Best Natural Cat Litter: A Guide for Cat Owners

Choosing the right litter is an important part of cat ownership—not only for your cat’s comfort but also for the cleanliness of your home. Natural cat litter has gained popularity for its sustainability, biodegradability, and low environmental impact. But is it the best choice for your feline friend—and for your Litter-Robot? Let’s dive into the world of natural cat litter to find out.

What is natural cat litter?

Natural cat litter is made from plant-based or biodegradable materials rather than traditional clay or silica. It typically contains corn, wheat, walnut shells, recycled paper, wood, or even tofu. Many pet parents prefer natural litters for their eco-friendly appeal, low dust levels, and soft texture.

Is cat litter biodegradable?

More natural, plant-based cat litters are biodegradable, while traditional clay and silica litters are not. However, for the litter to be fully biodegradable, you have to dispose of it in biodegradable bags. It’s also important to avoid composting cat waste since it can contain harmful bacteria.

Pros and cons of natural cat litter

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly
• Low dust, reducing respiratory irritants
• Biodegradable options available
• Often softer on cat paws

Cons:

• Can be more expensive
• May not clump as well as clay-based litter
• Some types have a stronger odor
• Can attract pests

Does natural cat litter need to be changed more frequently?

When it comes to changing natural cat litter, the answer really depends on the material. Some natural litters, like corn or wheat-based options, might need more frequent changes than traditional clay litters because they absorb moisture more quickly but break down faster. But other natural litters offer great odor control, especially clumping options like sun-dried clay, and may not need as many litter changes.

How many cats you have and their litter habits will also affect how often you have to change your natural litter. In general, though, biodegradable litter options will need to be refreshed more frequently (therefore needing to use more litter overall) than natural clumping litters that are better at preventing odors.

Overview of natural cat litter

There are many types of natural cat litters, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s an overview of some common natural litter materials:

Corn-based cat litter

Corn-based litter is made from ground corn and is one of the most popular plant-based litter options. It clumps well and is biodegradable, making it a great eco-friendly choice for cat parents and one of the best natural cat litter types. However, it can attract pests if not stored properly and may track outside the litter box.

• Pros: Clumps well, biodegradable, eco-friendly
• Cons: Can attract pests, may track outside the box

Paper-based cat litter

Made with recycled paper, this type of litter is often found in pellet form. It’s highly absorbent and soft on a cat’s paws, making it a great choice for cats with sensitive feet or respiratory issues. However, it doesn’t clump, which can make it less effective at controlling odors. 

• Pros: Highly absorbent, eco-friendly, soft on paws, low-dust
• Cons: Doesn’t clump, needs more frequent changing

Walnut-based cat litter

Walnut-based litter is made from crushed walnut shells and is a natural, biodegradable option. It clumps well and offers excellent odor control, but its darker color can make it harder to see waste.

• Pros: Great clumping, excellent odor control, biodegradable
• Cons: Darker color can make waste harder to spot, may track outside the box

Grass-based cat litter

Grass-based litter is lightweight, natural, and biodegradable, offering excellent clumping and odor control. It’s gentle on paws and low in dust but can be more expensive and harder to find than other options.

• Pros: Clumps well, good odor control, biodegradable, lightweight
• Cons: Can be expensive, not as widely available

Wheat-based cat litter

Wheat-based litter uses natural wheat enzymes to clump and control odors. It’s a biodegradable option and offers decent odor control, but it may attract pests if not stored properly.

• Pros: Clumps naturally, biodegradable, good odor control
• Cons: Can attract pests, may need more frequent changes

Coconut-based cat litter

Coconut-based litter is made from coconut husks and is a natural, biodegradable option. It’s lightweight, dust-free, and gentle on your cat’s paws, but it may not clump as tightly as other types of natural litter.

• Pros: Lightweight, dust-free, gentle on paws, biodegradable
• Cons: May not clump tightly, can be pricier

Wood/Pine-based cat litter

Wood and pine-based litters are typically made from reclaimed wood or sawdust. They’re biodegradable, lightweight, and offer natural odor control through the wood’s absorbent properties. However, they may not clump as well as clay or other types of litter.

• Pros: Natural odor control, biodegradable, lightweight
• Cons: Doesn’t clump as well, might need more frequent changing

Tofu-based cat litter

Tofu-based litter is made from soy and is another plant-based, biodegradable option. It’s soft on paws, clumps well, and is low-dust making it one of the best natural cat litter types. However, it is often more expensive and less widely available than other options.

• Pros: Soft texture, biodegradable, clumps well, low-dust
• Cons: More expensive, harder to find

Clay-based cat litter

Clay-based litter is the most commonly used and effective for clumping. For natural clay options, it’s best to choose unscented, low-dust, sun-dried clay litters without additives or perfumes. Though not biodegradable, they are highly effective for odor control and clumping.

