6 Best Pellet Cat Litters With Our 2024 Budget-Friendly Pick
Quick Guide
Pellet cat litter, while not as common as other litter types, can offer several benefits for fancy felines and their parents. This underestimated litter does have a different texture and weight, but some cat parents find that their kitty simply prefers it. We suggest using a cat litter that your kitty is comfortable with, and you may find that pellet kitty litter is just what you’ve been looking for.
This versatile cat litter is a great natural option for consistent moisture absorption and odor control. In this article we further explore all of the benefits of using a pellet cat litter, as well as which cats may prefer it to a standard litter. We’ve also done extensive research to bring you a list of the six best pellet cat litters.
What is the Best Pellet Cat Litter?
6 Benefits of Using Pellet Cat Litter
There are a multitude of reasons why you should consider using a pellet cat litter. While this litter type isn’t as popular as standard granule litters, cat parents should be open to the possibilities. Pellet cat litter is a healthy, safe choice for kitties, and below we share why.
- Good for long hair cats: Any cat parent whose feline has long or fluffy hair knows the struggle of cat litter becoming matted in their fur. Pellet cat litter won’t become stuck in your cat’s fur like small granule litters will. The size of the pellets is also fantastic for post-surgical cats because they won’t disturb stitches or surgery sites.
- Versatile: Pellet cat litter can be used for other small animal enclosures in your home. It’s particularly great for ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs! Using the same type of litter for your crew of multiple species will save a lot of hassle.
- Great for cats with allergies: Pellet kitty litter is typically dust free, making it a go-to choice for cats with asthma, allergies or other respiratory concerns.
- Biodegradable: A majority of pellet cat litters are going to be made from natural products, and will therefore be eco-friendly and biodegradable. There is even a flushable recommendation on our list!
- Non-tracking: Pellet cat litter won’t stick to your cat’s paws like standard litters do. Less of a mess means less stress for you when it comes to cleaning your kitty’s litter area.
- Easy to clean up: Pellet litter is much easier to cleanup that other litter types because there aren’t tiny granules that fly everywhere. They won’t leave a dusty residue on your floors, and they are simple to scoop up.
Now we’ll dive a litter deeper into which cats may benefit more specifically from using a pellet kitty litter.
Cats Who Will Benefit From Using Pellet Litter for Cats
Since pellet cat litter has a different texture and consistency than other popular cat litter types, it can be especially good for cats in unique circumstances. Pellets may be preferred for the following types of cats:
- Long hair cats: The pellets won’t become matted in fur like small grains will.
- Kittens: Coarse litter is generally best for kittens.
- Post-surgical cats: Cats who just went through surgery or have stitches will benefit from pellet kitty litter. The pellets won’t irritate a surgery site like granule litter could possibly do.
- Cats with severe allergies: Pellet litter is dust free, and will therefore be an excellent choice for our feline friends who struggle with asthma, allergies or other respiratory concerns.
- Senior cats: For a senior cat who isn’t as quick to cover up their business in the litter box, a pellet cat litter will effectively absorb odors and moisture on contact.
6 Key Components to Look for in a Pellet Litter
If pellet cat litter sounds like it may work for your cat, look into the following components when choosing the best litter for your feline friend.
- Pellet size: Most pellet kitty litters generally have similar size pellets. However, there is the occasional litter which will be made up of pellets about half the size of a normal pellet. We do have one small pellet litter on our list of recommendations.
- Scent: Some pellet litters aren’t scented because they are made from paper. If you want a scented pellet cat litter without artificial fragrances, you’ll want to consider one made from pine or natural lumber.
- Weight: Pellet cat litters can be heavier than traditional or other natural cat litters. There are some lightweight options, so you will want to specifically look for that component if weight matters to you.
- Absorbency: While pellet litters typically absorb about 3x as much moisture as clay cat litters, you will want to purchase a formula with extra absorbency properties if you want something stronger. For example, you can purchase a pellet cat litter that is formulated with baking soda for additional odor control.
- Multi-use: If you want to use your cat’s pellet litter for other small animals in the house, make sure the material will be safe for them to use.
- Clumping: Most pellet kitty litters are not clumping because the pellets are simply too large to form clumps. The materials are typically natural, which means they don’t contain sodium bentonite, the agent found in traditional clumping litters. However, there are a few clumping pellet litters available, and we have one on our list of recommendations.
Next, we have our top six pellet cat litter picks!
Overall Best Pellet Cat Litter
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Okocat Natural Paper Dust Free Cat Litter
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Nature’s Logic 100% All-Natural Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter
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Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Pellet Non-Clumping Cat Litter
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Fresh News Cat Litter
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Simply Pine Cat Litter
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Next Gen Pet Products Cypress Fresh Natural Odor Control
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Okocat Natural Paper Dust Free Cat Litter
Key Benefits:
- Biodegradable
- Non-tracking
- Odor Shield Technology
- Dust-free
- Lightweight
Okocat paper litter is our top pellet pick because it’s eco-friendly, it effectively controls odors and is built for high absorbency. The paper pellets will absorb up to 200% their weight in moisture, and they are dust free. The large pellets won’t get stuck on your cat’s paws, therefore avoiding tracking the litter throughout your home.
