Which crystal cat litter is best?

There are a lot of different crystal cat litters on the market, and it can be hard to decide which one is best for your cat. However, there are a few things you can keep in mind when choosing a crystal litter that will help you make the best decision for your pet. First, you'll want to consider the size of your cat. If you have a small kitten or an elderly cat, you'll want to choose a litter that's smaller in size so they can easily move around and not get stuck. Second, you'll want to think about what type of scent you want your crystal litter to have. Some people prefer unscented litters, while others like the smell of lavender or citrus. Third, you'll want to consider how often you want to change the litter. If you have a busy lifestyle, you might prefer a litter that only needs to be changed once a week. However, if you have a more laid-back lifestyle, you might be able to get away with changing the litter every other week. Finally, you'll want to think about the price of the crystal litter. Some litters can be quite expensive, so you'll want to make sure you choose one that's within your budget.

Is crystal cat litter any good?

If you're looking for an alternative to traditional clay or clumping cat litter, you may be wondering if crystal cat litter is a good option. Crystal cat litter is made of silica gel crystals, which are non-toxic and absorb moisture well. While it's more expensive than other types of cat litter, it can last longer and doesn't tracking as much. Overall, crystal cat litter is a good choice for many cat owners.

Is crystal cat litter better than clay?

There are many different types of cat litters on the market, but two of the most popular are crystal and clay. So, which is better? Crystal cat litter is made from silica gel, which is a type of sand. It's very absorbent and clumps well, making it easy to scoop. It also doesn't track as much as other types of litter. Clay litter is made from bentonite, a type of clay that expands when it gets wet. It's also absorbent and clumps well, but some cats don't like the feel of it on their paws. It can also be a bit dustier than other types of litter.

Is Crystal litter good for kittens?

Crystal litter is often praised for being gentle on kittens' paws and providing good absorption. However, some people find that it tracks more than other types of litter, which can be a problem if you have a small space. Overall, crystal litter is a good option for kittens, as long as you are willing to clean up any tracking.

What is petsafe crystal litter made of?

Petsafe crystal litter is made of silica gel, which is a type of absorbent material. When the gel comes into contact with urine or other liquids, it will absorb the liquid and turn it into a solid. This makes it easy to clean up after your pet and helps to keep your home clean and free of odors.

Is there clumping crystal cat litter?

Yes, there is clumping crystal cat litter. This type of litter is made with clay or silica and has a clumping agent added to it. The clumping agent helps the litter to form clumps when it comes into contact with urine or other moisture. This makes it easier to scoop out the waste and keep your cat's litter box clean.

Is crystal cat litter bad for cats?

There is no definitive answer to this question since there is limited research on the matter. However, some experts believe that crystal cat litter may be harmful to cats due to the fact that it consists of tiny shards of glass or ceramic that can potentially cut a cat's paws or digestive tract. In addition, inhaling the dust from this type of litter has also been linked to respiratory problems in cats. As a result, it is generally recommended that you avoid using crystal cat litter for your feline friend.

10 Best Crystal Cat Litters of 2023

by Tom Ken

Crystal litter is a dust-free material that is used in place of traditional cat litter. It is increasingly gaining in popularity because one of the main benefits is being highly absorbent. This helps to keep the litter box dry and comfortable for your feline.

The products come in different varieties though, so you have to learn about the features before picking the most suitable one. Don't worry, we have done this for you. Here are the best crystal cat litter to buy.

Editor's Recommendation: Top Crystal Cat Litters

#
Preview
Product
Rating
Bestseller No. 1
Fresh Step Crystals, Premium Cat Litter, Scented, 16 Pounds (2 Pack of 8 lb Bags)
Rating:
Bestseller No. 2
PetSafe ScoopFree Reusable Tray for Cat Litter Boxes - Includes 4.5 lb of Premium Blue...
Rating:
Bestseller No. 3
Ultra Micro Crystals Cat Litter 5 pounds
Rating:
Bestseller No. 4
Litter Pearls Micro Crystals Cat Litter, 10.5 lb
Rating:
Bestseller No. 5
Neon Purple Clumping Crystal Cat Litter, 4 lb Bag
Rating:
Bestseller No. 6
Vibrant Life Cat Litter Ultra Premium Crystals Litter, Unscented Non Clumping Cat Litter...
Rating:
Bestseller No. 7
Dr. Elsey's Respiratory Relief Gel Cat Litter, 7.5-lb Bag
Rating:

