In the natural litter game, there is perhaps no brand as widely available and popular as World’s Best Cat Litter. This corn-based clumping litter has won over legions of cat parents with its flushability, plant-based ingredients, and attention-grabbing branding. But is World’s Best Cat Litter really the world’s best cat litter? We tested it firsthand to find out. In this article, we’ll give you our in-depth, unbiased review of World’s Best Cat Litter’s Original Unscented formula, explore its strengths and weaknesses, and help you determine whether it’s the right litter for you and your cat.
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.
→ Jump to Conclusion: Is World’s Best Cat Litter Really the World’s Best?
World’s Best Cat Litter Cheat Sheet
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Price |
$33.75 for 28 lbs = $1.21/lb |
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Ingredients |
corn, other natural ingredients |
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Attributes |
clumping, flushable, natural, unscented |
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Overall Score: 8.3/10
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World’s Best Cat Litter vs Other Cat Litters
Here's how World’s Best Cat Litter stacks up against other popular litter types in terms of its standard features. These are features that many litter brands advertise but aren't necessarily included in the scored categories.
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Clumping |
Flushable |
Biodegradable |
Low-Tracking |
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World’s Best |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
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Clay Litter |
✓ |
|||
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Tofu Litter |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
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Wood Pellets |
✓ |
✓ |
What is World’s Best Cat Litter?
World’s Best Cat Litter is a natural clumping cat litter made from corn. The brand was founded in 1996 and is produced by the Kent Pet Group in Iowa. They use a patented production process to compress corn with other natural ingredients into absorbent granules. While World’s Best doesn’t make their ingredient list public, they assert that the litter contains no synthetic additives or clay. This allows it to offer similar clumping to clay but with less dust and no harmful crystalline silica.
World’s Best Cat Litter is also well known for being a flushable cat litter. The clumps quickly dissolve in water and can be flushed as long as the user’s home has a well-functioning plumbing system—super convenient! However, cat parents should only flush one clump at a time and let it fully dissolve before flushing.
World’s Best Cat Litter has several different formulas which are all quite similar. For this review, we used the Original Unscented formula.
World's Best Cat Litter has a fine granular texture similar to some clay litters.
What is Corn Cat Litter?
If you’re not familiar, here are the main facts you need to know about corn cat litter. For further information, you can see our article on the best natural cat litters.
- Corn cat litter is made from compressed dried corn, so it falls under the category of “natural” litter (i.e. made from renewable ingredients rather than mined substances like clay or silica).
- It is totally safe for cats and humans.
- Corn cat litter is very absorbent and almost always clumping.
- Corn cat litter is 100% biodegradable and often flushable (depending on the brand’s formula). However, this means there is also a small risk of attracting bugs or spoilage if stored in humid conditions.
Note: We also recently reviewed Sustainably Yours, a corn cat litter that also incorporates cassava starch for improved clumping.
How do you use World’s Best Cat Litter?
World’s Best Cat Litter is an easy-to-use, classic clumping litter. According to the brand, one 28-lb bag should last at least 67 days for two cats. This is accurate based on my experience with one cat; one bag would last us at least three or four months, but maybe longer.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use World's Best Cat Litter:
- Pour 3-4 inches of World’s Best Cat Litter into a clean litter box.
- Let your cat use the litter box as usual.
- Scoop out any solid waste and urine clumps and dispose of them in a garbage bin.
- Alternatively, you can flush your cat’s waste if it’s safe to do so. Place one clump in the toilet and leave it for 10 minutes to dissolve. Flush once the clump is completely dissolved.
- Repeat steps 3 or 4 as necessary, until it's time to replace the litter entirely (usually 3-4 weeks).
Tip: When using World’s Best Cat Litter, we recommend keeping the litter box in a relatively dry and cool room to preserve its absorption and odor controlling capabilities. As a grain-based cat litter, it can be susceptible to mold, and its “barnyard” smell is more noticeable in hot and humid conditions.
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How well does World’s Best Cat Litter perform?
Now let’s get into the actual review of World’s Best Cat Litter. I used World’s Best Original Unscented formula for one month in one litter box for my one cat, Eddie. He still had access to his other litter box with his old litter.
Ease of Handling
World’s Best Cat Litter is available in several different sized bags, ranging from 8 lbs to 32 lbs. I purchased a 28-lb bag, which was a little unwieldy to pour due to the plastic bag’s slippery texture and lack of handle. The litter itself is lighter and easier to handle than clay. The ease of handling really comes down to the bag size and whether you purchased in-store or had it shipped to your door.
