Cat litter is a frequently used product for cat owners and one of the least pleasant aspects of owning a cat. There are various cat litter options on the market, all with different materials and benefits, making it difficult to choose the right option for you and your cat’s needs.
To make matters worse, some cat litter uses perfumes or chemical ingredients that aren’t eco-friendly. If you’re concerned about the environment and the cat litter you use, you can find several eco-friendly cat litter options. Here are our picks of the 10 best eco-friendly cat litters based on reviews from pet owners like you.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2024
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Best Overall | Kitty Poo Club Delivery Service |
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Click to Save 35% Use code CATSTER35 | |
Best Value | Frisco Pine Pellet Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice | World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter |
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Best for Kittens/Puppies | Skoon All Natural Fine-Grain Cat Litter |
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Feline Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter |
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The 11 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
1. Kitty Poo Club Delivery Service – Best Overall
Size: | 19”L x 15”W x 10”H |
Material: | Multiple eco-friendly options |
Features: | No chemicals, additives, or synthetic perfumes |
Our top pick for the best eco-friendly cat litter is Kitty Poo Club Subscription Service. It offers a variety of eco-friendly clumping and non-clumping litters, such as corn & wheat, organic soy, and diatomite. Each litter is hypoallergenic and was designed to provide maximum absorbency, and will remain odor-free for 30 days, when your next shipment arrives.
In addition to their environmentally conscious litter options, you’ll receive a recyclable litter box that you swap out each month, making each litter change one you can feel great about.
A few more perks of this subscription service are the selection of add-ons you can choose from and the free shipping.
All in all, we think this is the best eco-friendly cat litter option available in today’s market.
- Multiple eco-friendly litter options
- Recyclable litter box included
- Easy to use
- Keeps litter box area cleaner than traditional setups
- May be more expensive for multicat homes
2. Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter – Best Value
Size options: | 20-lb bag, 40-lb bag |
Material: | Pine |
Features: | Multi-cat, natural, odor control, non-clumping, unscented, dust-free |
Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is the best eco-friendly cat litter for the money. The 100% pure pine leaves a fresh pine aroma in your cat’s litter box and eliminates odors naturally with no fragrances or chemicals. The pellets absorb up to three times their weight in liquid to keep the litter box fresh and clean with daily scooping.
Because this litter uses pine pellets, it doesn’t create dust or tracking. The litter is powerful enough for single or multi-cat homes. Some reviewers mentioned that this litter works well for other pets, such as rabbits. Note that this litter is not appropriate for use in some litter box systems, as the pellets may be too large.
- Eco-friendly
- Pure pine pellets
- No fragrances or chemicals
- Not suitable for litter box systems
3. World’s Best Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter – Premium Choice
Size options: | 8-lb bag, 15-lb bag, 28-lb bag |
Material: | Compressed corn |
Features: | Clumping, odor control, flushable, scented, multi-cat, natural, dust-free |
World’s Best Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is the premium choice for eco-friendly cat litter. The litter is composed of 100% all-natural scented lavender oil to eliminate the ammonia smell of cat urine, even in homes with multiple cats. The litter clumps for quick and easy cleanup.
With the compressed corn formula, the litter creates no irritating dust that may bother you or your cats. The litter is completely flushable and safe for both septic and sewer systems, so you can reduce the waste that ends up in landfills. This litter is also appropriate for some automatic self-cleaning litter boxes. Several reviewers mentioned that the litter has a strong, unpleasant odor and tracks easily, however.
- Natural lavender scent
- Clumping
- Dust-free
- Strong odor
- Tracks easily
4. Skoon All Natural Fine-Grain Unscented Non-Clumping Cat Litter – Best for Kittens or Puppies
Size options: | 8-lb bag |
Material: | Clay |
Features: | Non-clumping, lightweight, unscented, low tracking |
Skoon All-Natural Fine-Grain Non-Clumping Cat Litter is formulated for odor control and uses highly absorbent diatom pebbles. The porous material collects urine odor to keep your litter box smelling fresh and inviting for training kittens through to adulthood. The litter is also non-tracking and has minimal dust, so it won’t upset your kitten’s breathing.
