Cat Litter: What Works Best for Our Cats and Kittens?

Interestingly, when I was growing up, cat litter wasn’t really a thing. Perhaps that was because I was born in Ukraine, where, during the 1990s, cat litter wasn’t something the post-Soviet market was particularly focused on supplying.

Fun fact: we had indoor cats and would bring home sand from a sandpit for them to use. 🫣 It was heavy, smelly and completely impractical. At one point, we even trained one of our cats to use an empty litter tray so that we wouldn’t have to deal with the sand—but just imagine the smell! 😵‍💫

Thankfully, here in the UK—and across much of the world—we now have plenty of choices.

Our journey through different types of cat litter

When we bought our first Ragdoll, well before establishing our cattery, we used super-clumping bentonite litter. It worked well until we welcomed our first litter of kittens.

When kittens begin litter training, they often explore the tray with their mouths and may nibble the litter. We therefore switched them to wood pellets, which we felt were a more suitable option at that stage. However, wood pellets were not ideal for us: they didn’t clump, became messy as they broke down and offered limited odour control.

Tofu litter wasn’t something I had heard of before, but I was given a pack to try at one of our very first cat shows. I was immediately impressed. It was lightweight, clumped extremely well, produced virtually no dust and created very little mess outside the tray. As a plant-based litter, it was also a more reassuring option for our young kittens.

Tofu litter is generally made from biodegradable plant-based material, often using by-products from tofu production. Some brands describe their litter as flushable, but this claim should always be treated with caution. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local wastewater and plumbing guidance before flushing any cat litter. If in doubt, dispose of it with your household waste.

Both our kittens and adult cats use and love tofu litter.

Of course, not every tofu litter is the same. There are several grades and many different scents available. After testing numerous varieties, we continue to choose Grade A tofu litter. It is slightly more expensive, but its performance makes it worthwhile for us.

Our favourites are unscented Grade A tofu litter, charcoal tofu litter with small pieces of corn, or a mixture of the two. This combination works exceptionally well for our cats and our home.

Cat litter comparison

The table below summarises the advantages and disadvantages of several litter types. It is based on our own experience, so other cat owners may have different preferences.

Litter type	Clumping	Odour control	Dust level	Suitable for kittens?	Best for
Tofu	Excellent	Excellent	Low	Generally, yes*	Indoor cats, young kittens, easy scooping and low-dust households. It may also be helpful for cats or owners who are sensitive to dust. Made from biodegradable plant-based material.
Bentonite clay	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate to high	Not our preferred choice	Strong clumping at an affordable price. However, it is heavy, mineral-based and not biodegradable.
Silica crystal	Usually absorbent rather than clumping, although clumping varieties exist	Excellent	Low to moderate	Not our preferred choice	Long-lasting odour control. Made from silicon dioxide.
Recycled paper	Usually non-clumping	Poor	Low to moderate	Generally, yes*	Budget-conscious households and kittens during the early stages of litter training.
Wood pellets	Break down rather than clump	Poor	Low	Generally, yes*	Budget-conscious households and kittens during early litter training.
Corn or wheat	Good	Good	Low to moderate	Generally, yes*	Owners looking for plant-based litter with a more sand-like texture. In our experience, it works particularly well when mixed with tofu litter—for example, 80% tofu and 20% corn.

*Always check the individual product’s instructions and supervise kittens during the early stages of litter training. Speak to your vet if a kitten repeatedly eats litter or if you have concerns about a cat’s respiratory health.

The verdict

At Bonnie Dolls, we are completely sold on tofu litter. It suits the needs of both our adult cats and young kittens, while also being lightweight, low in dust and plant-based.

However, no single litter will be perfect for every cat or household. Bentonite remains a strong clumper, while wood and paper pellets can be practical, budget-friendly choices. Corn and wheat litters offer another plant-based option and can bridge the gap between pellet-style products and a more familiar, sand-like texture.

Ultimately, the best litter is one that is safe and comfortable for your cat—and practical for you to use every day. For us and our cats, Grade A tofu litter is the clear winner.