The 5 Best Dust-Free Cat Litters (We Asked the Experts)

The words dust-free and cat litter may seem like polar opposites, but you shouldn’t have to suffocate in a cloud of dust every time you scoop the litter box. Certain types of cat litter produce less dust which makes them a better option for kittens, cats with allergies, and those with sensitive respiratory systems. In this article, we’ll explain what to look for in a cat litter and give you our picks for the best low dust cat litters on the market.

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 low dust litter provides the best all-around experience. 

Tip: If you want more advice on tracking, check out our Ultimate Guide to Stop Cat Litter Tracking.

Cheat Sheet: The Best Dust-Free Cat Litters 

1) tuft + paw's Really Great Cat Litter 

2) Petfive Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter

3) Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter

4) Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Litter

5) Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter

The Dangers of Dusty Cat Litter

Crystalline Silica Dust in Clay Litter

Many cat parents use clay litter, but there’s a serious issue with this material: the presence of crystalline silica dust. According to the CDC, silica dust is a known carcinogen when inhaled and can cause respiratory issues in cats and humans. In industrial settings, workers that encounter silica dust usually wear respirators and take extensive precautions to avoid these problems.

Thankfully, other types of litter do not contain this kind of dust. Natural plant-based litters like tofu pellets or cassava are very low dust in general, and crystal cat litters do not contain the dangerous kind of silica dust (despite their name). 

Note: The crystalline silica dust found in clay litter is different from the amorphous silica crystals used in crystal cat litter. Silica gel/crystal cat litter is not dangerous for cats or humans.

Feline Asthma + Respiratory Issues

Dusty cat litter doesn’t just create uncomfortable conditions; Dr. Megan Teiber suggests it can exacerbate symptoms of feline asthma and chronic upper respiratory infections. While low-dust litter might not “completely solve the problem on its own, it can help minimize the irritants in the environment and may reduce the amount of medical intervention needed.” 

Dr. Teiber recommends low-dust cat litter for cats predisposed to respiratory problems but acknowledges that all cats can benefit from the switch to dust-free litter. 

What to Look for in a Dust-Free Cat Litter

Natural Litter > Clay

In general, clay is one of the dustiest litter materials. Cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel emphasizes 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." Most natural cat litters are far less dusty than clay, and what dust they do produce is not carcinogenic. In particular, natural pellet litters are some of the least dusty litters on the market. Some of the lowest dust cat litters are tofu pellets, cassava litter, and paper litter.

Low Tracking

Tracking and dust go hand-in-hand if you get a dusty, messy litter. Look for a low-tracking litter to minimize litter box mess and keep particles off your cat’s paws. Pellet litters are by far the lowest-tracking type of litter because they’re less likely to get stuck in your cat’s fur or toe beans, and they’re harder to kick out of the box if your cat digs.

Unscented

Andel recommends steering away from scented cat litters as much as possible. Fragrance might help mask litter box odor, but it doesn’t solve the problem. Heavy perfumes can be just as irritating to your cat’s nose and lungs as dust. Look for other ways to control litter box odor, such as deodorizers or scooping more often.

Paw-Friendly Texture

Some cats prefer a fine litter texture over large pellets and crystals. This is more important if your cat has sensitive paws, but most cats will have no problem with the paw-feel of pellet litters or crystal litter. The most important thing is that your cat will use it! 

Easy to Clean

Every cat parent has different preferences when cleaning the litter box, but the essential thing is that you scoop it daily. Whichever kind of litter feels the easiest to clean is the one you should use. Most cat parents prefer clumping cat litter or the ease of flushable litters, while others prefer non-clumping litters. 

Cove Modern Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here

Our Criteria for the Best Dust-Free Cat Litters

The following criteria were developed in consultation with veterinarian Megan Teiber and cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel.

• Dust — How dusty the litter is. This factor is very important for cats and people with respiratory issues and allergies.
• Tracking — How much litter ends up outside the litter box, and how far from the litter box it can get.
• Ease of cleaning — How well the litter clumps/absorbs moisture, coats solid waste, and how much it sticks to the litter box.
• 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.
• 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.
• Health and safety — How safe the litter is for cat and human health. The fewer additives the better, including scents, preservatives, and colors.
• Eco-friendly — The litter's environmental impact, including sourcing and whether it's biodegradable.
• Ease of handling — How easy the litter is to transport, pour, and handle.
• Price point

Deep Dive: The 5 Best Dust-Free Cat Litters 

It’s difficult to say that any cat litter is truly dust-free, but we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market. Below you’ll find our top five picks divided chosen for various benefits like clumping ability, multi-cat odor control, and biodegradability. 

1) tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter

Price: $29 for 9.5 lbs = $3.05/lb (shipping included)
Rating: 4.6/5 with 2,800 reviews on tuft + paw
Ingredients: soybean fiber, corn starch, corn flour, guar gum, charcoal

Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own tofu litter here. This is only because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other litters. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and users.

tuft + paw's Really Great Cat Litter is a pellet litter made from soybean fiber. We find this litter to be very low tracking and very low dust. The pellets are thinner, lighter, and softer than most other pellet litters. This gives it a cat-friendly texture without sacrificing the low-tracking benefit of pellets. 