One of the best features of this litter is that it feels like traditional litter in an eco-friendly formula, so your cat won’t notice the difference. The litter is also hypoallergenic and made with no chemicals or artificial scents. It’s four times lighter than regular litter, making it more convenient for you to carry and change. Several reviewers noted that the fine grain tracks more easily.
- Absorbent diatom pebbles
- Minimal dust
- Hypoallergenic
- Tracks easily
5. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
Size options: | 7-lb bag, 20-lb bag, 40-lb bag |
Material: | Pine |
Features: | No chemicals, additives, or synthetic perfumes |
Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is the best overall eco-friendly cat litter for its 100% pure pine materials that absorb liquid without the use of harsh chemicals, additives, or perfumes. The pine fibers are highly absorbent and lock odors away for natural odor elimination.
Without the clay used with most litter, this cat litter has no dust to irritate yours or your cat’s breathing. The pellets are made from sawdust byproducts, reducing overall waste in the manufacturing process. While many reviewers were happy with this litter, others noted that their cats wouldn’t use it.
- Natural
- Eco-friendly
- No dust
- Cats may not use it
6. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter
Size options: | 12-lb bag, 25-lb bag, 36-lb bag |
Material: | Wheat |
Features: | Clumping, odor control, unscented, multi-cat, flushable, natural, eco-friendly |
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter is a natural, ultra-absorbent litter that uses renewable and biodegradable wheat to trap and neutralize odors. Unlike other clay litters, this litter has no dyes, perfumes, dust, or other potentially harmful ingredients.
This litter is ideal for multi-cat households and an eco-friendly option for a clumping formula. It’s fully biodegradable and can be flushed, reducing your overall waste that ends up in a landfill. It can also be composted. Several reviewers noticed that it tracks and leaves a yellowish coating on surfaces, while others seemed to have no issue with tracking.
- Renewable wheat formula
- Biodegradable
- No dyes, perfumes, dust
- Tracks
- May leave residue
7. Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
Size options: | 14-lb bag, 26-lb bag |
Material: | Walnut |
Features: | Clumping, multi-cat, odor control, unscented, natural, dust-free, low-tracking |
Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Multi-Cat Quick-Clumping Cat Litter is made from 100% natural walnut shells and eliminates both urine and fecal odors with a counteractant. The absorbent formula neutralizes odors better than comparable products and is biodegradable.
Because it’s made of walnut, the litter doesn’t cause irritating dust and breathing issues, nor does it stick to paws and track through the house. The litter is ideal for multi-cat households and contains no chemicals, clay, toxins, corn, or grains. Despite the dust-free formula, several reviewers noted that the litter causes a lot of dust. Others commented on the odors and said it doesn’t clump very well.
- Natural walnut
- Biodegradable
- Odor-neutralizing formula
- Dusty
- Doesn’t clump well
- Odor
8. Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
Size options: | 5-lb bag, 15-lb bag, 30-lb bag |
Material: | Paper |
Features: | Unscented, non-clumping, odor control, dust-free, low tracking, natural |
Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is made of recycled newspaper, reducing waste, and offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional clay litter. The newspaper pellets are highly absorbent and have minimal dust, so they’re not likely to irritate either yours or your cat’s breathing or track through the house.
Pellets are designed to expand when wet, so they’re more absorbent than clay varieties. The recycled paper is also non-toxic and gentle on your cat’s paws. The bag the litter comes in is also recycled for the ultimate in eco-friendly cat litter. Several reviewers said the litter didn’t clump well and isn’t that absorbent.
- Recycled newspaper pellets and bag
- Absorbent
- Minimal dust
- Doesn’t clump well
- May not be that absorbent
9. Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Size options: | 9.9-lb bag, 13.2-lb bag, 19.8-lb bag |
Material: | Wood |
Features: | Flushable, odor control, clumping, unscented, natural, eco-friendly |
Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter is made of sustainably sourced natural wood fiber and free from artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic dyes, and GMOs. The wood fiber is biodegradable and rescued from waste, reducing the impact of manufacturing. It naturally bonds with liquid and waste to minimize ammonia odors and absorb liquid on contact. The litter also clumps well for quick and convenient cleaning.
