Being a cat owner can be one of the most rewarding experiences for us humans, but one of the distinct disadvantages is dealing with the litter box. Part of the unpleasantness of litter boxes is the rather pungent odor of cat urine. Did you know that our domesticated cats’ ancestors lived in the desert, and their urine is very concentrated because it helped keep them hydrated? Well, if you’re like most people, you want a litter that can cover that smell, is easy to clean, and is not harmful to either your cat or the environment.
Perhaps you are already using pellet litter and want to know the best brand, or maybe you’re considering switching to pellet litter and aren’t sure where to begin. You have come to the right place as we’ve done the work for you and have reviewed 10 of the best pellet litters on the market. Hopefully, these reviews will help you discover the best pellet litter for you and your cat.
Feline Pine Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter makes the top of our list for best cat pellet litter. It absorbs your cat’s urine quickly and does an excellent job of covering the odor. The pellets are made of pine that act like tiny sponges. The pungent ammonia scent of cat urine is absorbed, eliminating the odor and keeping the litter dry. Creating these pellets includes dehydrating pine fibers, which allows them to absorb any liquid, which will turn to sawdust.
Feline Pine is completely natural as it does not contain any additives, chemicals, or perfumes; it just leaves a pleasant mild pine scent. It is also dust-free (unlike clay litters) when poured and less likely to stick to your cat’s paws and leave little presents throughout your house and is one of the least expensive brands out there.
Pros
Less expensive than most other brands
Absorbent
Contains no perfumes or chemicals
Environmentally friendly
Dust-free
Cons
Non-clumping
2. Okocat Mini Pellets Clumping Wood Cat Litter – Best Value
Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Wood Pellets is one of the best pellet cat litters out there for the money. This litter is an excellent alternative for those who want an environmentally friendly litter that can clump (for those who prefer to scoop their litter). It is made from reclaimed wood that is 100% sustainable and is environmentally friendly without any perfumes, chemicals, dyes, or additives.
Okocat is soft and, therefore, easy on your cat’s paws and will absorb the urine and its strong ammonia scent. It is 99% dust-free and biodegradable, which means it can be flushed down your toilet and won’t track around your house. Okocat is a little more expensive than Feline Pine, but perhaps its clumping and their use of wood fiber that has been rescued is worth it.
Pros
Made from sustainable products
Environmentally friendly
99% dust-free
Absorbs liquid and strong odors
No chemicals, additives, dyes, or perfumes
Flushable
Cons
A little pricier than Feline Pine
3. Next Gen Pet Clumping Wood Cat Litter – Premium Choice
Next Gen Gen Pet Clumping Wood Cat Litter may be the more expensive option, but it uses a unique formula that makes it worth the extra funds. Green Tea Unscented Fresh Cat Litter Pellets are made out of wood and combined with green tea leaves, which provides a naturally pleasing scent and prevents bacterial growth, which usually contributes to a nasty litter box odor.
While the litter bag is smaller and more expensive than the top two brands, it lasts a long time. The 5-pound bag should last for 4 to 6 weeks and is environmentally friendly and a natural product. It is clumping flushable litter, and any leftover litter can be used as compost. While it claims to be low in dust, it is not dust-free.
Pros
Green tea leaves smell good and are anti-bacterial
Purina Tidy Cats Pellets will work for you if you have the Tidy Cats Breeze system or would like to switch to it. The Tidy Cat pellets are recommended only for the Breeze system as they are designed to allow liquid to flow to the bottom, where the Breeze pads will trap the liquid for easy removal. These pellets are different from the others in that they are made from a mineral rather than wood fibers.
The Breeze Litter Pellets are 99.9% dust-free and dehydrate your cat’s feces, which helps control any odor issues. This system is also designed for households with multiple cats, and it makes cleaning your cat’s litter box an easy chore.
Pros
Excellent odor control
Works for homes with multiple cats
99.9% dust-free
Won’t track around your house
One 7-pound bag should last 1 month
Cons
Can only be used with the Breeze litter box
Not necessarily environmentally friendly (can’t be flushed or used for compost)
5. Simply Pine Unscented All-Natural Pine Pellet Cat Litter
Simply Pine Pellet Cat Litter is 100% natural Northeastern White pine that is environmentally friendly with no scents, additives, or chemicals. It is dust-free, doesn’t track, and helps to keep your litter box odor-free. Simply Pine is also biodegradable and absorbs urine quickly.
However, these cat litter pellets are larger than some of the other brands, which might make it more difficult when you’re sifting, and your cat may not take to it. The larger and harder the pellets, the more difficult it will be for your cat to walk on. Simply Pine is also non-clumping, and if that’s a system you prefer, then this litter might not be for you.
Purina Yesterday’s News Paper Cat Litter is made out of recycled paper, making for a more sustainable product that is environmentally friendly. It is made with a combination of wood shavings, cardboard, and recycled paper. The pellets are softer than some of the other brands and feel closer to walking on clay for your cat, and won’t track too much outside the litter box. These pellets are absorbent and help to prevent strong odors, and are 99.7% dust-free.
If you prefer your litter to remain unscented, Yesterday’s News won’t work for your household as it has a light scent added. It is also of the non-clumping variety, and again, if that’s your preference, you should avoid this particular product.
Pros
99.7% dust-free
Made from recycled paper
No tracking
Soft on your cat’s paws
Absorbs liquid and strong scents
Cons
More expensive than top brands
Fragrance added
Non-clumping
7. Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is another pellet litter made from recycled paper that is biodegradable and therefore reduces landfill waste. It is 99% dust-free, hypoallergenic, and will hold at least 3 times the liquid and is, therefore, effective at providing absorption. Just like the other pellets in this list, it doesn’t stick to your cat’s paws and track around your house, and you won’t need to worry about your cat licking litter off of her feet.
