Choosing the right cat litter is hard enough, but if you’re dealing with an automatic cat litter box, then your litter has to meet the specific criteria required by your litter box. Cat litter for automatic boxes should be low dust and, in most cases, should create strong clumps to work properly. To help you choose the best cat litter that will also work in your automatic cat litter box, we’ve found and reviewed the 10 best options on the market right now. There are always new and exciting products coming out when it comes to cat litter, and many companies are creating products that are safer and more eco-friendly.
Regardless of what you’re needing out of a litter, there’s something here for you!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide |
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Best Value | Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clay Litter |
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Premium Choice | World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat |
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Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Unscented Litter |
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Tidy Cats Free & Clean Clumping Litter |
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The 10 Best Cat Litter for Automatic Cat Litter Boxes
1. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Litter Multi-Cat – Best Overall
Package Size: | 14 pounds, 19 pounds, 28 pounds, 38 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay |
Eco Friendly: | No |
The best cat litter for your automatic cat litter box is the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Litter Multi-Cat litter. It’s available in four package sizes from 14–38 pounds and is dust-free. It’s a clay litter that features powerful clumping and it doesn’t stick to the litter box, making it a fantastic option for automatic litter boxes. With Arm & Hammer, you know you’re getting a name you can trust, and this litter uses special rapid clumping technology to help with odor control, no matter how many kitties are using the box. No matter what type of box you have, this litter should not stick to it, making cleanup a breeze. It features a fresh scent that is released every time your cat digs in it.
This litter is a clay litter, which is not an environmentally friendly product. The current packaging may be difficult for some people to use because the entire top of the box comes off when you open the litter, so once it’s open, there’s no carry handle.
- Four package sizes
- Dust-free
- Powerful, rapid clumping
- Special rapid clumping technology seals in odors
- Great for multi-cat households
- Doesn’t stick to the litter box
- Fresh scent
- Clay litter
- Packaging is inconvenient
2. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter – Best Value
Package Size: | 20 pounds, 40 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay |
Eco Friendly: | No |
The best cat litter for automatic boxes for the money is the Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter, which is available in two package sizes. It’s a great value, even for small budgets, and is formulated to be low dust and low tracking, helping to keep your house free of tracked litter. It features odor-neutralizing technology and is made for multi-cat homes. It’s hypoallergenic and contains no dyes, perfumes or fragrances, or plant proteins.
This is a clay cat litter, so it isn’t really environmentally friendly. The packaging may tear easily, and some people find that it doesn’t always form hard enough clumps with urine, so it may require additional box cleaning if it sticks.
- Great value
- Two package sizes
- Low dust
- No tracking
- Great for multi-cat households
- Odor neutralizing technology
- Hypoallergenic
- Clay litter
- Packaging tears easily
- May not clump hard enough with urine
3. World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat – Premium Choice
Package Size: | 8 pounds, 14 pounds, 28 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Corn |
Eco Friendly: | Yes |
The World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat litter is a great option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly cat litter for a multiple-cat home. This litter is made from sustainable corn and is 99% dust free. It clumps on contact with waste and traps odors, reducing bad smells from the box. It won’t clump to your litter box, but it clumps well enough to work in an automatic litter box. It’s made from 100% whole-kernel corn and is free of artificial fragrances. It is flushable and safe for septic systems, although flushing it is not the recommended way to dispose of it.
Although it is almost dust free, this litter does produce some dust and should be poured into the box slowly to prevent dust. Some people don’t feel this litter has as much odor control as traditional clay litter. It is vacuum sealed, so you may receive a bag that seems solid, and it may require a little bit of banging it around to loosen it up.
- Made from 100% whole-kernel corn from sustainable sources
- Made for multi-cat households
- Three package sizes
- Clumps on contact
- Traps odors
- 99% dust free
- Low tracking
- Free of artificial fragrances
- Can be flushed
- Does produce some dust
- May not control odors as well as traditional litter
- May seem solid when the bag is first opened
4. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Litter – Best for Kittens
Package Size: | 20 pounds, 40 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay |
Eco Friendly: | No |
If you’re looking for a cat litter that is great for kittens, then Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Litter may be what you’re looking for. It’s safe for kittens, adults, and cats with respiratory problems. This litter comes in two package sizes and is 99.9% dust-free. It’s hypoallergenic and has no artificial fragrances, plant proteins, or dyes. It includes stress-reducing herbal essences, helping your kitten transition to its new home. It clumps hard and helps control odors.
