Last updated Nov 12, 2024
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Tidy Cat was created over 50 years ago and was one of the first cat litter brands on the market. Before Tidy Cat, people kept their cats outside, or used ashes, dirt or sand as cat litter when it was necessary to keep them inside.
Tidy Cat litters are mostly limited to clay litters, they do offer many variations of types of clay and features depending on you and your cats preferences. If clay litter is not your thing, they do offer litters made with recycled paper, cedar, corn, and pine.
Now Tidy Cats offers Tidy Max formulas which they call the “latest online-only cat litter innovation”. This new litter has ammonia blockers and absorbent power pieces to provide maximum odor and moisture control. They come in regular and light weight formulas.
Ratings
- Variety of Products – 5/5
- Price Per Pound – 4/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 5/5
- Clumping Ability – 5/5
- Long-Lasting Odor Control – 4/5
- Natural/Alternative Options – 1/5
Overall Score: 4/5
How We Tested the Litter:
- We were sent 4 of the new Tidy Max cat litters for testing
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters on several cats
- We did not receive these products in exchange for a favorable review
Brand Overview
In January 1947, Edward Lowe’s neighbor asked him for some sand to use as cat litter because her sand pile was frozen. Instead of sand, Lowe gave her some clay called Fuller’s Earth, a set of clay minerals capable of absorbing their weight in water. It worked far better than sand or ashes.
The highly-absorbent clay was a far more adequate solution over sand, sawdust, ashes, and soil. Edward Lowe packaged the clay into 5 pound bags marked “Kitty Litter” and began marketing the product to stores and cat shows.
By 1964, Edward Lowe Industries introduced the first nationally produced and marketed cat litter known today as Tidy Cat.
Today Tidy Cat is owned by Purina, one of the largest and most reputable pet supply brands in the world. Not only do they manufacture cat litter, but dog food, cat food, and pet treats as well. Purina’s Tidy Cats line offers over a dozen different cat litters and litter products.
What Kinds of Litter Does the Brand Offer?
Tidy Cats litter offers a wide range of products, most of which are clumping clay litter, including the Tidy Max formula. For those who prefer non-clumping litter, Tidy Cats has five different non-clumping clay litter products.
Tidy Cats also has a small selection of alternative biodegradable litter. Purina has more than a dozen litters on the market, but in this review we will cover the new Tidy Max cat litter products.
The four formulas we will cover are Tidy Max lightweight formulas, and clumping formulas.
#1 Tidy Max 24/7 Performance Cat Litter
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
This Tidy Max 24/7 performance litter clumps very hard and controls odor well. The moisture activated power pieces are designed to absorb liquids and smells from both feces and urine. This means your litter can go longer and is easy to clean up.
The litter granule size is average, so most cats should be fine with it. It’s also an unscented litter, and that will help cut down on over powering smells to hide ammonia odors.
We found this litter to control odor very well, in a multi cat litter box. While it claims to be 99% dust free it did still produce a small amount of dust as well as some tracking around the litter box.
The clumping was firm and easy to clean up and the litter held up for almost 2 weeks before a full change was needed.
Pros:
- Great clumping action
- Unscented and controlled odor well
- Absorbs well
Cons:
- There is still a small amount of dust
- Some tracking around litter box
#2 Tidy Max LightWeight 24/7 Performance Cat Litter
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
This Tidy Max 24/7 Lightweight litter has all the benefits mentioned above in the Tidy Max 24/7, except this formula is lightweight. This box weighs 17 pounds but covers the same amount of space as the 35 pound box.
Again the litter granule size is average, and its also an unscented litter. It clumps very well and controls ammonia odors. This formula is also 99% dust free
We found this litter to control odor as well as the regular formula did, when used on multiple cats. While it claims to be 99% dust free it did still produce a small amount of dust as well as some tracking around the litter box.
The clumping was firm and easy to clean up. The really nice thing about this formula is how light the box is and easy it is to refill the bucket of litter. The price is a bit higher on this one compared to the regular Tidy Max 24/7 formula.
Pros:
- Tight clumping
- Controls odor well
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Small amount of dust is produced when using this litter
- Litter does track a bit around the litter box
- Costs more than original formula
#3 Tidy Max Instant Action Cat Litter
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Tidy Max Instant Action litter is a natural clay formula and is advertised as 99.9% dust free. It features moisture-activated power pieces for maximum odor and moisture control and is formulated to help stop ammonia odor right away and last for up to two weeks.
This is a clumping formula with medium size granules and made for multiple cat homes.
We found this litter to clump well and absorb urine. There is no off putting fragrance but there was a slight odor after a week of use.
It wasn’t horrible but it didn’t keep the box as fresh as the aforementioned formulas. This formula did clump well and hold up when cleaning. Again, there was slight dust and tracking around the litter box.
Pros:
- Clumps well
- Absorbs well
- 99% dust free
Cons:
- Some tracking around litter box
- Did not control odors for 2 weeks
#4 Tidy Max Lightweight Instant Action Cat Litter
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Tidy Max Lightweight Instant Action litter is the light weight version of the Tidy Max Instant Action litter mentioned above. It also features moisture-activated power pieces for maximum odor and moisture control, and is formulated to help stop ammonia odor right away.
This is a clumping formula with medium size granules and made for multiple cat homes. It is also 99% dust free and controls odor up to two weeks.
We found this litter clumps well and did okay with controlling odor. We did notice urine pooling in the box, but maybe it was moved around by the cats.
This litter did need to be changed after a little over a week because there was a slight ammonia odor. It was very easy to pour being light weight, but there was a little dust and tracking.
Pros:
- Clumps well
- 99% dust free
- Light weight
Cons:
- There was tracking around the litter box
- Odor control did not last for 2 weeks
- Pricier compared to the regular formula
What Do Customers Think of Tidy Cat Litter?
Tidy Cats is one of the most reputable and well known brands in cat litter. But like everything, it has had its share of controversy, with cat owners claiming it causes respiratory issues.
Because every customer’s experience is different, here are some positive and negative reviews for the cat litter formulas featured in this review.
Positive Reviews
I have bought cheaper brands thinking I was getting more litter for less. Well honestly, I was getting more litter. But what good is getter a little more but isn’t effective on the oder cat waste leaves behind. I’m a real clean freak about when my cat poos. I clean the litter box two to 3 times a day. With Tidy Cat vs cheaper brands it takes care of the odor even after the cat waste is properly disposed of! Lesson learned stay with the product that does the work! -Patti, reviewing Tidy Max 24/7 Performance Continuous Odor Control
IWe have lots of cats (lots). This litter does a good job overall with keeping odor at bay. Only issue is that it is very dusty. We run an air filter near our litter boxes primarily to address the dust rather than the smell. -Jackie, reviewing Tidy Max Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter
This litter is an amazing find! My cat tends to be quite smelly and this has contained that nicely. The fresh scent helps cover over the less than stellar scent cats leave behind, and the light weight formula makes it easy for even someone like me to carry from my car to the cat box without needing help from my husband. Definitely recommend. -Gollumina, reviewing Tidy Max’s LightWeight 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter
Negative Reviews
The litter no longer clumps I’m really not sure why but I’ve made the decision to try another brand because of it the litter just gets kinda muddy and sticks to the pan wen I go to scoop it all the “clumps” just crumble into wetish urine soaked darker pieces of litter and the stuff just stinks after a bit :/. -Tom, reviewing Tidy Max’s Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter
It is very lightweight litter. I’ll give it that, but in so doing it is much like inflated dirt particles, not cat litter and 99% dustfree, is more like 99%dust. It is AWFUL! It is so lightweight that when the cats stepped on the side of the litterbox all if the contents went into the floor! It does control odors but it is all in the grooves of my hardwood floors. The dust is horrible. I will have to get on my hands and knees with a brush to scrub it out. If my only choices are ever this or clay I will buy the clay. -Corinna, reviewing Tidy Max’s Instant Action Light Weight Cat Litter
I have two cats living on the 2nd and 3rd floors of my house. They have an open litter box and a hooded one. It doesn’t matter which they choose, the litter is tracked everywhere and the dust is awful. I have to dust furniture every other day. My husband provided me with a mask because the dust makes me choke and cough. It’s no where near 99.99% dust free. -Caroline, reviewing Tidy Max’s 24/7 Performance Clumping Cat Litter
How Much Does Tidy Max Cat Litter Cost?
Tidy Cats litters offer an excellent value for your money, including Tidy Max. The large, 38 pound box of Tidy Max Cats is around $24. The lightweight Max formulas will cost you around $25 for a 17 pound box.
Overall, Is Tidy Max Cat Litter a Good Choice?
If you want a tried and true cat litter brand that will not drain your bank account, Tidy Cats is a great choice. The Tidy Max formulas are quality litters for an affordable price, and the various products all offer superior odor control.
Tidy Max Cat litter not only provides strong clumping action, making clean up easier, it is also great for multiple cat homes.
The light weight formulas are convenient and work just as well as the regular formulas, but will cost a bit more.
Overall this is a convenient way to get your litter since these large sizes are only available online and shipped directly to you.
Where Is Tidy Max Cat Litter Sold?
Tidy Max Cat litter is sold online only and designed to ship. It’s made to refill an old pail or Tidy Max package. You can find it at online retailers like Chewy and Amazon.
