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Although the majority of domestic cats in the UK have outdoor access, the number of cats kept indoors is growing. These housecats, as well as some cats who wander outside, often take the stress out of being a pet owner; there’s no need to take them out for walks or wait around for them to come home at night. However, this comes hand-in-hand with the addition of at least one litter box to the household.
Litter boxes can bring a different set of stresses for cat parents; a litter tray can be smelly, messy, and an overall pain to deal with at times. Yet, for many owners of indoor cats, litter trays are a necessary accessory to keep their pets happy inside.
If you want to find out the best cat litter in the UK, this article can provide the answer.
Table of Contents
Household Pets’ Top Picks for Best Cat Litters
Cats can have preferences when it comes to litter. These creatures are stubborn and like what they like, so buying the wrong litter can have consequences. There are many different types of cat litter to choose from, which can make selecting the correct one for your pet all the more complicated.
Household Pets has gathered 25 of the best cat litters on the market to help cat owners buy one their cats will prefer. The different types will be split into categories, with a bonus category of the best cat litter fresheners. This information will allow cat parents to make the most educated decision.
Best Overall Cat Litter
Although there are several reliable cat litter brands, Dr. Elsey’s is one of the best cat litters available to buy. The Ultra Cat Litter variety is all-natural and can be used by multi-cat households or those with mechanical litter boxes.
- Non-tracking
- Hard clumping
- Absorbs urine effectively
- Sticks to the bottom of the litter tray
Best Clumping Cat Litter
Clumping litter works by making any wet litter stick together to form a clump; these clumps form around urine and faeces, which can be easily scooped out during cleaning. This clumping ability can also help to minimise lingering odours of faeces and urine as it traps the smell within as the litter attaches together.
Most clumping cat litters do have dust particles, which can be ingested when a cat licks itself clean after using the litter box. This can cause issues with breathing and sometimes digestion. If you fear your kitten or cat will try to eat the litter, clumping might not be the best choice, as it will form a litter mass in their stomach.
Top Pick
This Lifelong cat litter is not only an Amazon brand, but it is also long lasting; it is advertised as one bag can potentially last up to six weeks. However, it will require daily spot cleans due to the quick absorption.
- Fine litter particles
- Good clumping ability
- No lingering odours
- Can cause cats to become itchy at times
Premium Option
Pettex Clean Paws is a good option to choose if you have a kitten or an adult cat. It is a dust-free, microgranule cat litter that can last up to four times longer than ordinary litter due to its clumping ability.
- Does not track
- Low to no dust
- Lacks odour control
Budget Option
Sanicat cat litter makes cleaning your pet’s waste easier. The litter tray is kept fresh as the litter granules stick together to absorb moisture and trap unpleasant odours. This litter’s odour control is helped along by containg active oxygen to neutralise nasty smells.
- Litter is gentle on paws
- Spot cleaning is completed quickly
- Litter might settle like “cement” at the bottom of the litter tray
Best Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Non-clumping litter can also help to reduce smells. It can absorb large volumes of cat urine quickly, soaking up any smells as well as liquid. The texture of non-clumping cat litter can be more acceptable to cats. It is also safer for kittens as well as adult cats; as kittens are curious at the beginning of life, they might try to eat the litter, and non-clumping will cause less trouble than clumping.
But non-clumping cat litter will require more frequent changes in comparison to clumping litter. As moisture doesn’t cause clumps to form, urine is absorbed into larger amounts of litter, which cannot be scooped out as easily as clumping litters.
Top Pick
Catsan non-clumping cat litter has a course texture, which some cats prefer, and the granules absorb urine and odours. This Catsan cat litter works to prevent bacteria from growing.
- Value for money
- Unscented
- Several customers found their cats preferred this product
- Sticks to the bottom of the litter tray
- Requires frequent changing
Premium Option
The Alpha Paw Genius cat litter has a unique feature of changing colour to indicate the cat’s health. It responds to abnormal PH levels, alkaline, bilirubin, and blood in the urine.
- Eliminates odours
- Allows cat owners to check their pets’ health
- Relatively expensive
- Contains a lot of dust
Budget Option
Made from biodegradable wood in the UK, this cat little is sustainable but also highly absorbent. These Felight wood pellets feature a natural pine scent with antibacterial properties, which keep the litter fresh for up to 10 days.
- Kitten-friendly
- Natural pine scent
- Very dusty at the bottom of the bag
- Pellets might be too large for some cats
Best Scented Cat Litter
There are cats that will use scented litter with no issues, which is great for pet owners who might want to limit the ammonia odours hanging in the air around the litter box. However, choosing which scented cat litter to use should come down to your cat’s preferences; which scent the cat likes will be different than the cat down the street. If a cat does not like the scent of the litter, it might refuse to use the litter box.
