Cat litter comes in various forms. It can be made from clay, bentonite clay, silica gel crystals, recycled paper, wood, corn, wheat, grass, and other plant-based materials. The material affects how well the litter absorbs urine, whether it clumps, and more.

There is no single answer to the "best" cat litter for every cat and household. The right choice depends on your cat's preferences, your cleaning routine and any relevant health considerations.

In this guide, we look at what cat litter is made of to help you find what might work best for you.

What Are the Main Types of Cat Litter Made From?

The main categories of cat litter material are clay, bentonite, silica crystals and natural cat litter. Let's look at them in a little detail:

• Clay cat litter: A traditional absorbent mineral litter. Simple and affordable.
• Bentonite clumping litter: A specific type of clay that swells when wet, forming scoopable lumps.
• Silica crystal litter: Made from porous silica crystals, this litter quickly absorbs moisture and traps odours.
• Natural cat litter: Made from biodegradable or plant-based materials, this is the more eco-friendly solution. Popular materials include wood, paper, corn, wheat, grass, tofu or walnut shell.

Most modern litters are designed to solve as many of the problems associated with cat waste as possible. They absorb urine and reduce smells, and they aim to make cleaning easier. They also attempt to minimise dust and tracking, and Litter Sense even helps with health monitoring — more on that later.

In summary: clay and bentonite are usually chosen for clumping, silica for long-lasting odour control, and natural litters for sustainability.

What Is Clay Cat Litter Made Of?

Traditional clay litter is usually made from absorbent mined materials. Fuller's earth is one of the earliest commercial cat litter materials. Traditional non-clumping clay is not known for forming tight clumps, but it absorbs liquid very effectively.

Clay cat litter can be quite heavy and is likely to need full tray changes more frequently than a clumping litter. It also might create dust depending on the product. So the main pros of clay cat litter are that it is:

• Usually widely available
• Often affordable
• A familiar texture for many cats

But it is heavy to carry and dispose of, and it is liable to be dusty. Also, as it is mined from the earth, eco-conscious owners may not find it suitable.

What Is Clumping Cat Litter Made Of?

Most clumping cat litter is made from sodium bentonite, a type of clay that swells when it gets wet. This means that when the cat urinates in the tray, the bentonite absorbs the liquid. As the clay swells, it forms a firm clump in the litter that the owner can scoop out to remove the urine.

This is great for daily cleaning without having to replace the whole tray. You can quickly remove the areas affected by urine, enabling you to keep on top of odours by scooping regularly. This is often the preferred choice for owners who like convenience.

However, there are drawbacks to bentonite cat litter:

• It can be dusty
• Some find it heavy

Non-clumping or pellet-style litter may be better for some kittens or post-surgery cats, depending on veterinary advice.

We recommend that owners transition gradually when changing litter type. The RSPCA advises mixing new litter in over about a week or offering it in a separate tray so cats have a choice.

What Is Silica Cat Litter Made Of?

This cat litter type is made from silica gel crystals or granules. It is not the same as loose sand — it is processed into porous crystals that are designed to absorb moisture. The crystals quickly absorb urine, trapping moisture inside the crystal structure.

This is great because the crystals are lightweight compared with clay litters. Odour control is very strong, though solid waste still needs removing daily. It tends to be a lower-maintenance solution than traditional clay, and it often keeps dust to a minimum, depending on the product.

There are still some drawbacks, however:

• Some cats dislike the crystal texture
• It doesn't usually clump like bentonite does
• Owners have to stir or maintain the tray according to product instructions

These drawbacks are generally considered quite minor — many modern owners enjoy silica cat litter for its key benefits.

How Does Health-Monitoring Cat Litter Work?

Litter Sense is the silica cat litter that does more than absorb urine and control odour. As the UK's top health-monitoring cat litter, it uses colour-changing indicators that react to changes in a cat's urine.

This is not a diagnostic tool, but it can be really helpful for spotting changes in your cat's urine that could be an early sign of a health problem. A veterinary diagnosis is still absolutely necessary, especially if you also notice signs of pain when your cat uses the litter tray.

Changes in the pH balance of your cat's urine, or the presence of blood, are indicators that there could be a health concern. Litter Sense cat litter changes colour when these things are detected, potentially helping you spot cat health concerns at the earliest opportunity.

What Is Natural Cat Litter Made Of?

Natural cat litter is made from renewable, plant-based, biodegradable or recycled materials. There are various common natural materials that are used for this:

• Wood pellets or wood fibres
• Recycled paper
• Corn
• Wheat
• Grass seed
• Tofu/soya
• Walnut shell

Depending on the material, it can work in different ways. Wood and paper usually absorb moisture, while corn, wheat, grass and tofu litters may clump. Some natural materials use plant starches or fibres to bind liquid.

It tends to be more lightweight than clay, with very little dust, and it may even be biodegradable. However, performance varies widely by material and some natural litters track more than others. You must also approach composting or disposal carefully, as faecal bacteria can contain parasites.

What Extra Ingredients Can Be Found in Cat Litter?

Many cat litters incorporate additional ingredients beyond the base material. From baking soda to fragrances, these extras vary widely and perform different roles in the cat litter:

• Baking soda: Used to help neutralise smells.
• Activated carbon or charcoal: Helps with odour absorption.
• Fragrance: Added to mask bad smells, but it can be off-putting for some cats.
• Mineral oil or dust-control agents: Added to some litters to help control dust.
• Plant starches or binders: Found in some natural clumping litters.
• pH-sensitive indicators: Some health-monitoring litters include these to flag changes in urine.

It's important to note that some cats may reject strongly scented or unfamiliar litters. Low-dust, unscented options may be the preferred choice for sensitive cats.

Which Type of Cat Litter Is Best?

The "best" cat litter depends on the cat and the household, as preferences vary. You need to think carefully about what is most important to you, then find which cat litter materials will serve those needs best.

Here are some simple use cases for your reference:

• Best for easy scooping: Clumping bentonite litter is probably your best option.
• Best for odour control and low maintenance: Silica gel litter definitely meets this need.
• Best for eco-conscious households: Natural or biodegradable litter tends to be the best option.
• Best for sensitive cats: We recommend any low-dust, unscented litter for these cats.
• Best for health monitoring: Colour-changing silica litter like Litter Sense works best.
• Best for kittens: You need to ask a vet or breeder. Many owners prefer low-dust, non-clumping or pellet-style options when kittens are young.

We recommend that you avoid sudden changes wherever possible — transition gradually instead. Keep your litter tray clean and offer one litter tray per cat plus one extra so that your cats feel safe when using the tray.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Cat Litter Is Made Of

What is the main ingredient in cat litter?

The main ingredient depends on the type. Many traditional litters are made from clay or bentonite, while crystal litters are made from silica gel. Natural litters, meanwhile, are made from materials like wood, paper, corn, wheat, grass or tofu.

Is cat litter made from sand?

Usually, no. Some early cat toilet materials included sand or ash, but modern cat litter is typically made from clay materials, silica crystals or processed plant-based materials.

Is natural cat litter better than clay?

Not necessarily. Natural litter may be lighter, biodegradable or lower dust, but clay litter may clump more firmly. The best option depends on your cat's preferences and your priorities as the owner.

Can I compost cat litter?

It is wise to be cautious. Even if the litter material is biodegradable, used litter might contain bacteria or even parasites from cat faeces. Private compost bins may not get hot enough to make used litter safe.