9 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter in 2024

When it comes to cat litter, a little bit goes a long way. Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners find their cat litter going a long way all over the house.

Life as a cat owner can be wonderful at times, especially when your cat is in a cuddly mood. Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and roses when it comes to the litter box. Not only do you have to deal with odors and dust, but some cat owners find themselves fighting and endless battle against tracking. This is particularly common in households where the cat has an affinity for digging.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of tracking and provide some simple steps to contain the mess in your household. You’ll also see our top picks for the best non-tracking cat litter.

Tips to Reducing Tracking

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Tracking is one of the top complaints cat owners have. The term tracking simply refers to pieces of litter getting stuck to the cat’s feet or fur after using the litter box and it often results in litter being transported around the house. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll never find cat litter on the floor, but there are certain things to can do to make it less of an issue in your household.

Here are some simple tips to reduce tracking: 

• One of the best cat litter tracking solutions is to simply change the type of litter you’re using – think about the materials as well as the size and weight of the granules.
• Try using a cat litter mat to contain spill outside the litter box and to create a surface that will help remove some of the stuck litter from your cat’s paws before he walks away.
• Switch to a larger litter box or a box with higher sides – this is a simple way to contain your cat litter, especially if your cat likes to dig around in the box.
• Consider switching to a top-entry litter box – when your cat jumps out of the litter box, litter stuck to his paws will fall back into the box instead of onto your floor.
• Avoid filling the litter box too full – you really only need two or three inches for most cats.

What to Look for in a Non-Tracking Cat Litter

All cat litters are not created equal. When shopping for cat litter, you should have some idea what you’re looking for as a means of filtering through the options. If tracking is one of your primary concerns, there are certain features you should consider when comparing brands.

Here are some features to look for in a low-tracking cat litter: 

• Quality Materials – Choosing the right materials for your cat litter can go a long way to reduce tracking. Low-quality or cheap materials like clay tend to track more than some other materials.
• Granule Size/Shape – The size and shape of the granule determines how likely it is to get stuck in your cat’s paws. Larger granules tend to track less than finer granules.
• Clumping vs. Non-Clumping – It is a clumping cat litter’s job to stick together, so it should be surprise that it also sticks to your cat. Decide whether you might consider a non-clumping litter to reduce tracking or if that’s a feature you’re not willing to give up.
• Weight – Very lightweight granules tend to track more, not only because they get stuck in your cat’s paws but also because they’re easier to fling over the sides of the litter box.

Now that you have some idea what to look for when shopping for cat litter, you’re ready to get started! Read on to see our top picks for the best low tracking cat litter.

The Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter

When it comes to choosing a cat litter, it largely comes down to preference. It isn’t just your preferences you have to consider, however. Some cats just seem to like one type of litter better than another, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself trying a few different brands. To get you started in finding the best non tracking litter, we’ve assembled a list of recommendations.

Here are our top picks for the best low tracking cat litter:

Our 2024 Picks: Best Cat Non-Tracking Litter
	Arm & Hammer Double Duty Cat Litter Hard-clumping action Strong dual odor control Price: $$	CHECK PRICE
	Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra-Premium Cat Litter  Excellent odor control Low tracking and 99.9% dust-free Price: $$	CHECK PRICE
	Frisco Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter Affordable price No harsh chemical ingredients Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter Highly absorbent formula Made from recycled paper materials Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter Highly absorbent Low tracking and dust-free formula Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Litter No tracking or dust Great for multi-cat households Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Litter ClumpLock technology Ammonia-block technology Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Cat’s Pride Unscented Total Odor Control Clumping Litter Free from artificial fragrances Forms hard clumps Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Frisco Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Cat Litter Highly absorbent Virtually dust-free Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE

Arm & Hammer Double Duty Cat Litter

Shopping for cat litter can be tough but Arm & Hammer makes the choice easy. This Arm & Hammer Double Duty Cat Litter offers hard-clumping action for easy scooping along with strong odor control for both urine and feces. This cat litter is affordably priced and comes in four different sizes, all of which offer the same advanced dual odor control. Designed to tackle stubborn odors on contact, this litter will keep your litter box smelling fresh. It is low-tracking and 99% dust-free as well.

Pros: Hard-clumping action, strong dual odor control, 99% dust free formula, easy to scoop

Cons: Some found the scent too strong

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra-Premium Cat Litter

Strong clumping action is the key to odor control, especially in a multi-cat household. This Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra-Premium Cat Litter is a great option for multiple cats because it forms strong, hard clumps and is naturally unscented. This cat litter is 99.9% dust-free and low tracking, designed to deliver superior odor control with reliable performance. It comes in 18-, 20-, and 40-pound containers for a surprisingly low price which is what makes it a favorite among cat owners.

Pros: Excellent odor control, low tracking and 99.9% dust-free, natural ingredients, unscented

Cons: Clumps sometimes break apart during scooping

Frisco Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter

From Chewy’s in-house brand comes this Frisco Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter. Affordably priced and low tracking, this cat litter is unscented but designed to offer excellent odor control strong enough for multi-cat households. This cat litter locks in moisture on contact to prevent it from seeping into the bottom of the box – it also neutralizes odors quickly and doesn’t contain any harsh chemical ingredients. It’s great for cats with allergies and works well in sifting and mechanical litter boxes.

