Best Cat Litter UK (2026): Clumping, Wood, Silica or Tofu?

For most cats the best cat litter is a fine, unscented clumping litter. Cats like to dig in something soft and sandy, and clumps let you lift out only the used part, so the tray stays fresh for longer. If you want a lighter bag, less waste in the bin or the lowest cost per month, wood pellets, silica or a plant-based "tofu" litter can suit you better. Below you can see which type fits which home, and five litters you can buy in the UK.

Which cat litter is best?

The honest answer is the one your cat is happy to use. A litter can score well on odour or price, but if your cat dislikes it, you will soon find puddles next to the tray. UK welfare charities agree on a few basics:

• Soft and fine. Battersea recommends a fine, sand-like litter, because that is what most cats choose when they get the option.
• No perfume. Both Battersea and the RSPCA warn that scented litter can put a cat off its tray. A cat's nose is far more sensitive than ours.
• Deep enough to dig. Battersea advises at least 3 to 4 cm of litter so your cat can dig and cover.
• Enough trays. One tray per cat, plus one spare.
• Do not change what works. If your cat uses the tray happily, there is no reason to switch.

One finding surprises many owners. The RSPCA writes that wood pellets performed best in its own trials, while adding that some cats prefer a fine sandy litter. So if you are unsure, a fine unscented clumping litter is the safest starting point, and wood pellets are well worth a try. If your cat is already going outside the tray, read why is my cat pooping outside the litter box first.

Our picks

Cat litter types compared

UK shops sell six main types. Here is how they differ in practice.

Clumping clay

Most clumping litters are made from bentonite clay. It feels close to sand, which is why so many cats accept it straight away. The downside is weight: a 10 litre box of Ever Clean weighs around 9 kg. Used clay goes in your general waste bin.

Silica

Silica litter is made from silica gel, the same material as the little sachets in shoe boxes. It absorbs a lot, so you top up less often. Some cats find the hard crystals uncomfortable, so switch slowly. Colour-changing crystals that react to urine pH are a separate product group, covered in our guide to health monitoring cat litter.

Wood pellets

Wood pellets are the budget favourite in the UK, and the RSPCA saw them perform best in its trials. They feel coarse at first, and some cats need a gradual switch. Cat's Best Original is a clumping alternative made from plant fibre, if you like the idea of wood but want clumps.

Paper

Recycled paper pellets are soft and almost dust-free, which is why they are often advised for kittens. They hold odour less well than clay or silica. You will find a paper pick in our guide to the best cat litter for kittens.

Tofu and other plant-based litter

"Tofu litter" traditionally means pellets made from soya pulp left over from tofu making. In UK shops the name now covers a wider group of plant-based clumping pellets, including pea fibre and corn. They clump like clay at a fraction of the weight. Check the label to see what a brand actually uses.

Clumping or non-clumping?

Clumping litter turns urine into a solid lump you lift out with a scoop. The rest of the tray stays clean, so you need fewer full changes and usually use less litter. For most adult cats this is the best choice.

Non-clumping litter absorbs urine into the granule itself. That works well, but at some point the granules are full and the whole tray needs replacing. The RSPCA advises spot-cleaning every day and replacing the litter at least once a week.

A note on kittens

Young kittens sometimes taste or eat their litter, and clumping clay can swell once swallowed. That is why many vets suggest a non-clumping litter, such as paper or wood, for young kittens. Sources disagree on the age at which you can safely switch, so ask your vet, and call them straight away if you see your kitten eating litter. Our kitten litter guide goes through this by age.

Best cat litter for odour control

The litter that controls odour best is the one that locks moisture away fastest. Clumping clay does this in the clump, silica and mineral litters in the granule. Some brands add activated carbon, as Ever Clean does. A strong perfume mainly masks the smell for you and can put your cat off the tray.

