The Best Silica Crystal Cat Litters of 2024
Contents
- Our Top 6 List
- 1. PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter
- 2. Ultra-Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals
- 3. Fresh Step Scented Crystals Premium Cat Litter
- 4. Just the Crystals – Premium Crystal Cat Litter
- 5. Fresh Magic Large Chunk Style Crystal Cat Litter
- 6. Ultra-Pet Ultra Cat Litter
- Top 6 Verdict
- PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Litter
- Pros
- Cons
- Buying Guide
Here are some of the best options on the market this year! We’ve also included a few tips and tricks at the end that you can use to help get your cat used to the new litter.
Our Top 6 List
# | Preview | Product | Our Rating | Link | Price / Value |
1 |  | PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter | 10/10 | ||
2 |  | Ultra-Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals | 9.5/10 | ||
3 |  | Fresh Step Scented Crystals Premium Cat Litter | 9.5/10 | ||
4 |  | Just the Crystals – Premium Crystal Cat Litter | 9/10 | ||
5 |  | Fresh Magic Large Chunk Style Crystal Cat Litter | 9/10 | ||
6 |  | Ultra-Pet Ultra Cat Litter | 9/10 |
1. PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Cat Litter
This litter is possibly one of the most visually attractive since it comes in a bright and colorful purple/lavender and light blue, but it is also available in a clearish white, which is the scentless kind.
This is definitely one of the highest-quality litters since there is very little to no dust when it is being poured or scooped and it does not stick to the litter box like regular litter does.
The biggest downside would have to be that the scented ones, lavender and blue (a soft clean smell), have dyes in them that can stain your cats’ feet and/or stomach. The dye can take a little while to wash out too, but the white, odorless one still works great.
Pros
- Is available in multiple scents/colors
- Ideal for automatic cleaning boxes or regular ones
- Little to no smell
Cons
- Can stain the cat’s fur
2. Ultra-Pet Cat Litter Pearls Micro Crystals
This is one of the few litters on this list that comes in multiple sizes; 7 or 10.5 pounds. The 7-pound bag can last for up to 2 months with a single cat while the 10.5-pound bag can last for up to 3 months with a single cat.
The crystals are slightly blue, but they do not stain the fur at all. It can get a little dusty when it is being poured into the litter box, but there is very little dust while cleaning the box.
Pros
- Does not stick to fur
- Little to no odor
- Is available in several sizes
Cons
- Seems a little dustier than other litters
This litter looks a little less like crystals and more like fish gravel since the grains are a mixture of white, light blue, and dark blue. The bag itself is 8 pounds, and it is one of the more expensive litters on this list.
There is a little bit of dust when it comes to cleaning and changing the box, but it is still less compared to regular odor.
Pros
- Great for litter training
- Reduces odors significantly
- Easy to change
Cons
- Slightly dusty
These crystals are possibly the deepest colored ones on this list, but the finer-grained bags from this brand seem to be less vibrant; neither seem to cause fur stains, too.
The larger grain seems to be pretty dusty, possibly the dustiest on this list, but it seemed to go away quickly. It still worked to keep things less sticky and it was hard finding a cat that did not want to use this litter.
Pros
- Comes in multiple grain sizes
- Is liked by even stubborn cats
- Is one of the most absorbent
Cons
- Dustier than other silica litters
5. Fresh Magic Large Chunk Style Crystal Cat Litter
This is one of the more affordable litters that you can buy in bulk since it is available in 1, 2, or 4 bags, each bag is 8 pounds and can last for 1 to 2 months for a single cat.
This is one of the less dusty litters that are easy to change, and it seems to be a popular choice among many cats.
Pros
- Is one of the strongest to reduce odors
- Is very absorbent
- Is liked by stubborn cats
Cons
- Slightly dusty
6. Ultra-Pet Ultra Cat Litter
This is one of the smaller-sized bags, 5 pounds, but it does last for as long as it says: 1 month for a single cat. This is possibly one of the least clumpy litter, but it is also one of the more expensive choices too.
The crystals are also a little more jagged and uneven, despite the special pearl design that is supposed to be rounder and smoother.
Pros
- Is available in 2 different grain textures/sizes
- Holds in odors well
- Does not stick to the litter box
Cons
- The pearls are not entirely round/non-jagged
Top 6 Verdict
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Litter
Pros
- No clumping
- No dust
- Odor control
- Great look
- Multiple scents and colors
Cons
- Can stain the cat's fur
The winner out of all of these litters would have to be the first one, the PetSafe ScoopFree litter.
