Cats are notorious for making a mess with their litter whenever they do their business, but fortunately there's a solution to this problem: pellet litters. Pellet litters are specially designed to help minimize tracking, which can make life a lot easier for both cats and their parents. In this article, we'll discuss what pellet cat litter is, the different types available, and our expert picks for the 5 best pellet litters on the market today.
Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. Over the last couple years, we've spent countless hours determining which litter features are most important to cats and cat parents alike. To compile this list, we consulted a cat behaviorist, veterinarian, and hundreds of customer reviews to figure out which pellet litters provide the best all-around experience.
Tip: If you're looking for more tracking-related recommendations, check out our list of the best pellet-compatible litter boxes and our ultimate guide to stop litter tracking.
Cheat Sheet: The Top 5 Pellet Cat Litters
1) tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter
| Pros | low tracking, very low dust, unscented, lightweight, flushable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, activated charcoal for odor control, paw-friendly texture vs other pellet litters |
| Cons | pricey, subscription only |
| Ingredients | soybean fiber, corn starch, corn flour, guar gum, charcoal |
| Price | $29 for 9.5 lbs = $3.05/lb (shipping included) |
2) Feline Pine Platinum
| Pros | low tracking, low dust, great odor control, affordable, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly |
| Cons | uncomfortable texture, pine scent, can become dusty, hard to clean |
| Ingredients | pine sawdust, baking soda |
| Price | $17.99 for 18 lbs = $1.00/lb |
3) Fresh News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
| Pros | low tracking, low dust, lightweight, unscented, affordable, biodegradable, eco-friendly |
| Cons | hard to clean, average odor control, uncomfortable texture |
| Ingredients | recycled paper, baking soda |
| Price | $20.98 for 25 lbs = $0.84/lb |
4) Naturally Fresh Non-Clumping Walnut Pellet Litter
| Pros | low tracking, low dust, affordable, unscented, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly |
| Cons | hard to clean, average odor control, uncomfortable texture |
| Ingredients | crushed English walnut shells |
| Price | $19.99 for 26 lbs = $0.77/lb |
5) Pidan Tofu Litter with Blood Test Particles
| Pros | monitors cat health, good clumping, low tracking, low dust, lightweight, decent odor control, flushable, biodegradable, eco-friendly |
| Cons | sweet scent, small bag, cat may eat it, pricey |
| Ingredients | bean dregs, starch, guar gum, blood test particles |
| Price | $15.99 for 5.3 lbs = $3.02/lb |
What Is Pellet Cat Litter?
Pellet cat litter is...well, cat litter with particles in the shape of pellets. Pretty self-explanatory! The vast majority of cat litters are granular and have a consistency somewhere between fine sand and gravel, which is easy for cats to carry outside the litter box. This includes industry mainstays like clay litter and crystal/silica litter, and alternative natural litter types like wheat, corn, and cassava. While still the minority, pellet litters are gaining popularity because of how low-tracking they are. Now, let's go over the different materials that pellet cat litters can be made from.
@tuftandpaw Switching from a finer, smaller cat litter to a pellet cat litter is pretty much the best thing you can do to reduce litter tracking and litter mess! *However, we’d recommend opting for a pellet shape that’s still somewhat thin so that its still soft & comfy on your cat’s precious beans 🐾 #lowtrackinglitter #lowtrackingcatlitter #catlittertips #litterboxtips #litterboxhack #litterboxhacks #preventlittertracking #bestcatlitter #litterboxproblems ♬ Morning with U - Tollan Kim
Wood Pellet Cat Litter
Arguably the most popular variety, wood pellet litters are made by taking dried wood shavings (usually pine) and compressing them into absorbent pellets. Most wood pellet litters are non-clumping and dissolve into sawdust when they absorb moisture, so they're best paired with a sifting litter box. When used with a conventional litter box, sawdust can build up and cause tracking and dust issues later on.
Tofu Pellet Cat Litter
Tofu litter is a natural cat litter made from soybean pulp, which is a byproduct of processing soy. It's most commonly found in a clumping pellet form, which is low dust, flushable, and can be used with a regular litter box. However, added colors and/or fragrances are common in tofu litter, so we recommend looking for an unscented variety with no synthetic additives.
