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. We spoke to vets and veterinary behaviorists to about the dangers of dusty cat litter and what cats actually prefer to see in their litter boxes.
Scooping the litter box is a daily necessity to keep your cat comfortable. No one likes using a dirty bathroom, after all, but a messy litter box isn’t just unpleasant – it’s unhealthy. Dirty litter boxes are a breeding ground for bacteria that can make your cat sick and odor that can make its way throughout the entire house.
Germs and odor aside, the conditions in your cat’s litter box have more of an impact than you may realize – especially when those conditions are dusty. If you’ve ever poured out a box of litter only to be devoured by a dust cloud, you know what we’re talking about.
But dusty cat litter isn’t an inevitability. 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.
We consulted veterinarian Dr. Megan Teiber and cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel about the health concerns related to dusty cat litter and how to find a dust-free option. Before we reveal the details of what they said, however, let’s take a quick peak at our top five picks for the best dust-free cat litter.
Sneak Pick at Our Top Picks
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to cat litter, but discerning cat owners don’t just grab a tub off the shelf. Your cat’s age, preferences, and health status should all come into play when choosing a cat litter. If you’re looking for a low-dust option, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a quick overview of our top five picks for the best dust-free cat litter...
1) tuft + paw's Really Great Cat Litter
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own cat litter here. This is only because we think it performs excellently as a dust-free cat litter. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts.
| Materials | Soybean Husk |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Price/Pound |
$3.05 (but 75% lighter than clay, so it's effectively $0.73/pound) |
Tuft + Paw Really Great Cat Litter is made from all-natural, sustainably sourced ingredients including repurposed soybean fiber. This plant-based litter is quick-clumping, low-tracking due to it's larger and lighter pellets, and, most importantly, dust-free. It completely breaks down in water so it's also safe to flush.
2) Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
| Materials | Wood |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Price/Pound |
$1.17 |
Though it may be a pricier pick, this natural wood cat litter from ökocat is a low-dust option made from natural, biodegradable materials. Plus, it clumps for easy scooping!
3) Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Litter
| Materials | Recycled paper |
| Clumping | No |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Price/Pound |
$0.84 |
Made from 100% recycled paper, Fresh News cat litter is affordably priced and biodegradable. The low-tracking pellets are up to three times more absorbent than clay.
4) Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
| Materials | Pine |
| Clumping | No |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Price/Pound |
$0.54 |
Made entirely from natural pine, Feline Pine is a non-clumping wood cat litter that is completely chemical-free. It’s gentle on sensitive noses and its biodegradable formula is good for the environment.
5) Böxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
| Materials | Clay |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Price/Pound |
$1.08 |
Infused with probiotics for natural odor control, Böxiecat stops odors before they start. This clumping formula traps ammonia and bacteria odor to keep your litter box smelling fresh.
The Dangers of Dusty Cat Litter
Anyone who has adopted a kitten has heard about the dangers of accidental cat litter ingestion, but the real threat might not be the litter itself – it might be the dust it produces.
Imagine opening the door to the bathroom and being hit by a wave of chalky dust. It fills your mouth and nostrils, making it difficult to breathe and leaving you with a dry throat after you’ve done your business. This is what it’s like for your cat to use a dusty litter box.
Not only can dusty cat litter make for uncomfortable conditions, but Dr. Megan Teiber suggests it can exacerbate symptoms of feline asthma and chronic upper respiratory infections. She goes on to say that, while low-dust litter might not, “completely solve the problem on its own, 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 Cat Litter
All you have to do is step into a pet store to realize just how many options there are when it comes to cat litter. From clumping to non-clumping, scented to unscented, cat litter comes in many different forms and it can be overwhelming to make a choice.
When shopping for cat litter, cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel offers this reminder: “In general, cats’ requirements are rather simple. Litter should be pleasant feeling, scent-free, doesn’t stick to the paws (or get stuck between the toes or other body parts) and be easy to paw at.”
While it’s your job as a cat owner to make an appropriate choice for your cat, it’s important to keep your cat’s preferences and well-being in mind.
Dr. Teiber suggests that most cats prefer a fine litter texture over large pellets and crystals. This may be less of an issue for cats without sensitive paws, but comfort is still an important factor. Plant-based litters tend to be pelleted or shredded which may make them a softer choice than clay and crystal cat litters. Wood, paper, and other natural materials may be lower in dust as well.
As a final point, 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.
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
Best for: Pet parents who want to avoid dust + tracking, and who are willing to pay a slightly higher price point.
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.
| Pros | Cons |
| Made from natural materials | More expensive |
| Clumping | |
| Sustainably sourced, biodegradable, flushable | |
| Ultra low tracking + low dust |
2) Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Best for: Pet parents who prefer a clumping litter but want to avoid the dust and environmental concerns linked to bentonite clay.
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|
Made from natural wood materials
|
Clumps may not be as solid as clay litter |
| Offers some degree of clumping | Expensive, over $1.00 per pound |
| Sustainably sourced, biodegradable, flushable | |
| Absorbs liquid on contact for easy scooping |
3) Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Litter
Best for: Eco-conscious cat owners who value biodegradability and sustainability but aren’t willing to compromise on value or performance.
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|
Made from 100% recycled paper materials
|
Not a clumping formula
|
| Low-tracking pellets |
Odor control is limited
|
|
Up to 3x more absorbent than clay
|
|
|
Doesn’t contain artificial fragrance
|
4) Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
Best for: Pet parents who prefer a natural cat litter option that is made entirely without the use of chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|
Made from 100% natural pine fibers
|
Not a clumping formula
|
|
Reformulated for increased absorbency
|
May have an unpleasant odor when saturated
|
|
Free from chemicals and synthetic fragrance
|
|
|
Affordably priced under $0.50 per pound
|
5) Böxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
Best for: Cat owners who prefer traditional clumping clay litter but seek a low-dust option appropriate for allergy sufferers.
Clay cat litter tends to clump better than other materials which often makes it a longer lasting option. This unscented clumping clay litter forms quick clumps which makes daily scooping a breeze. Böxicat calls them Flat Top clumps which trap bacterial and ammonia odor on contact.
This clay litter is recommended for both single- and multi-cat households, though it’s certainly one of the pricier options on the list. Because the litter forms clumps, however, you’ll have less wasted litter which means the bag goes further.
Böxicat litter is ideal for allergy sufferers because it’s made with a dust-suppression process, and it is completely free from artificial fragrance.
Numerous customers praise Böxiecat’s low dust and odor control. There are, however, some concerns about the grains being so fine that they tend to track.
| Pros | Cons |
| Forms clumps to reduce waste |
Expensive, over $1.00 per pound
|
| Doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances |
Fine granules may track
|
|
Made with a dust suppression process
|
|
|
Flat Top clumps lock in odor on contact
|
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!
