fresh Step.

At 3.35 oz. (96g) per ¼-cup sample, this is the heaviest of the litters I tested which may help reduce tracking. It’s worth noting, however, that the weight may make bags of this litter difficult for some cat owners to manage. It is only sold in 20- and 40-pound bags.

Note: Some recent customer comments mention a change in the product’s dustiness and granule size. I’ve always found clay litters to be a little dusty but Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat is still a top choice of mine for its affordability and consistent performance.

I tested this product using the Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box with a small litter pan inside. There was some noticeable tracking, but it was easily contained by the enclosed litter box.

What We Liked:

• Heavy weight to reduce tracking
• Forms hard clumps, easy to scoop
• One of the most popular litter brands
• Strong odor control performance

What We Didn’t Like:

• Some customers say it’s too dusty
• Only available in heavy 20- and 40-pound bags

#5 Best Clumping: Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay

• Type: Clay
• Clumping: Yes
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 3.07 oz. (88g)
• Price: $1.25 per lb

Boxiecat’s extra-strength formula is marketed as a premium cat litter for its superior odor control and quick-clumping ability. The packaging claims the granules are “tracking resistant” and a significant number of customer reviews mention the litter’s low-tracking quality.

In testing, I found Boxiecat tracked to a moderate degree. I tested it using the Van Ness Framed Cat Litter Pan which, despite being sold as a Large, is actually fairly small. I was expecting some degree of scatter from litter being kicked out of the litter box, but the mess was largely confined to the area around the box. There are, of course, customers who thought the product tracked heavily.

In comparison to the other three clay litters I tested, Boxiecat had the finest granules, but its weight was comparable to the Tidy Cats non-clumping formula. It stood up to its claims of being quick-clumping and it was very easy to scoop. The product is highly absorbent and did a great job controlling odors.

The primary downside is that the “premium” designation comes with a premium price tag. The litter costs $1.03 per pound and I’m not sure its performance significantly outweighs the comparable but more economical Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat litter.

What We Liked:

• Highly absorbent and forms hard clumps
• Very easy to scoop
• Strong performance in odor control

What We Didn’t Like:

• Fairly expensive
• Lighter and finer than others on this list

#6 Best Lightweight: Fresh Step Clean Paws Simply Unscented Clay Cat Litter

• Type: Clay
• Clumping: Yes
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 2.72 oz. (77g)
• Price: $0.71 per lb

Fresh Step is a brand known for its odor control formulas. Their litters consist of sodium bentonite clay mixed with activated charcoal and antimicrobial agents to neutralize and prevent litter box odor. While many Fresh Step formulas are scented, this Clean Paws litter doesn’t contain added fragrance.

This clumping clay litter was a little dusty when I poured it into the box, but the dust settled quickly and wasn’t an issue during scooping. I did notice a slight “fresh” scent to the litter as well, but it was very subtle and didn’t appear to bother my cats.

Of the four clay litters I tested, Fresh Step had the largest granules, but it was the lightest. A ¼-cup sample weighed just 2.72 oz. (77g) which is about 20% less than Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat. Though much lighter than other recipes, the level of tracking was not significantly higher. I will note, however, that I tested this litter in the tuft + paw Cove litter box with a Litter Robot litter mat underneath.

Overall, I’d call this a moderate-tracking litter with strong odor control performance. It clumped quickly, though the clumps remained a little softer than with other clay litters and sometimes stuck to the sides of the litter box.

What We Liked:

• Very strong odor control
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Large granule size helps reduce tracking

What We Didn’t Like:

• Lighter than other clay litters
• Clumps stayed soft, some sticking to the litter box

#7 Best Sustainable: Catit Go Natural Pea Husk Clumping Cat Litter

• Type: Natural (pea husk)
• Clumping: Yes
• Scented: Yes
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 2.05 oz. (58g)
• Price: $1.68 per lb

Catit’s pea husk litter is very similar in size and shape to tuft + paw’s Really Great Litter. The pellets are thin and elongated, just a little bit smaller than Really Great Litter pellets. In direct comparison between the two, the Catit litter weighs just the slightest bit less.

Cat’s Go Natural! litter is made from recycled pea husk, making it an eco-friendly alternative to clay. It comes in both lavender- and vanilla-scented varieties and the materials can absorb up to three times their own weight.

As was my experience with Really Great Litter, Catit’s pea husk litter tracked very little. It clumped well and, while the clumps were softer than clay, they held together very well during scooping. Again, I would recommend a litter scoop with fairly wide slots to reduce waste.

My biggest concern with this litter is the fragrance. It was very strong when I first opened the package and noticeable throughout the room. The fragrance faded over a few days, however, so it might be worth opening a new bag a few days before pouring it into the litter box if you’re worried about overwhelming your cat.

What We Liked:

• Long, thin pellets minimize tracking
• Very lightweight, easy to carry
• Clumps hold together well during scooping

What We Didn’t Like:

• Very strong lavender fragrance
• Some cats may not like the texture
• Fairly expensive

#8 Best Silica: Kitty Poo Club Large-Grain Silica Cat Litter

• Type: Silica
• Clumping: No
• Scented: No
• Weight (per ¼ cup): 1.48 oz. (42g)
• Price: $3.57 per lb

One of two silica litters sold by Kitty Poo Club, this formula features large granules. It is very lightweight in comparison to clay and you can have it delivered directly to your door through Kitty Poo Club’s subscription program.

Silica cat litter is generally non-clumping, but it often lasts longer than clay because it is so highly absorbent. The crystals absorb liquid on contact and dehydrate solid waste to make it easier to scoop.

Kitty Poo Club’s silica litter’s biggest limitation is its odor control ability, though this is true for many silica litters. A strong urine odor became noticeable outside the room after my cat used the litter box. I’m not sure whether it would have been as big an issue with the fine-grain formula – the smaller granules may absorb urine more quickly.

Stirring the litter afterward helped but I would recommend using this litter in a basem*nt or another area where odor will be less of a concern.

What We Liked:

• Large granules reduce tracking
• Very lightweight and easy to carry
• Dehydrated solid waste for easier scooping
• Convenient delivery to your home

What We Didn’t Like:

• Very limited odor control
• Some cats don’t like the texture
• A little pricey

I tested four clay-based cat litters – three clumping and one non-clumping variety. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

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