Cat litter has never been a friend to cat owners. It tends to get tracked all over the house, and worse, it ends up creating a bunch of dust that is harmful to ingest and unpleasant to clean off the furniture and décor. Luckily, cat litter manufacturers have caught on to customers’ distaste for dust, and now there are various dust-free options available on the market.
However, with so many options available, how can a cat owner know which dust-free litters are the best, and which should be left on the shelf? The best dust-free cat litters are often overlooked when cat owners work to create the ultimate potty experience for their furry family members. So, here are our reviews for the 9 best dust-free cat litters available this year.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | World’s Best Corn Cat Litter |
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Best Value | Dr. Elsey’s Clumping Clay Litter |
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Premium Choice | Okocat Dust-Free Paper Litter |
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Naturally Fresh Clumping Walnut Litter |
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Arm & Hammer Cat Litter |
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The 9 Best Dust-Free Cat Litters
1. World’s Best Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter — Best Overall
Weight: | 28 pounds |
Material: | Corn |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Odor Control, clumping action, flushable |
The World’s Best Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter is the overall best dust-free cat litter for a variety of reasons. First, it is made of all-natural ingredients, which means your family and your cat will not be exposed to toxins and contaminants as time goes on. Second, this litter is flushable, so there is no messy cleanup or need for garbage bags.
It can also be thrown in the compost pile in your yard or tossed in the trash. This litter is made of corn, so it is virtually dust-free. The unscented formula clumps too, so no wet litter needs to be scraped up from the bottom of the litter box. Another great thing about this cat litter is that it is lightweight, which makes transporting a full litter box easier and more convenient.
2. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Clumping Clay — Best Value
Weight: | 40 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Multi-cat, unscented, low tracking |
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay is the best dust-free cat litter for the money because it is affordable yet it performs as well as the highest quality and most expensive brands on the market. As a 99% dust-free formula, this clumping litter soaks up moisture quickly and prevents it from puddling up on the base of the litter pan.
The granules in this litter are small and smooth like clay (which is what it is made of), so it does not easily get tracked on paws throughout the house after a cat uses the bathroom. The litter clumps up and does not break apart while being cleaned out of the litter box. Even though it is unscented, this product does an excellent job of keeping unpleasant smells under control.
3. Okocat Dust-Free Clumping Paper Litter — Premium Choice
Weight: | 2 pounds |
Material: | Paper |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Unscented, flushable, eco-friendly |
Ococat Dust-Free Unscented Clumping Paper Litter is made of paper, so it offers the peace of mind that even cats with sensitive respiratory systems can use the litter without the worry of allergic symptoms or side effects. Each litter pellet is soft and squishy to the touch, which helps keep your kitty’s paws safe from scratches and abrasions.
When they come into contact with moisture, the little pellets absorb the liquid and start to puff up. When the litter box looks “puffy,” it is time to clean it out. Luckily, cleanup is easy due to a virtually dust-free experience. Since the litter is biodegradable, it can be recycled in the compost pile or flushed down the toilet.
4. Naturally Fresh Clumping Walnut Litter
Weight: | 26 pounds |
Material: | Walnut |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Multi-cat, low tracking, odor control |
Although most dust-free cat litters are appropriate for use by both kittens and adults, this one is especially accommodating to kittens because it does not typically stick onto paws and legs and get tracked around the house. Made of walnuts, Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Litter does an excellent job of keeping unpleasant odors under control. However, it’s not full-proof.
If you do not clean the litter box out a couple of times a week, chances are that some odors will start creeping up and reminding everyone that a litter box is present in the house. However, the litter does seem to absorb smells as well as, if not better than, corn, wheat, or clay litters do.
5. Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter
Weight: | 19 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Adults |
Features: | Odor control, clumping action, dust-free, multi-cat |
Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter is made up of a proprietary formula of micro-granules that are designed to absorb more than their weight in moisture. The granules contain baking soda to naturally absorb odors and keep the house smelling fresh and clean. This is a litter that can stand up to a week’s worth of use before the odor starts to creep out.
Although the litter is not completely dust-free, it causes little dust, and most owners do not notice it at all. One of the best things about this cat litter is that it is made of super soft granules that are easy on a cat’s paws. Kittens and older cats enjoy the massage-like feeling of traversing through their litter boxes.
6. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
Weight: | 40 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Multi-cat, clumping, low tracking |
Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay contains no known allergens such as plant proteins, dyes, or artificial scents. The litter is put through a de-dusting process before getting packaged for sale to ensure that your home will stay fresh and clean, even if multiple cats are using the litter box throughout the day. It is great at neutralizing ammonia odors, which can be a big problem for multi-cat households.
The litter granules are super small and resemble slightly coarse sand, which is something that your kitty is sure to appreciate while they navigate their litter box. While this litter does clump, the clumps tend to break apart during cleanup, so care must be taken to avoid making a mess on the floor.
7. Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Non-Clumping Litter
Weight: | 8 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Adults |
Features: | Scented, odor, and dust control |
Tidy Cats is a popular household name because it performs better than the average option on the marketplace. The Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Non-Clumping Clay Litter is no different. It has unique extended-release odor-neutralizing agents that work all day and night to keep ammonia and feces smells to a minimum. The litter does an excellent job of absorbing moisture so the litter box stays dry.
However, it does not clump, so cleanup takes more work. It can be tough to know when the litter box needs to be cleaned out because you can’t rely on clumping or odors to clue you in. Also, cats with allergies or respiratory problems should not use this litter because it contains perfumes.