• Pros: Excellent clumping, great odor control, affordable
• Cons: Not biodegradable, can be dusty if not low-dust, heavier

Do plant-based clumping litters work with Litter-Robot?

Plant-based litter—as opposed to clay-clumping litter—is typically not suitable for Litter-Robot because this litter does not clump well (resulting in litter sticking to the globe liner), decomposes more quickly, and tends to produce more litter dust and tracking. Since these litter types also tend to hold onto moisture (which can lead to mold and/or bugs in the drawer), additional odors, gases, and moisture may cause corrosion to the metals and wiring inside the base, resulting in the need for more frequent cleanings. 

If you use plant-based clumping litters in Litter-Robot, we recommend the following:

• Increase the cycle delay to allow the litter more time to clump
• Empty the waste drawer more often to reduce the moisture that will accumulate in the drawer

Best natural cat litter for Litter-Robot

GreatLitter®

While it isn’t biodegradable, GreatLitter is a highly recommended sun-dried clay option due to its excellent clumping, strong odor control, and zero additives. Unlike traditional clay litters that are flash-dried, GreatLitter is sun-dried and requires only enough fossil fuel to power the tractors that turn the clay in the fields—significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

• Pros: Strong clumping, great odor control, minimal tracking, low-dust
• Cons: Can be on the pricier side, heavier than other natural litters

Sustainably Yours

Sustainably Yours is a plant-based litter made from corn and cassava, known for being eco-friendly and highly biodegradable. It clumps tightly and controls odors well, making it ideal for both single and multi-cat households.

• Pros: Made from corn and cassava, excellent clumping, highly biodegradable, good odor control
• Cons: May track outside the box, slightly more expensive than traditional litters

Arm & Hammer Naturals

Arm & Hammer Naturals is an affordable, lightweight natural litter that is great for budget-conscious cat parents. It offers good clumping action and odor control, although it may produce more dust than other options.

• Pros: Lightweight, clumps well, good odor control, affordable
• Cons: Can be dusty, may not last as long as other options

Nature's Miracle Corn

Nature’s Miracle Corn is a biodegradable, corn-based litter that clumps tightly and provides solid odor control. It’s a good fit for multi-cat households but may need to be changed more frequently to avoid pests.

• Pros: Excellent clumping, lightweight, good for multi-cat households, biodegradable
• Cons: Can attract pests if not stored properly, may need more frequent changes

Lady N Granular Tofu Cat Litter

This tofu-based litter is soft on your cat’s paws and highly biodegradable. It forms strong clumps and is low in dust, making it great for sensitive cats. However, it’s often more expensive and can be harder to find.

• Pros: Clumps well, very soft on paws, low-dust, biodegradable
• Cons: More expensive, not as widely available

SoySand Tofu Cat Litter

SoySand is another tofu-based litter with a soft texture and great clumping properties. It’s eco-friendly and biodegradable but may be pricey for cat parents on a budget.

• Pros: Soft texture, low-dust, biodegradable, good clumping action
• Cons: Expensive, may track around the litter box

Naturally Fresh Clumping Walnut

Made from walnut shells, Naturally Fresh offers excellent odor control and clumping abilities. It’s highly biodegradable and has a low-dust formula, although its darker color can make it harder to see waste.

• Pros: Great clumping, excellent odor control, biodegradable, low-dust
• Cons: Dark color can make it harder to see waste, tracks more than some other litters

Swheat Scoop

Swheat Scoop is a wheat-based litter that clumps naturally and biodegrades easily. It’s a good option for eco-conscious cat parents, though it may attract pests if not stored correctly.

• Pros: Wheat-based, clumps naturally, biodegradable, good odor control
• Cons: Can attract pests, may be less effective at clumping with larger quantities of urine

Choosing the best natural cat litter for your feline friend involves considering factors like clumping ability, odor control, and your cat’s preferences. Whether you opt for a plant-based option like corn, wheat, or tofu, or stick with low-dust, unscented clay, each type of natural litter has its pros and cons. By picking a litter that best matches your cat’s needs, your cleaning routine, and your lifestyle, you can create a healthier, more sustainable environment for both you and your cat.

Sources:

• The Best Natural Cat Litter in 2025, Tested and Reviewed
• We Tested Eco-Friendly Cat Litters and Found The 7 Best
• Kitty Litter: Potential New Use for Spent Corn Grains : USDA ARS
• GreatLitter®: Low-Dust, Low-Tracking Cat Litter
• Sustainably Yours
• Natural Cat & Kitty Litter | ARM & HAMMER™
• Premium Clumping Corn Cob Litter
• Granular Tofu Cat Litter - Lady N US
• SOYSAND Tofu Cat Litter
• Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
• sWheat Scoop