This litter is flushable and safe for sewer and septic systems. Wood is de-dusted prior to manufacturing, minimizing dust that can be irritating to your breathing. However, several reviewers said it tracked easily, left a perfume-like odor, and is difficult to clean.
- Sustainably sourced wood fiber
- Flushable
- De-dusted
- Tracks
- Perfume smell
- Difficult to clean
10. Frisco All Natural Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter
Size options: | 20-lb bag |
Material: | Grass |
Features: | Clumping, unscented, multi-cat, odor control, natural, dust-free, eco-friendly |
Frisco All Natural Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter is an eco-friendly alternative to clay litter that uses 100% all-natural grass that’s soft and easy to sift through. The grass clumps easily for cleaning and provides natural odor control, as well as ultra-absorbency.
The ingredients are biodegradable and free from chemicals, dyes, or fragrances that may be off-putting to your cat. Because it’s made from grass, it produces minimal dust compared to other types of litter and is less likely to track. While many reviewers were pleased with the results, other reviewers mentioned that it doesn’t absorb or clump well and that it sticks to the sides of the litter box for difficult cleaning.
- 100% grass
- Minimal dust
- Low tracking
- Doesn’t clump well
- Doesn’t absorb well
- May stick to litter box
11. Catalyst Pet Healthy Formula Cat Litter
Size options: | 20-lb bag |
Material: | Pine |
Features: | Clumping, odor control, natural, eco-friendly |
Catalyst Healthy Formula Cat Litter is a soft litter crafted from upcycled soft wooden fiber. The litter clumps well and features natural fibers that block and absorb liquid and unpleasant odors. The natural forest scent is pleasant and fresh smelling. Because it’s made of wood, it’s light and easy to carry compared to heavy clay.
Wood doesn’t create as much dust as clay, keeping surfaces clean and reducing breathing issues related to dust and particles. Though the litter is non-tracking, several reviewers noted that it clumps and sticks to their cat’s paws. Others had a big problem with tracking or the litter becoming stuck and hardened on their cats’ coats.
- Upcycled wood fiber
- Natural scent
- Odor blocking
- Clumps and sticks to paws and coat
- Tracks
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
Choosing an eco-friendly cat litter is a great decision for the environment and your cat. Several types are available, and here are some things you should consider:
- Materials: Plant-based materials or recycled wood or paper are good eco-friendly materials that absorb liquid waste and have a low impact on the environment.
- Clumping: Clumping formulas are handy because they’re easy to clean, but not all types of eco-friendly litter are clumping formulas or clump well.
- Dust-free: Clay litter is notorious for creating a lot of dust that can irritate yours or your cat’s nose or mouth. Most litters on this list are dust-free, though reviewers noted that they still had issues with a lot of dust.
- Odor control: Chemicals, fragrances, and other ingredients are often used to control odors. Eco-friendly litter removes these artificial ingredients in favor of natural odor control, such as pine or lavender.
- Special eco-friendly features: Some types of litter have added eco-friendly benefits, such as a flushable or biodegradable formula. Consider these formulas if you want to reduce your overall waste or try cat litter composting.
Final Verdict
Cat litter is used frequently and adds to environmental waste, not just in landfills but in manufacturing. Eco-friendly cat litter often uses recycled materials, free from chemicals or artificial ingredients, for more environmentally-conscious practices and waste.
Our top pick is Kitty Poo Club for its convenient delivery service and its multipleeco-friendlyy options. For the best value, choose Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter. The premium choice is World’s Best Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter, which has eco-friendly corn and lavender oil.
See also: 10 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Foods — Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Tiplyashina Evgeniya, Shutterstock
- 1 A Glance at Our Winners in 2024
- 2 The 11 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
- 2.1 1. Kitty Poo Club Delivery Service – Best Overall
- 2.2 2. Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter – Best Value
- 2.3 3. World’s Best Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter – Premium Choice
- 2.4 4. Skoon All Natural Fine-Grain Unscented Non-Clumping Cat Litter – Best for Kittens or Puppies
- 2.5 5. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
- 2.6 6. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter
- 2.7 7. Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
- 2.8 8. Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
- 2.9 9. Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
- 2.10 10. Frisco All Natural Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter
- 2.11 11. Catalyst Pet Healthy Formula Cat Litter
- 3 Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
- 4 Final Verdict