Unbiased Catalyst Cat Litter Review

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

With greater awareness of the environmental impact of cat litter, it’s no surprise natural alternatives to traditional clay are on the rise. Catalyst Cat Litter, made from upcycled wood waste, is a sustainable option that promises not only high absorbency and effective odor control but also significant cost savings.

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Ratings

Price Per Pound – 4.5/5
Multi-Cat Formulas – 5/5
Clumping Ability – 4/5
Dust/Mess – 4/5
Easy to Scoop – 4.5/5

Overall Score: 4.4/5

To determine if Catalyst lives up to its claims of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, we tested the brand’s three softwood formulas. Thinking about switching to natural cat litter? This guide can help you decide if Catalyst is the right choice.

Why Trust Cats.com

I’ve tried my share of non-clay litters over the years, and I’ve seen it all—the good, the bad, and the clumpy. I was curious to see how Catalyst stacked up against similar products.

Over several weeks of testing, I focused on some key points: smell, texture, dustiness, and clumping ability.

Throughout the testing process, I considered a range of cat parent needs and weighed them against the pros and cons of this litter. I also went through dozens of reviews from other cat parents to understand how they found this natural litter.

Catalyst Cat Litter and Brand Overview

Catalyst is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility, from product development to packaging. They’re accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable pet industry. Catalyst litter also comes in LDPE #4 plastic bags that are 100% recyclable.

Introduced in 2020, Catalyst’s flagship product is its pine softwood cat litter. This upcycled material is sourced from the parent company, Lignetics, Inc., which converts waste from regional sawmills into litter.

The brand also carries small animal bedding, biodegradable pet waste bags, a sisal litter mat, and a sturdy steel litter scoop. They recently released a non-clumping pine pellet litter, which may appeal to those seeking a low-tracking litter.

What Kinds of Litter Does Catalyst Offer?

Catalyst offers three natural softwood formulas:

Multi-Cat Litter
Healthy Cat Litter
Unscented Cat Litter

The primary ingredient in all three varieties is clean, upcycled pine softwood.

This upcycled pine wood is not only highly absorbent, creating well-formed clumps and locking in odors, but it’s also biodegradable and compostable.

One of Catalyst’s standout features is its remarkable efficiency, as one pound of Catalyst is designed to do the work of four pounds of clumping clay litter. This means you’ll need to change Catalyst less often, so it’s a long-lasting and cost-effective solution. Additionally, this contributes to a smaller environmental footprint by reducing production and transportation pollution.

Catalyst litter is made in America and is available in 10 and 20-pound bags. Depending on the number of cats in a household, a 10-pound bag of Catalyst litter could last up to a month.

Top 3 Cat Litters Reviewed

Product Name	Materials	Clumping?	Lifestage	Price
Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula	Softwood fiber	Yes	All	$1.20/pound (for 20-pound bag)
Catalyst Unscented Formula	Softwood fiber	Yes	All	$1.20/pound (for 20-pound bag)
Catalyst Healthy Cat Formula	Softwood fiber	Yes	All	$1.20/pound (for 20-pound bag)

#1 Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula

$12.35 per month At CatalystPet $14.99 At Chewy

The Catalyst Multi-Cat litter is designed to meet the needs of multi-cat households with its enhanced clumping strength and added wood scent. This litter is created with softwood, zeolite (a porous, highly absorbent material), natural clumping agents, natural oil, and pine scent.

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

While some cat parents found the natural scent too strong, others found it pleasant and earthy. Personally I enjoyed the woodsy smell.

The litter’s lightweight nature makes it easy to lift and pour but can lead to some tracking due to the tiny sawdust grains.

The Multi-Cat formula formed clumps that held together well and were easy to remove from the litter box. However, some users noted the clumps fall apart if scooped too aggressively. I found one workaround for this was giving the clumps time to solidify. If you wait, clumps will be easier to scoop without crumbly pieces breaking off.

While there was a little dust when pouring the litter, there was nearly no dust when scooping. Plus, dust from this litter is safer and less harmful to your cat’s lungs than silica clay dust.

What We Liked:

Long-lasting and cost-effective
More eco-friendly than clay
Highly absorbent
Lightweight and pillowy soft
Lab testing shows Catalyst litter is 10x more effective at odor control than clay litter

What We Disliked:

Some cats and people may find the natural scent to be overpowering
May track more than clay

#2 Catalyst Unscented Formula

$12.35 per month At CatalystPet $13.99 At Chewy

Catalyst Unscented Litter is the ideal choice for cats and people with sensitive noses.

Unlike the other Catalyst formulas, the brand’s Unscented Litter maintains its subtle smell without the addition of pine scent or zeolite among its ingredients.

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

Despite being unscented, the litter still carries a faint pine smell. However, it’s subtle, unobtrusive, and is really only detectable at close range.

What We Liked:

Has no added scent
The natural pine smell is understated and subtle
Clumps well

What We Disliked:

Not completely smell-free

#3 Catalyst Healthy Cat Litter

$12.35 per month At CatalystPet $14.99 At Chewy

Catalyst Healthy Cat litter is a great choice for cat owners who prioritize a clean and healthy environment for their pets and themselves. This formula is designed to keep surfaces clean by minimizing dust, making it easier for you and your kitty to breathe.

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

While no litter can be completely dust-free, this one does a pretty good job—especially considering it’s so lightweight. And the generated dust will be far less harmful than breathing in clay dust.

What We Liked:

Keeps dust to a minimum
Mild added wood scent

What We Disliked:

Some cats (and people) might find the scent overpowering

What Do Customers Think of Catalyst Cat Litter?

While there are some concerns about tracking and dust, overall, customers express mostly positive experiences with Catalyst litter. Here are some highlights.

Positive Reviews

Positive reviews praise the litter’s absorbency and odor control. Most people appreciate the well-formed clumps and how easy it is to scoop. Many people liked the natural woodsy smell, the soft texture, and this litter’s environmental friendliness. They also like that it’s long-lasting and can go longer than clay between changes.

“I use this for all my cats (three adults, two kittens). Very minimal tracking (minimized further by using a tall-sided, covered litter box). Love the slight piney/woodsy scent it comes with. The result is that there’s no discernible urine or feces smell as long as you clean out the litter each day. It provides good clumping; while not an extreme clumper like Sustainably Yours (which Catalyst replaced at my house), what you trade off for slightly less clumping is a lot less tracking of litter all over the room. In fairness, there is one minor downside worth noting. Because the wood bits tend to cling to each other (unlike granular-type litter), it can be a little challenging to scoop up a clump without scooping up a whole lot of untouched litter. I found the metal wire type scooper addresses this well; it scoops up the clumps but allows the unclumped material to slip through easily. Other than that very minor consideration, I have no issues with this product and wholeheartedly recommend it for those who want very no foul odors, a pleasant woody scent, good clumping, and very little, if any, tracking of loose litter. A+++” – by Floyd, reviewing, Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter, September 7, 2025

“Clumps well, but you’re going to have to be gentle shaking out the unused litter and sacrifice some of it so that the clumps don’t break. Good at covering up urine smell, decently covers poop smell. Doesn’t aggravate my asthma like clay litter does, which is fabulous! It seems to last a lot longer than clay litter, even with the “sacrificed” unused litter I mentioned. The smell is piney, but fades quickly (good if you don’t want any smell). I will use this litter forever, if I can help it.” – by Jay, reviewing Catalyst Pet Unscented Formula Cat Litter, September 19, 2025

Negative Reviews

Some negative reviews mention tracking and dust. But remember, this is the case with most lightweight litters. Some folks were displeased with Catalyst’s clumping ability, and others didn’t like the natural pine smell.

“I replaced the clay litter in 2 boxes. Out of 9 cats, not a single one used the boxes with this litter. A week later, I returned the boxes to litter my cats would use. While apparently not having added fragrance, that does not mean this “unscented” litter has no scent. There was a relatively strong wood scent. I personally found it pleasant, but it seems likely it was this scent that kept my cats away. So, regardless of the potential benefits of this litter when used by cats, if the cats won’t use it, the litter must be regarded as an utter failure, and hence the lowest rating.” – by David, reviewing, Catalyst Pet Unscented Formula Cat Litter, July 29, 2025

“Been using this litter for over a year due to great clumping and odor control, but disappointed that I haven’t stopped using it sooner, since my 6 cat’s paws are always dusty especially my black kitty, who is always COVERED with dust on her face and completely up her legs. I can only imagine the health effects it is having (God forbid) since my cats are ingesting this dust, and I’ve noticed when they lick their paws the dust becomes very slimy. Team Catalyst, please make this litter safer, as I’ve sent you this info with a pic of her covered in dust back in June 2024. I am unfortunately going to be switching to natural corn or walnut litter because of safety and dust concerns.” – by Victoria, reviewing Catalyst Multi-Cat Formula, September 2, 2025

How Much Does Catalyst Cat Litter Cost?

At first glance, the cost of Catalyst may seem a little high. However, considering its effectiveness and longevity, this litter could lead to significant cost savings.

On Chewy, each formula has the same price:

10-pound bag: $1.50/pound
20-pound bag: $1.20/pound

But don’t be fooled by price per pound.

While Catalyst might cost more per pound than clay litter, you can use less of it—which means greater savings long-term.

According to a survey of over 1,000 cat parents, Catalyst litter is projected to save an average of 43% per month compared to clay litter, 50% compared to other natural litters, and 54% compared to crystal litter (on the company’s 40-lb+ per month eco-hero plan).

Your savings may be even greater if you subscribe directly from the company’s site.

Where Is Catalyst Cat Litter Sold?

You can purchase Catalyst litter on Chewy or directly from the company’s site. All orders from the Catalyst website have free shipping. The brand’s subscription option lets pet parents save money while ensuring they never run out of litter.

Overall, Is Catalyst Cat Litter a Good Choice?

Yes—if you’re looking for an affordable and effective alternative to clay litter, Catalyst is definitely one to consider. This natural litter is sustainable, practical, and cost-effective. It’s a good choice for conscientious pet parents on a budget.

However, as with all litter, Catalyst has some tradeoffs to consider. You’ll have to decide for yourself if a bit of tracking is a deal-breaker. As I see it, the scatter problem could be (mostly) solved with a good litter mat, a high-sided litter box, and regular cleaning.

Similar Brands

Looking for other cat litter brands similar to Catalyst? Check out some of our other brand reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wood litter better for cats?

In some ways, yes. Silica-free wood litter is easier on your cat’s lungs and safe to digest. Pine also has a soft texture, which some cats will appreciate. However, some cats might not like the natural woodsy smell.

Is Catalyst cat litter flushable?

Technically, Catalyst litter is flushable. However, the brand advises following all local regulations in your region.

Can I use Catalyst cat litter for compost?

Yes! Just avoid using it in edible gardens.

Is Catalyst compatible with a Litter Robot?

Because this litter is so lightweight, it’s not a good fit for Litter Robot or sifting litter boxes. Some cat parents found using a blend of Catlyst and clay to be a viable workaround.