10 Best Crystal Cat Litters - Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. PetSafe ZAC60-16116 (Best Overall)	Convenient 2 pre-portioned bags Soothing light lavender scent 99% dust-free with low tracking
	2. Ultra Pet UMC5 (Best Budget)	Economical Highly absorptive silica gel Odorless; ideal for sensitive cats
	3. Fresh Step FF8991PCS3 (Best Non-Toxic)	100% non-toxic Mess-free crystals Revitalizing summer breeze scent
	4. FreshMAGIC Cat Litter (Best Low Dust)	Low dust non-crystalline silica Low tracking Ideal for large litter boxes
	5. Fresh Step 31595 (Best for Odor Control)	Ammonia block technology 30 days of guaranteed odor control Relatively lightweight performance-wise
	6. So Phresh Cat Litter (Best for Multiple Cats)	Large 30-lb pack Remains effective for up to a month Safe non-toxic formula
	7. Ultra Pet LPMC7 (Best Paw Friendly)	Soft silica gel crystals Highly absorbent Minimizes odor
	8. Just the Crystals jtc-1 (Widely Compatible)	Widely compatible with most litter boxes Comes in 2 convenient pre-measured 4.4-lbs bags Approved by the Animal Wellness Magazine
	9. Ultra Pet Tracksless (Low Tracking)	Very low tracking & dust Highly absorbent microchannels Lasts for a long 2-month period for one cat
	10. Ultra Pet 3100707-ROCKY (Ultra-Absorbent)	Thousands of absorption microchannels Soft on paws Ideal for sensitive pets

1. Best Overall: PetSafe ZAC60-16116

Material: Premium Crystals
Clumping: No
Scent: Lavender
Capacity: 9 lbs.

As the best crystal kitty litter overall, PetSafe's ZAC60-16116 comes in convenient portions that last for a long time. Also, it has a light lavender scent and is not messy.

Also Read: The 15 Best Dog Shampoos of 2023

The product is shipped as two pre-portioned bags, each weighing 4.5 lbs. This allows you to place just the right amount in your pet's litter box and lasts up to 30 days per cat. Therefore, you get enough litter for 2 months if you own one cat.

Each bag contains premium crystals with a light lavender scent that is soothing for both you and your cat. The material is 99% dust-free with low tracking. As such, it won't mess up your floor. At the same time, it absorbs urine and dries solid waste 5X better than clay litter.

However, if your feline is extremely sensitive, the lavender scent might be uncomfortable. In this case, it would make more sense to go for the odorless variety.

Pros:

Convenient 2 pre-portioned bags
Soothing light lavender scent
99% dust-free with low tracking
Dries moisture up to 5X better than clay

Cons:

Not ideal for sensitive cats

2. Best Budget: Ultra Pet UMC5

Material: Silica Gel Crystals
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 5 lbs.

This cat litter is very reasonably priced. It comes as a 5-lb pack of ultra-micro crystals with highly absorptive surfaces. These have thousands of mini-channels to absorb as much liquid waste as possible, which dries solid waste to reduce odor.

The main reason behind this is that the crystals are made using silica gel, which is a natural mineral consisting of water, sand, and oxygen. This offers instant absorption.

Other than that, the litter is odorless, making it ideal for sensitive and non-sensitive cats. Dustiness is the only issue that most customers complain about.

Pros:

Economical
Highly absorptive silica gel
Odorless; ideal for sensitive cats

Cons:

Can be dusty

3. Best Non-Toxic: Fresh Step FF8991PCS3

Material: Deodorized Crystals
Clumping: No
Scent: Summer Breeze
Capacity: 2.81 lbs.

With the FF8991PCS3, you should not be worried about exposing your cat to any chemicals. It consists of deodorized crystals that are 100% non-toxic and pet-friendly.

Over time, the crystals will disintegrate because they are not water-soluble. As such, you won't have any mess or residue left behind.

That said, the litter has a revitalizing summer breeze scent and although this might be unpleasant to sensitive cats, it is very pleasing to the senses of regular felines.

On the downside, you get a small 2.81-lb quantity, which might last a very short time. However, it is conveniently pre-portioned into three 15-oz containers.

Pros:

100% non-toxic
Mess-free crystals
Revitalizing summer breeze scent
Pre-portioned into 3 containers

Cons:

Small quantity

4. Best Low Dust: FreshMAGIC Cat Litter

Material: Silica Sand
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 16 lbs.

FreshMAGIC's cat litter has very low dust quantities because it does not have any crystalline silica. Any available dust in it might be due to shipping and handling.

Other than that, the product is one of the best silica cat litter due to its large chunk-shaped crystals. These offer less tracking because they don't roll around as much as round crystals.

The crystals contain millions of microscopic pores which absorb all available moisture from cat urine and droppings, which helps to control odor.

