A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Cat Litter

Choosing a cat litter sounds simple enough, but there are more types of cat litter available today than ever before. Clay-based litter is by far the most popular choice—more than 50% of cat litters are made from clay according to sales data from Chewy.com. But pet parents searching for alternatives to clay will also find cat litter made from other materials, such as wood, silica, soybeans, corn, wheat, and more.

To get an up-close look at the various types of cat litter available, check out our video from Cats.com contributor Sarah, who has personally tested many of the different types of liter with her own cat, Gordon.



If you’re wondering what your options are, read on for our guide to types of cat litter. We’ll explore the different types of cat litter in order of popularity, according to Chewy.com cat litter sales data. For each type of cat litter, find out what’s available, how it performs, pros and cons, price point, and average review on Chewy.com.

1. Clay Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.06
• Average review: 4.03/5

Clay cat litter has been around the longest—it was the original commercial product intended to be used in a cat’s litter box. Of all the different types of cat litter, clay cat litters are the most popular and generally the most affordable. Clay cat litter can be clumping or non-clumping, but clumping cat litter is more popular.

With daily scooping, clumping litter stays fresh and absorbent for a long time (up to a week) before you have to dump and refill it. Clay litter comes in many different formulas, including low-dust, low-tracking, lightweight, and unscented.

Also Read: Best Cat Litters on the Market Today

Clay cat litter works well. It’s highly absorbent, easy for cats to dig in, soft on paws, and controls odors well. Most cats like using clay cat litter—a very important consideration when choosing a cat litter! Clumping, unscented cat litter is a universal favorite of cats and cat owners especially for multi cat households.

Clay litter does have some downsides. Cats tend to scatter and track clay litter, and it can create dust, which can be harmful to cats with asthma or breathing issues. Clay litter is also heavy, which can pose problems for some people who find it difficult to lift heavy litter containers and pour litter into the box. Finally, clay cat litter is not environmentally friendly.

It’s made from bentonite clay and must be strip mined from the ground. Clay litter is also not biodegradable. Pet parents who wish to reduce their impact on the environment often turn to alternative litters, many of which are renewable, sustainable, and/or biodegradable litter.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Easy to clean
• Highly absorbent
• Provides excellent odor control
• Cats like the texture
• Highly rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Dust can bother sensitive cats or owners
• Scatters and tracks easily
• Not environmentally friendly
• Heavy

2. Wood Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.58
• Average review: 3.81/5

Wood-based cat litters rank second in terms of popularity, but there are far fewer options compared to clay litters. Wood-based cat litter comprised just 12% of the market share for cat litter products. Chewy offers about 50 wood cat litters compared to more than 200 clay litters. Wood-based litters are slightly more expensive per pound compared to the most clay litters, but still very affordable.

Wood litters may be clumping or non-clumping. Pine is commonly used in wood-based litters, though you will also find litter made from cedar, fir, cypress, spruce, and bamboo, as well as blends of these woods. Wood-based litters are a great option if you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment.

They are biodegradable (some are compostable) and renewable—many wood litters repurpose by-product materials from the wood industry. Most contain no chemicals and produce very little dust. Wood litters are also lighter than clay litters, which is a bonus when lifting bags or boxes of litter.

Wood cat litters aren’t perfect. They are not as absorbent as clay litters, which means they won’t control odors as well. Additionally, most wood cat litters smell strongly of wood, something that might or might not be an issue for you or your cat. Some cats dislike the texture of wood litters, especially pelleted litters.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Highly rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Some cats might not like the texture or smell

3. Silica Gel (Crystal) Litter

• Average price per pound: $3.35
• Average review: 3.42/5

Silica gel cat litter (often called crystal cat litter) is the third most popular type of cat litter, making up about 9% of cat litters sold. They are made from silica, a substance that is related to quartz and sand. Silica gel cat litters are lightweight, highly absorbent, and provide excellent odor control.

Silica doesn’t clump; instead, urine is absorbed into the crystals. With proper maintenance (scooping solid waste daily and stirring the litter to evenly distribute dry crystals throughout the box) silica gel lasts a long time between complete litter changes.

Like clay cat litters, silica litters are mined from the earth, so they are not as environmentally friendly as wood and other litters made from renewable materials. Like clay litter, silica gel can create dust, which might bother cats with respiratory issues.

Silica gel litters are non-clumping, but they absorb urine and trap odors effectively. Some crystal litters are somewhat large and rough-textured, which some cats might not like. Others have a smaller and softer design.

What We Liked:

• Easy to clean
• Highly absorbent
• Excellent odor control
• Long lasting
• Lightweight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Expensive
• Dust can bother sensitive cats or owners
• Some cats might not like the texture
• Not environmentally friendly

4. Corn Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.47
• Average review: 3.86/5

Corn cat litter can be made from ground corn kernels or ground corn cobs. Corn-based cat litter has a natural clumping ability thanks to the starch found in corn. Corn litter is highly absorbent and low in dust, and it’s generally lighter than clay litter. It is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable cat litter, making it a good choice for pet parents who are concerned about the environment.

