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Top 5 Best Litter for Kittens [June 2023 Buyer’s Guide & Reviews]

So, you've recently introduced a cute little furball into your family….welcome to the good life!

Raising a kitten sure can be a fun process. And while teaching her how to use the cat litter box can be a bit of a hassle sometimes, it's certainly an important part of the cat-rearing process.

But whether you're new to owning a kitty or have had feline family members for years, one question remains all-important:

What type of cat litter should you use?

Honestly, a lot of pet parents probably don't even realize there's a difference between the best cat litter for kittens versus adult cats. The truth is, there are several important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to introducing your young feline to her new kitty litter box.

The secret? Not all litters are created equal—and not all are going to be a “best fit” for your tiny carnivore.

In this review, Best Litter for Kittens, we are going to discuss why special kitty litter is so important, the things you need to consider when selecting the right litter for her, and which brands are the best of the best.

Top 5 Best Litter for Kittens A Comprehensive Review

No matter which way you swing it, there's definitely going to be some trial and error when it comes to selecting the best cat litter for YOUR cat.

But hopefully, the following reviews should help you narrow down your choices. Check out our top picks based on quality, safety, effectiveness, price, and customer reviews:

1. Feline Pine Kitten Litter
2. Purina Yesterday's News Unscented Paper Cat Litter
3. Purina Tidy Cats Kitten Litter
4. Naturally Fresh Pellet Non-Clumping Kitten Litter
5. Precious Cat Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Kitten Litter

1. Feline Pine Cat Litter

This litter features 100% natural and chemical-free granules, making it both safe and comfortable for a cute little kitty who's learning how to use the litter box like a big girl! The manufacturers pledge no dust and no tracking, and absorbs liquids fully without clumping to help keep your litter box cleaner and fresher-smelling.

This one is on the pricier side, however, and a few owners seem to think this updated version doesn't work quite as well as an older recipe.

• Pros: natural and chemical-free, kitty-safe
• Cons: expensive; new recipe seems to be less effective than it used to be according to some reviewers

2. Purina Yesterday's News Paper Kitten Litter

This litter pledges paw-friendly and 99.7% dust-free litter particles so it's more comfortable and safer for tiny kittens. While the odor control may not ideal compared to other products, it's extremely gentle on tiny paws.

Plus, for any environmentally-conscious pet owners, this product is a great choice because it's made with recycled newspaper!

• Pros: highly absorbent, unscented; gentle on even sensitive paws; eco-friendly and made with recycled paper
• Cons: expensive compared to traditional clay-based litter, but worth the price as far as most reviewers are concerned; owners typically need to dump and refill daily

3. Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Kitten Litter

This litter is non-clumping and offers protection against the three main odors we worry about with litter boxes (ammonia, feces, and urine). It features an “extended-release deodorizing system” for all-day odor control.

The product is made with montmorillonite clay, but it's non-toxic and generally safer for little kittens compared to traditional clay litter brands. Unfortunately, some owners find that the product gets “gooey” and hard to clean up because it doesn't self-clump.

• Pros: great odor control, kitties like it
• Cons: doesn't clump so a little harder to clean up (but you want non-clumping anyway if your kitty is less than 4 months old)

4. Naturally Fresh Pellet Non-Clumping Kitten Litter

This litter is completely natural and made in the USA! It's formed by crushed walnut shells—a good renewable source for the green-minded pet owners out there. It absorbs fluids and odors pretty well, although can turn a bit mushy, making clean-up more challenging.

Don't let the odd appearance fool you—the odor control is fantastic according to most people who use it regularly (even with multiple cats in the home).

One problem experienced by some cat owners is that the pellets can track relatively easily around the home. However, this lightweight feature appeals to a lot of kitties since it's so gentle on their paws.

This kind in particular is non-clumping so it's safe

• Pros: American made, all natural, good at absorbing liquids and moisture
• Cons: scooping can be tough to do as the granules do not clump together; tracks around the home easily on paws and coats

5. Precious Cat Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Kitten Litter

This litter really does attract kitties, which is a good thing. After all—that's the point of having a great product if your animals don't want to use it?

The soft texture and low dust quality means your little cat's paws and lungs will be comfortable using this litter daily. The reviews are overwhelming positive, with a lot of owners even saying that it's the only kind their kittens will use.

Because it's effective for all ages, this litter is also great to train your kitty on because she'll probably be able to continue using it as she gets older.

• Pros: can be used in mechanical litters; 99.5% dust-free; small particles make it soft on a kitten's paws; specifically designed for kitties
• Cons: if it gets wet, then it can get very gooey and may stick to your cat's paws or coat; questionable packaging quality

Why Kittens Need Kitten Safe Litter

All cats are cute, but kittens are cute with the volume turned up!

To make sure these little ones are safe and adjusting well as they're being housebroken, they need to have kitten safe litter in their litter boxes.

Wondering why? Here are a few kitty-specific reasons:

1. They Use Their Mouths a Lot

Like all babies, kitties explore a lot of the world with their mouths and tongues. They instinctively like to lick, nibble, and eat things as a way to learn about them. Yes—this may include kitty litter granules (gross).

Because of this, it's best to use a kitty litter that's going to be as safe as possible if it's ingested by your little four-legged kid.

2. They Haven't Mastered Tidiness and Self-Grooming…Yet

Kittens aren't quite as…ahem…tidy as their grown-up role models.