With two 8-lb packs, you get enough quantity for large litter boxes or homes with multiple cats. The only problem is that the large crystal shapes might not be very comfortable to cat paws.

Pros:

Low dust non-crystalline silica
Low tracking
High absorption for odor control
Ideal for large litter boxes

Cons:

Not very paw-friendly

5. Best for Odor Control: Fresh Step 31595

Material: Premium Crystals
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 16 lbs.

Fresh Step's 31595 features ammonia block technology that is very effective at squashing bad odor. It does so at the microscopic level by controlling bacterial growth and deactivating pesky enzymes. As a result, you get 30 days of guaranteed odor control.

You also get a low-dust formula that leaves the floor and air around the litter box clean. The product is comparatively lightweight as 8 lbs. of the crystals perform the same way as 28 lbs. of clumping cat litter. Therefore, you need less for the job.

However, the turquoise color of the crystals might stick on your cat's paws. Some customers complain about this.

Pros:

Ammonia block technology
30 days of guaranteed odor control
Low-dust formula
Relatively lightweight performance-wise

Cons:

Might cause turquoise paws

6. Best for Multiple Cats: So Phresh Cat Litter

Material: Odor-Lock Crystals
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 30 lbs.

Coming in a 30-lb pack, So Phresh's cat litter is the ultimate product to buy if you have multiple felines because the quantity is just enough. It is lighter and less dusty as compared to most clay litter varieties. The odor-locking crystals are actually 99% dust-free.

The product is designed to absorb liquids and trap bad odor for up to a month, which is a good period economically before having to buy a new pack or wash the used litter.

What's more, it has a safe non-toxic formula and reduces tracking on your floors. The only downside is a high price, but this is justified by the large quantity.

Pros:

Large 30-lb pack
99% dust-free
Remains effective for up to a month
Safe non-toxic formula

Cons:

Costly

7. Best Paw Friendly: Ultra Pet LPMC7

Material: Silica Gel
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 7.14 lbs.

Ultra Pet's LPMC7 is the most paw-friendly product in our crystal cat litter review due to its silica gel chemical composition.

The material is softer than silica glass and has thousands of mini-channels for absorbing any moisture from the waste. This leaves your pet with a soft, dry surface to step on at all times.

In the process, this litter dries solid waste, which helps to minimize odor. You also get very little dust, but the product is expensive.

Pros:

Soft silica gel crystals
Highly absorbent
Minimizes odor
Low dust

Cons:

Expensive

8. Widely Compatible: Just the Crystals jtc-1

Material: Silica Gel
Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 8.8 lbs.

The greatest strength of this jtc-1 is its wide compatibility. You can use the crystals on any traditional litter box, ScoopFree disposable trays, and Forever Little reusable trays. It comes in 2 convenient pre-measured 4.4-lbs bags for easy use in either of the trays.

Other than that, the product is approved by the Animal Wellness Magazine and received a certificate in 2017 due to its superior quality.

However, even though the manufacturer claims 99% dust-free and low tracking performance, some customers complain that the crystals are very messy.

Pros:

Widely compatible with most litter boxes
Comes in 2 convenient pre-measured 4.4-lbs bags
Approved by the Animal Wellness Magazine

Cons:

Can be messy

9. Low Tracking: Ultra Pet Tracksless

Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 7 lbs.

Judging by its name, this crystal cat litter is designed to offer very little or no tracking at all. What's more, it has very low dust. Combined, these properties ensure your floors remain clean.

The material features highly absorbent surfaces with thousands of microchannels to absorb liquid waste on contact. This also helps to keep your house clean because it keeps the paws dry. You won't spot pawprints on the floor.

On the downside, the product is not packaged in pre-measured packets for easy use. However, the 7-lb bag lasts for a long 2-month period for one cat.

Pros:

Very low tracking and dust
Highly absorbent microchannels
Lasts for a long 2-month period for one cat

Cons:

Not packaged in pre-portioned bags

10. Ultra-Absorbent: Ultra Pet 3100707-ROCKY

Clumping: No
Scent: Odorless
Capacity: 7 lbs.

With thousands of microchannels on the crystal surfaces, the 3100707-ROCKY is super absorbent and will dry liquid waste instantly on contact. It will also dry solid waste for superior odor control.

This is coupled with very low dust, which keeps the air around the litter box clean. The material is soft on paws and is fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive pets.

However, the 7-lb bag is not pre-portioned in smaller bags for easy use.

