Choosing a cat litter can be an overwhelming experience. you need a litter that meets your requirements, but your cat must also enjoy using it. Since each of these products has differences in terms of what they offer, it can be difficult to choose the right one. clumping and non-clumping varieties have their benefits, and it all comes down to what you and your cat prefer. Non-clumping litter offers a large amount of litter at a cheaper price. it also has better absorption powers and has more odor control. when the litter is saturated with urine, it is necessary to change the entire box. clumping litter may be easier to scoop up without changing the entire box, but it costs more for less.
If you’re interested in a non-clumping litter, we’ve created this list of reviews to help you see the options available and choose the best one for your cat.
a quick comparison of our 2023 favorites
the 10 best cat litters
Our favorite non-clumping cat litter is kitty poo club fine grit silica cat litter. This hypoallergenic cat litter is made from natural minerals and is highly absorbent.
This litter is at the top of our list because it’s easy to clean and does an amazing job of controlling odor. The fine texture of this litter makes it very low tracking, and it even works with automatic litter boxes. the only thing we don’t like is that the dust level is a bit higher than we would like.
kitty poo club also offers a great litter box subscription service that will send you a recyclable litter box and kitty litter bag every month. Furthermore, this company guarantees all its products 100%! Overall, we believe Kitty Poo Club Fine Grit Silica Litter is the best non-clumping litter on the market.
our pick for best value for money is tidy cats 24/7 performance scented cat litter. This product uses a time release deodorizing system to keep odors away. It works to keep your home smelling fresh throughout the day. the litter wicks away moisture, keeping the top layer dry and comfortable for your cat to wear. This is also suitable for multi-cat households due to the long-lasting odor control it provides. gives your home triple protection against odors and can handle large amounts of liquid at one time.
However, this litter will need to be changed more frequently than clumping litter. liquid will start to collect in the bottom of the case if it is not refreshed often enough. there are also reports that this garbage is full of dust.
dr. Elsey’s precious crystal silica cat litter is made from silica gel infused with hydrolyzed herbs, making it our top pick for non-clumping cat litter. the smell attracts cats to the litter box. this is an option for cats with long hair that tends to fill up with litter every time they use the box. these particles will not stick to your cat’s fur. Silica gel instantly traps odors while absorbing urine. This litter is also hypoallergenic and non-toxic. was developed by a veterinarian, dr. Bruce Elsey, and his wife, Kathy. they hoped to create products that would help cat owners who have experienced problems using a litter box.
while the product itself is hypoallergenic, there are reports that this trash is very dusty.
Affordable non-clumping frisco pine pellet wood cat litter brings a pine scent into your home while blocking out unpleasant odors. Natural pine fights odors naturally, with no added chemicals or fragrances. An all-natural litter also means less dust and no dyes or additives. If your cat is sensitive to clay litters, this is a safe alternative. the granules absorb three times their weight in liquid, so just removing them once a day will keep the box odor-free.
however, there are reports that the sand has a bad odor even when it is clean. some cats also refuse to use it because they don’t like the texture.
a great choice for non-clumping litter is fresh step febreze scented cat litter. The activated carbon in this product makes it lighter than other brands and eliminates odors. it absorbs quickly and the litter filters the odor of the waste as it passes through. Febreze scent is released every time your cat paws at 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 to do. the bag is conveniently resealable.
there have been reports that the litter is too strong for some people to smell.
This naturally fresh walnut pellet cat litter is made from walnut shells to stop odors without the addition of chemicals. This non-toxic litter won’t stick to your cat’s fur, so there are fewer traces compared to clay. It is dust free, which is ideal for cats with respiratory problems. Since this litter is made from walnut shells, it is not soft in texture. the shells are about ½ to 1 inch long and, if composted, are completely biodegradable.
This eco-friendly litter is reported to work well until it stops working, meaning odors are non-existent until one day they are overwhelming. Frequent changes of this grit are required so that buildup doesn’t have a chance to start. this could be used as an alternative to pine sand, and the shells do not dissolve when wet.
The soft texture of okocat Dust Free Paper Pellets Cat Litter is gentle on paws and contains no inks or dyes. The odor control in this formula is plant-based and fights urine and ammonia odors. The dust-free formula makes it easy for cats to breathe while using their litter boxes and for you to breathe as you fill them. This litter is an option for cats who have just had surgery and cannot use clay litters. highly absorbent granules can hold liquids up to twice their weight. there is a low amount of follow up with this litter, but there are reports of it still happening. this litter can also be flushed down the toilet, making waste disposal even easier.