This litter is also available in a silica gel formulation, but it is non-clumping and cannot be used in most automatic litter boxes. It may stick to the litter box and might be difficult to clean. The packaging was recently switched from a box to a bag, and many users report finding the bag difficult to use.
- Great for kittens and cats with respiratory issues
- Two package sizes
- 9% dust free
- Hypoallergenic
- Includes herbal essences for stress relief
- Clumps hard
- Controls odors
- Clay litter
- Silica gel formulation can’t be used in automatic litter boxes
- May stick to the bottom of the litter box
- New packaging may be difficult to use
5. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
Package Size: | 14-pound jug, 20-pound jug, 35-pound pail, 40-pound bag |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay, activated charcoal |
Eco Friendly: | No |
The Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter is available in four package sizes with jugs, bags, and pails as available packaging. This low-dust clumping litter features “Tidy Lock” Protection to lock away odors on contact and has a 10-day odor control guarantee. It’s free of dyes and fragrances and includes activated charcoal for superior odor control. It’s made for multi-cat homes and forms tight clumps.
Some people find that this litter sticks to the bottom of the box and it clumps so effectively that it may over clump, using more litter than necessary. It is not low tracking, so it may get tracked by messy kitties.
- Four package sizes
- Multiple packaging types
- Low dust
- 10-day odor control guarantee
- Free of dyes and artificial fragrances
- Includes activated charcoal
- Made for multi-cat homes
- Clay litter
- May stick to the bottom of the box
- Tends to over clump
- Not low tracking
6. Arm & Hammer Platinum Cloud Control Scented Litter
Package Size: | 37 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay |
Eco Friendly: | No |
The Arm & Hammer Platinum Cloud Control Scented Litter is a dust-free litter that claims to prevent the “cloud of nasties” created when pouring dusty litter into the box. It has a 7-day odor control guarantee and uses a light scent that is free of 26 known scent allergens. It features Dander Shield Technology to reduce the amount of dander kicked up into the air during box cleaning. It seals in odors and destroys them, keeping your home smelling fresh, even in multi-cat homes.
This litter is only available in a 37-pound box, so it may be difficult for some people to manage. The cardboard packaging is difficult to open and may be difficult to pour. Some people find the scent of the litter unappealing and like a recognizable clean litter box smell.
- Dust free
- 7-day odor control guarantee
- Scent is free of 26 known allergens
- Reduces airborne dander during litter box cleaning
- Seals and destroys odors
- Made for multi-cat homes
- One package size
- Clay litter
- Packaging is difficult to open
- May be difficult to pour
- Scent may be unappealing
7. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Touch of Outdoors Unscented Clumping Clay & Prairie Grasses Litter
Package Size: | 20-pound box, 20-pound bag, 40-pound bag |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Clay, prairie grass |
Eco Friendly: | No |
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Touch of Outdoors Unscented Clumping Clay & Prairie Grasses Litter is an interesting cat litter concept that brings the outdoors to your litter box. This clay-based litter includes field-grown prairie grasses, which add a little bit of grassy texture to the litter and contain natural chlorophyll, which helps with odor control. The addition of prairie grasses also may reduce stress and anxiety in cats. This litter clumps hard and is 99% dust free.
This litter is primarily made of clay, and while it does help with odor control, it doesn’t have as powerful odor control as many other litter options. Although 99% dust-free, many users report noticing dust settling around the box after adding litter, and some people even report smelling a dusty smell in the air.
- Three packages available
- Prairie grasses may add texture that your cat will enjoy
- Chlorophyll is a natural odor fighter
- Prairie grasses may reduce stress and anxiety
- 99% dust free
- Clay litter
- Odor control isn’t as good as other options
- Does contain some dust
- May leave a dusty scent
8. Boxiecat Air Fresh & Clean Scented Clumping Cat Litter
Package Size: | 5 pounds, 11.5 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Proprietary plant-based formula |
Eco Friendly: | Yes |
The Boxiecat Air Fresh & Clean Scented Clumping Cat Litter is available in two package sizes and features a proprietary plant-based formula that is eco-friendly and sustainable. It’s 60% lighter than clay-based litter and has a moisture-activated scent that is gentle enough to not bother fussy cats. It’s 99.9% dust free and creates AirTight clumps.