If you’re curious for more information, here's everything you need to know about tofu litter.
Paper Pellet Cat Litter
Paper pellets are a non-clumping type of natural cat litter made from post-consumer recycled paperThey are quite low dust and do not break down quickly after absorbing moisture, so they are best paired with a regular litter box rather than a sifting one.
Walnut Pellet Cat Litter
Walnut is a versatile litter material that's used to make both clumping granular litter and non-clumping pellets. Walnut pellets are similar to paper pellets in that they absorb moisture and don't break down very quickly. A commonly reported problem with walnut pellets is that they're almost the same color and shape as cat poops, so finding solid waste in the litter box can be challenging. Another consideration is that this type of litter is made from ground walnut shells, but may include traces of walnut meat. For this reason, people with nut allergies should avoid walnut litter.
Benefits of Pellet Cat Litter
Low Tracking
Without a doubt, the strongest advantage of pellet litter is its low-tracking capabilities. Larger pellets don't attach to your cat's fur or paws as easily as smaller particles do, and are also big enough to limit scatter when your cat digs around in their litter box. When used with a litter mat and high-sided litter box, pellet litter can almost completely eliminate tracking.
Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Low Dust
Pellet cat litters are usually much less dusty than granular litters, which makes for a cleaner home and less irritated airways for cats and humans alike. Cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel emphasized the importance of having minimal dust in a cat's litter box, as dusty litters can "irritate a cat’s respiratory system and sometimes cause feline asthma."
Often Natural
The vast majority of pellet cat litters are "natural", meaning they are made from renewable, biodegradable plant-based resources rather than mined minerals like clay or silica (with the notable exception of Tidy Cats Breeze zeolite pellets). Many eco-conscious cat parents are becoming aware of the habitat destruction and pollution caused by clay strip mining, so they instead opt for natural pellet litters like tofu or wood. The method of sourcing differs between brands, but you can rest assured that none are strip mined.
Non-Toxic
Natural pellet litters are generally considered much safer for cats than clay litter, which comes with an array of health concerns. Clay litter poses a noteworthy health hazard due to its crystalline silica dust. The CDC considers silica dust to be carcinogenic when inhaled, and it may cause respiratory issues in cats and humans. Furthermore, if a cat somehow ingests clumping clay litter (e.g. mistakenly eating it or cleaning their paws), it can block their GI tract. Veterinarian Megan Teiber notes that little academic research exists on this topic, but it’s a theoretical concern that should not be ignored.
Note: The crystalline silica dust found in clay litter is different from the amorphous silica crystals used in crystal cat litter. Silica crystal cat litter is not dangerous for cats or humans.
Lightweight
Most pellet cat litters are much lighter than clay and significantly less dense, which means that even the most lightweight bags can last for an impressively long time. For example, a 5-10 pound bag of tofu litter can last a month or more.
Cove Modern Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Drawbacks of Pellet Cat Litter
Texture
The main drawback to pellet litters is the coarser texture, which can be unpleasant for sensitive cats. Many cats seem to have no problem using pellet litter, but it's something to keep in mind. If your cat has been declawed or has tender paws, they will probably prefer a finer grain litter.
Can Be Hard to Clean
Each type of pellet litter requires a different cleaning method, and some are easier than others. Clumping pellet litters like tofu can usually be cleaned like regular clumping litters, but non-clumping pellets pose more of a problem. Wood pellets dissolve into sawdust when wet, so we recommend using them with a sifting litter box. Paper and walnut pellets don't break down quickly, so you just mix them around to make sure all the liquid is absorbed. Lastly, large pellets don't fit through the slots of some litter scoops, so it can be tricky to scoop out solid waste without also throwing out some clean pellets.
Incompatible with Automatic Litter Boxes
Pellet litters are not compatible with most automatic litter boxes because the pellets can get stuck in the self-cleaning mechanism. We recommend using a granular litter with automatic litter boxes.
Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Pellet Cat Litter
The following criteria were developed in consultation with a veterinarian and cat behaviorist.
