Cat Care Store
Menu
HomeBlogAboutContact

Best Cat Litter Type? Clay, Silica and Natural Litters Compared

Which cat litter do cats actually prefer? A 2025 study and Cornell's vets favor unscented clumping clay. Compare clay, silica and natural litters and how to switch.

By Cat Care Store Editorial Desk7 min read
On this page

The short answer: the best cat litter is the one your cat will reliably use. In a 2025 choice test published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, cats picked unscented clumping clay litter for 54% of their bathroom trips, ahead of clumping wood (32%) and clumping paper (14%). Cornell University's Feline Health Center says most cats prefer unscented, finer-textured litter. Silica crystals and plant-based pellets can work well for the right household, but they are a human-convenience choice that your cat has to agree to. This guide compares the main litter types, what vets and studies say about dust, scent and safety, and how to switch without starting a litter-box war. It is general information, not veterinary advice.

Why litter is in the news this week

On November 4, 2026, Fresh Step launched Fleur de Purr, a lightly scented clumping clay litter in two "designer-inspired" fragrances, No. 9 and No. 27, with a claimed 30 days of odor control. The company's own announcement describes it as a low-dust clay that forms tight clumps and works in automatic litter boxes. The launch is a reminder of how litter is marketed: fragrance, odor-lock granules and designer names are aimed at the person who buys the bag. Your cat is the one who has to stand in it, and the most consistent finding in the research is that cats are not shopping for a scent.

What cats actually prefer

Cornell's Feline Health Center puts it plainly: your cat may dislike the litter you use, especially after a sudden brand change, and "most cats prefer unscented litter." Its quick tips add that most cats like fine-textured litter about one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep, and an uncovered box that lets odors escape and gives a 360-degree view of the room.

The 2025 study in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science (Iwabuchi-Inoue and colleagues, Tokyo) tested this with 46 adult cats in cat cafés. Each room offered three boxes at once: clumping clay, clumping wood and clumping paper litter, all unscented, rotated daily for three days. Over 476 recorded bathroom trips, clay took 258 (54%), wood 152 (32%) and paper 66 (14%). Two caveats keep this honest. The litters were all made by Lion Pet Co., which also employs the lead author, and cat-café cats are a small, specific group. Treat it as a useful signal that matches Cornell's advice, not a law of cat nature.

The same study found cats preferred larger boxes: boxes about 20 inches (50 cm) wide or more were used far more than 16-inch (40 cm) boxes. For a deeper look at box mistakes, see our guide to litter box mistakes every new cat owner makes.

Cat litter types compared

Clumping clay (bentonite)

This is the default for a reason. VCA Animal Hospitals calls clay "inexpensive, highly absorbent and effective at odor control," and the sand-like texture is close to what cats chose in the study above. The trade-offs, again from VCA: clay produces dust that can irritate cats and people with respiratory problems, and some cats ingest small amounts while grooming, which can lead to digestive blockages. That ingestion risk is the main reason to be careful with kittens and any cat that chews or eats litter. A low-dust formula helps, and so does pouring slowly and keeping the bag low to the box. One published case report described lung disease in a person with nine litter boxes filled with bentonite litter for 18 years; it is a single case, not evidence of a general risk, but it is a fair reason to choose low-dust litter and ventilate a crowded household.

Non-clumping clay

The older style: it does not form clumps, so urine soaks toward the bottom of the box and you have to replace the litter more often. Coarse, pebble-like granules are also the kind of texture the Tokyo authors say cats tend to like less than fine, sand-like litter.

Silica crystals

According to VCA, silica crystals absorb moisture and control odor effectively, so the box needs changing less often than clay. The downside is that they can be harsh on sensitive paws. Because the large beads don't feel like sand, some cats refuse them outright. If you want to try crystals, put one box with crystals beside a box with your current litter and see which one your cat chooses.

Natural and plant-based litters (pine, wood, corn, wheat, paper)

VCA notes that pine, corn and recycled paper litters are eco-friendly, low in dust and gentle on paws, though they may not clump as tightly as clay. In the Tokyo study, clumping wood and paper litters were used less than clay but were still used, so they are a reasonable choice for a cat with a dust sensitivity or an owner who wants a biodegradable option. Scent is the trap: pine and cedar litters smell strongly, and a strong smell is the thing Cornell says most cats dislike.

Scented or unscented?

Choose unscented. Cornell's guidance is unscented for most cats, and the Tokyo team kept all its test litters unscented to keep the comparison fair. A retrospective study they cite found cats using scented litter were significantly more likely to house-soil. The owner's nose and the cat's nose want different things: if odor is a problem, the better fix is scooping daily, using a larger box and washing it regularly, not a stronger fragrance. Cornell's advice for litter boxes is also practical: scoop clumping litter daily, and change litter often enough that it looks and smells dry and clean.

Which litter fits which cat?

  • Healthy adult cat, no problems: an unscented, low-dust clumping litter with a fine texture is the safest first choice.
  • Kitten: Cornell says young kittens need boxes with low sides. VCA warns about litter ingestion, so ask your vet which litter suits a young kitten and be cautious with clumping types while the kitten is still sampling it. Our 1-month-old kitten care guide covers early litter training.
  • Senior cat or cat with joint pain: the box matters as much as the litter; a low-sided box and a location on the same floor as the cat. See what changes to expect in a senior cat.
  • Cat with asthma or a dust-sensitive owner: low-dust paper, wood or corn litter, and a vet's opinion before changing anything.
  • Multi-cat home: Cornell's rule is as many boxes as cats, plus one, in different areas of the house.

How to switch litter without a standoff

  1. Go gradual. Cornell says to add small amounts of the new litter to the old rather than swapping all at once.
  2. Offer a choice. Put the new litter in a second box next to the old one for a week. The box she uses most tells you the answer.
  3. Keep the depth at 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm). Deeper is not better for most cats.
  4. Skip liners and covers at first. Cornell notes many cats don't like liners, and covers hold odors in from the cat's point of view.
  5. Watch for changes. Peeing outside the box, straining or crying in it can be medical, not a litter preference. Cornell says a cat that is house-soiling should see a vet for a physical exam first, since cats with medical conditions don't always act sick.

If your cat is straining or producing little urine, do not troubleshoot litter: read our guide to cat UTI symptoms and when straining is an emergency. A change in litter box habits can also be an early sign of kidney problems; see cat kidney disease symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cat litter?

The one your cat uses every time. For most healthy adult cats that means an unscented, fine-textured, low-dust clumping litter. Cornell says most cats prefer unscented litter, and clay won the 2025 preference test.

Is clumping litter safe for cats?

For healthy adult cats it is widely used. VCA flags dust and the small risk of blockage if a cat ingests litter while grooming, so kittens and cats that eat litter need extra care and a vet's advice.

Is silica or crystal litter better than clay?

It depends on the cat. Crystals control odor well and need changing less often, per VCA, but can feel harsh on paws, and some cats refuse them.

Do cats prefer scented litter?

Evidence points the other way. Cornell says most cats prefer unscented litter, and a study the Tokyo team cites linked scented litter to more house-soiling.

How deep should litter be?

About one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm), according to Cornell.

How often should I change the litter?

Scoop clumping litter daily, and change litter often enough that it looks and smells dry and clean. The more cats using the box, the more often it needs doing.

Sources

Keep reading

All articles →