In many ways, cats are relatively independent and self-sufficient pets. Some of the perks of living with cats are that they can self-groom and use a litter box whenever they have to relieve themselves. While litter boxes are quite convenient, a common issue is the amount of dust and tracking that some cat litter can cause. High volumes of dust don’t just cause a mess. They can also agitate allergies and make breathing difficult.
You can find many different types of cat litter, and some of them can be less dusty than others. To save you some time, we’ve done the research and have reviews of some of the best low-dust cat litters you can find today.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall | Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Clumping Cat Litter |
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Best Value | Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice | PrettyLitter Cat Litter |
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Best for Kittens | SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter |
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Naturally Fresh Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter |
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The 10 Best Low-Dust Cat Litters
1. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Overall
Material: | Clay |
Scented: | No scent |
We rank Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter as the best overall low-dust cat litter for several reasons. First, it’s designed to be safe for cats with respiratory issues by being 99.9% dust-free and having a hypoallergenic formula. It doesn’t contain any plant proteins, perfumes, or deodorants, but it’s infused with natural essences to help reduce stress in cats.
The cat litter is made with medium-sized clay granules that clump quickly for easy cleanup and scooping. It’s also compatible with sifting and mechanical litter boxes and won’t cause them to get jammed. The only issue we can really find about this cat litter is that the granules may be a little too big for cats with sensitive paws. Fortunately, Dr. Elsey also creates cat litter specifically designed for sensitive paws, and the formula is relatively similar. So, you can try using that cat litter if your cat really doesn’t like this one.
- 99.9% dust-free formula
- Unscented and hypoallergenic
- Infused with natural essences to reduce stress
- Compatible with mechanical litter boxes
- Granules may be too big for cats with sensitive paws
2. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Value
Material: | Clay |
Scented: | Fresh scent |
Arm & Hammer produces a reputable line of cat litter, and this variety is one of the best low-dust cat litters for the money. It has a powerful odor-trapping formula that can neutralize litter box odors for up to 7 days, and it’s strong enough to keep up with multi-cat homes. This cat litter is composed of small granules that are both non-stick and moisture-locking, so it helps reduce tracking around the house. It’s also very easy to scoop and spot-clean litter boxes throughout the week.
While this cat litter’s formula is supposed to be low dust, it contains baking powder. It ends up getting a little powdery as you reach the bottom of the box, and you might notice some increased tracking. Sifting the cat litter around before scooping it into the litter box can help reduce tracking.
- Can neutralize odors for 7 days
- Non-stick, moisture-locking formula
- Reduces tracking
- Can get powdery
3. PrettyLitter Cat Litter – Premium Choice
Material: | Silica-based gel |
Scented: | No scent |
If you’re looking to splurge on your cat, PrettyLitter Cat Litter is an excellent choice that’ll let you experience benefits for the price you pay. This cat litter may look similar to crystalline silica, but it’s actually made with non-toxic silica-based gel that’s also not chemically reactive. It’s virtually dust-free and unscented, so it’s a considerable option for people and cats that have perfume allergies or sensitivities. The cat litter also has a long-lasting formula that can last for up to 2 months.
Another great thing about this cat litter is that it changes colors based on your cat’s urine composition. It can help detect potential health issues and can be particularly helpful if you have cats prone to urinary infections and bladder stones. So, even though it’s pretty expensive, it provides the added benefit of helping you monitor your cat’s health. Just keep in mind that while this cat litter is highly absorbent, it’s not designed to clump. So, it’s not very compatible with many types of mechanical litter boxes.
- Made with non-toxic silica-based gel
- Long-lasting formula
- Helps detect potential health issues
- Not compatible with many mechanical litter boxes
4. SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter – Best for Kittens
Material: | Grass |
Scented: | No scent |
This cat litter is made with 100% non-GMO grass and is a safe, natural option for kittens. It’s 99% dust-free and clay-free and reduces tracking around the house. So, you’ll spend less time cleaning up your home and have more time to play with your energetic and playful kitten.
The texture of this cat litter is soft and gentle on a kitten’s sensitive paws. Despite being clay-free, it clumps surprisingly well and is easy to clean up. It’s also fragrance-free and won’t irritate your kitten’s senses. So, even though this cat litter is on the pricier end, it’s a gentle and safe option for kittens.
- Made with 100% non-GMO grass
- Low-tracking formula
- Soft, comfortable texture
- Fragrance-free
- Relatively expensive
5. Naturally Fresh Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
Material: | Walnut |
Scented: | No scent |
This walnut-based cat litter is an excellent option if you’re looking to shop consciously. It’s made with 100% natural walnut shells that are completely biodegradable. It’s also free of any chemicals, toxins, clay, and grains, so it’s a completely safe option for all cats to use. This cat litter also locks in moisture and produces clumps within 15 minutes so that you don’t have to worry about moisture collecting at the bottom of the litter box. It’s also easy to scoop and makes litter box cleanup much easier and more convenient.
You’ll notice that this cat litter has larger granules, which helps to prevent tracking. They’re also pretty soft, so your cat most likely won’t be irritated by them. However, they can get stuck between paw pads and may follow cats as they leave their litter box. This issue can often be resolved by purchasing a larger cat mat that’ll catch any stray granules.
- Completely biodegradable
- Produces clumps within 15 minutes
- Low-tracking
- Granules may get stuck on paws
6. Nature’s Miracle Premium Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
Material: | Corn |
Scented: | Light Pine Scent |
Nature’s Miracle excels in creating pet products that trap and reduce pet odors. This clumping corn cat litter is 95% plant-based and is formulated to start trapping odors on contact. It clumps really well and absorbs twice as much moisture as traditional clay cat litter. It also doesn’t contain any pine oil but has a mild fresh pine scent so that your home won’t be permeated with harsh artificial fragrances.
Just keep in mind that this cat litter is also prone to tracking. So, you’ll probably need a larger cat mat to prevent the cat litter from spreading around your floors and getting on your furniture.
- Starts trapping odors on contact
- Highly absorbent
- Has pleasant mild pine scent
- Tracks easily
7. Boxiecat Premium Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Material: | Clay |
Scented: | No scent |
This cat litter by Boxiecat is made with 100% all-natural clumping clay. It’s highly absorbent and works well with multi-cat homes, and you can also use it with mechanical litter boxes. It’s made with an advanced dust suppression process to ensure that it’s dust-free. It works to eliminate ammonia odors and is completely scent-free, so it’s a considerable option for allergy sufferers.
The litter also clumps really well and forms flat-top clumps that form at the top of the litter box. This makes scooping much easier, and moisture won’t reach the bottom of the litter box. However, most users experience tracking issues as this litter tends to stick to cats’ paws in clumps. Another inconvenient factor to consider is that this litter is also pretty heavy and can be difficult to carry.
- Highly absorbent
- Compatible with mechanical litter boxes
- Flat-top clumps stay on surface of litter box
- Tracks easily
- Litter is heavy
8. Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
Material: | Recycled paper |
Scented: | No scent |
Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is another eco-friendly cat litter that’s made with 100% biodegradable recycled paper. The pellets are extremely soft and comfortable for cats, and they also retain their form to prevent sticking and tracking. Unlike many biodegradable cat litters, this cat litter is relatively affordable, and you can usually find price reductions if you purchase bags of larger sizes.
This cat litter is also highly absorbent and contains baking soda to trap odors. However, it doesn’t tend to lock odors for too long. So, if your cat urinates frequently, you’ll notice that you’ll have to switch out the cat litter more often due to the odor.