Some corn litters can be flushed (small amounts only). Corn litter costs a little more than clay litter, but it’s an affordable alternative to clay. Corn litters account for approximately 7% of the market share for cat litter.

An issue regarding cat litter made from organic materials and food products is the fact that they are more susceptible to problems like mold or bugs, so it’s very important to store the litter carefully and to clean the litter box frequently so wet litter doesn’t sit.

Although very absorbent, corn litter doesn’t provide great odor control once it becomes saturated, so the litter might need to be entirely changed out more often than clay or silica litter.

Even though corn cat litter is not meant to be eaten, it’s important to note that corn litter is not an appropriate choice for cats with allergies or intolerances to corn since it’s possible for the cat to ingest small amounts of any litter when they self-groom.

Although some corn litters are very finely ground and soft, some cats might not like the texture of brands with coarser granules or pellets. Some cat owners find that corn litter tends to track considerably outside the litter box.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Highly rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Not appropriate for cats with corn allergies or intolerances
• Susceptible to mold or insects
• Tends to track (fine granular corn litters)

5. Wheat Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.52
• Average review: 3.96/5

Wheat cat litter can be made from whole wheat grains or wheat byproducts like husks and bran. Like corn cat litter, wheat-based cat litter is naturally clumping due to the starch found in wheat. It’s absorbent and low in dust, and weighs less than clay litter.

Wheat cat litter is very eco-friendly. It’s natural, renewable, and biodegradable; some wheat litters are even designed to be flushed in small amounts. Wheat litter has a similar price point as corn litter—slightly higher than clay litter, but still affordable. Wheat cat litters account for approximately 4.5% of the market share for cat litter.

As with corn litter, wheat litter is not a good choice for cats with wheat allergies or intolerances due to the possibility of ingesting small amounts of the litter when they groom after using the litter box. It’s also susceptible to becoming moldy or bug-infested, so store wheat litter carefully and scoop and clean the box frequently.

Although it’s very absorbent, wheat litter won’t provide great odor control once it becomes saturated. Wheat litter needs to be dumped and replaced more frequently than clay or silica litter. Although wheat litter is very soft, some cats might not like the texture. Fine-grained wheat litters tend to track outside the litter box.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Highly rated
• Soft on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Not appropriate for cats with wheat allergies or intolerances
• Susceptible to mold or insects
• Tends to track (fine granular wheat litters)

6. Grass Litter

• Average price per pound: $2.46
• Average review: 3.95/5

Another plant-based option, grass cat litter can be made with grass seeds or grass fibers. Grass litter makes up about 4.5% of the litter market. It is more expensive than corn or wheat litter, but in line with the average price of cat litter (which is $2.44 per pound). Grass cat litter is environmentally friendly as it is made from sustainable resources and is biodegradable. It is lightweight, forms clumps, and is soft on cats’ paws.

Because grass litter is so light, it can be prone to tracking. It can also develop mold if it becomes wet, so proper storage and regular scooping is important. Finally, cats with grass allergies should not use grass cat litter. If your cat is strictly indoors, you might not know if they have a grass allergy, so be on the lookout for itchy, red, irritated skin or hair loss.

What We Liked:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Highly rated
• Soft on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Tends to track
• Susceptible to mold
• Not suitable for cats with grass allergies

7. Walnut Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.15
• Average review: 3.84/5

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to clay cat litter, walnut litter checks a lot of boxes. Made from walnut shells—a byproduct of the walnut industry that would otherwise be thrown away—walnut litter is renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable. It’s absorbent, lightweight, soft, low in dust, and clumping.

Some pet owners like the fact that the dark color of walnut litter camouflages what’s in the litter box, so it doesn’t look as yucky. After clay, walnut litter is the second-most affordable cat litter. It has about 3% of the litter market share.

Walnut litter is not a good choice if anyone in your family (or anyone who visits) is allergic to walnuts. Also, the lightweight, dark litter is prone to tracking and might stain light-colored carpets or furniture.

Like other litters made from organic materials, walnut cat litter has the potential to become moldy if the litter box is not scooped frequently; unused litter must be stored away from moisture. This type of litter needs to be cleaned and completely changed more often than clay or silica litters.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Highly rated
• Soft on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Tends to track
• Susceptible to mold
• Not suitable for households with nut allergies

8. Tofu/Soybean Litter

• Average price per pound: $3.69
• Average review: 3.62/5

Tofu/soybean litter is one of the more expensive cat litters available (only hemp is more expensive). It makes up about 2.5% of the market share. Tofu/soybean litter is made from soybeans or from the byproducts leftover from making tofu (which is made from soybeans).

Tofu/soybean litter is lightweight, low tracking, and contains little dust. It is absorbent and has strong clumping properties. This plant-based litter is an environmentally friendly option as it’s renewable and biodegradable.

