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5 Best Litter for Cats with Asthma (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

gray kitten sitting in litter box

5 Best Litter for Cats with Asthma (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

gray kitten sitting in litter box_Andrey Khusnutdinov_shutterstock It can be tough to parent a cat when they have asthma, particularly because of cat litter. The tiny particles and dust that get kicked up when a cat litter box is being cleaned can really affect asthma-suffering cats. Many people therefore look for alternative litter box options, even though many of them can be pricey and questionable when it comes to performance.

In serious cases, cats are given away because their human parents can’t figure out how to improve their asthma-suffering cat’s quality of life. Fortunately, many cat litter products are now available that can help minimize asthma symptoms that occur in cats. This can help both you and your cat live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled life overall.

So, we have decided to find the best litter for cats with asthma. We put together reviews of the best-rated cat litter on the market for cats that suffer from asthma — just choose your favorite, and chances are that your cat’s quality of life will improve!

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Dr. Elsey's Respiratory Relief Cat Litter Dr. Elsey's Respiratory Relief Cat Litter
  • Clumps quickly
  • Over 99% dust-free
  • Easy to use and manage
  • Best Value
    Second place
    sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Cat Litter sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
  • Made specifically for multi-cat households
  • Unscented to please sensitive noses
  • Eco-friendly
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    World's Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter World's Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter
  • Fast clumping action
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Infused with natural lavender scent
  • Arm & Hammer Platinum Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Arm & Hammer Platinum Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
  • Allergen-free
  • 7 days of odor-free performance
  • Dust-free formula
  • SmartCat 6506 All-Natural Clumping Litter SmartCat 6506 All-Natural Clumping Litter
  • No added perfumes or dyes
  • Virtually odorless formula
  • Made from natural grass fibers
  • Top 5 Best Litters for Cats with Asthma

    1. Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Cat Litter — Best Overall 1Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    This clumping clay cat litter is designed to provide relief to cats of all ages that are suffering from respiratory problems, including asthma. Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief cat litter is hypoallergenic and free of perfumes, artificial deodorants, and proteins from plants. This litter is formulated to minimize dust by more than 99% and includes natural essences that help reduce overall stress.

    This cat litter offers awesome odor control, so you won’t smell your kitty’s business throughout the day. It works with both regular and mechanical litter boxes. Therefore, there is no need to invest in a special one to use this litter. Simply fill your cat litter box about 4 inches full of this litter, then scoop the clumps away once or twice a day to keep the box clean and your cat free of asthma symptoms. It’s a little more expensive than many other options on the market, but the cost is well worth the health of a kitty family member.

    To conclude, we think this is the overall best litter for cats with asthma.

    Pros
    • Clumps quickly
    • Over 99% dust-free
    • Easy to use and manage
    Cons
    • More expensive than other options on the market

    2. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Cat Litter – Best Value 6sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

    Made especially for multi-cat homes, this unscented litter is perfect for small apartments and large houses alike. It offers long-lasting odor control that not only hides the odor but also neutralizes it for true fresh air throughout your home. The starches in the wheat clump up quickly and noticeably, so you always know when it is time to change the litter box.

    It is an eco-friendly formula product that is completely biodegradable and can be composted with your yard waste rather than put into the garbage bin. Furthermore, you will never find any hidden dyes or unnatural ingredients lurking within this cat litter formula that could cause your cat’s asthma symptoms to act up.

    Pros
    • Made specifically for multi-cat households
    • Unscented to please sensitive noses
    Cons
    • Clumps tend to fall apart during cleaning
    • Odors may develop while scooping

    3. World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter — Premium Choice 3World's Best Lavender Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

    This is another excellent clumping cat litter that is laced with natural lavender oil to help relieve your cat’s stress and asthma symptoms. Your home will never smell of ammonia or urine, thanks to this low-dust formula. The clumping action works quickly, so you can easily scoop the dirty litter out and keep your cat box clean throughout the day.

    This is an environmentally friendly product that will not make a negative impact on your household’s carbon footprint. In fact, it is flushable, which makes it easy to work with and will save you time in the long run. Also, no silica dust is present in this formula, which will help your cat breathe better as time goes on. However, the downside is that some cats and/or owners simply don’t enjoy the lavender scent of the litter.

