Published Sep 2, 2021
More and more, cat owners are turning to natural solutions for their litter boxes. Traditional clay litters cannot be flushed, and they contain ingredients that may irritate your cat’s lungs.
Though natural cat litters do exist, they are not perfect – you generally have to make some concessions regarding clumping ability and odor control by making the switch to natural cat litter.
Yesterday’s News is a brand of all-natural, eco-friendly cat litter made from recycled paper. It is non-clumping and comes in both scented and unscented formulas that are gentle on your cat’s paws, dust-free, and non-tracking.
Ratings
- Variety of Products – 3/5
- Price Per Pound – 4/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 2/5
- Long-Lasting Odor Control – 2/5
- Natural/Alternative Options – 5/5
Overall Score: 3.2/5
How We Tested:
- We purchased 3 of the best cat litters Yesterday’s News has to offer
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters on several cats
- We did not receive these product in exchange for a favorable review, they were purchased with our own money
Brand Overview
Yesterday’s News is a product line belonging to the Purina brand, one of the biggest names in the pet industry. Technically known as the Nestle Purina Petcare company, Purina is based in St.
Louis, Missouri and produces a wide range of pet products including pet food, treats, and cat litter. Yesterday’s News falls under the Tidy Cats umbrella, a brand that was officially launched in 1964 by the inventor of cat litter himself, Edward Lowe.
The Yesterday’s News line of cat litters was designed for cat owners who want to take a more natural approach in their litter boxes. This litter is made entirely from recycled paper which, though highly absorbent, does not clump.
This type of cat litter is primarily marketed toward single-cat households and households with multiple litter boxes that are emptied weekly. Recycled paper liter comes in larger, softer granules than traditional litter which makes it a great choice for older cats and cats with sensitive paws, but it doesn’t control odor as well as clumping litters.
Generally speaking, Yesterday’s News cat litter is the perfect product for the eco-minded cat owner who doesn’t mind spending a little more for an all-natural product that is good for the earth.
| Products Included in This Review | ||||
| Name | Materials | Clumping? | Life Stage | Additional Features |
| Yesterday’s News Original Formula Cat Litter | Recycled Paper | No | All | Unscented, Non-Clumping, Eco-Friendly |
| Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter | Recycled Paper | No | All | Unscented, Non-Clumping, Eco-Friendly |
| Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Fresh Scent Cat Litter | Recycled Paper | No | All | Scented, Non-Clumping, Eco-Friendly |
Popular Alternatives to Yesterday’s News Cat Litter:
Here are some of our favorite cat litter brands you can choose from today. Most offer a heavy discount on your first order so you can see how your cat likes it.
What Kinds Of Litter Does The Brand Offer?
Yesterday’s News offers three different formulas, all of which are made from recycled paper.
The Original formula is unscented and 99.9% dust-free, designed for high absorbency and low tracking. The Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter formula is also made from recycled paper but comes in softer pellets to feel more like traditional clay litter. The same is true for the Softer Texture Fresh Scent Cat Litter, the difference being that this formula is scented.
The three formulas we’re reviewing here are the clumping formulas included in the Original Series.
Top 3 Cat Litters Reviewed
| Product Name | Type | Price | Overall Rating |
| Yesterday’s News Original Formula Cat Litter | Non-Clumping | $0.66 per lb | 2.75/5 |
| Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter | Non-Clumping | $0.72 per lb | 2.75/5 |
| Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Fresh Scent Cat Litter | Non-Clumping | $0.72 per lb | 3/5 |
#1 Yesterday’s News Original Formula Cat Litter
The first of the Yesterday’s News cat litters to be released, this formula is still a favorite among cat owners. Made from 100% recycled newspaper, this cat litter is highly absorbent and eco-friendly. In fact, it absorbs up to 3 times as much liquid as clay-based litters. As a paper-based litter, Yesterday’s News is virtually dust-free, and the shape and size of the pellets means that it is very low-tracking as well.
We found that Yesterday’s News held up to its promises of being highly absorbent, dust-free, and non-tracking. The pellets absorbed a great deal of liquid, though they do not form clumps and most of the liquid ends up seeping to the bottom of the litter box while solid waste sits on top.