Really Great Cat Litter is unscented and its activated charcoal provides good odor control.  It clumps quickly and dissolves in water, making it flushable and very easy to clean. The bag’s built-in handle helps with pouring and carrying the litter. 

The main downside of Really Great Cat Litter is the price. At $29 for a 9.5lb bag, it is the most expensive litter on this list and may not be affordable for some cat parents. Households with multiple cats may want to opt for a cheaper alternative like pine pellet litter. 

2) Petfive Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter

Eddie looks on as we shake out the last grains of Sustainably Yours litter. Cove Litter Box by tuft + paw. 

Price: $23.99 for 13 lbs = $1.85/lb
Rating: 4.5/5 with 150 PetSmart reviews
Ingredients: corn, cassava

Sustainably Yours is a fine grain clumping litter made from corn and cassava starch. It has some of the best clumping amongst natural litters and is very low dust. Cats will like the soft paw-friendly texture of this litter. The hard clumps do a decent job of trapping ammonia odors and the fine grains easily coat and dehydrate solid waste. Health-minded cat parents will also appreciate that this litter is unscented and white colored, so any discoloration in your cat’s urine will be clearly visible.

Unfortunately, Sustainably Yours’ big flaw is its tracking. The grains are very small and easily picked up by paws and fur. Additionally, this litter is marketed as flushable but some users (including our own reviewer) felt the clumps didn’t break down enough in water to be easily flushed. Among natural cat litters, the price is middling ($1.85/lb) but certainly not cheap.

Check out our in-depth review of Sustainably Yours for more information on this popular natural litter.

3) Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter

Price: $27.99 for 26 lbs = $1.08/lb 
Rating: 4.0/5 with 1,200 reviews on Chewy 
Ingredients: recycled spruce, fir, and pine fiber 

Made from biodegradable wood fiber, this plant-based cat litter is sustainably sourced and responsibly rescued. It’s good for the environment but, with its all-natural formula, it’s also good for your cat.

Ӧkocat litter is free from synthetic fragrances and other artificial additives, making it an allergy-friendly option and a safe choice for kittens. The wood fiber granules are soft enough for sensitive paws but because it’s lightweight it might track a little more than clay. 

This cat litter absorbs liquid quickly on contact and the wood material contains natural enzymes that stop ammonia odor before it starts. 

As noted by several customers and our cat behavior consultant Nicole Van Andel, this ökocat formula does create clumps but they aren’t quite as hard or tight as clay clumps. The clumps may break apart a little bit easier, so gentle scooping is recommended. 

4) Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Litter

Price: $14.49 for 12 lbs = $1.21/lb 
Rating: 4.1/5 with 500 reviews on Chewy 
Ingredients: post-consumer recycled paper

Natural cat litters can be pricey, but this recycled paper formula from Fresh News is affordably priced and sold in manageable 12-pound bags. It’s much lighter than clay litter and the paper materials are up to three times more absorbent. 

Fresh News crumble cat litter comes in low-tracking pellets that are safe for kittens and cats of all ages. Because the litter is made from recycled paper, there’s less risk of intestinal blockage than with clay litter. It’s also gentler on sensitive paws. 

This paper cat litter is completely biodegradable and free from synthetic additives of any kind. The one downside is that customers report it has limited odor control. This is common with non-clumping cat litters, however, so we recommend daily scooping and emptying the litter box weekly.

5) Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter

Price: $21.49 for 40 lbs = $0.54/lb 
Rating: 4.2/5 with 2,700 reviews on Chewy 
Ingredients: pine sawdust

Finding a fragrance-free cat litter is important for cats with asthma or allergies, but it’s about more than just fragrance. You want all-natural materials with absolutely no artificial additives. 

Feline Pine is made entirely from natural pine, and it is completely free from synthetic chemicals. The clay-free formula makes dust a non-issue and because the pine fibers are purified and dehydrated, they’re ultra-absorbent. 

As an all-natural cat litter, Feline Pine is biodegradable, but it is not flushable. The best way to dispose of it is to compose it.

While Feline Pine has been reformulated to absorb liquid up to twice as fast as the original formula, some customers find that, once saturated, it does develop a strong urine odor that combines unpleasantly with the pine scent. Regular scooping and cleaning can help prevent this issue. 

Final Thoughts

Cats with asthma and chronic respiratory issues can benefit from a switch to dust-free cat litter, but there’s no case in which dust-free litter is a poor choice. 

If you’ve decided to make the swap, it’s wise to make the transition slowly to prevent litter box avoidance. Cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel recommends keeping the old litter box and its location the same to minimize confusion. Andel suggests sprinkling a layer of the new litter on the bottom of the box before filling it the rest of the way with your cat’s current litter then gently stirring to mix them. 

Adding a scoop of used litter may encourage your cat to use the litter box at first and, once he gets used to it, you can increase the ratio of new to old litter. If your kitty is having trouble adjusting, it never hurts to use treats for a little positive reinforcement!