This litter tends to track, which can be messy. Since the plant-based formula is proprietary, it’s not clear what ingredients are in the product, which can make it difficult to determine if it’s appropriate for people with allergies. Some users have reported this litter sticking to the rubber parts of automatic litter boxes, so it may be difficult to clean.
- Two package sizes
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
- 60% lighter than clay litter
- 99% dust free
- Tracks
- May not be hypoallergenic
- May stick in some automatic litter boxes
9. sWheat Scoop Wheat-Corn Blend Unscented Clumping Litter
Package Size: | 12 pounds, 25 pounds, 36 pounds |
Clumping: | Yes |
Primary Materials: | Wheat, corn |
Eco Friendly: | Yes |
The sWheat Scoop Wheat-Corn Blend Unscented Clumping Litter is available in three package sizes. It’s made from biodegradable wheat and corn and fights odors naturally, without the addition of artificial dyes or fragrances. The natural enzymes and starches are the secret to odor-fighting in this product. It’s low in dust and is septic safe and flushable.
The odor control isn’t as powerful as it is in most clay-based litters, and it has a tendency to track. The clumping isn’t as rapid as some other products, so this litter may stick to surfaces in the box. It does have some dust, so it needs to be poured carefully to reduce dust.
- Three package sizes
- Biodegradable
- No artificial dyes or fragrances
- Septic safe and flushable
- Odor control isn’t as good as some other options
- Tracks
- May stick to surfaces in the litter box
- Has some dust
10. ScoopFree Lavender Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
Package Size: | 2 packs of 4.5 pounds |
Clumping: | No |
Primary Materials: | Silica gel crystals |
Eco Friendly: | No |
The ScoopFree Lavender Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter is available in a 2-pack of pre-portioned litter crystals that will last for one month for a single cat per pack. It has an artificial lavender scent added to it and the silica crystals are good for odor absorption. The crystals aren’t prone to sticking to paws and should have minimal tracking.
This litter is not usable in the majority of automatic cat litter boxes since it isn’t clumping. Some people find that when wet, this litter bleeds a little bit of purple dye. Since it doesn’t clump, large amounts of urine may end up pooling in the box, making odor control difficult.
- Two packs per order
- Lavender scented
- Minimal tracking
- One pack size
- Not appropriate for most automatic litter boxes
- Doesn’t clump
- May bleed purple dye
- Urine may pool in the box
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Litter for Your Automatic Box
Most automatic litter boxes require clumping litter, but there are a few that need non-clumping litter. It’s important to know what kind of litter your automatic litter box requires. Using the wrong type of litter can lead to the machine being damaged and the box being not only broken but voided of warranties. You should also choose a litter that meets the preferences of your cats. Many cats are extremely picky about litter textures and smells and using a litter that your cat doesn’t like can result in inappropriate urination and defecation in your home. Daily litter box emptying is necessary for maintaining your cat’s health and happiness, and routine litter box cleaning will help keep smells under control.
Conclusion
The best overall litter for your automatic litter box is the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Litter Multi Cat, which is affordable and highly effective at clumping and controlling odors. If you’re on a tight budget, then you’ll appreciate the cost-effectiveness of the Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter. For an eco-friendly product at a more premium price, then the top pick is the World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat. Regardless of your cat’s preference, there’s a cat litter to suit them. Finding litter that works for your situation shouldn’t be overwhelming, so these reviews are intended to help you pick the best product for your cat.
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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
- 1 A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
- 2 The 10 Best Cat Litter for Automatic Cat Litter Boxes
- 2.1 1. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Litter Multi-Cat – Best Overall
- 2.2 2. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter – Best Value
- 2.3 3. World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat – Premium Choice
- 2.4 4. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Litter – Best for Kittens
- 2.5 5. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
- 2.6 6. Arm & Hammer Platinum Cloud Control Scented Litter
- 2.7 7. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Touch of Outdoors Unscented Clumping Clay & Prairie Grasses Litter
- 2.8 8. Boxiecat Air Fresh & Clean Scented Clumping Cat Litter
- 2.9 9. sWheat Scoop Wheat-Corn Blend Unscented Clumping Litter
- 2.10 10. ScoopFree Lavender Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
- 3 Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Litter for Your Automatic Box
- 4 Conclusion