Are you fed up of living in what smells like a litter box? Crystal cat litter possesses unique absorption properties and absorbs nasty-smelling moisture like a charm. If you’ve gone through enough bad cat litters proclaimed to be life-changing that have ultimately let you down, we understand that you’re bound to be skeptical. But before you make any rash decisions, allow us to present to you ten reputable brands selling silica gel cat litter that will transform your home’s cat-infused smell. Paired with a comprehensive buying guide telling you everything you need to know about crystal litter and odor control, there’s never been a better time to change up your cat litter.
The Best Crystal Cat Litter
PetSafe’s Scroop Free crystal cat litter is a feline favorite that reputably has five times better odor control than clay clumping litter. Each pre-portioned litter bag is measured to last up to thirty days for one cat, who’ll feel as relaxed as can be thanks to this crystal litter’s lavender aromas. Plus, you won’t find this low-tracking crystal litter anywhere else around your home other than your cat’s litter box!
Prospective customers may be concerned over the lavender scent. However, it’s important to note that this scent is free of perfumes and dyes, thereby making it compatible with sensitive cats. Your feline fusspot will probably be too relaxed from the lavender scent to care, anyway.
Litter is lightly scented in lavender
Compatible with any traditional litter box
Litter is dust-free and low-tracking
- Brand: PetSafe
- Model: ZAC60-16116
- Weight: 9 pounds
As soon as a drop of moisture comes into contact with Fresh Step’s crystals, they’ll get straight to work locking in odors to prevent them from spreading around your home. Whilst you’re delighted with the lack of feline odor, your cat’s paws will feel revitalised and protected in comparison to how they felt stepping on hard, clay litter.
The brand don’t only provide our felines with exceptional litter to comfortably carry out their business upon. Fresh Step even support 1,300 shelters all across the US by donating more than six million scoops of their litter to cats who haven’t been as fortunate as ours. It’s imperative to help other felines out as well as our own, and Fresh Steps allows cat lovers to do both.
Odor locking litter crystals absorb moisture
Provides thirty days of odor control
Low dust litter helps those owners with allergies
- Brand: Fresh Step
- Model: 31595
- Weight: 16 pounds
Ultrapet’s Ultrapearl cat litter operates quickly to remove odor from your living space all thanks to the micro pearls’ microscopic channels. These pearls will feel wonderfully soft on your cat’s paws, thereby encouraging them to use their litter tray more. And once they’ve completed their business, don’t expect to find any silica strewn around your home – this silica is low-tracking, meaning that it won’t travel far.
What sets Ultra Pet’s cat litter apart from the masses is that it dries out solid waste. Not only will this further alleviate the scent, it will also make cat waste much more pleasant and easier to scoop up. Priced at only $0.16 an ounce, the low price for this cat litter in comparison to others becomes even cheaper considering one bag will last approximately two weeks in the litter box.
Ultra pearl silica litter feels soft on your cat’s paws
Effectively absorbs cat odor
One bag lasts two weeks for one cat
- Brand: Ultrapet
- Model: UP5
- Weight: 5.11 pounds
One quick glance at the price of PetSafe’s Disposable Crystal Litter Tray may cause you to lunge towards the “back” button. But hear us out as to why this product is worth it. PetSafe promises that their combination of crystal litter and litter box results in odor control five times superior to other cat litter. And we’ve got the covered trap that locks away solid waste and odor to thank.
Given that one tray of pre-portioned litter lasts up to thirty days for one cat, it’s understandable that owners are crazy about these litter trays. Upon arrival, all you’ve got to do is load it up, leave it to self-clean for weeks and, once the tray has served its purpose, simply remove the disposable litter tray and chuck it straight in the trash. You’ll never have to handle cat feces again!
PetSafe ScoopFree Unscented Non-Clumping Litter is one of 10 products included in our review of the No Dust Cat Litters.
Crystal tray litter completely removes instead of masks odors
No need to scoop, clean, or refill litter tray for weeks L
Plastic tray lining prevents against leakage
- Brand: PetSafe
- Model: PAC00-14231
- Weight: 18 pounds
The perfect cat litter for anyone seeking a low-tracking option. This crystal cat litter has larger particles, so they’re less likely to get caught in the fur between your cat’s pads and therefore won’t cause them any irritation or track across the floor. With incredible absorption, these crystals trap odor and liquid, allowing cat owners to spend more time between emptying the litter box. Finally, they also come with the added benefit of using hydrolyzed herbs to entice your cat to the litter tray when they need to go, making it ideal for kittens, too.