Pros: Affordable price, strong odor control for multiple cats, no harsh chemical ingredients

Cons: Only sold in larger bags which can be difficult to handle

Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter

Traditional clay litter can be bad for tracking, so if you’re looking for an alternative you might consider Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter. This cat litter is made from recycled paper and comes in larger pellets that won’t stick to your cat’s paws. It is a 99.7% dust-free formula and eco-friendly, not to mention affordably priced. This cat litter absorbs 3 times more moisture than clay and because it is made from recycled materials it won’t aggravate your cat’s allergies.

Pros: Highly absorbent formula, made from recycled paper materials, low-tracking and 99.7% dust-free

Cons: Not a clumping formula, some disliked the smell of the wet paper materials

Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter

Another alternative to clay litter is this Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter. Made from 100% natural walnut shells, this cat litter is highly absorbent and offers excellent odor control. This cat litter is dust-free and very low tracking, plus it doesn’t contain any chemicals or toxins. Simply put, it is an all-natural cat litter strong enough for multi-cat households.

Pros: Made from 100% natural materials, highly absorbent, low tracking and dust-free formula

Cons: Urine may combine with the walnut materials in an unpleasant way

Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Litter

If you’re tired of emptying and refilling your litter box every week, this Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Litter might be a good option to consider. Designed to be used with the Tidy Cats Breeze litter system, these pellets dehydrate solid waste while allowing liquid to pass through into an absorbent pad beneath. You can wash and reuse the pellets as needed and the larger granule size eliminates problems with dust and tracking.

Pros: No tracking or dust, one bag lasts up to a month (or more), great for multi-cat households

Cons: Not a clumping formula, some cats dislike alternative litters

Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Litter

For maximum odor control in a multi-cat household, consider this Fresh Step Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Litter. This formula harnesses the power of Febreze to neutralize odors, controlling them for up to 10 days at a time. This clumping clay litter is 99.9% dust-free and low tracking, so you won’t have to worry about a mess. It forms tight, easy-to-scoop clumps, and has slightly larger granules to further reduce tracking. Ammonia-block technology keeps the litter box smelling fresh while the low dust formula keeps your cat breathing easy.

Pros: ClumpLock technology for easy scooping, ammonia-block technology for odor control, low dust

Cons: Some found the fragrance too strong, contains artificial fragrance

Cat’s Pride Unscented Total Odor Control Clumping Litter

If you’re looking for an affordable cat litter, consider this Cat’s Pride Unscented Total Odor Control Clumping Litter. This clumping clay litter locks in odors instantly, forming strong clumps that are easy to scoop. Not only is this formula very low-tracking, but it is also 99% dust-free and 25% lighter than the leading scoopable cat litter. This formula is great for multi-cat households, designed to eliminate odors without the use of artificial fragrances and perfumes. It is allergy-friendly and cost-effective.

Pros: Free from artificial fragrances, forms hard clumps, low tracking and 99% dust-free

Cons: Some users found it dustier than expected

Frisco Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Cat Litter

When it comes to tracking, it all comes down to the granules. This Frisco Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Cat Litter is a very low tracking option because it is made from recycled paper materials in a larger pellet form. This non-clumping cat litter is made from 95% post-consumer recycled paper without the addition of chemicals or fragrances. It is eco-friendly, absorbs messes three times faster than other paper litters, and it is almost completely dust-free. Plus, it comes in a resealable bag for your convenience. For added odor protection, it contains baking soda to help neutralize odors on contact.

Pros: Highly absorbent, virtually dust-free, made with 95% recycled materials, eco-friendly

Cons: Some cats dislike the texture of larger granules, not a clumping formula

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my cat throw litter everywhere?  Some cats have a natural desire to cover their “deposits” in the litter box. This helps with odor reduction, but it can create another problem – litter flung all over the place. If you’re wondering how to stop cat from kicking litter everywhere, the problem could be as simple as the litter box being too small. Switching to a larger box or a litter box with higher sides – even a covered litter box – could work well.
2. What are the best litter containment ideas? Knowing that your cat’s business will be kept neat and tidy in the litter box is great, but liter doesn’t always stay in the box. If you’re looking for litter containment ideas, you’ll be glad to know you don’t have to spend a lot to solve the problem. Simply switching to a larger or deeper litter box might help. You might consider a top-entry box as well, since more litter will fall off your cat’s feet as he jumps out of the box, keeping the litter where it belongs.
3. How can I reduce dust in my litter box? Depending what type of litter you use, dust could be a problem. Not only does it irritate your cat’s sensitive nose and lungs, but it can leave an unsightly film on the surfaces around the litter box. If you’re wondering how to stop cat litter dust, the simplest solution is to switch to a dust-free formula. Clay litter tends to be the dustiest, though alternative litters can be as well. It may also help to refill your litter boxes outdoors so the dust can dissipate before you bring the box back inside.
4. Will switching to an alternative litter stop tracking? Unfortunately, it isn’t just about the material from which the litter is made that affects tracking – it also depends on the size of the granules and their weight. Certain alternative litters like recycled paper pellets track very little because they are too large to get stuck in the cat’s paws. Silica crystal litter, on the other hand, may track to a similar degree as clay litter, depending on the granule size.

As a cat owner, cat litter is going to be a big part of your life – there’s no way around it. The best thing you can do is make a smart choice when it comes to that litter. Non tracking cat litter is well worth it because you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

To find the best cat litter that won’t track, consider one of the options we’ve reviewed above. You can find other cat litter tracking solutions on our website as well!