Clay litter is so passé—nowadays, cat parents are looking to upgrade their litter and two of the best options are Alpha Paw’s Genius Litter and tuft + paw’s Really Great Cat Litter. These litters are very different, but each has its own huge benefits. In this article, we'll compare these two litters in all the most important categories to help you make an informed decision.
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. Our criteria are based on consultation with a cat behaviorist, veterinarian, and hundreds of cat parents.
Tip: For a more general comparison, see our article on tofu cat litter vs crystal cat litter.
Cheat Sheet: Genius Litter vs Really Great Cat Litter
Alpha Paw Genius Litter
| Pros | health-monitoring, highly absorbent, good odor control, fairly low dust, easy to clean, lightweight, non-toxic, available as subscription or one-time purchase |
| Cons | expensive, not eco-friendly, tracks easily, non-clumping |
| Ingredients | silica gel, color-changing compounds |
| Price | $29.99 for 6 lbs ($5/lb) |
tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter
| Pros | very low tracking, very low dust, good clumping, 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) |
What Is Genius Litter?
Genius Litter is a crystal cat litter which changes color based on the pH of your cat's urine. This feature is meant to help cat parents catch urinary issues early and prevent further medical complications. It’s made from amorphous silica gel which is super absorbent, non-clumping, and helps lock in odors.
For more info, see our full-length review of Genius Litter and the pros and cons of crystal litter.
Credit: Amazon
What Is Really Great Cat Litter?
On the other side of the spectrum, tuft + paw’s Really Great Cat Litter stands out as a natural alternative with its soy-based composition. This tofu litter, made from soybean fiber leftover from soy milk production, is a testament to the possibilities of eco-friendly sourcing. Really Great Cat Litter is beloved for its low tracking pellets, minimal dust, and flushable formula which dissolves in water within minutes.
Cubby Litter Box and Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw
Genius Litter Pros
Monitors Urinary Health
The standout feature of Genius Litter lies in its health-monitoring capabilities. By changing color according to your cat's urine pH, it acts as a proactive tool for detecting urinary issues early on.
Low Dust (vs clay)
Compared to traditional clay litters, Genius Litter has a significantly lower dust content. This is a great feature for cats and humans with respiratory issues and helps maintain a clean home. However, Genius Litter is slightly dustier than some natural litters like tofu pellets and cassava litter.
Easy to Clean
Genius Litter is non-clumping, which means less scooping. To maintain the litter box, cat parents only scoop solid waste and give the litter box a stir once or twice a day to ensure all urine is absorbed by the crystals. According to the brand, one bag of litter should last a full month before needing to be changed.
Available as Subscription or One-Time Purchase
Genius Litter provides the flexibility of both subscription and one-time purchase options. This makes it easy for cat parents to try it out for a month, then subscribe afterwards.
tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter Pros
Very Low Tracking
Really Great Cat Litter is one of the lowest tracking litters on the market. Unlike particle litters, the small tofu pellets barely get caught in your cat's toes or fur, keeping litter mess to an absolutely minimum.
Minimal Dust
Really Great Cat Litter is extremely low dust, even compared to other “low dust” litters. Tofu pellets are inherently less dusty than silica gel because they’re made from a plant-based fiber rather than a mineral.
Clumping
Unlike Genius Litter, Really Great Cat Litter has a clumping formula. Most cat parents are used to clumping litters, which enable all waste (solid and liquid) to be removed from the litter box.
Cove Litter Box and Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw
Flushable and Biodegradable
One of Really Great Cat Litter’s best features is that it’s flushable and biodegradable. This makes it extremely easy to clean up and an attractive choice for eco-minded cat parents seeking sustainable options.
Note: Only flush cat litter if your cat lives exclusively indoors and does not eat raw cat food. Flushing cat litter is illegal in California.
Eco-Friendly Sourcing
Really Great Cat Litter is made from soybean fiber which would otherwise be food waste, making it a great eco-friendly option. Crystal litters, by comparison, are made from silica which must be mined and contributes to habitat degradation and water pollution.
More Affordable
Really Great Cat Litter is not a cheap litter, but it is more affordable than Genius Litter. Really Great Cat Litter comes in at $3.05/lb, while Genius Litter is $5.00/lb.
Shared Features
Highly Absorbent
Both Genius Litter and Really Great Cat Litter are exceptionally absorbent. Genius Litter's silica gel efficiently locks in urine and allows water to evaporate, while tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter's tofu pellets absorb liquid waste like sponges.
Lightweight
Both the silica gel particles of Genius Litter and Really Great Cat Litter’s tofu pellets are lightweight, easy to handle, and come in manageably-sized bags.
Tip: If you’re tired of lugging around heavy bags of clay litter, see our list of the best lightweight cat litters.
Non-Toxic
Safety is paramount, and both litters prioritize the well-being of cats and humans. Genius Litter's amorphous silica gel and tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter's soybean fiber are non-toxic and totally safe for cats and humans. Clay cat litter, on the other hand, is known to contain crystalline silica dust, which can be carcinogenic if inhaled.
Good Odor Control
The porous structures and absorbency of both litters contribute to effective odor control. Silica gel absorbs urine, traps smelly compounds, and allows water to evaporate. Tofu litter is also highly absorbent, but Really Great Cat Litter also contains activated charcoal to supercharge its odor control.
Conclusion: Which Litter Should You Choose?
In the end, the choice between Genius Litter and tuft + paw’s Really Great Cat Litter boils down to your cat's unique needs and your personal preferences. Both options bring innovative features to the table and can solve plenty of common litter box issues.
Here’s who we think could benefit from using each type of litter:
Choose Genius Litter If…
- Your cat is elderly or has a history of health issues, especially urinary-related ones.
- You hate scooping litter clumps. Genius Litter’s non-clumping formula is easy to clean and just requires a daily stir.
Choose Really Great Cat Litter If…
- Minimizing litter tracking is a top priority. The thin pellets are great for combatting litter tracking and scatter around your home.
- You want a clumping, flushable litter. In the world of clumping litters, RGCL is one of the easiest to clean.
- Eco-friendly sourcing matters to you. The tofu pellets are made from repurposed food waste and are completely biodegradable, whereas silica gel is mined and is not biodegradable.