Score: 7/10
Paw-Friendly Texture
Eddie had zero problems with the texture of World’s Best Cat Litter—he got straight to pooping! He seemed to have no preference between World’s Best and his old litter. Its small granules give it a paw-feel similar to clay, so it’s a great option if you want to transition from clay to a natural litter.
Score: 10/10
Eddie liked the texture of World's Best Cat Litter. He used the litter box right away!
Dust
Like many litter brands, World’s Best advertises that it’s 99% dust-free. This was not true in my experience. When pouring the litter, a small cloud of dust rose up and settled on the edges of the litter box and adjacent floor. A little puff of dust also went up when I was closing the bag. After a couple weeks of use I noticed there was slightly more dust in the litter box than before, which I attribute to the granules breaking down over time. Thankfully, World’s Best is non-toxic and less dusty than most clay litters, so there’s little to worry about health-wise. However, if minimal dust is a priority for you, some cassava and tofu cat litters are better options.
Score: 6/10
Tracking
I found World’s Best to be fairly low tracking given how small and light the granules are. Around the litter box there were some tracked particles, but nowhere near as many as when I reviewed Pretty Litter. To be fair, Eddie is short-haired and not a messy litter box user, so I could imagine worse tracking from long-haired and messy cats (which some online reviews mention). It’s not as low tracking as pellet litter, but using a good litter mat and a high-sided litter box should handle most of the mess from World’s Best.
Score: 7/10
World's Best Cat Litter's small particles tend to track, but not as much as I expected given their size and weight.
Ease of Cleaning
World’s Best Cat Litter is extremely easy to clean. It quickly absorbs urine to form scoopable clumps and does a good job of coating solid waste. In my opinion, the best feature of World’s Best is that it’s a flushable litter. I would simply scoop a clump into the toilet, wait about ten minutes for it to dissolve, then flush with no problems. Of course, you can also dispose of clumps and poops in the garbage.
Disclaimer: Flushing cat litter is illegal in California. Always check your local regulations before flushing cat litter. Only flush cat litter if your cat lives indoors and eats commercial food to avoid the risk of spreading toxoplasmosis.
Score: 10/10
Clumping
World’s Best Cat Litter has pretty good clumping for a natural litter. When left to solidify for a couple hours, the clumps are firm yet still readily dissolve in water. The clumps don’t stick to the litter box like clay. However, sometimes tiny pieces break off when scooping, which leads to an accumulation of soiled particles in the litter box. This may hurt the litter’s odor control over time. Overall, World’s Best’s clumping is not as good as clay, but better than most natural litters.
Score: 8/10
World's Best Cat Litter clumps well, but tiny pieces break off sometimes when scooping. Litter Box Scoop by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Odor Control
Odor control is a controversial subject among World’s Best Cat Litter users. The litter itself is unscented but has a natural earthy aroma, which most cat parents don’t have a problem with. Conversely, a vocal minority strongly dislikes this “barnyard” smell. Personally, I found it inoffensive.
In terms of controlling litter box odor, World’s Best is good but not great. It’s quite good at first, but over time dirty litter particles get left behind when scooping. After a couple weeks, I would get mild whiffs of urine when I was close to the litter box (3 feet or less). This was noticeably worse when we had the litter box in the bathroom, the most humid room in our apartment. I definitely recommend keeping the litter box in a cooler, less humid part of the house if using World’s Best. If you're really sensitive to urine odor, you may want to check our list of the best litters for odor control.
Note: I scooped the litter box 1-2 times per day while testing this litter.
Score: 7/10
@tuftandpaw Replying to @M we hear you, nobody wants to deal with litter box smell stinking up their home, but there’s no need to opt for an enclosed litter box just for thag reason 🤔 with an enclosed litter box you’re much less likely to clean it as often as you should, making the odor worse and trapping your poor kitty in there when the’re doing their business 😿 with an open litter box, your cat is much more comfortable, plus you can keep a closer eye for when you need to clean. by maintaining a frequent scooping routine and using an odor eliminating cat litter, there shouldn’t be an issue with smell 🫡 #cleaningthelitterbox #litterboxodor #litterboxcleaning #litterboxhack #litterboxsolutions #litterboxsmell #bestcatlitter #litterboxtips #litterboxproblems ♬ original sound - tuft + paw
Health & Safety
World’s Best Cat Litter is totally non-toxic and safe for cats and humans. As with any biodegradable litter, there is a chance of mold growth if stored in moist conditions. There is also some concern online about aflatoxins: poisonous compounds produced by certain molds that grow on food crops. Thankfully, your pet is only at risk if they eat contaminated litter, so you don’t have to worry unless your cat has an eating disorder like pica.