- Tracking — How much litter ends up outside the litter box, and how far from the litter box it can get.
- Dust — How dusty the litter is. This factor is very important for cats and people with respiratory issues and allergies.
- Health and safety — All litters on this list are made with safe non-toxic materials. The fewer additives the better. This includes scents, preservatives, and colors.
- Eco-friendly — Every litter on this list is made from sustainably harvested and biodegradable materials.
- Scent — Unscented is always preferable. Cats rely heavily on their sense of smell to interact with their surroundings, so strongly scented litter can be overwhelming.
- Ease of cleaning — How well the litter clumps/absorbs moisture, coats solid waste, whether it’s flushable, and how much it sticks to the litter box.
- Odor control — How well the litter neutralizes smells. Controlling urine smell is the key here, because no litter can truly neutralize the smell of solid waste. Keep in mind that odor control partially depends on individual cats and the strength of their urine odor.
- Ease of handling — How easy the litter is to transport, pour, and handle.
- Price point
Deep Dive: The 5 Best Pellet Cat Litters
1) tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter
Price: $29 for 9.5 lbs = $3.05/lb (shipping included)
Rating: 4.7/5 with 373 reviews on tuft + paw
Ingredients: soybean fiber, corn starch, corn flour, guar gum, charcoal
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own pellet cat litter here. This is only because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other pellet litters. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and users.
Our choice for the best pellet cat litter is the tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter. This tofu pellet litter is beloved for its exceptionally low tracking and low dust content. Unlike some other pellet litters on this list, it's both clumping and flushable, which makes it super easy to clean. Cats will appreciate that it's unscented and has a fairly paw-friendly texture for a pellet litter. The activated charcoal provides decent odor control, but it's not quite top of the class in that department. Another small bonus is the integrated handle and resealable bag for easy pouring and storage.
The only significant drawback of Really Great Cat Litter is its price: $29 for 9.5 lbs ($3.05/lb), shipping included. There is also an option to receive 3 bags every 3 months for a lower price of $79 ($2.77/lb), but we understand this is not within every cat parent's budget.
If you want to learn more, here’s everything you need to know about Really Great Cat Litter.
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2) Feline Pine Platinum
Credit: Chewy
Price: $17.99 for 18 lbs = $1.00/lb on Chewy
Rating: 4.2/5 with 6,300 Amazon reviews
Ingredients: pine sawdust, baking soda
Feline Pine Platinum is one of the most popular wood pellet litters on the market. The combination of pine and added baking soda is great for neutralizing odors, and its large pellets are low tracking and low dust too. Eco-conscious cat parents will appreciate that Feline Pine is biodegradable and made from reclaimed pine shavings. It's also quite affordable at $1.00/lb and widely available.
However, Feline Pine Platinum does have a few cons. Its rough texture and strong natural pine scent can irritate sensitive cats, and in some cases discourage them from using the litter box. It's also not easy to clean with a regular litter box because of how the pellets break down when wet. Over time this can lead to sawdust buildup and therefore more tracking and dust. A sifting litter box is recommended when using this litter.
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3) Fresh News Paper Pellet Cat Litter
Credit: Chewy
Price: $20.98 for 25 lbs = $0.84/lb on Chewy
Rating: 4.3/5 with 6,200 reviews on Amazon
Ingredients: recycled paper, baking soda
Fresh News is a pellet litter made from post-consumer recycled paper. It's become a fan favorite due to its minimal tracking, low dust levels, and affordable price tag. Dr. Teiber frequently suggests this litter for cats dealing with wounds, allergies or other respiratory issues that would benefit from a low dust litter. We also love that it's unscented, compostable, and eco-friendly—no new trees are cut down to make this litter.
Fresh News’ main weakness is that it’s not the easiest to clean. It's not always clear which pellets are wet due to their naturally dark color, and they also don’t evenly distribute moisture like granular non-clumping litters. Wet pellets get mushy if left in the box, but will eventually dry out and crumble, which can lead to increased tracking and dust. Lastly, the odor control isn't great and some cats may not like the texture of the large pellets.
