13 Different Types of Cat Litter and How to Choose the Right One for Your Cat

If you’ve ever stood in the pet aisle at Target or Petco holding two bags of litter and wondering why one costs three times as much as the other, you’re in good company. Standing in the cat litter aisle feeling overwhelmed by choices is a common experience for cat owners. With so many different types of cat litter on shelves right now, from classic clay to newer plant-based pellets, the “best” option really depends on your cat’s paws, your nose, and your budget.

This guide walks through all 13 major litter categories you’ll find in U.S. pet stores, covering clumping vs non-clumping litter, odor control, tracking, and eco-friendly cat litter options for sensitive cats and multi-cat households. You don’t need to try all 13 to find your match, but knowing what separates them will save you a lot of wasted bags.

Litter Type	Clumps?	Odor Control	Eco-Friendly	Typical Cost Tier
Clay (clumping)	Yes	Good	No	Low
Clay (non-clumping)	No	Fair	No	Low
Silica gel/crystal	No	Excellent	No	High
Tofu	Yes	Good	Yes	High
Corn	Yes	Good	Yes	Medium
Wheat	Yes	Good	Yes	Medium
Pine	Varies	Good	Yes	Low-Medium
Paper	No	Fair	Yes	Low-Medium
Walnut	Yes	Good	Yes	Medium-High
Grass/plant-fiber	Yes	Good	Yes	High
Sand	No	Fair	No	Low
Activated charcoal	Varies	Excellent	Varies	Medium-High
Hemp	Yes	Good	Yes	Medium-High
Bamboo	Yes	Good	Yes	Medium

1. Clay litter (clumping and non-clumping)

Clay litter is the one most American cat owners grew up with, and for good reason. There are two types of cat litter made from clay, non-clumping and clumping, with clay-based non-clumping litter introduced to the market in 1947 and clumping clay discovered in the 1980s. The clumping version, made from sodium bentonite, is the litter you’ll see anchoring the shelves at Walmart and Chewy under names like Fresh Step and Tidy Cats.

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, unscented clumping clay litter ranks as the number-one choice for most cats, since it’s one of the more affordable litter types and keeps space clean thanks to its clumping and odor-absorbing ability. Non-clumping clay is cheaper still but needs a full box change more often since it just soaks up moisture instead of forming scoopable clumps.

Pro Tip: If you’re weighing clumping vs non-clumping litter, remember that clumping formulas let you scoop daily and only fully replace the box every few weeks, while non-clumping litter usually needs a complete dump-and-refill weekly.

2. Silica gel/crystal litter

Crystal litter looks nothing like traditional clay, and that’s the point. Also known as silica cat litter, it’s mined from quartz sand, and those sand particles are mixed with oxygen and water to create highly absorbent crystals. Brands like PrettyLitter and the PetSafe ScoopFree cartridges use this format because it can go weeks between full changes for a single cat.

The tradeoff is texture and safety monitoring. If your cat gets a lot of litter stuck between their toes or chooses to eat litter from the box or floor, it’s worth talking to your veterinarian about whether you should avoid silica and clumping litter, since both can be more likely to cause blockages in the gastrointestinal tract based on how they react to moisture.

Important Note: Crystal litter is not something to switch a cat to blindly if they have a history of eating litter. If you’re unsure who to ask, a directory of the different types of vets can help you find a feline specialist for that conversation.

3. Tofu litter

Tofu litter has become a favorite among owners chasing an eco-friendly cat litter option that still clumps like clay. It’s made from leftover soybeans from tofu production, clumps well enough to support good odor control and easy cleanup, comes in a pellet shape that helps minimize tracking even though some cats won’t love the texture, and tends to carry a natural coconut-y smell that can be a drawback for some households.

Storage matters more here than with clay. Because tofu litter is a plant-based material, it can be vulnerable to mold if stored in humid conditions, so a sealed bin is worth the extra few dollars, especially if you live somewhere humid like the Gulf Coast or the Pacific Northwest.

4. Corn litter

Corn litter appeals to owners who want plant-based performance without the tofu price tag. Cat litter made from corn kernels or corn cobs clumps for easy cleanup and is flushable, which makes disposal simpler than bagging clay litter for the trash. World’s Best Cat Litter is the most recognizable U.S. brand built on this base.

Corn litter tends to sit in the middle of the price range, between budget clay and premium tofu or walnut. It’s biodegradable, reasonably low-dust, and gentle enough for kittens still learning to use a box, though households with grain-sensitive cats sometimes look elsewhere.

5. Wheat litter

Wheat litter works on a similar clumping principle to corn but leans on the grain’s natural starches. Wheat-based litter uses natural wheat enzymes to clump and control odors, which is the mechanism behind long-running U.S. brands like Swheat Scoop.

Swheat Scoop clumps naturally and biodegrades easily, making it a good option for eco-conscious cat parents, though it may attract pests if not stored correctly. If you already keep a sealed bin for small-animal bedding, the same setup used for the various different types of hay works fine for wheat litter storage too.

6. Pine litter

Pine litter is one of the older natural options, sold in the U.S. under names like Feline Pine and ökocat. As one of many eco-friendly litter options, pine litter is known for low-tracking and low-dust qualities, and while it’s also one of the more affordable options, it naturally has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

The catch is comfort. On the downside, pine litter might not feel the best on a cat’s sensitive paw pads, since it’s often sold in compressed pellet form rather than soft granules. Cats used to sandy clay sometimes need a gradual introduction before they’ll commit to a pine box.