Odor Shield Technology means that moisture and liquid becomes absorbed in the several layers of paper in Okocat’s pellets, keeping it trapped and bound. Odors will remain controlled for seven days without the use of chemicals or toxins. We like that this pellet litter is lightweight and environmentally-friendly. Not only is the litter biodegradable, but so is the packaging!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Litter and box are biodegradable
- 7 day Odor Shield Technology
- Dust-free
- Non-tracking
Cons:
- No natural or fragrant smell
Nature’s Logic 100% All-Natural Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Key Benefits:
- 100% Ponderosa pine
- Versatile
- Biodegradable
- Dust free
- Odor control formula
Runner-Up Best Pellet Kitty Litter: The main benefit of Nature’s Logic pine pellet cat litter is its versatility. If you have small animals in your home, such as guinea pigs or ferrets, this would make a tremendous bedding for them. The 100% pine is natural and safe, and biodegradable when it’s time to replenish. The dust free formula is great for your cat’s and other pet’s respiratory health.
The Ponderosa in this pellet cat litter permeates a soft hint of pine, adding a scent of freshness to your kitty’s litter box space. The odor control formula in this pellet cat litter will keep unpleasant smells absorbed without chemicals or additives. We recommend this Nature’s logic pellet cat litter if you want an all-natural litter that will offer a delightful pine scent for all of the pets in your home.
Pros:
- All-natural pine
- Also works for rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets
- Biodegradable
- Dust free
- Naturally controls odors
Cons:
- Heavier than some of the other pellet litters
Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Pellet Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Key Benefits:
- Made from walnut shells
- Highly absorbent
- Super soft for sensitive paws
- Low-tracking
- Dust free
Best Budget-Friendly Pellet Litter: Walnut is said to absorb odors better than other common litter materials such as clay and wheat. This walnut-based pellet litter will trap even the most unpleasant smells with its blend of fibrous materials. Each pellet is made to absorb up to 7X more liquid than traditional cat litter. The pellets are formulated without any added chemicals, fragrances or grains. It is an excellent choice for cats of all ages.
We like that this pellet cat litter is low-tracking and made from renewable resources. It is dust free, so it will be a good fit for your kitty with allergies. If you’re looking for a super absorbent pellet litter, Naturally Fresh has you covered with this budget-friendly pick.
Pros:
- Fibrous materials from walnut shells have high absorbency
- Walnut pellets are soft on paws
- Low-tracking
- Dust free
- Biodegradable
Cons:
- Unscented
3 More Top Rated Pellet Kitty Litters
Fresh News Cat Litter
Fresh New Cat Litter is fittingly made from 100% recycled paper. It offers several of the typical pellet litter benefits; it is dust free, it’s biodegradable and the pellets are hypoallergenic. Each pellet is formulated with baking soda for maximum odor control, a trait that makes this pellet cat litter unique from the rest. The pellets absorb 3x more liquid than the average clay litter. Fresh News pellet litter is also a cost-effective option.
Simply Pine Cat Litter
This is another delightful pine pellet cat litter. The pellets are made from 100% Northeastern White Pine without chemicals or additives. Like other pellet litters, this one is dust free and low-tracking. Simply Pine Cat Litter is biodegradable and the pine offers antibacterial properties. This pellet cat litter also has a natural pine scent to it. We recommend this cat litter as a great eco-friendly pellet choice.
Next Gen Pet Products Cypress Fresh Natural Odor Control With Green Tea Clumping Cat Litter
This is the only clumping formula pellet litter on our list. These pellets are smaller than those of our other recommendations, allowing this litter to offer clumping properties. The cypress and green tea extracts combine to create a natural bacteria fighting pellet cat litter. Those ingredients also produce a pleasant, natural scent. This pellet cat litter is low dust and non-tracking, plus it’s flushable for super easy disposal!
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I change pellet litter? – You will want to scoop your cat’s litter box at least once per day. Ideally you should completely change the litter out once every two weeks. However, with pellet litter you may need to change it more frequently if you find that the pellets are dissolving into powder.
- Do cats like pellet litter? – All cats have a preference when it comes to what type of litter they use. Cats may have a more difficult time transitioning to pellet cat litter that is made from larger, more firm pellets. They can be challenging for your cat to dig through in order to cover their elimination. Pine pellet litters have a natural scent to them, and sensitive kitties may not like the smell.
- Can pellet cat litter be used in mechanical litter boxes? – Most pellets are too big to effectively work in sifting or mechanical litter boxes. The small pellet litter may be appropriately sized, but we recommend checking the litter packaging, as well as that of your mechanical litter box.
- Are all pellet cat litters dust free? – Pellet cat litters are typically dust free because they are made of recycled materials. The element which causes litter dust is sodium bentonite, and it is used in standard clay clumping litters. Since sodium bentonite is the clumping agent which causes a dusty residue, chances are your pellet kitty litter will almost always be dust free.
Conclusion
While any kitty can use and potentially prefer pellet cat litter, it’s a reliable option for some cats in particular situations. Kittens, long hair cats and sensitive felines will specifically benefit from using a pellet cat litter. Overall, pellet litters are a great choice for helping your cat maintain good respiratory health. We also like that pellet litters are generally natural, biodegradable and less messy than granule cat litters.
It’s important that you keep your cat’s litter box in a well ventilated area. Completely change out the litter every two weeks, and hand wash the litter box. Don’t forget to wash your hands after handling or cleaning your cat’s litter box, as you don’t want to risk spreading harmful bacteria.
