Best cat litter for odor control and tracking: compare odor and tracking

Compare the options

Quick comparison of the options
Product	Who it suits	Trade-off
Dr. Elsey's Ultra Litter	Medium-grain clay mixed with heavier granules, built for low tracking by the maker's description.	Tracking and 99% dust-free are maker claims with no comparable method.
World's Best Low Tracking and Dust Control	Larger corn granules, aimed at two or more cats.	Less tracking and 99.9% dust-free are maker claims only.
Fresh Step Simply Unscented	Clay with carbon, if odor outweighs tracking for you.	Its maker wording covers odor, not tracking, so choose it when odor outranks tracking.
Petmate Booda Clean Step	A dome box with a ramp entry, if you also want to change the box. This page does not claim it reduces tracking.	It is an enclosed dome, and Cornell says most cats prefer uncovered boxes, so check that your cat accepts a cover.
Purrify	Our preferred deodorizer beside whichever litter you choose for tracking. 120g suits most homes.	It is a deodorizer, so it is not a tracking fix.

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Litter

Dr. Elsey's Ultra is an unscented natural clay litter that blends heavy granules with medium grain clay. The maker says it has no perfumes or deodorants and can be used in sifting or mechanical boxes. It lists a 3 to 4 inch depth and scooping twice daily, with waste going in the trash, not the toilet. [1]

World's Best Low Tracking and Dust Control

World's Best Low Tracking & Dust Control cat litter, orange pack — World's Best Low Tracking & Dust Control. Photo: World's Best Cat Litter.

Whole-kernel corn, quick-clumping, with no added scent. [2]

Fresh Step Simply Unscented

Clumping clay with enhanced carbon and Ammonia Block Technology, and up to 15 days of odor control per the maker. [3]

Fresh Step's directions for Simply Unscented say to fill the box 3 to 4 inches deep and remove solid waste and clumps every day. Put the waste in the trash. Do not flush it. [3]

Petmate Booda Clean Step

An enclosed dome with a ramp, a carry handle and a replaceable charcoal filter. [4]

Purrify

Activated carbon granules in bags. Use two tablespoons on fresh litter, mixed gently, and top up when the box smells again, with no schedule to follow. [6]

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View on Purrify

Why odor and tracking pull in different directions

Cornell's guidance, dated January 2015, says most cats prefer unscented, finer-textured litter. The tracking-focused litters here go the other way on texture, with larger granules from World's Best and heavier granules mixed into Dr. Elsey's medium-grain clay. That is a reading of maker descriptions. The same guidance advises daily removal of clumps and feces whatever the texture.

[5][2][1]

Granule size and clumping style

World's Best says its Low Tracking formula has larger granules than its other formulas and clumps quickly. Dr. Elsey's describes hard clumping. Fresh Step's clay clumps and carries carbon, and its maker wording is about odor rather than granule size. Pick the trait that matters more to you: tracking wording points to World's Best or Dr. Elsey's, odor wording to Fresh Step.

[2][1][3]

Mats and box setup

A mat under the box is a habit to consider, and no particular mat is named here. The box itself also matters. The Booda Clean Step above is an enclosed dome, and Cornell says most cats prefer uncovered boxes while suggesting low sides for kittens, seniors and cats with mobility problems. Weigh your cat's access first.

[4][5]

Checklist before you buy

Check each against the maker's own page before you buy.