Best Non-Clumping Cat Litters for 2020

This non-clumping granule litter soaks up liquid so quickly that there is no chance smells can even develop, which is good news for your nose.

The material is naturally absorbent, so there’s no additional additives or perfumes, meaning your cat’s toilet can be kept as natural and harm-free as possible. They also don’t give off any dust, so lungs and surrounding surfaces are kept clean.

The only additions are active ingredients to stop the production of bacteria and growth which provides long-lasting odour protection, so you can leave it in there for a little bit longer than usual which should reduce waste (and the money you spend on litter).

Able to absorb urine really well and quickly, causing little odour and mess, silica gel crystal litter is a favourite among owners who have a litter tray in the house and would rather not have to smell the results.

It remains dry to touch when it has absorbed the liquid, so should be a bit more pleasant for you to change and also for your cat to use. This is why silica pouches are often used in packaging to prevent moisture and mould forming.

Because it absorbs the liquid and allows it to evaporate naturally, no smell is given off, and there is no ammonia scent either. The chunky size of each granule means there is very little tracking, so should reduce the mess of the litter tray area and the risk that it will stick to their paws.

It will stick to cat poo as well, slightly lowering odour from that as well as making it easier for the owner to remove. As a bonus, even a trayful of the litter is lightweight, making it easier for people who can’t lift heavy items.

Great if you want a larger bag which should last you longer for a good price, wood pellets are both environmentally friendly and highly absorbent.

Wood also happens to be gentle on paws so most cats will feel comfortable using it. It also gives off a natural wood smell, not dissimilar to the scent they would ordinarily come into contact with outdoors so should not be too offputting.

Talking of smells, it will largely trap the odour given off by toilet waste and reduce the likelihood of the ammonia smell. Lightweight, it is easy to both empty the tray and lift the bag to replace it or top it up.

We will say that because it breaks down into sawdust when wet in order to be biodegradable, it will need replacing more often than other forms such as silica if you want to cut down on the dust effect.

Do you go through cat litter at the speed of light and frequently find yourself trailing to the shops before they shut because Milo won’t dare go anywhere near an unclean litter tray? Are you fed up of carrying huge 20L bags of the stuff home on the bus after work?

Cat litter can be hard to remember to buy, so having it delivered to the door frequently is a great idea for busy cat owners. Choose from 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12-week frequencies so you never run out.

Now for the performance of the actual litter – non-clumping clay can be hard to come by, but this one has been designed with water absorption properties without forming clumps. Because it absorbs the water, there is less mess created when you come to clean it out and less chance of smells.

It is a little bit dusty like other forms of clay litter, and while it isn’t completely clump-free, you can certainly tell the difference.

To get a huge 30-litre bag of cat litter for under £10 with enough change to spare for your morning takeaway coffee or that ready meal for dinner is pretty good going.

Wood pellets make for cheap litter in general, but there is a risk that the wood is quite dusty and not the greatest quality. However, this blend is made from a particularly high grade of 100% virgin softwood, so not only does it feel okay under your cat’s paw pads but they’re light in colour too for easier management.

The dust is extracted from them during the manufacturing process to ensure minimum mess, and the wood is highly absorbent. While not all dust is gone, and it will get sawdusty when used and wet, it is a lot less messy than you’d expect for the price.

While no litter can be 100% dust-free, especially if it has recently been used by your cat, Pettex go to great lengths to ensure superior dust extraction so you won’t be enveloped in a cloud when filling the tray up.

Paws will also stay clean after it is used, to avoid that trail of pawprints going through the house. And, you have the added bonus of a slight pine fresh aroma coming from the pellets, which is natural so there are no added perfumes which could irritate your cat.

Able to retain up to 2x their weight in liquid, they should last a little longer than some litter types which need changing daily which also boosts their eco-friendly properties. No trees are felled in the making of it either as it is 100% reclaimed timber.

A fine texture and subtly perfumed, this is a clay cat litter which can absorb all of those nasty smells and stains which are all too common for cat owners.

While its claim to last seven days will vary between situations, a lot of users say it is one of the best they have tried for long-lasting results. The fine texture is good for any cats who don’t seem to like larger granules or pellets under their paws and need something more gentle.

It doesn’t give off much of an odour, just enough to please your nose but keep your cat happy too. Sanicat describes it as an ‘air freshener effect’, and the fact that it is aloe vera means it isn’t overwhelming or unnatural.

We actually like that it comes in a small package of just four litres, as it will be ideal for anyone who perhaps doesn’t have the space to store a huge one or can’t lift large bags and would like to use the lot in one go. It thankfully doesn’t cost you a ridiculous amount for the privilege either.

Young kittens under the age of three months need litter which isn’t too small, won’t stick to their paws and isn’t heavily perfumed so they aren’t put off and aren’t tempted to eat it.

This litter is soft and sensitive, which is good for fragile paws which haven’t quite hardened as well as precious noses and fur. No clumps are formed which could otherwise put them off.

It gives off a scent of baby powder, not strong enough to put them off but actually just right to get their inquisitive noses going. You’ll get a waft of this too if they’ve just been to the loo.

Super absorbent, they won’t be put off using it and there will be less mess for you too. No dust is given off which is a must, and there is no reason why you can’t continue using the litter into their adult life if they wish.

It’s a decent price for a bag of this size and can be placed on a repeat service if you want it delivered to your door as and when needed.

The planet is a big concern on everyone’s mind these days, and if you’re emptying your cat litter into a bin and it isn’t able to break down, that is a lot of contribution towards the landfill every year.

This is a paper pellet litter, which is not only much more absorbent than a wood pellet, but natural cellulose fibres (such as newspapers) are recycled and repurposed. This gives the papers a second life, and it won’t sit around in the rubbish tip for years.

It is a clinically clean super hygienic litter, so you don’t have to worry that the recycling process will leave behind any of the dirt and germs originally on the paper. There is no additional binders, additives or chemicals either, so it is safe for all ages from kitten to adult cat.

We like that the paper covers odour too, without making a woody or chemical smell. Our only criticism is that it isn’t easy to separate the soiled litter from unsoiled, but this won’t be an issue if you’re one to clean up ASAP anyway.

This is a bit of a twist on your traditional cat litter and tray setup. If you use liners to make the job of changing the litter a bit easier and prolong the duration in which the litter can stay in the tray without starting to smell or make a mess, then you will probably be drawn to these.

An all-in-one litter solution, these inlays take the form of a plastic bag filled with cat litter which you can place inside the tray. The elasticated hem wraps around the side of the tray, and when the time comes to change it, just take out the bag, pull the hem tight, and place straight into your waste disposal.

There’s no need for a scoop or any messy bagging, and you can just replace with a new bag for ease. The liner absorbs any liquid, so the litter stays drier for longer, and it is as efficient as 30 litres of the conventional non-clumping litter so there is enough in the pack for comfortable toilet time.