There are several different scents to choose from, including baby powder, lavender, pine, and more. It is important to remember that just because a cat litter is scented does not mean it will need cleaning less often; it might mask the smell somewhat, but your cat might be deterred if the litter tray is not cleaned.
Top Pick
This crystal cat litter absorbs liquids efficiently and appears to dehydrate cat waste. It is also great for neutralising odours. Cat owners can easily clean and dispose of the soiled litter.
- Long-lasting cat litter
- Easy to clean soiled litter
- Good value for money
- Urine soaks to the bottom of the cat litter box
Premium Option
If you or your cat suffers from allergies, this litter could be an option as it has little to no dust. It is 100% biodegradable, clumping, and lavender-scented, meaning any unpleasant odours will be eliminated quickly.
- Will not stick to the litter tray
- Good for cats with allergies
- Non-tracking
- Needs to be changed frequently
Budget Option
Ever Clean scented litter forms strong clumps which are unlikely to crumble during spot cleans. The scent is activated when the litter shifts, so it is kept smelling fresh after the cat uses its litter box.
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting
- Limits unpleasant odours
- Regular buyers believe the formula has changed negatively
Best Unscented Cat Litter
Cats have exceptional senses of smell, much stronger than humans’ and even some dog breeds’, meaning they can sometimes be deterred from using a litter box if floral or artificial scents have been added to the litter. This is why many cat owners opt for odour-free litter instead.
Even some cat owners prefer unscented litter, as it can help to highlight when the litter box needs to be cleaned.
Top Pick
Amazon Basics cat litter is made from 100% recycled wood, and it can be composted after use, too, as it is free of harmful chemicals. The wood pellets have a natural scent and are less likely to be tracked, due to their size.
- Neutralises urine and faeces odours
- Has minimal dust
- Suitable for cats, rabbits, and other small pets
- Some customers were not happy with the quality
Premium Option
Biokitty clumping litter is made from natural bentonite minerals, which ensures odour control, easy clean-up, and minimal tracking. The litter is highly abdorbent and accepted by even fussy cats.
- Instant clumping
- Low dust
- Comes in recyclable packaging
- Crumbles when scooped
Budget Option
This is the second Lifelong product on the list; however, this variety is a plant-based litter. It forms compact clumps within seconds, locking liquids and odours within the litter.
- Natural cat litter
- Quickly absorbs waste
- One customer’s review mentioned their cat developed wheezy breathing from using this product
Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats
Although most cats generally require their own area, some cats are accepting when sharing a litter box with a feline friend. If this is the case, finding a cat litter specifically designed to be used by more than one cat is essential. This type of cat litter is often formulated with more odour neutralisers to reduce strong smells.
However, if you find that your cats are not willing to share litter boxes, you will have to provide additional litter trays around the house. This doesn’t mean that you cannot use a multi-cat litter, though. Cat litter designed for multiple cats can last longer than normal litters, depending on the brand you have bought. This will save you money in the long run.
Top Pick
The World’s Best Cat Litter for multiple cats is a great option. Not only will it limit lingering odours and clumps waste, it is 99% dust-free and will cause less mess in homes than other litter options.
- Forms compact clumps
- Little to no dust
- One bag lasts a long time
- Expensive cat litter
Premium Option
Naturally Fresh cat litter is made from natural walnut shells, which is believed to absorb odours better than other biodegradable options. The litter is virtually dust-free, which keeps cats and their owners with breathing issues safer, and tracks minimally.
- Suitable for all ages
- Lasts three times longer than clay litter
- Might cause staining on home furnishings
Budget Option
Specially designed for multi-cat households, this Ever Clean cat litter uses activated carbon technology to trap odours and waste so the litter box is fresh for longer. A fragrance is released on when the litter tray is being used.
- Litter has a nice fragrance
- Clumps form around urine and faeces
- Easy to clean
- Some cats might not like the scent
- Might stick to the bottom of the litter tray
Best Biodegradable Cat Litter
For environmentally-conscious cat owners, there are biodegradable cat litters on the market. Natural cat litter is made from sustainable materials, like wood and paper. Some of the benefits of biodegradable cat litter include it is compostable if done so in a safe manner, it lasts longer than clay litters, and it is safer for cats. Biodegradable litter is also less likely to be tracked throughout the house as the litter particles are larger and unlikely to stick to cats’ paws.
If you would like to use environmentally friendly cat litter, there are several to choose from. You can test your cat on several different types of eco-friendly cat litter, seeing if they prefer wood, paper, wheat, or corn, for example. This will also allow you to see what litter does not stick to your cat’s paws.
Three of the best biodegradable cat litter options have been reviewed below:
Top Pick
Breeder Celect is made from 99% recycled paper, which is highly absorbent and soft on cats’ paws. This cat litter is manufactured in the UK and includes no chemicals, allowing the recycled paper to control odour.