    Pros
    • Fast clumping action
    • Infused with a natural lavender scent
    • Environmentally friendly
    Cons
    • The lavender scent may not be pleasurable to all cats and owners

    4. Arm & Hammer Platinum Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter 4Arm & Hammer Litter Platinum Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    Another dust-free option, Arm & Hammer Platinum Scented Clumping Clay is a high-quality litter that no cat owner dealing with asthma symptoms should ignore. It is completely allergen-free and guarantees a full 7 days of odor control between full litter box changes. This cat litter formula is derived from plant fibers, which offer optimum urine absorption and clump creating.

    Once the clumps are created, you can easily scoop them out to create a clean little box without having to completely change it. This cat litter for cats with asthma has micro-particles to ensure that your kitty’s paws stay safe and unscathed while using their bathroom area. This clumping litter even helps trap dander as your cat moves inside of it, which will help keep your home cleaner and your chores list shorter.

    Pros
    • The dust-free formula keeps the surrounding area clean
    • Allergen-free
    • Guarantees 7 days of odor-free performance
    Cons
    • Can be tough to clean out the corners of the cat box when emptying
    • Can be more easily tracked around the house than other options on our list

    5. SmartCat 6506 All-Natural Clumping Litter 5SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter

    This stuff looks just like traditional cat litter, but it is almost completely dust-free. This litter starts clumping up immediately after being exposed to feces and urine. It continues to solidify as time goes on, making it easy to clean up at the end of a long day.

    With no added perfumes or artificial scents added, it is hard to believe that the litter box can’t be smelled throughout the house. But the truth is that you won’t notice any odors around the house when using this cat litter for asthmatic cats — even if you aren’t the perfect litter box cleaner-upper. It’s made from grass, so you can have peace of mind knowing that it won’t harm your environment or impact your cat’s asthma issues.

    Pros
    • No added perfumes or dyes
    • Virtually odorless formula
    • Made from natural grass fibers
    Cons
    • Can be tough to scoop compared to fast-clumping formulas
    • Isn’t as eye-appealing as other options on our list

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    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Litter for Cats with Asthma

    Now that you have a good idea of what kinds of cat litter are available for your asthma-prone cat, you must decide which one to invest in. Hopefully, the following buyer’s guide will help you decide which type of cat litter would be best for your household. Here is what you need to know.

    Know Your Scooping Preferences

    It’s a good idea to make sure that you know what your scooping preferences are before choosing a new kitty litter to invest in. Do you prefer the litter to clump up before scooping it clean, or would pellet-style litter that expands be more convenient for you? You are responsible for cleaning the litter box out, not your cat. So aside from odor control, your scooping preferences should be your biggest consideration when comparing litter options.

    If you aren’t sure what your scooping preferences are, pick up a few inexpensive litters at the grocery store that have different scooping options. Choose one that clumps, one that expands, and one that hardens, then try each one at home to see what you and your cat like best. Then, you can choose a high-quality option that will help you effectively manage your cat’s asthma symptoms.

    What’s Controlling the Odor?

    Most cat litters feature some kind of odor control to help keep households smelling fresh even when the litter box isn’t completely clean. However, not all odor control ingredients are created equally. Some litters harbor artificial scents that could exasperate your cat’s asthma problems. Others include essential oils that don’t always agree with some cats, whether due to a dislike of the smell or an allergy reaction. Still, others rely on the litter itself to absorb odors and keep things smelling fresh at home — but they don’t always perform as well as litters that include some kind of scent.

    Talk to your veterinarian to find out whether there are any allergy issues to be aware of when deciding what type of odor control your new cat litter should have. No matter which one you choose to invest in, make sure it doesn’t include any artificial scents or odor-blocking technology, as you never know how the artificial ingredients will affect your cat.

    Pay Attention to the Packaging

    It is also important to pay close attention to the packaging when choosing a new litter for your cat. If the packaging doesn’t stay sealed between uses, the litter inside can become damp or get dirty and thus, no longer usable. Your new cat litter should be in a package that is resealable or stiff enough to stay closed when you fold it.

    If you are unsure of whether a product’s litter packaging will stay closed but you don’t want to choose another product, invest in a large bag clip so you can secure the packaging closed if necessary and ensure that the litter inside won’t succumb to the elements.

    cat paw dividerConclusion

    We believe that all the cat litters on our reviews list are worthy of your attention, especially if you’re caring for a cat that has asthma problems. We especially like Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief cat litter because it performs well and seems to minimize symptoms of asthma.

    Always look for an eco-friendly option when possible, and never be afraid to try something new. You can always consult with your veterinarian when in doubt.


    Featured Image Credit: Andrey Khusnutdinov, Shutterstock

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