Like other eco-friendly litters, tofu/soybean litter is susceptible to mold if not properly stored. This can be especially problematic in humid environments. As with other litter made from food sources, tofu/soybean litter is not a good choice for cats with soy allergies or intolerances.

Although it’s absorbent, this type of litter will quickly become saturated so it needs to be changed out more often than clay or silica litters. Most tofu/soybean cat litters are pelleted, so some cats might not like the texture.

What We Liked:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Low tracking

What We Didn’t Like:

• Expensive
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Not appropriate for cats with soy allergies or intolerances
• Susceptible to mold
• Cats might not like the texture

9. Paper Litter

• Average price per pound: $1.35
• Average review: 3.75/5

Made from recycled or reclaimed paper processed into pellets, this type of litter is very eco-friendly (it’s also biodegradable). Paper cat litter is lightweight, low in dust, and affordable. Because the paper pellets can’t get into wounds, it’s often recommended for kittens and cats that are recovering from surgery.

Paper doesn’t perform as well as many other cat litters. It’s absorbent, but it does not clump and quickly becomes saturated, so it needs to be cleaned and completely replaced more frequently than clay or silica litters. It also has little odor control. Not all cats like the texture of pelleted litters, including paper.

What We Liked:

• Affordable
• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Low tracking
• Lightweight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Some cats might not like the texture

10. Cassava Litter

• Average price per pound: $2.82
• Average review: 3.41/5

Cassava litter is made from the root of the cassava plant, which is a starchy tuber similar to a potato. Cassava-based cat litter has a natural clumping ability because the cassava root is high in starch. However, the clumps might not hold together as well as clay. Cassava litter is absorbent, low in dust, and lightweight. It’s also renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable, making it very eco-friendly.

Some cassava litters are designed to be flushed in small amounts. Cassava litters account for slightly more than 1% of the market share for cat litter. In terms of price, cassava litters are more expensive than average.

As with other cat litters made from food, cassava litter is more susceptible to developing mold or insect infestations. It’s vital to store the litter carefully and to clean the litter box frequently so wet litter doesn’t sit. Cassava litter needs to be entirely changed out more often than clay or silica litter. Because most cassava litters are finely ground and soft, they tend to track.

What We Liked:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Soft on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Expensive
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Susceptible to mold or insects
• Tends to track

11. Pea Husk Litter

• Average price per pound: $2.09
• Average review: 4.53/5

Pea husk litter is very similar to tofu/soybean litter. It makes up only about 0.5% of the market share. Though more expensive than clay litter, peak husk litter is below average in price across all litter types. Pea husk litter is made from the byproducts leftover from the pea industry.

Pea husk litter is lightweight, low tracking, and contains little dust. It is absorbent and forms clumps when wet. This plant-based litter is an eco-friendly option as it’s sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable.

Like other litters made from organic materials, pea husk litter is susceptible to developing mold and bugs if the litter box isn’t scooped regularly and if the unused litter is not stored properly.

Though not intended to be eaten, pea husk litter is not a good choice for cats with pea allergies as they might consume small amounts when grooming. It’s very lightweight, which means it tends to track. Pea husk litter is absorbent, but becomes saturated quickly so it needs to be changed out more often than clay or silica litters.

What We Liked:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight
• Low tracking
• Highly rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Not appropriate for cats with soy allergies or intolerances
• Susceptible to mold
• Cats might not like the texture

12. Hemp Litter

• Average price per pound: $5.40
• Average review: 2.55/5

With an average price of $5.40 per pound, hemp litter is the most expensive type of cat litter available. Interestingly, it also has the lowest user ratings among all litter types. Hemp litter makes up only about 0.5% of the market share, and there are just a handful of brands to choose from.

One of the biggest selling points of hemp litter is its eco-friendliness. Hemp is a sustainable and renewable resource that needs very little water to grow. Hemp is also biodegradable and some hemp litters can be flushed in small amounts. Hemp litter is also low in dust and lightweight.

Hemp litter may be pelleted or granular. Granular litters are more prone to tracking. Though absorbable, hemp must be scooped and replaced more frequently than clay or silica litter. Hemp can develop mold if not properly cleaned and stored, though this seems to be less of an issue with hemp compared to other litters made from organic materials, such as corn or wheat.

What We Liked:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust
• Lightweight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Expensive
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Might not control odors as well as clay or silica
• Requires more frequent scooping and litter changes
• Susceptible to mold or insects

Types of Cat Litter Compared

The Bottom Line

There’s no shortage of cat litter products on today’s market to fit many budgets and preferences. Clay and silica gel litters get some of the highest performance marks, but if you’re wanting to use something more natural and environmentally friendly, you’ll find plenty of litters made from organic materials.

When trying out a new litter, always keep an extra litter box filled with your old cat’s litter just in case they don’t like the new stuff. If your cat won’t use the new litter, consider trying something else. In the end, a litter product is only good it if your cat will use it!