7 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litters in 2022 – Expert Reviews & Tips

If you have more than one cat, you know the daily routine of sweeping up the cat litter around their box every day. Some litters will even leave paw prints leading away from the box because it is so dusty. A non-tracking litter can significantly reduce the work you need to do to keep your house clean, but how do you choose the right one? We’ve chosen seven of the easiest to find non-tracking brands to review for you so you can learn a little about the differences between them and see if they work. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide where we discuss how they work and what to look for while you shop.

Keep reading while we discuss size, material, environmental impact, ability to reduce tracking, and more to help you make an informed purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022

The 7 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litters

1. Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System Refills – Best Overall

 

The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System Refills is our choice for the best overall non-tracking cat litter in 2021. This litter is 99.9% dust-free, and we found no tracks leading away from the box after our cats used it. You use the litter with the Breeze litter system, and the cat’s urine passes through the litter pellets to a pad below. There is no clumping or mud created to stick to your pet’s feet, so it is extremely clean. You only need to scoop out the feces so a bag of this litter can last a month or more.

We enjoyed using the Purina Tidy Cats litter in our home and found that it works well. However, the litter is not biodegradable, so it’s not as good for the planet as some other options, and since the urine passes through, you need to purchase the Breeze system and use their special pads to soak up the urine. Some cats might have a problem with such a big change to their routine.

All in all, though, we believe this is the best non-tracking cat litter out there.

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2. Fresh News Post Consumer Paper Pellet Cat Litter

Fresh News Post Consumer Paper Pellet Cat Litter is our pick for the best non-tracking cat litter for the money. It uses 100% recycled paper and baking soda to create a highly absorbent pellet litter good for the environment and helps control odor. It’s 99% dust-free and non-allergenic, so you won’t see any tracks leading away from the box. The pellets hold their shape well, even when wet, and it’s easy to keep clean since you only need to scoop out the feces.

The downside to the Fresh News is that it’s non-clumping, so if you have several cats, the urine tends to sit on the bottom, creating an odor. Frequently mixing the litter can help distribute the urine evenly to be better absorbed, but it is easy to forget.

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3. Fresh Step Clean Paws Cat Litter – Premium Choice

Fresh Step Clean Paws Clumping Cat Litter is our premium choice non-tracking cat litter, and this brand features a ClumpLock technology that locks urine into a tight ball that’s easy to scoop out. It uses activated charcoal pieces to lock in odors, and it’s 99% dust-free and features slightly larger pellets that won’t stick to your cat’s feet as it leaves the litter box.

The downside to Fresh Step Clean Paws is that it is not biodegradable, and it contains scented pellets that help make the area smell better but are bad for sensitive cats.

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4. Simply Pine Natural Cat Litter

Simply Pine Natural Cat Litter uses natural pie wood to create a litter that’s good for the environment while remaining highly absorbent. The pellets trap urine and odors but won’t stick to your cat’s feet, and there is very little dust to track into your home. The pine scent makes it a great choice during the holiday season, and it also gives you an effective and less expensive option to use with the Breeze system we mentioned earlier.

The downside to Simply Pine is that it doesn’t clump, and like any non-clumping brands, the urine will sit on the bottom if you don’t keep stirring it and get quite smelly. It contains wood dust that can be bad for the lungs of you and your pet, so we don’t recommend this litter for covered litter boxes, and it has a strong pine scent that some people might not like.

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5. Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Low Tracking Cat Litter

Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter is available in many sizes, so it’s a great choice if you have several cats. It’s extremely absorbent, so it absorbs urine quickly and traps odors. It even dries out the poop, so it doesn’t smell. Even when dumping it into the tray, there is very little dust, and we didn’t have any problems with our cats tracking it into our home.

The biggest downside to using Purina Tidy Cats is that it’s non-clumping. Even though it does a good job of absorbing moisture, a heavy stream can make it through and sit on the bottom of the pan, so you will need to stir it up frequently. It’s also scented, which can bother some cats.

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6. Purina Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Low Tracking Cat Litter

Purina Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Litter contains all larger pieces that will not track into your home. It’s 99% dust-free and made with recycled newspaper, so it is better for the environment. This low tracking cat litter absorbent, retains its shape, and is 99% dust-free. You can purchase it in multiple-sized packages, so it’s suitable for any number of cats.