How you look after the tray matters at least as much as the brand:

1. Scoop every day. Clumps and poo left in the tray are the main source of smell.
2. Keep the litter deep enough. On a thin layer, urine reaches the bottom of the tray and the smell builds up faster.
3. Wash the tray regularly. Use hot water and washing-up liquid. Battersea advises against bleach and strong cleaners, because the smell deters cats.
4. Have enough trays. One per cat, plus one spare.

Still smelling it? Our litter box cleaning guide covers the routine step by step. If the smell comes from the floor or furniture, read how to get rid of cat pee smell and our pick of the best enzyme cleaner for cat urine.

Dust and tracking

Dust and litter carried through the house are the two most common complaints in UK reviews, whatever the brand. A few things help:

• Pour low and slowly. Hold the bag just above the tray. Most dust escapes when litter falls from a height.
• Choose by material. Paper, tofu and other plant-based litters tend to be the least dusty. Fine clay and some silica can be dusty when poured.
• Use a litter mat. A mat in front of the tray catches granules from paws. A tray with high sides stops your cat from digging litter over the edge.
• Watch your cat. If your cat sneezes or coughs a lot after using the tray, try a low-dust litter and ask your vet.

Cheap cat litter: work out the cost per month

The cheapest bag is not always the cheapest litter. What you really pay depends on how long a bag lasts. So compare cost per month:

1. Write the date on the bag when you open it.
2. Note how many weeks it lasts.
3. Divide the price by that number of weeks and multiply by four.

Now you can put two litters side by side fairly. A few things to keep in mind:

• Clumping often lasts longer. You remove only the clumps. With non-clumping litter you change the whole tray, so a bag that is cheap per litre can still run out sooner.
• Litres and kilos are not the same. Wood, paper and plant-based litters are much lighter than clay. A 30 litre bag of Fresh Paws weighs about 14.5 kg, while a 10 litre box of Ever Clean weighs about 9 kg. Compare litres with litres.
• Big bags are usually cheaper per litre. With several cats, buying large pays off. Store bags somewhere dry.
• Cheap gets expensive if your cat refuses it. A cat that wees next to the tray costs you more than the price difference. Switch gradually.

Make your litter go further

• Scoop daily. Fresh clumps come out whole. Old clumps break when your cat digs, and you throw away more clean litter with them.
• Top up instead of tipping it all out. With clumping litter, replace what you scoop out to keep the depth right. Never save money on depth. A thin layer smells sooner.
• Shake the scoop. A scoop with the right slots lets clean litter fall back through.

Litter for automatic litter boxes

Not every litter works in every self-cleaning box. Most rotating models are built for clumping clay, and a coarse or very light litter can jam the sifting screen or leave waste behind. Several reviewers say Ever Clean works well in a Litter-Robot 4. Always check the manufacturer's advice for your model. You can read more in our guide to the best automatic cat litter boxes and in how to train your cat to use an automatic litter box.

How to choose the right litter

• Adult cat, no special needs: fine, unscented clumping clay.
• Kitten: paper or wood until your vet says you can switch to clumping.
• Several cats: clumping, so you only remove the used litter each day.
• You want lighter bags: wood pellets, tofu or silica.
• Lowest cost per month: wood pellets, or work it out with the steps above.
• You or your cat react to dust: paper or a plant-based litter that is labelled low-dust. Ask your vet if your cat sneezes or coughs often.
• You want to keep an eye on your cat's health: see health monitoring cat litter.

How to switch to a new litter

The RSPCA advises mixing the new litter in gradually over a week, or putting it in a separate tray so your cat can choose. Start with a small amount of the new litter mixed into the old and increase it every day or two. If your cat keeps using the tray, carry on. If it starts to avoid the tray, go back a step.

How to get rid of used cat litter

Do not flush cat litter or cat poo down the toilet, even if the bag says flushable. UK water companies, including Anglian Water and Southern Water, ask people not to flush it. Clay can block pipes, and parasites in cat faeces are not reliably removed by sewage treatment. Bag used litter and put it in your general waste bin. Whether plant-based litter can go in a garden or food waste bin depends on your council, so check its website.

Frequently asked questions