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If clumps of clay are frustrating you (or your cat), it may be time to buy a cat litter replacement. There are quite a few natural litters these days, and we’ve found — and tested — some of the best picks. Plus, we’ve collected some tips on how to help your cat transition smoothly to a new litter type.
The reverse side of the clay cat
Clay revolutionized the cat poop market in the 1980s. Suddenly, instead of dealing with a few pounds of increasingly wet and smelly sand in a cat litter box, you could just scoop up a few neat little lumps of litter. . That leaves a clean, dry and very appealing finish litter box for your picky cat—And a fragrant home for you.
But soon the dark side of clay appeared. The processes for extracting bentonite clay from the ground are similar to strip mining, and the way the clay is processed to produce waste is carbon-intensive. According to veterinarian Bruce Kornreich, director of Cornell Cat Health Center, clay fillers are convenient but not environmentally friendly. “People are looking for more effective yet sustainable alternatives,” explains Dr. Kornreich.
In addition to environmental constraints, clay litter can also be a problem for cats, or households, with respiratory illnesses. Most of the clumps of clay we investigated (though not all) contained quite a bit of dust. Dr. Kornreich notes that the dust combined with the clay also makes it a bad choice for animals recovering from an incision, such as male cats that have recently been neutered.
From a household logistics standpoint, clay litter can be a literal pain. That’s because it’s heavy. If you live in a house or apartment with lots of stairs, have a lot of cats, or have mobility issues, clay can be difficult to bring in and out.
Finally, premium clays – known for their strong adhesion and good odor control – are often quite expensive.
Tofu soaked in green tea powder. Anna Chaplygina via iStock
What is the best alternative to Clay Cat Litter?
There are quite a few good alternatives to choose from these days, including mild ones, odor control ones, and affordable ones. Natural cat litter is made from wood, seed pods, corn, newspaper, and even tofu.
There are also homemade litters, such as shredded newspaper, sand, and wood chips. But Dr. Kornreich recommends sticking with a commercial cat litter alternative. He notes that some litter ingredients, such as pine, need to be heat treated to remove toxins. “Don’t just take some wood chips from your workshop,” he warned. “Make sure any pine you buy has been heat treated.”
If you’re concerned about how a cat accustomed to the clay layer will adapt to a new layer of soil, there are several strategies for success. First, choose a natural cat litter that looks and feels similar to the clumping clay your cat is using. (My cats won’t go near the big, hard pines but jump right into a pile of smooth wood.)
Dr. Kornreich recommends being patient and slowly transitioning to a new litter. “For a successful conversion, the really important thing is to do it slowly,” he said. “Start with 75% clay and 25% new filler. Then switch to 50/50 so they don’t have to do the jump overnight. You don’t want the cat to refuse the nest and go elsewhere. “
The best natural and alternative cat litters
If you and your cat are ready to go wild, here are some of our favorites among the new litters of replacement cats.
This super absorbent cat litter alternative is made from walnut shells, making it a 100% natural and eco-friendly option. It clumps quickly and is easy to scoop, which is very popular with owners who are replacing clay products. What if you need more odor control? There is also a Extreme odor control version This litter box contains three enzymes that neutralize the chemicals that cause litter box odors — it’s on our list of litter boxes. The best litters for odor control.
What we like:
- Similar texture appeals to cats moving from the clay layer
- Because it’s so absorbent, one bag lasts a long time
- Dust-free formula keeps you and your cat from sneezing
What to know:
- Walnut mats can slightly stain white kittens’ paws (as our testers discovered)
- Clumping is a little looser than some traditional clays
Check out Ramona’s walnut-colored paws.
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This super-smooth wooden liner can fool cats into thinking they’re using a traditional clay liner. It worked with my two cats! While Catalyst doesn’t clump like the clay I’m using, it’s certainly very absorbent and clumps easily. The odor control is, indeed, very impressive. The catalyst is made from softwoods (including pine), but unlike many pine woods, it is completely odorless. Additional benefit: It is lightweight, making it easy to carry. Cons: Like some online reviewers, I’ve found good, light litter tends to leave my cat’s paws covered in beige dust, which will then bounce furniture .
What we like:
- A good alternative for cats accustomed to traditional clay fillers
- Excellent odor control
- Light weight and easy to carry
What to know:
- Dust tends to stick to cats’ feet
- The clumping action is not quite as powerful as spreading clay
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This innovative cat litter is made from 100% recycled paper fibers. Dust-free and low-tracking, it’s also biodegradable, which means you can easily scoop and flush clumps down the toilet (but don’t flush if you have a septic tank or if your city do not allow). It is also ideal for people with allergies and sensitivities as it does not contain scents or airborne dust. You will see kocat on Our list of the best dust-free litters.
What we like:
- Free of chemicals, dyes and fragrances
- Prevents the production of ammonia odors for up to seven days
- Easy-to-reach clumps simplify your cleanup
What to know:
- The texture is significantly different from the cohesive clay layer
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This popular cat litter replacement is made with grass, with the addition of white sago seeds to allow litter to clump. Our testers found this litter’s ability to clump superior — although some reviewers noted it was almost also good: if your cat kicks wet poop out of the box, it will stick to your floor or wall (a carpet is a good idea). The pellets are so small and sandy that your cat might think they are using a traditional clay layer.
What we like:
- Environmental friendliness
- Fine-grained pellets have the ability to attract cats who used to make clay
- Great clumping, makes scanning a breeze
What to know:
- Light tracking comparable to clay layer
- Unusual but not unpleasant smell like rabbit or guinea pig bedding
This is a great dust-free cat litter alternative for those of you who prefer clump-free poop. Coming from Chewy’s in-house Frisco brand, this toilet tray is made from paper pellets (from 95% post-consumer recycled paper) and uses baking soda to control litter box odors.
What we like:
- No dust
- High absorption
- Environmental friendliness
What to know:
- Some cats don’t like the slight smell of rubber
- Some reviewers found pellets larger than 1.5 inches difficult to reach
One of the best multi-cat litters is this biodegradable corn litter, which has been enthusiastically reviewed by people with two or more cats. It makes our list of the best dust-free litter. It is also washable (but check with your local plumber and sewerage agency before flushing). Watch out for excessive moisture — warm, moist corn can produce aflatoxin mold. However, as long as your litter is stored and used in a cool, dry place, this could be the right choice for your cat.
What we like about it:
- Biodegradable corn recipe
- Effective odor control
- Sizes include a bag that’s less than seven pounds so you can try it out for an affordable price
What to see:
- May not be suitable for warm, humid environments
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This tofu liner is appreciated for its ability to absorb waste and keep the house dust-free and garbage-free. But like some litters that naturally grow in clumps, it’s inevitable to pick up a lot of clean droppings along with dirty clumps.
What we like about it:
- Biodegradable Tofu Recipe
- High absorbency
- Less dust
What to see:
- Texture can be a significant adjustment from the cohesive clay layer
- Some reviewers report less odor control than other clay alternatives
How do we choose?
The products featured here are selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and survey of customer reviews across various retail platforms. We selected cat litter alternatives for this article based on sustainability, ease of use, ability to reduce dust and odors, and (of course) cat approval.
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