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Most cat parents agree that the best cat litter is the one your cat is happy to use. But if you have more than one kitty, the answer to that may be a little more complicated. An important part of my own litter box strategy was finding a litter that could stand up to visits from one, two, three—and more—kitties. Finding the best cat litter for multiple cats can be a trial-and-error adventure. To speed up your search, we’ve prepared a list of litters developed especially for your situation.
There are a few specific things we considered in our research:
- Dust Control. Do you care how much dust does a litter gives off when you pour it or when the cats bury their waste?
- Tracking. Do you have room for a mat to prevent litter tracking, or do you need a litter unlikely to adhere to the cats’ paws?
- Safety. Some litters may be hazardous to small kittens if they eat the granules or pellets. Your vet may have litter recommendations.
- Odor Control. Some litters are made of naturally odor-reducing materials. Others are formulated to control smells, often with baking soda or charcoal. Scented litter can effectively mask smells, but some cats dislike the perfumes.
- Waste Disposal. Clumping litters solidify waste into hard, scoopable clumps. Other litters allow urine to drain onto a disposable pad. Check with your local sewer authority before flushing any “flushable” litters—many of them don’t allow it.
Chewy
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of litters, a quick review of litter box basics: Veterinary experts recommend that your household have one litter box per cat—ideally, in separate areas of the house. That gives your cats privacy and prevents a territorial kitty from dominating access to the box. (See more on where to put litter boxes.) But often at least one of your cats will decide it wants to shop around. This can put a heavy burden on the most popular gathering spot—and on you, when you come by to clean it.
The experts also recommend that you scoop waste from the box on a daily basis (groan!). But I have to agree. It’s easier to do a light cleanup every day than to have to confront a few pounds of waste once a week. Daily scooping will keep your fussiest kitties happy plus it will reduce the smell if, like me, you have one of those cats that just refuses to bury anything. (There’s always one!)
But we all know that there are times we just can’t keep up with the litter box. And, if we’re away for a weekend, we need a litter than can stand up to a few days without your attention—and without stinking up the whole house.
The Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats
The good news is that you’ll find a wide range of litters, including one or two innovative new ones, that can meet the needs of multi-kitty households. Now, let’s dig in!
This all-natural, clumping clay litter gets top ratings because it keeps things smelling fresh around your house. The granules are heavy (which means less tracking on your carpet) and it’s 99.9% dust-free. See how this litter works in this product video. It works well with a variety of litter boxes including sifting and mechanical boxes. Note that clay litter is not safe for kittens.
What we like about it:
- No perfumes or deodorants
- Almost completely dust-free
- Effective clumping ingredients prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box
One of the best clumping litters for multiple cats is this biodegradable corn-based litter, which gets raves from people with two or more cats. It’s flushable too (but check with your plumber and local sewer authority before flushing). Watch out for excessive moisture—warm, moist corn can invite aflatoxin mold. As long as your litter is stored and used in a cool dry place, however, this might be the right choice for your kitties.
What we like about it:
- Biodegradable corn formula
- Effective odor control
- Sizes include a smaller 7-pound bag so you can try it affordably
If odor is an issue, try this clay clumping litter from Arm & Hammer, the brand that is synonymous with “odor control.”
What we like about it:
- Rock-solid clumps are easy to scoop
- Contains baking soda and other odor neutralizers
- Fragrance free
What’s new in litter? Walnut shells! If you aren’t a fan of the clay-based litters, here’s one that’s extremely absorbent and easy to scoop. That absorbency helps it deliver great control odor for multi-cat boxes, too.
What we like about it:
- Forms tight, strong clumps that are easy to scoop
- Since it’s so absorbent, one bag lasts a long time
- Dust-free formula keeps you and your kitties sneeze-free
Here’s another innovative clumping litter, this one made from 100% wood fibers. It’s biodegradable, so if your locality allows you to flush litter, you can just scoop and flush. Okocat will also appeal to households with allergies and sensitivities since it’s free of scents and dust.
What we like about it:
- Free of chemicals, dyes, and fragrances
- Blocks the creation of ammonia odor for up to seven days
- Easy-to-scoop clumps simplify your cleanup
This litter is the top pick for my own multi-cat household. Its “secret ingredient” is activated carbon. After the clay granules soak up liquids, the carbon acts to neutralize bacteria that cause odors. If your cats are willing to cover the evidence they leave behind, this long-lasting litter will eliminate any odors.
What we like about it:
- Unscented and dust-free
- Carbon effectively neutralizes odor
- You get a choice of box or bag packaging
An affordable choice for the multi-cat household, this clay clumping litter pours from an easy-to-handle plastic jug. Clumps quickly, and works with automated litter-scooping systems. Reviews on odor control are mixed, however.
What we like about it:
- No perfumes, dyes or dust
- Lightweight formula is easier to work with than some others
- Endorsed by the American Humane Society
If your cats are more than a match for odor-control litters, it might be time to check out a well-regarded scented product. This clumping clay litter has a reputation for masking unpleasant litterbox smells—the scent itself is fairly mild.
What we like about it:
- Eliminates ammonia, urine and fecal smells
- Clumps well for easy scooping
- Choice of packaging: jugs, bags, or a reusable pail
Another heavy-duty and scented litter for multi-cat households. It has moisture-activated microgranules that create a tight seal around waste to contain odor; the formulation makes for a dust-free litter.
What we like about it:
- Seven-day “no-odor” guarantee
- Firm clumps make cleanup easy
Most of our picks have been easy-to-scoop clumping litters. But we also noticed high ratings for this simple traditional pellet litter. Designed to work with the brand’s litter box system, this litter allows cat urine to pass through to a scented, odor-controlling absorbent pad in the bottom section of the litter box system. Scoop solid waste daily, then slide out and replace the pad on a weekly basis.
What we like about it:
- Low-maintenance
- Reduces scooping
Tips for Testing Out a New Litter
Having a multi-cat, multi-litter-box household is a huge advantage when testing out new litter. Try some of the new litter in one litter box first, mixing the new material in with the current brand for a few days.
If your cats give you the paws up—and the litter meets your expectations—you can continue to refresh that box with the new product. Then repeat the process with the rest of the litter boxes.