Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best cat litter under $25 that doesn’t stick to paws

Paige Cerulli
By

You’ve carefully placed your cat’s litter box in an area that’s quiet and out of the way, and you’ve made sure that it’s on a floor that’s easy to clean, like tile or linoleum. You may have even purchased a litter-catching mat to help keep your cat from tracking the litter through your home, but you can still see trails of litter that follow your cat from room to room. Litter tracking is a common issue, and some litters are worse than others when it comes to sticking to your cat’s paws. We’ve highlighted three top-reviewed cat litters that are all under $25. These litters are designed to minimize tracking and to not stick to your cat’s paws, so they get left behind in the box instead of finding their way into your home.

Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is a premium litter full of qualities that make it a top choice. It’s 99.9% dust-free and is unscented, so it won’t irritate sensitive respiratory systems. This low-tracking formula won’t stick to paws, so more of the litter stays in the box instead of on your floor. It’s hypoallergenic and made with natural ingredients like bentonite clay, plus it clumps for easy scooping and sifting. This multi-cat formula effectively controls odors to keep the box more appealing to cats.

Pros:

  • Hypoallergenic and 99.9% dust-free.
  • Low-tracking formula.
  • Made with natural ingredients.

Cons:

  • On the more expensive side.
  • Quite heavy.

Recommended Videos

Yesterday’s News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter

Yesterday’s News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter puts recycled newspaper to work for a more eco-friendly approach to traditional litter. These pellets of recycled paper are low tracking, so your cat is less likely to spread them throughout your home. The formula is three times more absorbent than clay, making it ideal for multi-cat homes. It’s also 99.7% dust-free, perfect for cats and humans with sensitive respiratory systems.

Pros:

  • Uses recycled newspaper for eco-friendly benefits.
  • Pellets are low tracking.
  • Highly absorbent.

Cons:

  • Requires frequent cleaning.
  • More expensive than clay litters.

Arm & Hammer Feline Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Feline Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter puts the power of baking soda to use to keep your cat’s litter box pleasant and inviting. The pine pellets are highly absorbent, creating a box that’s dry and more appealing to your cat. The formula is low dust and is designed to stay in the box rather than sticking to your cat’s paws. There are no added fragrances, so you don’t have to worry about artificial, irritating smells. Best of all, this litter is less than half the weight of clay litter, meaning it’s easier to move, store, and pour. All the pine used in this litter is sustainably sourced, and no new trees are cut down to create this litter. Instead, the litter is made with reclaimed lumber shavings, so you can feel good about choosing this product.

Pros:

  • Made from sustainably sourced pine shavings.
  • Baking soda helps control odors.
  • Less than half of clay litter’s weight

Con:

  • More expensive than clay litters.

Choosing the right cat litter can help minimize tracking through your home, making it easier to clean up after your cat. If you decide to change your cat’s litter to one of the products above, then make that change gradually. Cats can be very particular, and your cat might not love suddenly having a new litter in his box. To avoid this, gradually add new litter to your old litter. Each time you change the box, add a little more new litter while using a little less of the previous type of litter. It’s also a good idea to change the litters in only one of your cat’s boxes at a time, so if he really protests the new litter, he still has another box to use.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Forget the litter box: This cat was trained to use the toilet
Can cats be potty trained? We looked into it (plus a video guide)
A cat sits on the table looking mad

Cats are one of the best pets out there because they're smart, independent, and cute. Unfortunately, they usually go hand in hand with a litter box, which isn't necessarily our favorite part of the cat equation. Regular litter changing is essential to kitty life but can also come with smells, bugs, and even some risk of disease. Wouldn't it be better if they could just be potty trained? While it won't work for every household, some cats can indeed learn to use the toilet.

This trending TikTok showcases the steps you need to take to teach your feline to use the bathroom human style.

Read more
6 litter box hacks we think are genius (and will save you tons of cleanup)
Use these tips to keep your cat's litter box clean
Orange cat sitting in a covered litter box, looking out

Cats are wonderful companions, but their litter boxes aren't exactly pleasant. Litter boxes can be a hassle to clean, some cats throw litter everywhere, and the smells can be strong. Luckily, are plenty of tips and tricks that can make things easier, whether that's using a different product or just changing your cleaning technique. These litter box hacks can save you time and money, but most importantly, they can save you and your cat a lot of frustration, too. Here are our 6 favorite litter box hacks for you to try out.

Use disposable liners
One of the best hacks to simplify cleaning a litter box is to use disposable litter box liners. These liners prevent the litter from coming into contact with and sticking to the box, and when you buy liners with drawstrings, you can lift the whole liner, including the litter, up and out of the box. There's no scrubbing needed unless your cat scratched through a liner, so cleaning the box is faster and easier.

Read more
Why doesn’t my cat meow? Here are 5 reasons why your feline friend is silent
Physical and mental reasons why a cat suddenly stops meowing
Bengal cat lying down, looking at the camera

It's not exactly news that cats communicate with humans by meowing, In fact, you may have already learned to recognize what each of your cat's meows means. If your cat stops meowing, though, you might have a problem.
Some causes of this odd change are normal and harmless -- and some will even resolve quickly -- but there are also potential causes that can be much more serious. This is why it's important to get your vet involved early on. If you're wondering "why doesn't my cat meow?" you'll want to get to the bottom of the issue to determine whether your cat needs additional help.

Why doesn't my cat meow? Emotional upset could be the cause
If you think that "my cat doesn't meow," it might be because they're stressed or upset. If your cat is experiencing significant change, like having just moved into a new home, they may be staying quiet out of fear. The same is true if you've recently brought a new pet home. Your cat may be trying to avoid the new pet and any resulting fights that could occur if they meow and make noise. Alternatively, something like the loss of a companion or a recent illness could cause a kitty to feel shut down and quiet.

Read more