- Made with 100% biodegradable recycled paper
- Pellets are soft on paws
- Relatively affordable eco-friendly option
- Doesn’t trap odors well
9. Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter Pellets Refill
Material: | Clay |
Scented: | No scent |
If you’re experiencing issues with tracking, it’s worth considering this Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter. It does require purchasing a Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter Box System, which is a special litter box that has an absorbent lining on the bottom. However, since the pellets are larger, they greatly reduce sticking and tracking, and they’re 99.9% dust-free. The clay pellets are also moisture-wicking and designed to let urine and moisture seep into the bottom lining of the litter box to maintain dryness and trap odors. This cat litter typically lasts one month for single cats, and cleanup is also relatively quick and easy.
- Pellets reduce sticking and tracking
- Moisture-wicking pellets
- Cat litter stays dry for longer
- Requires purchasing special cat litter system
10. World’s Best Low-Tracking & Dust Control Multiple Cat Litter
Material: | Corn |
Scented: | No scent |
This cat litter by World’s Best is made with eco-friendly whole-kernel corn pellets. The pellets are both highly absorbent and flushable, and they make scooping and cleaning an easy and quick process. They’re also larger and do a good job of preventing sticking and tracking.
However, while this cat litter tends to reduce tracking greatly, it doesn’t do as great of a job absorbing odors. It’s also easier for urine to pool at the bottom of the litter box, so it’s important to make sure there’s a good layer of cat litter inside the litter box at all times.
- Made with eco-friendly materials
- Pellets are flushable
- Prevents sticking and tracking
- Doesn’t absorb odors well
- Doesn’t hold moisture well
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Low Dust Cat Litter
Low-dust cat litter is especially beneficial for both cats and humans that suffer from allergies or other respiratory issues. If you’re looking for low-dust cat litter due to health concerns, it’s also helpful to look for cat litter that has these other qualities.
Unscented Cat Litter
Adding perfumes and fragrances is one way to prevent cat urine odors from permeating throughout the home. However, these scents can be particularly strong and cause irritation for both cats and humans with fragrance sensitivities or allergies. Fortunately, you can find unscented cat litter. Just make sure that it’s infused with a reliable odor-locking formula to keep your house smelling fresh.
Odor Control
While the most effective way to control litter box odors is to stick to a litter box cleaning routine, purchasing the right cat litter can help keep cat waste odors at bay. So, when shopping for cat litter, make sure that the cat litter has some sort of ingredient or formula that helps control odors. Cat litter that also traps and absorbs moisture quickly is also often better with preventing odors from permeating beyond the litter box.
Combating tough cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet parents but luckily, there are products out there designed to help! Two products that significantly reduce odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray. Find out which is better suit to your needs with our breakdown of each product below. At Catster, 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 cat company!
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder
Eliminates smells
Removes stains
Unscented
Light fresh scent
Works on multiple surfaces
Neutralizes odor within cat litter
Tracking
It’s inevitable that some cat litter tracking will occur, but the type of cat litter can help reduce tracking. In general, cat litter with medium-sized granules tends to cause less tracking than cat litter with a finer consistency. However, some cats may not like the feeling of the granules on their paws. You can try to address this by choosing cat litter that’s made with softer materials like paper or wheat.
Material
These days, you can find cat litter made of all kinds of materials. Some popular choices include clay, silica gel, corn, and paper. While 100% dust-free cat litter doesn’t exist, some materials tend to have less dust than others. Cat litter composed of larger granules or pellets often tends to have less dust. So, you’ll find that cat litters made of walnut, corn, or paper often have lower dust levels. You can find some low-dust clay cat litter, but just make sure that the label specifically indicates that the litter has a low-dust formula.
Our Low-Dust Cat Litters Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best low-dust cat litters for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about low-dust cat litters. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Out of our reviews, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is the best low-dust cat litter because it’s unscented, hypoallergenic, and relatively affordable. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a considerable budget-friendly option. PrettyLitter Cat Litter is an excellent premium cat litter that also helps you monitor your cat’s health.
Fortunately, you can find a good variety of low-dust cat litter made of different kinds of materials. So, with some trial and error, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your cat.
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock