Best Lightweight Cat Litter: 8 Picks for Easy Lifting

Cat litter can be heavy. If you live in a city, a home with stairs or have a bad back, carrying big bags of litter can get old—fast. But buying smaller, more portable bags of litter isn’t the most cost-effective or useful thing to do, either. You’ll always run out of fresh litter when it’s time to scoop.

So what do you do? Consider switching to lightweight cat litter that’s much easier to carry and scoop.

Our Top Lightweight Cat Litter Picks

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• Best Overall: Purina Tidy Cats Lightweight Free & Clean Cat Litter
• Best Clumping: Okocat Unscented Featherweight Clumping Wood Cat Litter
• Best Smelling: Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
• Best Low-Tracking Formula: Genius Litter By Alpha Paw
• Best Unscented: So Phresh Odor-Lock Clumping Micro Crystals Cat Litter
• Best Natural Lightweight Litter: Boxiecat Air Cat Litter
• Best for Health Monitoring: PrettyLitter Cat Litter
• Best Budget Friendly: Cat’s Pride Lightweight Odor Control Clumping Litter

What is Lightweight Cat Litter?

As the name suggests, lightweight cat litter weighs less than typical litter, making it easier to carry and scoop. Lightweight cat litters typically weigh 50 percent less than regular clay litters, says Dr. Michelle Burch of Paramount Pet Health. 

Lightweight litter is still clay-based but infused with materials such as perlite or silica. It will have similar clumping, absorbing, and odor-trapping properties as other traditional cat litters.

Pros and Cons of Lightweight Cat Litter

“Lightweight litter can absorb moisture faster than regular clay, resulting in less tracking out of the litter box,” Burch says. “Cats may also prefer this litter due to the softer texture.”

However, there can be drawbacks to this type of litter. Burch says that lightweight litters can create more dust than regular clay litters, and sometimes that dust can get stuck in your cat’s fur, especially if they have long hair. 

“Increased dust can [also] irritate your cat’s respiratory system, especially in pets with underlying diseases, such as asthma,” she says.

Cats can also make more of a mess with lightweight litter when digging or covering their poop.

How We Ranked Our Top Lightweight Litter Picks

When looking for the best lightweight litters, we considered several factors, including how effective the litter is at blocking odors, whether it is easy to scoop and how much lighter it is than other traditional clay litters. 

We also looked at price, ease of finding the litter and what ingredients were in the litter. Finally, litters that produced less dust or mess than others were ranked higher.

8 Best Lightweight Cat Litter Options to Consider

Best Overall Lightweight Cat Litter

Our Pick: Purina Tidy Cats Lightweight Free & Clean Unscented Litter

This litter is lightweight and it’s also a good deal. It’s unscented but very good at controlling odors since it contains activated charcoal. This makes it a suitable choice of litter for multi-pet homes. It’s also clumping, making it easier for you to scoop and clean. While it does have less dust than some lightweight litters, some pet parents have mentioned that the dust can stick to paws or fur. 

Highlights

• No perfumes
• No dyes
• Competitively priced
• Suitable for multiple cats
• Made with clay, minerals and activated charcoal
• Odor-reducing
• Clumping

Things to Consider

• Not recommended for cats with asthma
• Some pet parents say it sticks to paws or fur
• Clumps can sometimes stick to litterbox rims

Best Lightweight Clumping Cat Litter

Our Pick: Okocat Unscented Featherweight Clumping Wood Cat Litter

If you’re looking for a clay alternative, lightweight litter, this might be the one for you. This litter is made from biodegradable wood, which means it’s 70 percent lighter than clay and it is flushable. It’s also free of any fragrances or synthetic chemicals and generally reduces less dust. However, wood-based litter can mold or feel wet on your cat’s paws, which means some cats don’t like it or will track it around the house.

Highlights

• Clumping natural litter
• Less dust since it is clay-free
• Wood-based litter is biodegradable and flushable
• No artificial fragrance, synthetic chemicals, dyes or GMOs
• 70 percent lighter than clay litter

Things to Consider

• Wood-based litter doesn’t clump as well as clay
• Can mold in humid environments
• Doesn’t absorb moisture as quickly as clay
• Can stick to paws when wet

Best Smelling Lightweight Cat Litter for Odor Control

Our Pick: Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

If you like the smell of Febreze, this lightweight litter might be a good odor-control option for you. Designed to quickly absorb liquids and trap odors with the help of activated charcoal and a paw-activated Febreze scent, the litter also clumps tightly and doesn’t crumble while scooping. While designed to be less dusty than some lightweight litters, it is not entirely dust-free and will sometimes stick to your cat’s paws. 

Highlights

• Affordably priced
• Scoopable
• Doesn’t crumble easily
• Odor control and Febreze scent
• 30 percent more lightweight than traditional litter
• Works well in automatic litter boxes

Things to Consider

• Dusty
• Best for single cats
• Some cats don’t like the scent

Best Low-Tracking Formula

Our Pick: Genius Litter By Alpha Paw

This lightweight formula touts several benefits, including a color-changing element to detect early signs of kidney disease. Its low-tracking properties make it less likely to stick to your cat’s paws when exiting the litterbox. Genius Litter’s silica gel crystals are non-clumping to keep odors at bay. Use in multi-cat households, with separate boxes recommended to monitor the color-changing feature. 