8. Cat’s Pride Total Odor Control Unscented Clumping Clay
Weight: | 15 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Kittens, adults |
Features: | Unscented, low tracking, multi-cat |
This litter is extremely absorbent and creates tight clumps that will not fall apart when you are cleaning out your kitty’s litter box. The formula is almost dust-free, and it contains no artificial scents or synthetic materials. The litter itself is lightweight, making it easy to work with, whether you’re emptying and refilling a litter box or cleaning up the clumps.
Cat’s Pride Total Odor Control Unscented Clumping Clay has a patented odor control formula that helps keep urine odors at bay for up to 10 days at a time. This is the only cat litter formula on this reviews list that the American Humane Society endorses.
9. Frisco Multi-Cat Fresh Scented Clumping Litter
Weight: | 40 pounds |
Material: | Clay |
Life Stage: | Adults |
Features: | Clumping, multi-cat, low tracking |
The low-tracking, Frisco Multi-Cat Fresh Scented Clumping Litter is formulated with a unique odor technology that works to neutralize unwanted smells each time your kitty uses the litter box. This technology is activated when paws push the granules around. The granules are so fine, they create a dirt-like environment to accommodate your cat’s natural instincts.
Since the granules are so fine, you don’t have to worry about them sticking to your kitty’s paws every time they use the bathroom. This litter does include a scent that helps make the area around the litter box smell good, but the scent is artificial, so it could cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems in both cats and humans.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dust-Free Cat Litter
Now that we’ve covered the best dust-free cat litter available, we’ll look at what you should consider when comparing these types of litter.
Material
Clay may be the most common material used in cat litter because it’s a good one for fighting odors and easier to scoop, but it’s not usually the most dust-free option. Clay litter also isn’t biodegradable, which may be a concern for some. However, there are a few clay litters out there that are extremely low-dust.
If you want a genuinely dust-free cat litter, though, you’ll need to go with a cat litter made from a different material. As you’ve seen on this list, you can find litter made from walnuts, paper, and corn, all of which are virtually dust-free. You can also find litter made from other dust-free materials, such as silica gel, soybeans, and even wheat! Many of these have the bonus of being biodegradable, making cleaning out the litter box simpler.
Ingredients
What’s the difference between ingredients and materials? Ingredients are the extra things added to litter to help it smell nicer or have better absorbency and such. Some ingredients you may find in cat litter are perfumes, charcoal, baking soda, mineral oil, and polymers. Look carefully at the ingredients found in a cat litter to be sure they’re non-toxic and safe for your kitty. Felines are notorious for being big groomers, so you don’t want your pet to constantly step in something unhealthy for them and lick it off later.
Clumping or Non-Clumping
Clumping cat litter is popular because it makes cleaning the litter box simpler. Plus, with litter that clumps, so long as you scoop out the litter box each day, you can go up to a month without entirely replacing the litter or cleaning your cat’s litter box. But with non-clumping litter, you’ll need to clean the litter box each week (since urine can collect at the bottom with these types of litter) and fully replace the litter weekly, too. Non-clumping litter can be more work, but since the nearly dust-free types tend to be made of material other than clay, you may need to go with one.
Ability to Fight Odors
What’s the point of cat litter if it doesn’t control odors? (Okay, it does other stuff, too, but odor control is vital!) Luckily, cat litter comes with a variety of options for controlling odor, whether it’s baking soda, activated charcoal, or added fragrance. Having a cat litter that’s excellent at neutralizing odors is key, as it will help keep your cat’s litter box from smelling so bad that they decide to do their business outside of the box.
Keep in mind that some felines are sensitive to fragrances, particularly if they’re strong; you may need to go with a cat litter that is unscented but has baking soda or something similar to absorb odors.
Absorbency Rate
The higher the absorbance rate of the cat litter, the less you’ll need to scoop out the litter box. And the less you’re required to clean the litter box out, the longer your cat litter will last you. So, take a look at what kind of absorbency rate a cat litter has before purchasing it!
Price
The cost of a product is always a factor in determining what is best for you. Cat litters are relatively inexpensive, but you will find a few that are pricier, especially if they’re made from a material other than clay. Check out how long these sorts of litter have lasted for others to determine if it’s worth the higher price!
Reviews
Reading reviews from other cat parents who have used the litter you’re considering is a fabulous way of figuring out how well a cat litter works. Reviews are often more accurate and honest than the advertising for a product, so you’ll learn a lot by checking them out!
No matter what kind of litter you use, bad smells often linger. That's where an effective litter additive like Hepper's Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer can make a big difference.
This biodegradable deodorizer is fragrance-free and safe for all ages of cats and types of litter. It uses bio-enzymes to naturally get rid of odors and help your litter last longer.
At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool company!
Conclusion
Every dust-free cat litter option on this reviews list has benefits to offer. Don’t forget to check out our top pick for the best dust-free cat litter, World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter, as an option for your furry family member. It’s a flushable formula made with all-natural ingredients. A value option is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay. It’s a low-tracking formula that clumps up quickly and tightly.
If you are on the hunt for a litter that best accommodates kittens, consider Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter. It’s soft on kitten paws and cleans up easily. Of course, all the options on our reviews list are worthy of investment. Take your time and research each one to determine which will work best for your household and your kitty cat.
Featured Image Credit: Zoran Photographer, Shutterstock