What Are The Best Cheap Cat Litters?

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​​Cheap cat litter ​has to fit in the budget week after week.​ We still want good value so there needs to be a balancing act.  A good, reliable product at a good price and that includes cat litter.

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All of these litters are clumping litters, which are the most popular type of cat litter.

Clumping litter is popular because it is relatively easy to keep the litter box clean with regular scooping and then emptying the whole box of litter when necessary.

​Our Choices With Reviews Are:

Different sizes may alter the price. Frisco has consistently been the lowest price litter reviewed here, for the past two years.

Five Cat Litters That Represent Good Value For Money

​1. Frisco Multi Clumping Cat Litter

Cat litter when on a budget35c/lb approx (2021)

Price wise and performance wise, Frisco is top choice. Plus, it is designed to stop liquid before it reaches the bottom of the box meaning that it clumps quickly and that liners are not needed.

The manufacturer specifies that if one cat is using the box, the litter should be changed approximately 1.5 – 2 weeks to get the benefits stated. The litter shown here is unscented however Frisco does have fragranced litter – Fresh Scent, Tropical Breeze and Lavender.

Another positive according to many reviewers is that there is negligible dust or even no dust when pouring the litter into the litter tray which is a big plus for many people.

That in turn means less dust on surfaces near the litter box. This also means that everyone, you (the family) and the cat are not breathing in dust from the litter. Read some of the reviews here.

It is low tracking. This can be dependent on your cat and the type of litter box used. A litter box with higher sides will help reduce litter being flung far and wide.

The granules are fine soft granules but not as fine as sand. It is not uncomfortable for a Sphynx or Cornish Rex to step on (as they don’t have the padding of fur between their toes). 

Pros

Low tracking and low dust.

The budget cost is substantially less per pound than other litters.

Cons

The plastic bag that the litter comes in, does not have a resealable top and can be awkward for some people to manage.

Specifications

It is available for purchase in a 20lb bag or a 40lb bag. The litter material is clay. It also includes a proprietary deodorizing system. It is unscented. It is made in Canada. It is hypoallergenic and contains no dyes, perfumes or added fragrance.

Related: Have you considered making your own cat litter? You Can! It may seem like a hassle but it is worth giving it a go. You control the budget, you save money and you choose the materials. This article explains how to make cat litter using different materials.

2. Tidy Cats Immediate Odor Control Cat Litter

budget cat litter47c/lb approx

This is a low cost, good value for money litter.

It is very good at controlling odor even with multiple cats. It is a clumping clay litter that neutralizes ammonia and faeces odors but at the same time is not heavily perfumed.

Most reviews are very positive regarding odor control and even with multiple cats. This is a good choice, 87% of people recommend this litter for all of those stated reasons. Read some of the comments here.

When considering odor control it is also necessary to consider the diet of your cat which could alter the smell of faeces.

Also consider how often the litter is changed or scooped. This varies hugely from household to household. This litter gets good reviews for odor control even in homes where space is limited.

It clumps strongly which is a plus when scooping. It described as being 99.9% dust free however this can be subjective.  Some people find it dusty and others do not.

The 35lb option comes in a pail as shown. The 40 lb option is in a box.

With everyone on the planet now being more conscious of plastic use, one suggestion is to buy the pail as a one off and then use the box thereafter, using the original container for storage.

Others have repurposed the storage containers for other domestic uses such as carrying cleaning products from room to room. The lid secures firmly.

Speaking of repurposing. If you do buy some cat litter that you aren’t too keen on, there are lots of uses around the home for cat litter.

Pros

The litter has an anti-dust coating. It forms a microscopic web-like structure that helps prevent tiny dust particles from escaping. This helps to keep tracking to a minimum.

Cons

If you have been a long time user, you may find that this product has changed.

Some are finding that the urine no longer clumps as well or controls odor as well. A 14lb option may be a better choice if you are unsure.

Specifications

The 35 lb option in the pail has a pull tab which needs to be removed before the first use. The pail can then be opened. The lid is a hinge lid. The product comes in different sizes, 14 lb jug, 20 lb jug, 35 lb pail and 40 lb bag. This is a clay litter.

3. Dr Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Cat Litter

Economical Cat Litter47c/lb approx

This is a clumping clay litter. The one shown here is unscented. There is also a scented litter. It is the same price as the unscented litter.

The unscented litter still has odor control properties. Because the litter immediately absorbs urine and dehydrates faeces into hard clumps upon contact, a superior level of odor control is achieved without using a scented product.

The litter is suitable for multiple cats. If two cats are sharing a box, change the litter every one and half to two weeks (some cat owners find the litter lasts much longer than this). This is based on a daily scooping regime to keep the box fresh in between complete changes.

As the name suggests this is an ultra clumping litter and it lives up to its name. The clumps may stick to the bottom of the pan and a metal scoop or a strong scoop is advised.

Pros

It is fine to use in sifting and mechanical litter boxes.

Made in the USA

Veterinarian formulated

Cons

Some bags of litter seem to be dustier than others.