It comes with 2 bags that can last up to 2 months, comes in 2 scents, and also comes with a scentless, dye-less kind that keeps it in the first place position since the litter is one of the highest qualities and most affordable.
Buying Guide
Size
Unlike regular cat litter which is typically sized in pounds, silica crystal litter bags, or boxes, are pre-sized to supply enough cat litter for 1 to 2 cats for 1 to 2 months, depending on the size/brand. They are usually around 8 pounds or so. You can usually find out these numbers on either the front or back of the packaging, and it is usually in a chart format.
If you have 1 or 2 cats, this can be convenient since you only have to buy 1 or 2 bags, depending on which one you decide on, on a monthly basis, but if you have more than 2 cats, be prepared to spend more since the bags and/or boxes do not come in larger sizes, usually. Fortunately, there are some brands that sell these pre-sized bags in multiple cases.
Scent
For cats that are extra smelly, there are some litters that are made with subtle scents like lavender. There are also some that are designed to have a very little scent but still masks your cat’s odors.
Otherwise, silica crystal cat litter usually smells pretty similar to regular cat litter, but the smell is very faint and subtle since they are made of special material.
Special types
Needless to say, nearly all silica crystal litters do not clump up because of their material and the fact that they are designed not to do so, which means they usually do not come in a special ‘no clump’ blend. Contrary to what you might expect, crystal litter can be slightly dusty and usually is. If you specifically want dust-free litter, check this top list.
Although, there are a few brands that make special scented ones, as mentioned above, and the ones that have a unique grain size, usually extra small and fine or larger. The grain size is one of the most popular reasons that the cat does not like their new cat litter; try to stick with whatever sized grain your cat currently uses so they are less likely to notice a difference.
What to do if your cats do not like the new liter
If you have not noticed, cats can be really picky when they want to be, and there are a bunch of reasons they are picky about their litter. Some are sensitive to the scented ones, but most care about the grains. As mentioned before, cats are really particular about the size of the grain, most only like very fine grain that is sand-like, but they are also picky about the texture of the grain.
When it comes to larger-sized litter grains, they tend to be less smooth and can have little sharp edges that can get stuck in the soft parts of the cat’s paws, causing pain and discomfort. Some cats realize this before they even take one step in the litter box while others will only use the box a few times before they stop.
If your cat starts to act this way and rejects the new liter, you can try getting a litter with a different scent, grain, or one with a uniquely shaped grain (pearl-shaped aka rounded).
As far as boxes go, we recommend using end table litter boxes or top-entry litter boxes because they are more beautiful and give privacy to your cat while also controlling odors.
What to do if your cat eats the liter
It may seem like a random thing, but it is actually quite common for cats to first smell and even lick new litter, and some can develop a habit of doing it every time before they go to the bathroom.
Eating their litter can also be a sign of other conditions like stress, boredom, or a nutritional deficiency, as cat litter contains minerals that your cat might be lacking in. However, this can actually be very threatening to their health since it can cause a blockage within their digestive tract, making them sick or worse.
You could try changing their diet or taking them to the vet if you suspect they have a nutritional deficiency, or you could play with them more often so that they are less likely to become bored or stressed. Another thing you can do is to give your cat a suitable supplement.
One good way to stop them is by putting the litter box a few inches above the ground, make sure it is on something sturdy so that they cannot stick their paws in it while they are outside of the box. They may get scared or nervous, so make sure that their box is not too high up – just enough that they cannot reach inside of it while sitting or standing on the ground outside of the box.
Difference between silica crystals and other types of litters
Regular cat litters are usually made of clay while the silica crystal cat litters are made sodium silicate sand. They both work in a similar way to clump up when the cat relieves themselves, but we have already talked about the benefits of the silica litter versus the regular clay litter.
One difference we have not mentioned yet was the fact that some cats are sensitive to the different types of litter. Regular litter can be rough on the skin while silica litter can cause an allergic reaction from the ingredients, but both of these events are rare unless the cat already has health issues.
We are the Pet Cat Friends, a dedicated group of pet loving bloggers and product testers for all your meowy needs. We research, test, and review cat related products with the help of our collective 21 cats. Feel free to leave us feedback and treats!