All things considered, World’s Best Cat Litter is a very safe litter for daily use. Just remember to seal the bag properly and store it in a dry, cool area.
Score: 10/10
Value
When purchased in larger bags, World’s Best Cat Litter clocks in at around $1.21/pound, which is comparable to some clay litters. This is a very affordable price for a natural litter, especially one of this quality. There are many natural litters out there with worse performance and a higher price tag. I think World’s Best offers excellent value for the money.
Score: 10/10
World’s Best Cat Litter’s Overall Score: 8.3/10 |
Eddie took World's Best for a test run as soon as we finished pouring it!
What are the benefits of using World’s Best Cat Litter?
There are several benefits to using World’s Best as your cat litter of choice. Here are some that stuck out to me:
1. Flushable
Flushable cat litter can be polarizing, but personally I love it. I find it to be super convenient and much preferable to lugging out garbage bags of pee clumps every couple weeks. The easy disposal also encourages me to scoop clumps right when I see them. That being said, make sure to only flush one clump at a time and let it fully dissolve before flushing, otherwise you’re asking for trouble.
Disclaimer: Flushing cat litter is illegal in California. Always check your local regulations before flushing cat litter. Only flush cat litter if your cat lives indoors and eats commercial food to avoid the risk of spreading toxoplasmosis.
2. Non-toxic and eco-friendly
I don’t buy clay cat litter for two main reasons: 1) carcinogenic silica dust, and 2) the environmental impact of open pit mining. Being made from corn—a food-grade renewable resource—World’s Best avoids both of these problems. It’s healthier for me, my cat, and the planet.
3. Great natural alternative to clay litter
World’s Best Cat Litter has many similarities to clay litter, so it’s great for transitioning your cat from clay to a natural litter. From a cat’s perspective, the granules are small which gives it a paw-friendly texture, but have the benefit of being less dusty and less prone to tracking. For cat parents, the clumping is firm enough for easy scooping but doesn’t cement itself to the litter box like clay. It's also much lighter than clay litter, so you get more volume of litter for the same weight. To top it off, the price is comparable to many brands of clay litter.
Are there any drawbacks to using World’s Best Cat Litter?
While World’s Best Cat Litter has many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Here are a few:
1. Odor control
World’s Best Cat Litter doesn’t have terrible odor control, but it’s definitely not one of its strengths. I noticed some light urine odor after the litter box had been in the bathroom for a few days. It also has a mild farm-y smell, which didn’t bother me but, judging by reviews, bothers some cat parents. Furthermore, tiny particles break off from the urine clumps when you scoop them, which build up in the litter box over time and probably hurt the litter’s odor control. Overall I would say the odor control is decent, but sensitive cat parents may want something stronger in that department.
2. Litter tracking and dust
Much like odor control, World’s Best Cat Litter is decent but not great when it comes to litter tracking and dust. It’s better than clay, but messy cats could easily track the small litter granules all over the house. If your cat likes to dig in the litter box, you’d be better served using a pellet cat litter.
@tuftandpaw Replying to @Ur momma We totally understand cat litter tracking frustration. We recommend really great cat litter as the ultimate mess-free solution! This flushable, odor-eliminating, quick-clumping litter is specially designed to minimize tracking by up to 95% in your home. The larger pellets prevent them from sticking to your cat's paws and spreading all over the house. Enjoy a cleaner home and a happier cat! #bestcatlitter #lowtrackingcatlitter #highqualitycatlitter #favoritecatlitter #naturalcatlitter #soycatlitter #cat #cattips #catcare ♬ masquenada - 💯
What do users think of World’s Best Cat Litter?
World’s Best Cat Litter receives largely positive reviews from cat parents. Users praise its clumping, natural ingredients, and flushability. Many cat parents tried out World’s Best after negative experiences with clay litter, and were happy to find a lower dust alternative that offered many of the same benefits.
However, there are also some negative reviews to consider. The most common complaints are about the natural “barnyard” smell, but others find the odor control lacking too. Some cat parents had trouble with litter tracking. Recently, there seems to be an uptick in reviews complaining about the dust content. This could be a temporary quality issue with a recent batch or a formula/manufacturing change, so future reviews will be telling.
Below is the average customer rating at some of World’s Best Cat Litter’s largest stockists and some real user reviews which have been edited for length and clarity.