We liked Purina Yesterday’s News and thought it did a good job controlling odors and staying in the box. However, the problem with the larger pellets is that they make it hard to scoop out the poop without wasting a bunch of litter. Another problem is that if more than one cat uses the box, there will be a build-up of urine on the bottom of the tray that creates an odor.

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7. Naturally Fresh Cat Litter – Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Kitty Litter

Naturally Fresh Cat Litter is a walnut-based clumping litter that uses walnut shells to quickly absorb urine and trap odors. It’s biodegradable and renewable, so it won’t harm the environment, and it contains little dust. It’s a clumping litter, so it’s easy to clean, and there won’t be any urine on the bottom of the pan.

We wanted to like Naturally Fresh Cat Litter, but the dark color makes it harder to find the little treasures the cat leaves us. This low tracking cat litter also seems lightweight compared to other brands, so it is easier to kick out of the tray, and even a small amount will look dirty because of the color. It can also stick to the cat’s paws if it steps in a wet spot, and it will make dark footprints away from the box.

Related Read: 10 Best Cat Litters in 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter

Here are some things to consider before choosing your next non-tracking cat litter.

Tracking Dust

Dusty litter will get into the air as your cat is doing its business and will spread throughout your home, landing on surfaces that you will need to clean.  The dust can also attach to your cat’s paws and leave paw prints on the floor as your cat walks away. Clay is the most popular but also the dustiest. If you want to reduce tracking, you will need to choose something other than clay. None of the brands on our list contain clay ingredients.

Pellet Size

Litter size also has a lot to do with how much gets tracked into your home. Small litter particles can easily get lodged in your cat’s toes as it does its business and then fall out as your cat moves throughout the house. Unfortunately, tracking litter throughout your house isn’t the biggest problem. Clay litters often have small particles, and your cat can ingest them as it grooms itself, possibly causing problems with its digestive system.

We recommend choosing a brand with larger pellets that won’t get stuck between your cat’s toes. Larger pellets are also less likely to wind up outside the box as your cat scratches around while doing its business.

Moisture Absorbent

In most cases, you are going to want moisture-absorbing litter to absorb the urine and trap odors. Some brands will even dry out the poop, which will help reduce the smell. Most dust-free litters use a recycled paper base, which isn’t as absorbent as clay, but finding a brand that includes activated charcoal or baking soda in the ingredients and help improve its ability to absorb urine quickly.

Clumping versus Non-Clumping

Non-clumping litters can be good with a system like the Breeze, which uses a non-absorbent litter to allow the urine to pass through to a pad below. It can also be good if the litter is highly absorbent and can absorb all of the urine. However, you will need to stir these litters frequently, or the liquid will puddle on the bottom and begin to smell.

Clumping litters hold the moisture and form a clump that you can scoop out into the trash. We recommend clumping litter for most people because you don’t need to stir it, and it’s usually easier to find.

Fragrances

Many cat litter manufacturers try to mask the litter smell with fragrances. While it might smell better to humans, many fragrances can bother your cat and can even cause health issues, so we recommend avoiding them when possible.

Additional Tips

• Use a litter mat to help catch litter stuck to your cat’s feet as it leaves the box.
• If your cat kicks a lot of litter out of the box, try one with higher sides or a lid.
• Place a smaller litter box inside a larger one.
• Adding more litter (3–4 inches) will allow your cat to dig deeper, and it might not throw the litter outside the box as much trying to dig deeper.

Conclusion

When choosing your next non-tracking cat litter, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System Refills is a fantastic litter that will not track or leave any dust around your home. A single bad lasts a long time, and it’s easy to clean. The downside is you need to purchase the entire Breeze system to use it. Another smart choice is our pick as the best value. Fresh News Post Consumer Paper Pellet Cat Litter uses 100% recycled paper, so it’s better for the environment. It’s also absorbent and easy to clean.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and found a cat litter that doesn’t stick to paws that you would like to try. If we have helped keep your house cleaner, please share our guide to the best non-tracking cat litters on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock