10 Best Cat Litters in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Developed by a veterinarian, Dr. Elsey's Ultra cat litter is made from natural clay and designed for households with multiple cats. It’s our veterinary panel’s top pick for how well it holds up across a number of key attributes.

For starters, our experts all commented on the fact that it is unscented. Strong artificial scents can be off-putting for a lot of cats (and some humans), so they typically prefer unscented litter.

Dr. Elsey’s can neutralize odors without the need for perfumes, making it an ideal litter for cats with sensitive noses.

Our panelists also appreciated how easily it clumps and how tightly the clumps hold together, which makes cleanup a cinch, whether you’re using an automated litter box or scooping by hand.

The clumping also helps keep odors at bay. “The firm clumps trap odors inside until the box can be cleaned,” says one of our veterinarians who uses this litter at home.

Speaking of odors, “the odor control is excellent!” says another panelist, who adds that clumping litter often results in going through litter more quickly due to scooping, “but at this fantastic price point, the product is well worth it.”

Other aspects that earned this litter top marks is its low-tracking and low-dust formula. 

Though the bag can be heavy, one vet panelist noted that, once open, it’s easy to pour.

If you’re looking for a reliable yet budget-friendly litter for cats, our vet panel recommends Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter.

Made by Purina, a vet-trusted brand, this litter offers a lot of great features at a good value.

Our vet experts like its strong odor control, which Tidy Cat says lasts up to 10 days. This helps to reduce the need for frequent box changes—and saves money.

Another feature our vets liked is the incorporated activated charcoal, which effectively traps and controls odors without relying on perfumes.

It has a 99.9% dust-free formula and forms tight clumps, which make scooping easy—and help trap odor and reduce tracking.

Several of our panelists appreciate that you can buy it in bulk, helping to keep costs down.

“I have personally used Tidy Cats litter for many years,” says one of our vets. “I love that it is so affordable and doesn't have dyes or perfumes but still smells fresh.”

However, it’s worth noting that the bucket version of these can be quite heavy, which might be challenging for those with mobility concerns.

For the best odor-control cat litter on the market, our vet panel chose Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter.

Its proprietary odor-control formula has a light, fresh scent and neutralizes four odor-causing culprits, including urine, fecal matter, ammonia (from the urea breaking down in urine), and bacteria.

Its superior clumping ability also earned it top marks, not only for easy cleanups, but because the tight clumps help trap odor.

All of this helps keep your home smelling clean—for up to 10 days, according to the brand—even if you have multiple cats using the same litter boxes. (Our vets recommend one box per cat, plus one extra for the household).

While other litters may boast longer odor-free timeframes, our vets say the more important thing is how well a litter controls odor in everyday, real-world conditions, and this formula from Tidy Cat delivers.

“It seems to control odors for even longer than the 10-day guarantee if you scoop the litter box every day, as well as replacing all the litter once a month,” says one of our vets. 

Other notable attributes include low dust production and the fact that it comes from a trusted brand backed by science.

Here again it’s worth noting that the bucket version of these can be quite heavy, which might be challenging for those with mobility concerns.

For our vets, the spot for the best clumping cat litter goes to Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance clumping cat litter for its moisture-locking technology.

This technology allows the litter to form tight clumps and provide superior odor control, keeping ammonia, urine, and fecal odors at bay for up to 10 days when used as directed.

One of our vets has personally used it for years, praising its ability to form “the strongest clumps” that not only help control odors, but also make it easy to scoop.

The low-dust formula is a bonus, making it easier to maintain a clean litter box area.

As with any clumping litter, our experts suggest using a generous amount of litter (typically between 1–3 inches and Tidy Cats recommends the higher end with 3–4 inches) to help your cat cover their waste completely.

This litter, like other Tidy Cats litters, are available in larger buckets, which offer a good value but may be heavy to lift.

World’s Best Cat Litter is made from renewable processed corn, making it one of the eco-friendlier, flushable cat litter brands.

Designed to be flushed 1–2 clumps at a time, this all-natural litter should only be flushed in toilet systems that are well-maintained.

Lightweight and 99% dust-free, it’s suitable for multi-cat households thanks to its long-lasting odor control, and is formulated without harmful chemicals and artificial perfumes.