Average Customer Rating for World’s Best Cat Litter
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Positive World’s Best Cat Litter Reviews
“I have 5 cats. FIVE…In the past, I've used several brands of clay, clumping, sand, and natural litters with varying levels of satisfaction. World's Best Cat Litter is, without a doubt, the standout product. It clumps well, doesn't stick to the sides of the pan, covers odor well (fresh poops will always stink ppl, don't come for me), and is long-lasting…” – J.K. Peters on Amazon
“Keep coming back to WB cat litter. Always looking for the perfect cat litter which I don't think exists. Clay litter tracks all over so forget that. Plus the used clay litter is very heavy to dispose of. In addition, my senior gal gets it stuck between her toes. What a horrible mess!!! For the price, WB litter is my choice. Less tracking and it clumps fairly well as long as you have at least 4 inches of the litter in the box.” – JM on Amazon
“...I live in an apartment and what I love about it is that It's FLUSHABLE. I checked with a plumber. No dust! Clumps well, doesn't stink, once poo is scooped and I'm very enthusiastic about keeping it clean. Soft on kitty's feet. Tracks as any litter will. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.” – Elaine F on Amazon
Negative World’s Best Cat Litter Reviews
“While this does a great job of absorbing and clumping, it has two big downfalls. First, the granules break down too easily and also stick pretty firmly once caught in a medium or high pile rug. That can make them difficult to clean up. (My cat tracks sand everywhere.) The bigger problem, though, is that the fact that these break down means there is always a very fine dust. When you're cleaning the box or when the cat is scratching, this dust is getting put into the air where it will stay aloft for a while and then settle on everything in the room…” – Wayne B on Amazon
“...2 stars is the best I could give it. One star is for a better lack of smell from our original cat litter and the other is for the better lack of tracking litter around. So it was better than what we had but not much unfortunately. And definitely not the world’s best.” – JJB on Amazon
Where can you buy World’s Best Cat Litter?
World’s Best Cat Litter is widely available at local pet stores, online retailers, and big box stores. Honestly, you can probably walk to the closest pet store right now and find it. Here’s the cost breakdown from the largest online stockists.
World’s Best Cat Litter Retailer Comparison:
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$38.57 for 32 lbs = $1.21/lb |
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$33.75 for 28 lbs = $1.21/lb |
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$33.75 for 28 lbs = $1.21/lb |
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$33.75 for 28 lbs = $1.21/lb |
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$49.95 for 32 lbs = $1.56/lb |
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$41.99 for 28 lbs = $1.50/lb |
Conclusion: Is World’s Best Cat Litter really the world’s best?
Alright, I’ll say it: World’s Best Cat Litter is not the world’s best cat litter…but it is quite good! Overall, I had a positive experience using World’s Best and would definitely use it again if my preferred litter wasn’t available. However, it might not be the perfect choice for every cat household. Here are my recommendations for who could benefit from using World’s Best:
World’s Best Cat Litter is worth it if…
- You want a flushable cat litter.
- You want to transition your cat from clay litter to natural litter.
- You want a clumping natural litter that is affordably priced.
World’s Best Cat Litter is not worth it if…
- Litter tracking is a top priority for you. The small granules don’t track as much as clay, but they’re more prone to tracking than pellet litters.
- You don’t like the smell of farms. That polarizing “barnyard” smell is a real thing.
- You want top tier odor control.
World’s Best Cat Litter FAQs
Is World’s Best Cat Litter safe to flush?
Yes! That is, assuming your plumbing can handle it, your cat lives indoors and eats a commercial diet, and flushing litter is legal in your area. I found World’s Best to fully dissolve in water within 5-10 minutes.
Is aflatoxin a risk with World’s Best Cat Litter?
In theory, yes, but it’s very unlikely. Aflatoxins are common in many food crops, but your cat would have to eat contaminated litter to be affected by it.
Is World’s Best Cat Litter biodegradable?
Yes! All flushable cat litters are biodegradable as well. However, we don’t recommend composting used cat litter, especially if the compost will be used as soil for food crops.
How does World’s Best Cat Litter compare to traditional clay litter?
World’s Best Cat Litter is lighter in weight, less dusty, and slightly more expensive than traditional clay litter. It clumps well, though not as firmly as clay, and it’s completely non-toxic, whereas clay litter contains harmful silica dust.
Can you use World’s Best Cat Litter with automatic litter boxes?
Yes, World’s Best Cat Litter is compatible with most automatic litter boxes because it’s a clumping fine grain litter. However, make sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations before using it with your specific litter box model.