Specifications

This is a clumping clay litter. It is available in a 20lb or 40lb bag. Do not compost. Do not dispose in outdoors gutters or storm drains. Store in a cool dry place. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical help.

Check Price Dr Elsey’s Precious Litter on Chewy
Check Price Dr Elsey’s Precious Litter on Amazon

Related: Is litter getting stuck to the bottom of the box? You can bring back the non stick of your litter box or just make it more non stick. It’s very easy to do. This article shows you how easy it is to do, using basic materials.

​4. Fresh Step Multi-Cat Clumping Clay Litter

multi cat economical option55c/lb approx

This is clumping litter ​forms strong clumps. It now has lower dust formula ​so bear this in mind if you have previously found it too dusty.

It has the fresh scent of Febreze to eliminate odors rather than masking odors.

It is suggested to remove the clumps every 2 to 3 days and replace the full box monthly. Many people remove clumps several times daily, however this is an individual choice and is also dependent on how many cats use the same box.

Note: The 42 lb option consists of four individual boxes inside on bag.  This makes it more convenient weight wise for people who don’t want one heavy 42 lb bag, although be prepared to unpack at point of delivery if it is too heavy to manage in one package.

Pros

4 lower weight boxes makes sense and is easier to manage than one heavy box.

Ammonia blocking using activated charcoal.

Covers up smell and the scent of the litter is not too strong.

Cons

Pour into the box slowly to minimize dust.

Specifications

This product is available in these sizes – 14lb box, 25lb box, 10.5lb box – pack of 4. This is a clumping clay litter. It has a light scent by Febreze.

​5.  Arm and Hammer – Slide Multi Cat Clumping Cat Litter

cheap cat litters56c/lb approx

This litter may be marginally more expensive so weigh up the positive points against the cost.  

It is a clumping litter that has a very good reputation for low tracking, effectively controlling odor, easy to scoop and low dust.

Many litters claim to be low dust however this litter, has an excellent reputation for keeping the dust down. If this is a non negotiable (you or your cat or dog has asthma) it would be worth trying this litter.

Note: If you are sensitive to scents this can be too strong for some although others barely notice the odor. If the odor is a question mark I would recommend starting with a smaller size box.  As a person who is very sensitive to odors I can understand this completely.

Pros

Has an excellent reputation for living up to its dust free claims.

Cons

The new packaging is without a handle making it difficult for some people carry and manage. The handle is still on the 19lb box. (watch this space)

Specifications

The cat litter is available in the following sizes – 14lb, 19lb, 28lb and 38lb. Dispose of in the trash. Store in a cool dry place. Do not flush or bury or dispose of outdoors. Do not compost this litter.

Related: What Is The Best Cat Litter For Odor Control? An odor controlling litter without a strong perfume makes sense.

Our Recommendation is…

1. Frisco Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter

The cheapest cat litter at the time of writing this article is Frisco. The price combined with the effectiveness makes this litter pretty hard to beat.

​ Compare the prices of the different sized options in your chosen litter, as sometimes you can save money by purchasing a larger size.

The other litters in this list of best cheap cat litters are also price competitive.

When looking for a cat litter, consider other factors such as

* How often the box is cleaned,

* How many cats are using the box and

* Whether your cat is a digger and flinger ​as this will also determine how often you need to top up or replace the litter which will of course affect price.

​Frisco is an excellent place to start when assessing the best cheap cat litter that ​combines budget and quality.

​​Quality Control For The Best Cheap Cat Litters

​As most of us know from experience, it is a little bit tricky to know how cats will react a certain type of litter until it is actually used or not used by the cat.

Here are some things to consider when looking for the best cheap cat litters.

Clumping Litter – Clumping litter is popular as it easier to clean the box by scooping the balls of urine that form into clumps. This can save money. Regular scooping and topping up the box helps to keep the litter box cleaner for longer, thus using less litter.

Odor Control – Do you want litter that is fragranced or has odor control?  Read the reviews to see how your chosen litter stands up in the odor control stakes.

Price  – The price has to be considered but also consider that a couple of dollars may make a big difference in the amount of cleaning and emptying of the litter box, so read reviews before you make a choice.

​​Packaging –  If the packaging is too heavy for you to manage, it will eliminate that choice or you will need to consider how to best cope in this situation. Cheap will be of no use if it is too difficult to transport.

Why Buy Cat Litter Online?

Buying online saves time. Once you have a litter you are happy with, it is easy to just click that button and reorder. Job Done!

Buying online also ​eliminates ​lugging home ​heavy bags of litter and handling it several times during the purchase.

Nothing worse than loading into the shopping trolley, loading into the car, unloading at home… Turning up on the doorstep is a way better solution!

​Your cat may require a specific type of litter, particularly after surgery.
However if your cat is in good health, has no allergies and you want a good basic litter at a good cost there are ​cheap and good options.

Look, I’ll do my bit to stick to the budget! We just have to find the best solution!

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