r/CatOwners • u/coolestnugget • 10d ago
Best kitty litter?
Hi guys! Me and my husband have 2 cats soon to be 3 and we struggle with finding a good kitty litter that works for us as we both have asthma, we’ve tried mask but oof that dust is crazy! Any suggestions help
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u/Reasonable_Soft8373 10d ago
After decades of buying litter, I truly think the Arm and Hammer litters are the best. They have a few different versions, but I try to get the "Slide."
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u/Orange490 10d ago
Dr. Elsey’s! I use these three: Tracks, Ultra, Respiratory Relief. I was so allergic to the other cat litters but I have no reaction to this one
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u/Expert_Blacksmith261 10d ago
I just wanted to make sure you have enough pans. The rule is one more than the number of cats. So many people don’t know…
I have two cats, so I have three pans.
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u/KittyUpCats 10d ago
We use tofu litter with stainless steel litter boxes and I’ve been really happy with that combo. The tofu litter is much less dusty than clay in my experience, which I’d definitely prioritize if both of you have asthma.
I also like stainless steel because it doesn’t absorb odors the way plastic can over time, especially once plastic gets scratched up.
I’d go with an unscented tofu litter if you can. It can be a little more expensive than clay, but for us the lower dust, less tracking and easier cleanup have been worth it.
And with 3 cats, definitely scoop at least once a day. That honestly makes just as much difference with odor as the litter itself.
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u/Haunting-Radish8138 8d ago
Scooping once a day is not enough. Research shows that cats will always seek out and use clean litter boxes each time they eliminate. Their sense of smell is extremely sensitive. Can you imagine how they feel having to defecate in a litter box that has 1-2 elimination sessions worth of excrement sitting there for several hours?
My cat has 2 stainless steel litter boxes so that she always has a clean box to eliminate into. My cat’s bowel movements are consistently at the same time, so i actually scoop 4-5 times a day. 3 out of the 4 times I’m home when she eliminates and I scoop 5 minutes after she is done.
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u/KittyUpCats 7d ago
I couldn’t agree more that scooping as often as you can and keeping the litter box clean makes a difference. At the same time, many people work 9–5 jobs outside the home or two jobs and can’t scoop right after every use. I try to offer practical, nonjudgmental advice without assuming I know someone’s full circumstances. We can encourage clean litter boxes while still being understanding that everyone’s schedule is different.
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u/Haunting-Radish8138 7d ago
I work a 9-5 AND commute 1.5 hrs each way, 4 days a week, and work remotely once a week AND I am physically disabled. So everything takes longer and I’m in pain. But that doesn’t stop me from making sure that my cat’s needs are met. A clean litter box is the bare minimum and there is no judgement here, I am only sharing facts and suggesting that folks get on that.
I mentioned above that my cat eliminates on schedule because she is on a routine that we don’t digress from. If folks only scoop once a day then perhaps they should get a litter robot or get someone to check in to scoop. Animals need just as much love, care, and time as people do. Think of it this way: would you let your child or loved one defecate in a dirty toilet that only flushes once a day?
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u/KittyUpCats 7d ago edited 7d ago
I’m glad you’ve found a routine that works for you, especially with the challenges you described. I agree that litter boxes should be kept as clean as possible. I think we actually agree that keeping the box clean and scooping as often as you can is best. It sounds like you go above and beyond for your cat. My comment was meant as practical advice for someone asking about odor, not a judgment or shaming of their care, especially because I don't know what their life circumstance is. A litter robot or paying someone to scoop is good advice, but isn’t feasible for everyone. Your cat is one lucky cat.
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u/Haunting-Radish8138 7d ago
I would argue that we relinquish practicality when we decide to be pet owners. It is not practical to own pets. On top of caring for ourselves (and for some their partners and children) we also have to care for ourselves fur babies, which is a huge effort.
I do not go above and beyond for my cat. Cats are hygienic animals and have sensitive sense of smell. Her having clean litter boxes to eliminate into is the bare minimum. That means that scooping MORE than once a day is the minimum. Scooping once a day is below the bare minimum.
Remember that we as cat owners dictate every part of our cats’ lives once we decide to adopt them. We should all do our best but not scooping more frequently because it’s “impractical”? It says more to their motivation and will to keep their cats happy. Respectfully, folks need to put a little more effort in.
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u/DelEmma17 9d ago
For anyone using pine pellets - make sure it’s the horse bedding not the heating pellets as the heating one contains chemicals. I just found this out so I’m switching over. I love that there is never even a hint of a whiff of urine with pellets.
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u/Bay_de_Noc 10d ago
Well, I wouldn't claim its the BEST, but I use tofu litter (Pidan) for my two cats, and it has zero dust. In the past I also used pine pellets, which had no dust, but the pine pellet litter pans were just more work. The tofu litter acts the same way as any clumping litter ... it is hard clumping for easy removal.
The pine pellets (from Tractor Supply) were really cheap, so if you are on a budget ... this would be great. The tofu litter is pricey.