While this is the best flushable cat litter for easy disposal—especially for those living in high-rise apartments without easy access to trash bins—our vets still advise against flushing.

Cat feces can carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause health issues in some people, especially infants and those with weakened immune systems. Your wastewater treatment company may not be able to effectively remove the organism.

Instead, our vets recommend traditional disposal methods to avoid potential health risks.

Kittens need to learn the ropes when using the litter box, and Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter is designed specifically to make that process easier.

It’s the best litter for kittens because it contains a natural herbal attractant, which may help encourage kittens to use the litter box—along with proper litter box placement, using a litter box they can easily access, and regularly cleaning the litter box (more on that below).

“Kittens are still learning about how to properly use the litter pan, and so having an attractant can really help with providing additional reinforcement of the proper ‘potty zone’ for these little friends,” says one of our panelists.

Its small, paw-friendly granules mimic the texture of outdoor dirt, which feels natural and comfortable for your kitten’s tiny paws. This can be especially important for young cats as they explore and adapt to their new environment. 

In addition to its training benefits, Dr. Elsey’s has good odor control, is low-tracking, and forms hard clumps that make scooping and cleaning easy.

Tired of kitty litter tracking all over your home? Consider Fresh Step’s Clean Paws cat litter, our vets’ pick for the best non-tracking cat litter.

Specially designed to minimize tracking, it’s made up of heavier litter pieces that are less likely to stick to your cat’s paws. Our veterinary experts agree less tracking of litter is especially important for homes with kids or high-traffic areas where hygiene is a top priority.

“It also means the cat will ingest less of the material off their fur,” says one of our vets.

Not to mention, less tracking means less litter waste, as more litter stays in the litter box where it belongs.

A scent-free formula, it contains activated charcoal, clay, carbon, and minerals that work effectively to neutralize odors without adding any fragrances that can irritate sensitive noses—human or feline.

Plus, it clumps well, which not only makes for easy cleanup, but also reduces the amount of tracking. 

If you want to make a greener choice for your cat’s litter box, our vets recommend Arm & Hammer’s Naturals clumping cat litter.

Made from plant-based corn fibers, this eco-friendly litter is highly absorbent and offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional clay options. Also, alternative litters such as this one are ideal for when cats experience issues with traditional clay litter, notes one of our vets.

Since corn fibers weigh 50% less than clay, it’s easier to pour, store, and handle.

When it comes to odor control, the added baking soda works effectively to keep your home smelling fresh. Our vets also noted its low-dust formula and strong clumps.

Though our experts tend to prefer unscented litters, one panelist appreciated the light, clean fragrance.

If you have a multi-cat household, finding the right litter can be a challenge with all the dust, odor, and tracking issues. That’s why our vets recommend Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter.

This litter is formulated with Arm & Hammer’s proprietary odor-locking technology, which helps trap moisture and eliminate odor-causing bacteria to keep your home smelling fresher, even with multiple cats using the same box.

Our vets also appreciate its strong clump-forming properties, making cleanup easier in multi-cat households where the litter box gets frequent use.

While it does have a slight fragrance, it’s designed to be mild, though some cats with particularly sensitive noses might notice it.

With its effective odor control, strong clumping, and minimal dust production, it’s clear why our vets consider this the best cat litter for multi-cat homes.

For those looking to keep an extra eye on their cat’s health, PrettyLitter Health Monitoring Cat Litter is our veterinary panel’s top choice.

Made of silica gel, it’s formulated to change color based on your cat’s urine, providing a first-line alert to potential health issues like abnormal pH levels or the presence of blood.

“Cats can be great at hiding their illness, so using a color-changing, indicator litter can alert pet parents to changes in health before they may notice symptoms in their cats,” says one panelist.

Aside from that, our vets also praise its low-dust formula and long-lasting odor control.

While PrettyLitter can be more expensive than traditional litters—especially for multi-cat households—the extra peace of mind may be invaluable.

An important note from our vets: PrettyLitter Health Monitoring Cat Litter shouldn’t be treated as a diagnostic tool. However, it may offer valuable early warnings that may prompt you to consult your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis.