Published Oct 23, 2025
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Many cat parents want to switch to a more sustainable cat litter, but stop when they see the hefty price tag on most natural cat litters. If you’re looking for something eco-friendly and affordable, pine litter is a great choice.
In this article, we take five of the best pine litters on the market and put them to the test, rating them for absorbency, odor retention, and more.
At a Glance: Best Pine Cat Litters to Buy in 2025
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Catalyst Pet Unscented Formula Cat Litter
- Forms quick, tight clumps for easy scooping
- Made from upcycled soft wood fiber
- Excellent odor retention with no added perfumes
Nature's Logic 100% Natural Pine Unscented Non-Clumping Litter for Cats
- Made of 100% pine with no chemicals or perfumes
- Dust-free and low tracking for easy cleanup
- Contains small pellets for your cat’s comfort
Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
- One of the most budget-friendly litter brands on the market
- Contains odors without added fragrances
- Comes in three sizes
Small Pet Select Premium Pine Pelleted Non-Clumping Cat Litter
- Sourced in the USA from 100% pine
- Dust-free, chemical-free, and fragrance-free
- Sold in cardboard boxes with no plastic packaging
Dr. Elsey's Pine All-Natural Kiln-Dried Cat Litter
- Dust-free and low tracking for easy cleanup
- Long-lasting litter with excellent odor control
- Contains no chemicals, dyes, or perfumes
Why Trust Cats.com
I’m a lifelong cat owner currently caring for seven senior cats. I keep ten litter boxes in my home, which means a lot of scooping!
I’ve also tried a wide variety of cat litters over the years and even reviewed several of them here at Cats.com. I know that cat parents want litter that is lightweight, easy to scoop, and doesn’t track across the entire house. Perhaps more importantly, I also know what cats look for in their litter: paw comfort, the ability to dig, and a lack of harsh perfumes.
When testing products for this article, I observed my cat’s comfort level and noted my own experiences with each.
5 Best Pine Cat Litters
Our rankings are based on a variety of factors. Our overall best pick is Catalyst Pet unscented cat litter because it’s absorbent, soft on cat’s feet, and forms efficient clumps that are easy to scoop.
However, every cat and human is a unique individual with their own preferences. With this in mind, we’ve broken down our recommendations by the most budget-friendly option, the most eco-friendly, and more.
#1 Overall Best: Catalyst Pet Unscented Formula Cat Litter
Catalyst is unique compared to other pine litter brands in that its formulas are soft on cats’ feet. Made from upcycled soft wood fiber, it contains small particles that aren’t as sharp as other pine litters I’ve tested.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The litter is also long-lasting and forms quick, tight clumps. It’s very easy to scoop and is a great sustainable alternative to clay litter.
Another great feature is that the litter contains no visible dust, even while pouring, and doesn’t contain any added perfumes. However, I personally found it irritating to breathe in after pouring, and another family member commented on the strong smell of the litter. That said, the odor retention is excellent, as any clumps in the litter box simply smell like the litter itself.
What We Liked:
- Forms quick, tight clumps
- Made from upcycled soft wood fiber
- Excellent odor retention
What We Didn’t Like:
- While the product doesn’t contain perfumes, it still has a strong scent that may irritate some humans or cats
#2 Runner Up: Nature’s Logic 100% Natural Pine Unscented Non-Clumping Litter for Cats
Of the non-clumping pine litters on our list, Nature’s Logic had the best absorbency. Its pellets are small, which makes them more comfortable for cats than larger pine pellets. However, they still aren’t as comfortable as most clumping litters, which have smaller, softer granules.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Made of 100% ponderosa pine, the litter contains no additives or perfumes. It’s dust-free, biodegradable, and doesn’t track as easily as clay litter.
What We Liked:
- Made of 100% pine with no additives or perfumes
- Dust-free and low tracking
- Smaller than other pine pellets and comfier on cat’s feet
What We Didn’t Like:
- Hard pellets may be uncomfortable on cat’s feet despite their smaller size
#3 Budget Pick: Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
Feline Pine is a great choice if you’re looking for a cheap, reliable pine litter. It’s made from 100% pine without any chemicals or perfumes, it absorbs odors well, and it’s sustainably sourced.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
You can purchase Feline Pine in a 7-, 20-, or 40-pound bag. Buying in bulk will save you money in the long run, but the smaller size is nice if you’re unsure what your cat will think of the litter.
The downside to this litter is that it has very large pellets that some cats may avoid. My cats will use it for urine, but prefer to poop in clumping litter.
What We Liked:
- More affordable than clay litter
- Comes in three sizes, so you can easily test a small amount of the product or stock up
- Contains litter box odors without the use of added perfumes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats will find the large pellets uncomfortable
#4 Most Eco-Friendly: Small Pet Select Premium Pine Pelleted Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Small Pet Select is well known for its small pet products, but these pine pellets work for cats, too! The litter comes in either a 20-, 25-, or 40-pound box, with no plastic packaging.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
It’s made of 100% American pine and contains smaller pellets than some other brands. They’re similar in size to Nature’s Logic. Small Pet Select boasts their high quality control, and I can say that the litter I received was dust-free and absorbent. It contained odors well and had no irritating perfumes.
What We Liked:
- Made of 100% pine and sourced in the USA
- High quality control ensures a lack of dust in the litter
- Comes in three sizes, all sold in cardboard boxes instead of plastic packaging
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not all cats like pelleted litters and may find them uncomfortable
#5 Low Tracking: Dr. Elsey’s Pine All-Natural Kiln-Dried Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s pine litter is sold in a 40-pound bag at an affordable price. It’s long-lasting and does a great job at containing odors in the litter box. The litter is made from kiln-dried pine without any additives or perfumes. It’s also dust-free, so it’s unlikely to cause irritation to you or your cat.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The great thing about large pellets like these is that they rarely make their way out of the litter box, which keeps the surrounding area cleaner. However, they can be less comfortable on your cat’s feet, and some cats won’t use them because of it.
What We Liked:
- Dust-free and low tracking
- Long-lasting with excellent odor control
- Contains no additives, dyes, or perfumes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Large pellets are uncomfortable on cat’s feet
How to Choose the Best Pine Cat Litter
Affordability
The biggest reason that people opt for pine cat litter over traditional clay litter is affordability. Of course, it also gets bonus points for being more eco-friendly and containing fewer harmful ingredients.
Clumping vs Non-Clumping
While most cat owners are used to clay clumping litter, pine litters are usually non-clumping. Instead, the pellets dissolve into sawdust when wet. This allows soiled litter to fall through the slats of a litter scoop or sifting litter box.
There are a couple of clumping pine litters on the market, but they’re uncommon.
Pellet Size
Generally, cats prefer litter with small granules. This is because they’re more comfortable to walk on. Think about the difference between walking on gravel versus sand.
Unfortunately, most pine litters have large, hard granules. While some cats don’t mind this, especially if it’s what they’re used to, others will avoid it entirely. Personally, I’ve found that my cats are okay peeing in these types of litter, but won’t poop in them, likely because that means spending more time standing on the litter than is comfortable.
Senior cats and those with joint or mobility issues may be less likely to use a litter with large pine granules than young, healthy cats.
Luckily, there are some brands that offer smaller granules or even softer textures. You may have even more luck if you seek out natural cat litter made from other materials.