As you teach your sweet feline to use her new litter box, she'll likely end up making more of a mess than her older siblings. For instance, kitties may not be as effective at cleaning the granules off their paws or bottoms. This means they could inadvertently eat it and track it all over the house.

The best cat litter for kittens will generally be one that's less likely to track or emit dust to attenuate the messy nature of your little cutie. And because your kitty isn't a pro at cleaning herself yet, you should also make sure the litter you use for her is going to be non-toxic—so it'll be minimally harmful if she accidentally ingests it during self-grooming.

3. Their Immune Systems Are Still Developing

Kittens immune systems aren't quite as developed as adults. This means they could be more susceptible to potentially harmful substances or have sensitivities to certain allergens, including fragrances and dyes.

Until your kitty gets a chance to get older and stronger—and until you get a chance to learn about your kitten's unique skin sensitivities—it's usually the best choice to find a simple, chemical-free product that contains as few ingredients or potential allergens as possible.

What's The Best Cat Litter for Kittens? 

Before We Answer, Let's Come to a Consensus on Clumping Litter. Since you now have a better idea as to why a little kitty would need special litter, the next question you're probably asking is:

Which kitty litter should I choose?

It's an important question that can seem difficult to answer. After all, there are tons of options out there. But before we get into the reviews of some of our top picks to help you narrow down the selection process, it's worth discussing one crucial subject:

Clumping litter.

Yes, it's amazingly convenient and tidy. But is it safe for young kitties?

As it turns out, there isn't any hard proof that clumping litter; isn‘t safe for them. BUT if we use some basic logic, we can see how it may pose a problem.

Here's how:

Clumping cat litter is designed to congeal when it comes in contact with moisture. Given that your little feline may be more likely to ingest litter than the older and more experienced cats in your family, this could put;your feline at risk of obstruction in her digestive tract or urinary tract.

Yeah, me-“ow” is right!

Here's what the ASPCA has to say about it: “…while there has been no proof to claims of problems in scientific literature, caretakers may wish to delay introducing kittens to clumping litter until 3 to 4 months of age.”

Related article: 7 Best Automatic Litter Box

How to Select the Perfect Kitten Litter for Your Little Feline

So, now we're clear on why clumping cat litter should probably stay out of your kitty's litter box for a while. With that covered, let's roll up our sleeves and “scoop” through some important factors to help us figure out which type of kitty litter is safe for your tiny companion.

Pet owners should keep at least four things in mind as they search for the perfect kitten litter. We've already mentioned a few of them, but let's review them now:

1. Choose non-clumping litter for younger kittens.

Clumping litter could cause gastrointestinal distress and blockages if ingested. To play it safe, hold off on introducing her to clumping litter until she's at least three months old.

Again, there's no clear evidence to say that clumping cat litter isn't safe for young cats. But erring on the side of caution isn't a bad idea.

Besides, you should allow your kitty to have her own litter box, so even if older cats in your home use the clumping litter, it's relatively easy to use a non-clumping kind for your littlest one.

2. Avoid scented litters.

Cats are highly sensitive to odors (we know—humans can be too, especially if it's the odor of ammonia, urine, or feces!). But if you're just training your kitty on a litter box and fill it with a scented litter, the smell may deter her from using the litter box at all.

Definitely not what you want happening.

Plus, some scented litters use artificial fragrances, dyes, and other ingredients that could lead to irritation on your kitty's paws, coat, and skin.

3. Avoid large litter granules.

Those adorable little paws of hers won't feel as comfortable if she has to dig through large litter granules every day! And since you're trying to encourage her to use her new litter box rather than avoid it like it's a big scary dog, it's wise to look for a product that has small granules for improved comfort.

5. Consider dust control.

Remember how your little cat is learning how to be clean, neat, and tidy? Help her out during this learning process by choosing a litter product that is mostly dust-free. This reduces the risk of respiratory issues for her and you. It also can keep the mess to a minimum by reducing the risk of tracking outside of the litter box and around the rest of the house.

Conclusion

Whether you plan on letting your cat be an indoor only or indoor/outdoor creature, she'll still need to learn how to use the litter box.

To make the learning curve a little better for your young kitty, make sure you're using the right strategies and the right litter product to make sure she's comfortable going in her new “bathroom.”

And remember: clumping cat litter is super handy to use (especially in a home with multiple cats). Just don't introduce it to your feline friend until she's at least 3 or 4 months old when she's a little less likely to eat everything in sight…and a little better at the whole self-grooming thing!

When can I use clumping litter for kittens?

While clumping litters are generally considered safe for cats, it's best to avoid using them until your kitten reaches 4 months old. Clumping litters made from natural ingredients like corn, wood or nut hulls may be safer for kittens, but could still cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

Is Wheat Litter safe for kittens?

Grass litter is 99% dust free with no tracking, making it suitable for cats and cat parents with respiratory problems. It is allergy friendly compared to wheat and corn litters, and is safe for kittens, infection-prone cats, and cats recovering from surgery.

Do kittens need different litter?

Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. While clumping litter might be the standard for adult cats, it's a risk to kittens if ingested, and should not be provided until the kitten is at least 2-3 months old and well accustomed to the litter box.

Can a kitten die from eating cat litter?

Times may vary for the kittens taking to wet food. If your kitten eats cat litter it can be a dangerous situation, especially if the litter is toxic or has a clumping property. Clumps can form inside the body and cause a blockage in the digestive system, and this can kill your kitten if left untreated.