These pellets are non-clumping and unscented but are large. They contain baking soda that helps control the odor. However, at times, the odor control isn’t effective and, therefore, expect the possibility of an unpleasant smell from this litter. Also, compared to the top brands, it’s expensive.
Pros
Biodegradable
Made from 100% recycled paper
No tracking
99% dust-free
Provides excellent absorption
Cons
More expensive than other brands
Might not control odor
Non-clumping
Larger pellets
8. Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
Frisco Pine Pellet Unscented Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is made with natural 100% pine and no additives, chemicals, or fragrances. These pellets can hold urine up to 3 times their own weight, which helps with odor control. Frisco pellets are low in dust and are appropriate for either single or multiple cat homes. This particular brand is cheaper than most of the others.
Frisco Pine Pellets are dried in a kiln, but again, the pellets are too large to be sifted when cleaning out the litter box and is not recommended for flushing. There is also an issue with the pellets crumbling too easily, and this makes cleaning the litter box more of a challenge.
Pros
Low in dust
100% pine
Good absorption
All natural without any chemicals or added scents
No tracking and good odor control
Less expensive
Cons
Large pellets
Not flushable
Crumbles too easily
9. Nature’s Logic All Natural Pine Wood Cat Litter
Nature’s Logic All Natural Pine Wood Cat Litter is completely natural as it is made only from Ponderosa pine wood (the most common pine in North America). It is biodegradable and may be flushed as long as it’s done in small amounts. It claims to be dust-free, but there were issues with the pellets turning into sawdust too easily, making cleanup difficult.
Nature’s Logic also claims to cover up any odor issues, but the odor control of this brand of pellets wasn’t as good as with the top brands. The pellets are also very hard, and therefore, there’s the possibility that your cat may not want to use them if it’s uncomfortable for her to walk on.
Pros
All-natural pine wood
No tracking
Biodegradable and flushable
Cons
Dissolves into sawdust easily
Hard pellets
Odor control lacking
More expensive than top brands
10. Hartz Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Recycled Paper Cat Litter
Hartz Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Recycled Paper Cat Litter is made from 80% recycled paper. However, the other 20% is made up of polymer and starch. This means if you’re looking for a biodegradable litter that is good for the environment, you should avoid this brand. This litter is also the only one on this list that does not claim to prevent tracking around the house, and it fails in this category. It sticks to cat paws and even fur, and you might find bits of it all over your home.
The Clumping Paper Litter is 99% dust free and not only clumps but turns blue where your cat urinates, making it easier to find the spots to clean. It claims to be odor-trapping, but the jury is out on this as the scent of cat urine combined with this paper pellet litter does not prove to be a pleasant experience.
Pros
Dust free
Turns blue and clumps
Made of 80% recycled paper
Cons
Not biodegradable and not completely environmentally friendly
Sticks to paws and tracks around the house
Unpleasant odor when urinated on
Expensive
Difficult to clean
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Pellet & Pine Cat Litters
So, you’ve had a look at the top cat litter pellets choices out there, but how do you know what kind of litter is best for you and your cat? There are several factors to take into consideration, so please read on, and hopefully, we can help you make the best choice.
Cat Litter Expense
The price for most pellet litters is a little higher than your traditional clumping and clay litters. However, keep in mind that this kind of litter can actually last longer, which might just save you money in the end. Overall, the cost of the litter won’t mean as much if you’re helping the environment and it’s healthier for your cat.
Cat Litter Odor
Many traditional litters tend to add fragrance to their product, but what might smell pleasant to us humans is actually very potent and unpleasant for most cats. The last thing you want is your cat avoiding her litter box, so choosing a scented vs. unscented litter is something you need to think about. Some pellet litters are better than others at controlling odor, so you might need to try a few before you find the one that works.
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.
Image
Product
Details
Best Enzyme Cleaner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
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!
Cat Litter Dust
Clay litter is notorious for creating a dust cloud when it’s poured and even when your cat walks around her box. Almost all pellet litters are completely dust-free, which is super important if you have an asthmatic cat or if she has any kind of breathing condition.
Cat Litter Tracking
Finding those annoying bits of litter scattered around the house and getting stuck to your bare feet can be frustrating. Particularly when you need to be constantly sweeping or vacuuming them up. As a general rule, the pellet litters do not track around your house, except for the occasional few that your cat will probably kick out of the litter box when she’s enthusiastically scratching around in there. This also means your cat will not be ingesting bits of litter when she’s licking her paws, which could end up causing an upset stomach or health problems.
Cat Litter Material
If you’re very environmentally conscious, what type of litter you choose will be an essential factor. Most pellet litters are made from natural and recycled products and are usually biodegradable and sometimes compostable. They also tend to be much more absorbent than the other kinds of litter, which means they will last longer. Keep in mind that some of the pellet litters might be a bit big for sifting, and most don’t clump if that’s what you prefer. Your cat might also not like walking on these large and hard pellets, so a little trial and error might be in order.
Our Pellet & Pine 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 pellet and pine 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 pellet and pine 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
The winner of the best overall pellet cat litter goes to Feline Pine’s Original Non-Clumping Litter for ease of use. It’s an environmentally friendly litter that is one of the least expensive yet one of the highest-quality pellet litters. Our second-place winner goes to Okocat Mini Pellets, which might appear costly, but it’s designed to last a long time and is one of the few clumping pellet litters that actually work.
Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