Designed for long-haired cats
Uses hydrolyzed herbs to encourage litter box use
Stops tracking around the litter box
Hypo-allergenic and non-toxic
Has low odor and high absorption
- Brand: Precious Cat
- Model: Dr. Elsey’s Long Haired 8lb
- Weight: 8 pounds
For many long-term cat owners who were hunting to find the best cat litter for decades, they found exactly what they were looking for in Ultra Pet’s micro crystals. In comparison to clay cat litters, micro crystals are incredibly light, meaning that carrying around these seven-pound bags of crystals is far easier.
We’ve got these crystals’ microscopic channels to thank for absorbing all urine that they come into contact with instantaneously, and for allowing the moisture to evaporate so the crystals can continue to absorb more nasty odors. Plus, Ultra Pet’s cat litter once again scores highly with regard to dust – or lack of!
Lightweight litter bags are much easier to cart around in comparison to clay litter
Daily scooping reduces the amount of matter to regularly dispose of
Crystals allow moisture to evaporate so they’re ready to absorb a large amount of urine and odors
- Brand: Ultrapet
- Model: LPMC7
- Weight: 7.14 pounds
Clear Choice’s silica crystals was another frontrunner for our cat litter of best value. Priced at only $25 for an eight-pound bag, the size means you won’t have to shop as often for bags of cat litter. Although the silica gel grains are irrefutably larger than others, their size means that they’ll track less around your home.
The company spoil customers for choice by offering a selection of five crystal kitty litter varieties to choose from. Low dust, odor control, and unscented and scented clumping cat litter are only among a few! Available in 20,000 stores and used in 25 countries, Clear Choice have created a crystal cat litter hard to beat.
Track significantly less than other cat litters
Silica construction keeps the smell down
Owners only have to put aside time once per month for a litter change
- Brand: Petsell Pet Products
- Model: 8lb Bag
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
If you’re keen to switch to silica gel cat litter for the dust free perks but cannot cope without clumping, a bag of Ultra Pet’s clumping crystals will satisfy your needs. Expect to find zero dust clouds and solid, stench-free clumps of litter ready to clean!
Ultra Pet’s cat litter even look as good as it works. The crystals are peppered with blue, green and, pink crystals so Ultra Pets litter doesn’t look as foul as the cat feces that goes into it! And given that one pack of cat litter costs only $15, the extra effort to make this litter look appealing is even more appreciated by customers who love a bargain.
Lightweight litter clumps beautifully
No clouds of dust like other litters when changing litter try
Multi-colored crystals are made with high quality silica gel
- Brand: Ultrapet
Vibrant Life’s pack of two four-pound bags of environmentally friendly silica gel kitty litter is celebrated by delighted customers for locking odors everywhere. This expertly crafted kitty crystals does have a steep price tag, but the fact there’s not dust or scent makes it worth it.
The company are proud that their long-lasting formula is able to last twenty to thirty days at a time for a single cat and even lasts up to two weeks if multiple felines use the same litter tray. No matter what age, breed, or stage your felines are at, their paws will finally be protected walking on this comfortable silica kitty litter.
Two-pack of silica gel kitty litter locks odor in a matter of seconds
Silica gel feels comfortable on cats’ paws
Formula is capable of lasting thirty days for a single cat home
- Brand: Mimi Litter
An amazing cat litter which offers excellent value for money, this crystal litter offers 30 pounds in each bag, and works to trap odors for up to one month. As such, it’s got some incredible longevity in each purchase. Especially as 30 pounds of lightweight litter can easily last you for months.
The smaller crystals have a larger surface area, meaning the absorbency of both odors and liquids is phenomenal. Meanwhile, the litter itself is fragrance-free, meaning there’s no risk of confusing your cat, or any plastic smells in your home, at the same time!