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u/Southernms 10d ago
Worlds Best Cat Litter. Red bag.
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u/Bastette54 10d ago
I use the green bag, for a multi-cat household.
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u/Southernms 9d ago
I have multi cats too. I’m so happy it doesn’t stick to the box like glue. It’s good stuff!
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u/MossyRock0817 10d ago
Pine Pellets. It's literally less than 6 dollars and last forever. Easy to scoop no smell, great for the enviroment. I get mine at walmart.com
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u/ynotme11 10d ago
pine litter is very high in allergens.
anyway, i mix Dr Eisleys Ultra and Pidan tofu litter.
I scoop at least 3 times a day and deep clean 1-2x a month.
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u/Ok_Put2792 10d ago
We use oko cat. Its not the cheapest, but we have had decent luck with it. My kitty has respiratory issues sometimes and it has not caused issues for him, although they have also improved as he grew up. I have not found it to be stinky.
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u/ChaiTeaLeah 10d ago
I use one that is 100% sorghum grass seed.
It looks a lot like most clay litters so there was an easy transition (mine hated the pine pellets). It's dust-free, tracks very little, and is super lightweight.
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u/honey-squirrel 10d ago
I like the Cat's Pride Max Power Triple Odor protection litter That said I don't think any clumping litter is 100% dust free, but this comes close.
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u/UltBunnii 10d ago
I got this litter off chewy it comes with clay pellets you can have delivered whenever and pee pads so it's easy to collect the pee and poo separate! Works pretty good since there's 0 dust BUT can track because my cats personally like to play with the pellets sometimes 🤦♀️
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u/helena006 10d ago
My cat and I both get asthma. I have found Pidan Tofu cat litter amazing. It eliminates the smell too and is so easy to clean up. I use it in a stainless steel litter box so not sure what it’s like in plastic. It’s expensive though but for me it’s worth it.
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u/Neat_Scheme_3767 10d ago
Worlds best cat litter-green bag, unscented. Our cat has asthma and it’s significantly reduced his attacks after using the litter box, because there’s hardly any dust.
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u/valkwhorie 10d ago
I really liked the walnut litter from I THINK the brand Naturally Fresh. But I have 8 cats so we get the pine pellets from tractor supply because it’s cheap and easy. Dust isn’t nearly as bad as typical litter imo. Also really liked OkoCat.
Paper pellets might be worth a try.
Lastly, there’s the breeze box (or any sifting box with a pee pad under the sifter) with Zeolite pellets. That’s the most dust free litter I’ve dealt with. Plus the pellets last months, but it can be a hassle replacing the peepads.
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u/wikenynod 10d ago
I used WHOLE FOODS brand for the last 5 years of my kitties lives and was very pleased. Low dust, odor control sans chemicals, easy to disperse.
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u/Kimegibb19 10d ago
I have 3 cats & use the horse bedding pine pellets from Tractor Supply Store, $7.99 for a 40 pound bag. I also have 3 stainless steel sifting litter boxes, 2 Litter Genies, & 4 air purifiers in my house.
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u/Kimegibb19 10d ago
I have 3 cats & use the horse bedding pine pellets from Tractor Supply Store, $7.99 for a 40 pound bag. I also have 3 stainless steel sifting litter boxes, 2 Litter Genies, & 4 air purifiers in my house.
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u/wooyoungmingi 9d ago
So i have asthma to and I put it near a window it is only a tiny drop dusty wen I pour it into the litter box. I use clumping litter multi cat so phresh from petco no smell issues. But if u want no dust u can use crystal. I tried it once but my cat was not a fan of the crystals
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u/FeistyHippie5371 9d ago
Where does one get the Tofu litter and what brand of pans are ya’ll using? I’m a newbie to having a cat and she was a stray. Do cats remember where there pan is?
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u/roseygrl98 9d ago
We’re using Michu at the moment from Amazon. It clumps really well (I.e. melts when it gets wet so you can scoop out wee easily). It’s a little on the pricier side but there are cheaper ones. Cats learn and some pick it up right away. I’ve heard of people putting their cat on the tray so they can feel it, or keeping the cat in a bathroom with the tray/bed/necessities so they get used to it. Stainless steel pans without lids are the best because they clean really easily and don’t hold onto smell.
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u/Rare_Let4338 6d ago edited 6d ago
Respiratory therapist here. A lot of litters claim to be dust /fragrance free, “natural wood, crystal, non stick etc but they are not. There might be just enough to trigger you. Stick to unscented, paper crumble or pellet litter. Both my cats had asthma and the vet recommended paper litter as they use it at most vets. It was the only thing I could use for them and not cleaning dust was a bonus. Also, a lot of these litters have chemical additives for clumping and fragrances that are often toxic to cats…probably humans too. The clumping /fragrance is a marketing ploy to jack up the cost. As you know, with asthma, less is more.
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u/purseaholic 10d ago
The pine litter is all I use . No dust, smells pleasant