7. Paper litter (recycled newspaper/pellet)

Paper litter is the go-to recommendation after surgery or for households managing allergies. Paper litter is the best option for allergy-prone cats and humans since there’s almost no dust, and it’s non-clumping, so it’s often recommended for kittens.

It’s also a safe choice for cats recovering from surgery because the pellet particles won’t get stuck in wounds, and while it’s lightweight and affordable, it’s not very absorbent, so soggy paper is hard to clean. Vets frequently recommend it short-term after a spay, neuter, or declaw procedure specifically for that wound-safety reason.

8. Walnut litter

Walnut litter is made from a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded, which is part of its eco-friendly appeal. Manufactured from crushed walnut shells, this litter is dark brown and fairly coarse, and walnut shells actually make a surprisingly good litter, since they clump well, trap odors, and stay absorbent.

Naturally Fresh is the most widely stocked U.S. walnut brand. The dark color hides waste well, which some owners love and others find makes it harder to spot when the box needs scooping, so you’ll want to stick to a consistent schedule rather than relying on visual cues alone.

9. Grass/plant-fiber litter

Grass litter is the newest entrant on this list, and it shows in both price and availability. Grass litter is one of the more expensive types, and since it’s so new, you may be unable to find it everywhere, and since the seeds are so small, tracking is also a significant issue.

Despite the tracking issue, grass-based formulas clump well and produce very little dust, which makes them a reasonable pick for cats with respiratory sensitivities, provided you’re willing to pay a premium and keep a mat under the box.

10. Sand litter

Sand is technically where this whole product category started. Before clay-based litter existed, cat parents relied on sand, which is also why cats can’t resist an uncovered children’s sandbox. True sand litter still shows up in some budget and international brands, prized for its familiar, fine-grain texture.

The downside is practical: sand doesn’t clump on its own, tends to be heavier per bag than clay, and can track almost as much as fine clay litter. It’s rarely the first recommendation for U.S. multi-cat households, but some cats simply prefer the feel over anything else on this list.

11. Activated charcoal litter

Activated charcoal litter isn’t really its own base material so much as an odor-control additive layered onto clay, corn, or plant-fiber litters. Some litters use activated charcoal for odor control instead of relying on artificial scents.

Clay litters often contain activated charcoal or other odor-fighting ingredients specifically to trap smells, which is why you’ll see “charcoal-infused” versions of Arm & Hammer or Tidy Cats marketed for multi-cat homes. If you’re chasing the best cat litter for odor control and don’t want a strong perfume smell, charcoal-boosted formulas are worth a look before you reach for scented litter.

12. Hemp litter

Hemp litter is a smaller-shelf-space newcomer built from the fast-growing hemp plant rather than its more famous cousin. It’s processed into soft, absorbent granules or pellets that clump reasonably well and break down quickly in compost, which appeals to the same shopper who reaches for tofu or corn litter.

Because hemp requires relatively little water and few pesticides to grow, it’s often marketed as one of the more sustainable eco-friendly cat litter options on this list. Availability is still limited mostly to specialty pet stores and online retailers rather than big-box shelves, and it tends to sit at a similar price point to walnut or grass litter.

13. Bamboo litter

Bamboo litter rounds out the plant-fiber category, made from fast-regenerating bamboo pulp rather than wood pulp or paper waste. Like paper litter, it’s typically low-dust and soft on paws, which makes it a reasonable pick for kittens or cats recovering from a paw injury.

Where it differs from paper is clumping: most bamboo formulas are engineered to form solid clumps, closing some of the gap with clay in terms of scoopability. It’s biodegradable and renewable, though as with tofu and hemp, U.S. availability skews toward pet specialty retailers and online orders rather than every neighborhood grocery store.

Key Insight: If sustainability is your main driver, tofu, corn, wheat, walnut, grass, hemp, and bamboo all qualify as eco-friendly cat litter options, but they differ enough in clumping strength and cost that it’s worth trying small bags of two or three before committing to a large bag.

With 13 different types of cat litter on the table, the right pick usually comes down to matching material to your specific priorities rather than chasing whatever is trending. Most adult cats can use a variety of cat litter types, but personal preference and lifestyle play a big role in choosing the best option, and if your cat avoids the box, it helps to remember that cats can be picky about materials, textures, and grain size.

Whatever you land on, change litters slowly. You generally don’t want to mix clumping litter with non-clumping litter, though the exception is when you’re transitioning from one litter type to another, since gradually mixing the old and new litters helps your cat adjust to the new texture a little at a time.

Pro Tip: Give any new litter at least one to two weeks and a second, side-by-side box before ruling it out. A cat that seems to reject a new texture on day one will sometimes come around once the smell and feel of the old litter fully fades.

Choosing among 13 different types of cat litter can feel a little like sorting through the different types of dog collars at a pet supply store: there’s no single right answer, only the option that fits your specific cat, your budget, and how often you’re willing to scoop. Start with what’s already working, change one variable at a time, and let your cat’s litter box habits, not the marketing on the bag, tell you when you’ve found the right fit.