99% dust-free
Smaller crystals with higher absorbency
Able to trap odors for up to one month
Very lightweight and easy to pour
Fragrance-free
- Brand: So Phresh
- Weight: 30 Pounds
Best Crystal Cat Litter Buying Guide & FAQ
Features To Consider Before Buying Crystal Cat Litter
Does the litter that I’m looking at contain a fragrance or scent?: Although silica litters typically don’t have any fragrances or scents, a few of them go against the grain. In fact, our top pick of this buying guide – PetSafe’s ScoopFree Premium Crystal Non Clumping Cat Litter – boasts a light lavender scent to help reduce cats’ stress. And although cat owners will love these relaxing aromas, pernickety cats most likely won’t take to it kindly.
Does it clump?: The majority of crystal cat litters are non-clumping. However, if you want the best of both worlds, silica gel cat litter that does clump exists – take Ultra Pet’s Clumping Crystal Cat Litter as an example!
Benefits of Using a Silica Gel Cat Litter
This type of litter does not generate the harmful dust clay litter is known for: For owners who suffer from dust allergies, the fact that silica litters don’t generate much dust is a lifesaver. Say goodbye to the airborne clouds that arise every time your cat goes through their litter tray!
Your cat’s paws will appreciate their new litter: Boasting a soft, silky exterior, cats will love the feeling of walking over their litter tray. Senior cats in particular will be grateful and will certainly notice the difference between the soft silica and the hard clay litter that would poke into their sensitive paws.
How Do Silica Cat Litters Work?
Nobody is able to see the tiny pores that silica gel granules contain. But know that they do exist. These pores effectively absorb the moisture and urine that cats come into contact with. If you can still smell a stench coming from your litter box, stir up your cat’s litter tray to allow these pores to successfully come into contact with the urine and moisture to facilitate optimal absorption. With the help of silica cat litters, you’ll never find a disgusting pool of cat urine at the bottom of your litter tray again.
Crystal Cat Litter Concerns
Silicosis: Although the chances of your cat developing silicosis are incredibly rare, it does indeed happen. If your feline friend inhales a lot of microscopic silica dust particles, they could develop silicosis – a form of occupational lung disease.
Cobalt Chloride: This inorganic compound is a sky blue crystalline solid that is used to due most crystal litter blue. Classified as a class 2B carcinogen by IARC, cobalt chloride may trigger skin allergies in cats and can be lethal if ingested.
Best Crystal Cat Litter FAQ:
Q: How often do I change crystal cat litter?
A: As moisture evaporates around the silica litter, it is absorbed via the pores. This means that you won’t have to touch your cat’s litter tray for approximately two weeks a a time. If you have a multi-cat household, you may ned to change their litter tray more regularly.
Q: Why are most silica cat litters non-clumping?
A: As the tiny silica gels absorb moisture and odor to such an extent through their small pores, they are incapable of clumping. Silica litter consists of quartz sand and its unique atomic structure doesn’t allow for clumping.
Q: Are all crystal litters biodegradable?
A: Unfortunately, not all crystal litters are biodegradable. Exactly like clay litters, crystal cat litters are sourced through strip mining. This process involves mining companies bulldozing everything at surface level, followed by removing the top soil down to the desired mineral. Wildlife displacement due to habitat loss and water table contamination are only a few of the destructive consequences of strip mining.
Q: Will silica litters work in mechanical litter boxes?
A: The good news is that silica litters do indeed work in many mechanical litter boxes. One notable example is PetSafe’s ScoopFree Self-Cleaning range. Although you’re certainly looking at a little extra cost, the joy of not having to scoop up cat litter is worth it.
Our Top Pick
Our objective was to feature ten of the top litters on the market to save you time searching for a litter box solution – and we’re delivered. But before we conclude, we bet you’re wondering what litter we’d choose to fill our own litter boxes. Without a doubt, that litter is PetSafe’sScoopFree Premium Crystal Cat Litter. Made of premium crystals, this lightly scented litter works to relax both you and your cat with its lavender aromas and offers owners unbeatable litter box odor control. PetSafe’s litter bags are even compatible with the company’s ScoopFree self-cleaning range, so you’ll never have to deal with with your cat’s smelly waste again.
Sources:
- Lorie Huston, DVM, What is in Cat Litter?, PetMD
- Caroline Golon, The Cat Owner’s Guide to Kitty Litter Options, VetStreet