- Lightweight
- Non-clumping
- Little to no dust
- Absorbs slower than other cat litter products
Premium Option
Made from recycled materials, the Pettex Woodbase litter is easy to dispose of and easy to handle. It has a pine scent, which can keep homes smelling fresh.
- Bag lasts up to one month
- Pellets less likely to be tracked
- No nasty odours
- Cats might dislike the scent
Budget Option
Bio-Catolet is a good choice for cat owners who want the best for their homes and their pets. The product description states that this cat litter can absorb 250% of its own weight, which makes it one of the most absorbent options on this list. Its paper granules are soft on cat paws and can mask odours effectively.
- Hygienic
- Can be composted
- Dust-free
- Might require more frequent changes than clay litter
Best Dust-Free Cat Litter
Dust-free litter is essential if your cat or a member of your household has respiratory issues. In some cases, the dust from some cat litters can cause healthy cats to develop breathing issues. It can also cause cleanliness issues in the house; the area surrounding the litter box will become dusty, and cleaning the litter tray will be even more unpleasant than normal.
To avoid these issues, it is best to look for cat litter that is “dust-free”; although some of the litters with this claim might not be completely free of dust, they will have very little dust when compared to ordinary cat litter.
Top Pick
The Classic Dr. Elsey’s cat litter has strong clumping abilities and offers little tracking, cleaning homes mess-free and smelling fresh. Cats and owners with breathing issues will be pleased with the minimal dust this product has.
- Non-tracking
- Strong absorbing ability
- Unscented with natural ingredients
- Some customers were displeased with this litter’s clumping
Premium Option
This World’s Best Cat Litter option is lightweight and 99% dust-free. It is made from whole-kernel corn, so the cat litter includes no chemicals and has no artificial perfumes, making it a safe choice for all cats.
- Good for the environment
- High absorbency
- Long-lasting
- Large bag can be difficult to carry and pour
Budget Option
Nobleza cat litter is listed as non-dust, non-toxic, and unscented, making it a safe option for cats and their owners. This cat litter can be used by two cats, and one pack will last one month. As it is made from silicon dioxide, it is biodegradable.
- Very absorbent
- Perfect for adults and kittens
- Small grains of cat litter
Best Cat Litter for Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Although many people still own manual scoop-out litter trays, there are now self-cleaning versions available. Self-cleaning litter trays come as automatic and non-automatic versions; the latter will require slightly more work than the fully automatic ones. Automatic versions are handy and hygienic options for cat owners who do not have the time for daily spot cleans.
These self-cleaning litter boxes rely on a power source to function, raking through the cat litter and disposing of any waste in an attached bin throughout the day. Some automatic self-cleaning litter trays can be programmed to sift through the litter after the cat has exited the litter box; this can be set five to 20 minutes afterward.
Although some self-cleaning litter boxes will require specific brands of cat litter to function correctly, there are models that will accept any clumping litter. The three cat litters listed below are good options to use with a self-cleaning litter box.
Top Pick
Purina Tidy Cats litter features an ammonia odour blocker that can last up to two weeks. The moisture activated litter absorbs liquid and odours to form hard clumps and keep homes fresh.
- Glade Clear Springs scent
- Excellent clumping ability
- Easy-to-store container
- Expensive compared to other cat litters
Premium Option
Arm & Hammer Naturals cat litter absorbs twice as much liquid when compared with ordinary clay clumping cat litter. With this absorbing ability means cat waste odours are eliminated on contact.
- Minimal dust
- Lightweight
- Good odour control
- Clumps might be soft
Budget Option
With the scent of Febreze, the Fresh Step cat litter succeeds at neutralising even the strongest of cat odours with the mountains spring scent. This litter is low-dust, meaning there will be minimal dust clouds during spot cleans and changing the litter tray.
- Paw activated fragrance
- Compact clumping allows easy scooping
- Clumps might crumble
Best Cat Litter Fresheners
A cat’s urine can have a strong smell at times, so much so that even scented litter might not be enough to eliminate it consistently. This is why it can be useful to buy a cat litter freshener. These fresheners often come in powder form, and they can be sprinkled on top of new litter to extend the time before the smell of ammonia becomes evident. Some fresheners can last as long as two weeks.
Top Pick
The Bob Martin litter freshener is easy to use; all it requires is a thin layer on top of the litter, which will maintain home cleanliness. It has a floral scent to neutralise cat waste odours.
- Good quality freshener
- Tub is long-lasting
- Made in the UK
- Not all cats will accept the floral scent
Premium Option
The granules of Simple Solution Freshener breaks down urine and faeces to remove odours from lingering in and around the litter box. Its naturally based formule is activated when a cat uses the litter tray.
