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.

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.

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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: 4.5/5

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.

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Name	Materials	Clumping?	Lifestage	Cost
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’m still trying to get some of my cats to switch over to this from clay litter, but so far I am pleased with its performance. It tracks less than Dr. Elsey’s (and when it does track, it’s less gross), it seems less dusty, and it smells pleasant. it’s slightly more difficult to scoop than clay litter (mostly because the pieces are bigger so it takes longer to sift out clumps), but it does clump well.” – Rebecca, Chewy

“I went through three different types of clay litter trying to find one that would finally mask the pee smell between scooping. Not only is this litter smell free, it actually smells great, like fresh cut wood. Even while scooping, zero smell. I was worried about it not clumping, but it’s been holding together for scooping very well. It’s also very soft on paws. I will say, you will need a wider grated scoop for this litter, but it’s 100% worth the switch. Never again, clay litter.” – Megan, Chewy

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’m shocked at the amount of dust this litter gives off – it’s everywhere. It clogged one if my air purifier filters within a couple weeks and the cats (2) track it all over the house. It’s a mess. Ugh. – Dorothy, Chewy

“Clumps great, and the cats adjusted to it perfectly! However with our small apartment the smell was too much and it tracked very bad and I had to vacuum often. The smell was almost like a wood smell that was just over bearing for our space, but not necessarily a super bad smell.” – Kristin, Chewy

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.