Special natural clay cat litter is made from 100% natural clay. The lack of added fragrances or chemicals makes this a healthy choice for long-lasting odor control. People with respiratory problems will benefit from the low dust formula. After about 5 days, the sand will become a mud-like consistency after it absorbs liquid during that time. regular crate changes are necessary to keep odors down and litter dry. By adding baking soda to this unscented litter, you can add even more odor protection. this also works well for cats that are sensitive or allergic to scented litter.
Having this trash on hand will even help in situations where traction is needed for tires stuck in the snow or cleaning up oil spills in the driveway. just pour it into the oil and sweep it away!
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 kitty litter, this is a natural alternative. Like other non-clumping litters, the box needs to be changed frequently to reduce buildup and odor. this formula recently changed from white to dark gray clay.
The biggest criticism of this litter is the new color. there are reports of black sand in the bag, which was not the case when the sand was white. however, if the litter box is on a light colored floor, litter scattering is easier to detect due to this change.
arm & Hammer Pine Cat Litter is highly absorbent to soak up and neutralize ammonia odors with the help of added baking soda. it is not as heavy as clay bunk beds. This sand does not contain chemicals and is suitable for liquids. for solid waste, it doesn’t work as well to cover up odors, but this is not a problem if the box is picked up every day. large pellets have low tracking. there are some reports that the pine smell is unpleasant once wet with urine, but regular litter changes will help with this. there are no added fragrances. for comparison, 40 pounds of this sand is equivalent to 114 pounds of clay sand.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Litter
Whether you choose to buy clumping or non-clumping litter depends on you and your cat’s preferences. clumping litter is easier to pick up and will give you more time between complete litter box changes. by picking up clumped debris every day, surrounding trash 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. requires more frequent changes and regular solid waste collection to keep odors in check. It is highly absorbent of both liquids and odors. Cat owners who prefer non-clumping litter also tend to like that it is more affordable than clumping litter. you get more bang for your buck per pound compared to clumping litter.
If your cat tends to eat litter or you have kittens who eat anything because they are babies, clumping the litter is not recommended. this sand expands when it absorbs liquid. once ingested, expansion continues, which can cause serious health problems. once the litter stops expanding, it can form a hard blockage in your cat’s intestines.
even after changing the litter, you may still be left with odors and stains in the house, but with hepper advanced bio-enzyme pet stain & odor eliminator spray, you can take care of everything. it’s our product, and we love it so much, we just have to share it! permanently removes the worst odors and stains, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. click here to get a bottle.
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, it may start to go elsewhere. When non-clumping litter is used, the litter box should be bottomed out more frequently to remove liquid that can collect on the bottom after a few days. If you regularly change your cat’s litter box, this is not a problem for you. if you are using clumping litter now and want to switch, please know that full box updates need to occur more frequently.
odor protection
Non-clumping litter absorbs liquids well and offers effective odor control. most of these litters have some type of odor protection added to the formula, such as baking soda. this gives the litter additional protection against odors.
absorbency
Although non-clumping litter absorbs liquids well, it can only do so to a limited extent. once the sand has reached its capacity, the liquid will begin to collect in the bottom of the box. the better the absorptive power of the litter, the less of a problem it will be. Regular box changes will be needed with any non-clumping litter, but higher absorbency will keep your kitty dry and comfortable between changes.
powder
You and your cat should not breathe dust from the litter. While clay litter is often dusty, there are some low-dust options available. natural, non-clumping litters are free of most dust, especially if they are made of paper or pine.
granule size
small litter granules tend to disperse easily, get stuck between your cat’s toes, and are difficult to clean. large granules may be uncomfortable for your cat’s paws, but they don’t track as much.
added fragrances
While added perfumes and scents can work to help mask odors, they can also be irritating to you and your cat if you inhale them. however, if your cat does not have allergies or respiratory illnesses, added fragrances may be a suitable option.
how much sand to use
Finding the right amount can be tricky with non-clumping litter because it empties out with every litter change. You don’t want to waste too much litter, but you also 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 necessary 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 seems like a lot of work, but since you’re not going to be taking the box out to get the liquids out, it’s necessary. While some of the debris can be removed with a shovel, the liquid will soak into the sand and be difficult to remove without scraping it all down. it is recommended to do this at least once a week to control odor and build-up.
Related reading: clumping vs. non-clumping cat litter: which is best?
conclusion
Our best overall choice for non-clumping cat litter is kitty poo club fine grain silica cat litter. It also has high absorbency and works to control odors. Our value pick is Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Cat Litter. this is good for multiple cats while offering odor control throughout the day. dr. Elsey’s precious crystal silica cat litter is our top pick. It was developed by a veterinarian and is hypoallergenic. We hope our reviews have helped you decide which non-clumping litter would be best for you and your cat.