Pros:

Thousands of absorption microchannels
Very low dust
Soft on paws
Ideal for sensitive pets

Cons:

Not packaged in pre-portioned bags

How to Buy the Best Crystal Cat Litter

1. Odor Control

One of the primary uses of crystal cat litter is to control odor. They incorporate different technologies to achieve this. The most notable one is ammonia block technology, which controls bacterial growth and deactivates pesky enzymes. For this, be sure to check out Fresh Step's 31595.

2. Clumps Well or Clump-Free and Disposable

These are the two main types of cat litter. Crystal litter is usually clump-free. This means it is highly effective at eliminating odor and absorbing large quantities of urine.

However, at saturation point, the liquid will begin to pool at the bottom. Once this happens, it is difficult to replace the litter without emptying and cleaning the box.

On the other hand, with clumping cat litter, you can easily remove the waste without having to empty the whole box. Simply scoop out the soiled part, then add a similar amount as a replacement.

3. Dust-Free

Dust can cause the air around the litter box to be very dirty, especially when your feline throws the crystals after peeing or pooping. This is why it is important to pick a product with as little dust as possible. The perfect example is FreshMAGIC's cat litter, which only has non-crystalline silica.

4. Comfort and Softness on Paws

Crystal cat litter can be very unpleasant to walk on if your cat has sensitive paws. This is usually the case with declawed pets. As such, you should consider getting paw-friendly products like Ultra Pet's LPMC7. It has soft and highly absorbent silica gel crystals.

5. Durability

Durability has mostly got to do with how long you can use the product before replacing it. For one cat, some are only effective for a week, but others can go for one or two months. The longer the period, the better as it reduces the costs associated with cleaning or replacement.

Q&A

1. Is Crystal Cat Litter Safe?

This depends on the product. If it is marked as non-toxic, then it is safe for the pet and most probably the environment too. Otherwise, you need to be careful how you handle and dispose of the crystals after use. Always read the label first.

2. How Often Do I Change Crystal Cat Litter?

Again, this depends on the product, as well as the number of cats. Some are effective for a week for one cat, while others go up to 2 months. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

3. How Do Cats Get Used to Their New Crystal Litter?

The plan here is to create a smooth transition, so you should place the old litter box right next to the crystal-filled litter box.

Do not clean the old box. Cats are very clean and naturally, he/she should start looking for an alternative when the old one gets smelly. Once he/she gets used to the crystal litter alternative, remove the old box and that's it.

4. Can Crystal Cat Litter Be Washed and Reused & How?

Yes, crystal litter can be washed and reused. To do this, begin by removing waste solid from the litter. Next, pour the crystal into a solution containing apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Let the mixture foam up, then add hot water and spin to clean.

After that, leave the crystals to dry naturally for a few hours. Pour them in cold water for the final cleaning, then leave them to dry overnight. This process should wash off the urine.

Buy on Etsy

Boxiecat Air Lightweight, Scent Free, Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Plant-Based Formula - - Walmart Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Reusable Tray for Cat Litter Boxes - Includes 4.5 lb of Premium Blue - Walmart Link

sWheat Scoop Wheat-Based Natural Cat Litter - Walmart Link

Boxiecat Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Scent Free - Clay Formula - Ultra Clean Litter - Walmart Link

Ultra Micro Crystals Cat Litter 5 pounds - Walmart Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Cat Litter - Includes 2 Bags (4.5 lb Each) of Litter - - Walmart Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Cat Litter Crystal Tray Refills for ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter - Walmart Link

So Phresh's cat litter - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Boxiecat Air Lightweight, Scent Free, Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Plant-Based Formula - - eBay Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Reusable Tray for Cat Litter Boxes - Includes 4.5 lb of Premium Blue - eBay Link

sWheat Scoop Wheat-Based Natural Cat Litter - eBay Link

Boxiecat Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Scent Free - Clay Formula - Ultra Clean Litter - eBay Link

Ultra Micro Crystals Cat Litter 5 pounds - eBay Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Cat Litter - Includes 2 Bags (4.5 lb Each) of Litter - - eBay Link

PetSafe ScoopFree Cat Litter Crystal Tray Refills for ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter - eBay Link

So Phresh's cat litter - eBay Link

Conclusion

In summary, we recommend PetSafe's ZAC60-16116 as our best crystal cat litter overall due to its convenient 2 pre-portioned bag packaging. Each weighs 4.5 lbs. and lasts for 30 days (2 months total). Also, you get 99% dust-free and low tracking performance.

However, Fresh Step's 31595 offers the best odor control using its ammonia block technology. It guarantees 30 days of smell suppression.

Then, there is Ultra Pet's LPMC7 for paw-friendly performance. Its crystals consist of soft and highly absorbent silica gel.