- Eliminates ammonia odours
- Product lasts a long time
- Fine powder
- Litter will still require frequent changes
- Cats might not accept the smell of the freshener
Budget Option
To keep cat litter fresher for longer, cat owners on a budget are encouraged to use the Felight Antibacterial Powder. Just a sprinkle of this freshener deodorises used cat litter to keep homes smelling pleasant.
- Effective freshener at a cheap price
- Keeps germs from forming in the cat litter
- Some cats might dislike the scent
- Tends to clump at the bottom of the tray
What to Consider When Buying Cat Litter
There are a few main considerations to think about when buying the best cat litter for your feline friend; the cat’s preference, the type of cat litter, and the type of cat litter tray.
Your Cat’s Preference
As stated previously, cats are all unique. This means that what one cat likes about a type of cat litter, another cat might dislike. Litter texture and smell are two aspects that cats can be picky about, so knowing what they prefer is essential for owners.
To evaluate which litter your cat prefers, try multiple types over two or three months. You must observe the cat’s body language and behaviour. During this time, you might find that your cat likes fine-grained litter instead of course-textured litter. Similarly, your cat might be more willing to use a litter that is unscented rather than a type that has an artificial scent.
Your Cat’s Health
If your cat has any health conditions, this should also be taken into account when selecting a suitable type of cat litter. Some cats can become irritated by fragranced cat litter or litter that contains lots of dust particles; this can happen if the cats have allergies, for example. In some cases, cats have developed respiratory issues due to the cat litter they have used.
Type of Cat Litter
Throughout this article, different types of cat litter have been discussed, listing three of the best options for cat owners to buy. The types cat owners can choose from include:
- Clumping litter
- Non-clumping litter
- Scented litter
- Unscented litter
- Biodegradable litter
- Dust-free litter
However, you should also consider a specially formulated litter if you have multiple cats that all use the same litter trays.
Type of Litter Tray
The final factor to consider when purchasing cat litter is the type of litter tray you will be using. If you choose a large litter tray, you will need to find a type of litter that won’t be tracked too easily over short distances. For smaller trays, you may need to opt for a finer textured litter that will be more suitable for smaller litter trays.
Best Cat Litter UK: FAQs
After learning about the different types of cat litter, it is possible to have questions to ensure you use the cat litter effectively.
Why is it important to choose the right cat litter?
Cats can be fussy creatures, especially when it comes to their own space. And that’s what a litter tray is – it is the cat’s space. This is one reason why it’s important to choose the correct cat litter for your cat.
How much cat litter should be used?
The majority of cat litter manufacturers will recommend two to three inches of cat litter in the litter box. For most cats, this provides sufficient depth. However, if your cat is a deep scratcher or likes to dig, you might want to provide three to four inches of cat litter.
How do you look after a cat’s litter box?
Litter tray maintenance is crucial. An unkempt, dirty litter tray can be to blame for the cat having a mishap, as these animals can be sticklers for cleanliness.
To look after a cat litter box, scoop out unwanted solids with a scoop or spoon and dispose of them in the bin daily. Cat litter can be easily sifted through, allowing solid pieces of waste to be discarded without having to empty the entire tray; this is simpler when using clumping litter.
Every week, or every two weeks if your cat litter is high-quality, the whole litter tray should be emptied, cleaned with warm, soapy water, and refilled with fresh litter. There are litter tray cleaners that can also be used.
How often should I clean the litter tray?
The litter tray should be cleaned out completely every other week as long as it is spot-cleaned every day. The amount of soiled litter can vary depending on the size of the cat, its dietary habits, and whether it has outdoor access, meaning the entire contents of the litter tray might need to be changed more regularly.
Can I flush cat litter down the toilet?
Even though cat litter can be advertised as flushable, you should never flush cat litter down the toilet. This can result in clogged pipes, which might become an expensive plumbing bill for you as the cat owner.
Where should I place my cat’s litter tray?
If you are unsure of where to place the cat’s litter tray, there are some rules you should follow to ensure a happy kitty:
- Make sure it is easy to access
- Put the litter tray in a quiet location
- Have a litter box on each floor of the house
- One litter tray per cat, plus an extra
There are three main areas that are good for litter box placement; these are inside a bathroom, a spare room, or a laundry or utility room. As these areas get less foot traffic from the humans in the house, the cat will feel more secure and comfortable using the litter tray.
To Sum Up
Although cats can be picky about the type of litter they use, it is definitely worth the trial and error to find the perfect cat litter for them as well as for yourself. There are many varieties to choose from; clumping and non-clumping, scented and unscented, biodegradable, dust-free, and more. It might take some time to find the best cat litter UK for your cat, but it will be happier at home once the right one is chosen.
Additionally, it is important to properly maintain the litter box by scooping out the soiled litter daily, replacing the entire litter tray every other week, and ensuring that the litter tray is in a suitable location.
With this article as a resource, you should find the best cat litter for your feline and understand how to correctly use this for good hygiene and to keep a fresh home.