Highlights

• Light, natural scent means fewer odors.
• Less likely to stick to kitty’s paws.
• 100 percent biodegradable for environmentally friendly disposal.
• Clump-free formula. 
• Litter changes colors to monitor your cat’s kidney health 
• Urine is quickly absorbed. 

Things to Consider 

• A bit on the pricey side.

Best Unscented Lightweight Cat Litter

Our Pick: So Phresh Odor-Lock Clumping Micro Crystals Cat Litter

Made with blue silica, this litter is not only super lightweight but also quickly absorbs liquids and odors to lock in odor. Plus, unlike some silica-based litter, it clumps, making scooping easier. 

Highlights

• Very lightweight
• Clumping and scoopable
• Silica-based litter
• Locks in odors and liquids
• Fragrance-free

Things to Consider

• Dusty
• Clumps can crumble easier than other litters on this list.

Best Natural Lightweight Cat Litter

Our Pick: Boxiecat Air Cat Litter

Designed to be 60 percent lighter than traditional clay litter, this plant-based, biodegradable clumping litter has a gentle moisture-activated scent (that may bother some cats) and locks in odors. It’s easy to scoop and stays clean and dry for your cat when they walk on it. 

Highlights

• Plant-based, non-clay litter
• Biodegradable, renewable and sustainable litter
• Made in the USA
• 60 percent lighter than traditional litter
• Comes with a money-back guarantee
• Monthly subscription available for a discounted price

Things to Consider

• Comes in a smaller bag than other litters on this list
• Pricey
• Not available at as many pet retailers
• Mild fragrance bothers some cats

Best Health-Monitoring Light Cat Litter

Our Pick: PrettyLitter Cat Litter

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PrettyLitter is an ultra-lightweight litter made with crystals that can help you monitor your cat’s health by changing color to alert you if your cat’s urine is too acidic, too alkaline or has blood in it. It doesn’t clump, but it’s easy to clean and scoop. The litter is also suitable for multi-cat households and has less dust than other lightweight litter. 

Highlights

• Suitable for multi-cat households
• Gives you information about your cat’s health
• Very lightweight
• Ultra-absorbing and good odor control
• Less dust

Things to Consider

• Pricey
• Doesn’t clump

Best Budget-Friendly Lightweight Cat Litter 

Our Pick: Cat’s Pride Lightweight Odor Control Clumping Litter

This lightweight, unscented litter is a great budget option coming in at under $10 for a 15-pound container. It’s 25 percent lighter than most clay litters, suitable for multi-cat homes and can control litter box odor for up to 10 days. Plus, it comes in an easily-to-pour container that we love.

Highlights

• Comes in an easy-to-pour container
• Absorbs liquids and clumps
• Suitable for multi-cat households
• Weighs 25 percent less than traditional litter
• Controls odor
• Affordably priced

Things to Consider

• It is a bit on the dusty side compared to some others on the list
• Cats tend to track this litter around the house

Lightweight Cat Litter Buying Guide

“Cat litter doesn’t have to undergo safety testing or have unique labels from regulatory agencies,” Burch says, though some brands may advertise that they do extra testing.  

This means that, in many ways, it’s up to you to figure out whether a particular brand of litter is a good choice for your home and your cat. Here are a few recommendations when looking for a lightweight cat litter:

Read the ingredients. Cat litter should clearly list out the ingredients in the litter. Look for silica, perlite, and clay, as they should be safe for most healthy cats. If your cat has asthma, avoid perlite-based cat litters.

Consider low-dust options. “For kittens and cats with underlying health issues, I recommend choosing a litter that produces no or low dust and is scent-free,” says Burch. 

Take health conditions into account. “I recommend cats with underlying diabetes or kidney disease use a non-clumping litter for owners to monitor urine output better,” adds Burch.

Manage the mess. Since lightweight cat litter is easier to kick and track around, be prepared for a bit more mess. Place the litter box in an easy-to-clean location like a bathroom or laundry room and consider buying a cat litter mat which can help reduce tracking. 

Tips for Using Lightweight Cat Litter

As with any litter, it’s best to scoop once or twice a day to keep your cat happy with their litter box (it’s also more sanitary for you). You should change and clean the litter box about once a week. 

Go slow over two weeks when introducing your cat to new lightweight litter. For the first week, place two litter boxes side by side, one with the old litter and one with the new, Burch says. After the initial week, start mixing the litters for a week. Mix about ¼ new litter with ¾ old litter, then gradually increase the amount of new litter, phasing out the old.

If your cat starts peeing or pooping outside of the litter box, your cat may not like the new litter. Keep trying different lightweight litter options until you find one that suits your cat. 

Lightweight Cat Litter FAQs

Is lightweight litter safe for cats?

Yes, lightweight litter is generally safe for cats. Because it could be a bit more dusty than traditional cat litters, it may not be the best option for cats with asthma or other respiratory issues. Talk to your veterinarian if your unsure if a lightweight litter is right for your cat. 

What is lightweight cat litter made of?

Lightweight cat litter can be made from a variety of different materials. Most often, these litters are still clay-based, but contain light ingredients like silica, perlite, or bentonite to reduce the weight.  

Is lightweight cat litter worth it? 

Lightweight cat litter is available at different price points to accommodate all budgets. It is definitely worthwhile if you are looking for a cat litter that is easier to pick up, carry, and dispose of. Ultimately, if your cat is comfortable using a lightweight litter, it can be a more convenient option for your family.