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4) Naturally Fresh Non-Clumping Walnut Pellet Litter
Credit: Chewy
Price: $19.99 for 26 lbs = $0.77/lb on Chewy
Rating: 3.7/5 with 237 reviews on Chewy
Ingredients: crushed English walnut shells
Naturally Fresh Non-Clumping Pellet Litter is a natural litter made from crushed walnut shells. Despite the different material, it's quite similar to Fresh News: low tracking, low dust, and affordable. It has an earthy aroma and no added fragrances, and we love that it's biodegradable and eco-friendly. Some cat parents have concerns about the safety of walnut shells for cats, but there's no reason to worry—Naturally Fresh uses the shells of the harmless English Walnut tree, rather than the hazardous Black Walnut tree.
While sharing some of Fresh News strengths, Naturally Fresh also shares some of its weaknesses. The pellets absorb moisture well but don't break down quickly, and their dark color makes it hard to know which pellets are clean and which are dirty. Some users have complained that the dark pellets look too much like cat poops, which turns scooping solid waste into a game of I Spy. The odor control reviews are mixed. As with other large pellet litters, sensitive cats may not like the paw-feel of the pellets.
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5) Pidan Tofu Litter with Blood Test Particles
Credit: Amazon
Price: $15.99 for 5.3 lbs = $3.02/lb on Amazon
Rating: 4.2/5 with 210 reviews on Amazon
Ingredients: bean dregs, starch, guar gum, blood test particles
Our final pick is Pidan’s Tofu Cat Litter with Blood Test Particles. The defining feature of this pellet litter is its tiny blood test particles which turn blue if they detect hemoglobin. If you want to keep tabs on your cat's urinary health, this is a great option. Another strength of this litter is its clumping, which benefits from two different pellet sizes: 70% 2mm diameter pellets, and 30% 1.5mm pellets. The 1.5mm pellets can fill in smaller gaps than the 2mm pellets, creating tighter clumps. Aside from that, it has the expected low tracking, low dust, and flushability of most tofu litters.
Unfortunately, this litter's big drawback is its added fragrance, which some users compare to vanilla. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so this scent could be overwhelming and cause litter box avoidance. The unusual scent might also contribute to cats trying to eat this litter, which was mentioned by a few users. Lastly, some reviewers disliked the small bag (5.3 lbs) and high price point ($3.02/lb).
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Pellet Cat Litter FAQs
How do pellet cat litters help prevent litter tracking?
Pellet cat litters have larger, dense particles that are less likely to stick to your cat's paws. This design minimizes the tracking of litter outside the box, keeping your living space cleaner.
Are all pellet cat litters equally effective in reducing litter tracking?
While all pellet cat litters share the characteristic of larger particles, effectiveness may vary between brands. Some may have additional features, like a dust-reducing formula, which can contribute to a more efficient tracking prevention system.
Can pellet cat litters be used in automatic litter boxes to control tracking?
Most pellet cat litters are not compatible with automatic litter boxes due to their unique particle shape.
Are there any downsides or considerations when using pellet cat litters to prevent tracking?
Some cats may take time to adjust to the texture of pellet cat litters, so a gradual transition might be necessary. Additionally, be mindful of any specific preferences your cat may have, and monitor their comfort level during the transition to ensure they adapt well to the new litter.
Conclusion: Your Cat Knows Best
And that concludes our list of the 5 best pellet cat litters on the market! We hope you found this list helpful as you search for your ideal litter. Our top pick is tuft + paw's Really Great Cat Litter due to its easy use, cleanliness, and lack of serious drawbacks, but any of the five pellet litters we reviewed will serve you well. On the non-clumping side, Feline Pine Platinum, Fresh News, and Naturally Fresh all perform admirably in the tracking department, but it's up to you and your cat to weigh the pros and cons. If you need to keep tabs on your kitty's health, Pidan's Tofu Litter with Blood Test Particles is a solid option. In the end though, as Dr. Megan Teiber says, “the best litter is the one your cat will use”, so let your feline friend guide the way.
For more tips on preventing litter tracking, check out our video below, or take a gander at some of our other educational cat blog posts.
Suggested Reading
Tofu Cat Litter vs Wood Pellet Cat Litter