We also found it somewhat difficult to tell the difference between “clean” and dirty pellets due to the dark color of the material. This litter worked best when replaced weekly for single-cat households and twice-weekly for multi-cat households to control odor.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 0/5 |
| Odor Control | 2/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 5/5 |
| Scent | 4/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 2/5 |
| Overall Rating | 2.75/5 |
Pros:
- Made from all-natural, eco-friendly recycled paper materials
- Virtually dust-free and non-tracking compared to clay litters
- Absorbs up to 3 times as much liquid as clay litters
Cons:
- Non-clumping formula means box must be emptied and replaced
- Liquid may seep through and collect at the bottom of the box
- Doesn’t control odor as well as clay, especially in multi-cat households
This litter comes in 5, 15, and 30-pound bags. Because the litter is made from recycled paper rather than clay, it may not be as heavy as most traditional cat litters, depending on the bag size you purchase.
#2 Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter
This Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented cat litter is nearly identical to the original formula except the pellets are smaller and designed to have a similar texture to clay litter. This is an important feature for cat owners hoping to make the switch to a natural product but whose cats tend to be picky about their litter.
The pellets are still highly absorbent (up to three times as absorbent as clay litter) but are still non-clumping and only offer moderate odor control.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 0/5 |
| Odor Control | 2/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 5/5 |
| Scent | 4/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 2/5 |
| Overall Rating | 2.75/5 |
Pros:
- Made from all-natural, eco-friendly recycled paper materials
- Softer granule texture is gentle on cat paws
- Paper materials are 3x as absorbent as clay litter
Cons:
- Non-clumping formula means box must be emptied and replaced
- Liquid may seep through and collect at the bottom of the box
- Doesn’t control odor as well as clay, especially in multi-cat households
This litter comes in 13.2- and 26.4-pound bags. Because the litter is made from recycled paper rather than clay, it may not be as heavy as most traditional cat litters, depending on the bag size you purchase.
#3 Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Fresh Scent Cat Litter
This Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Fresh Scent cat litter is very similar to the previous product except for the addition of a fresh scent. We don’t typically recommend scented cat litter above unscented formulas, but Yesterday’s News is a unique case.
Because this is a non-clumping litter made from paper materials, it doesn’t tend to control odor very well. This being the case, the addition of a fresh scent helps cover up litter box odors a little bit longer. You’ll still need to empty the litter box on a weekly basis for the best odor control, but the scent will help if you have more than one cat or if you don’t scoop during the week.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 0/5 |
| Odor Control | 2/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 5/5 |
| Scent | 5/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 2/5 |
| Overall Rating | 3/5 |
Pros:
- Made from all-natural, eco-friendly recycled paper materials
- Fresh scent helps cover litter box odors
- Larger, softer granules are gentle on cat paws and non-tracking
Cons:
- Some cats may not like the fresh scent, though it helps control odor
- Non-clumping formula means box must be emptied and replaced
- Liquid may seep through and collect at the bottom of the box
This litter comes in 13.2- and 26.4-pound bags. Because the litter is made from recycled paper rather than clay, it may not be as heavy as most traditional cat litters, depending on the bag size you purchase.
What Do Customers Think Of Yesterday’s News Cat Litter?
Yesterday’s News cat litter receives a wide range of comments from customers. Customers who are specifically looking for an all-natural or non-clumping cat litter love it while cat owners used to the benefits of clay litter are a little more critical. Generally speaking, the price is still relatively low and the product works well for what it promises.
This being said, every customer’s experience is unique, and there are both good and bad reviews for the brand online. Keep reading to see a positive and negative customer review for each of the three cat litter formulas featured above:
Positive Customer Reviews for Yesterday’s News Cat Litter
“My new cat had problems sneezing all the time. The vet said she was having an allergic reaction. I was recommended to change the litter. I had used Fresh Step for years and this is the first cat that was ever bothered by it. I used this one and she no longer has a problem. Use a wide slotted scoop for poop. For urine, it breaks apart into a pile that I remove daily.”– Cherie, reviewing Yesterday’s News Original Formula Cat Litter
“Wow! We have tried more than 10 other cat litters of conventional types. The clay litters tracked all around the boxes. The biggest issue we have had is the major dust that clay litter has. My poor kitten is very allergy prone and easily gets respiratory issues. She sneezed constantly and would actually have sneezing fits of 6 to 8 sneezes consecutively. We couldn’t figure out what was triggering her sneezing fits but after desperation, I thought – maybe it’s the litter? It is pretty dust. I switched to this paper litter and within 24 hours noticed a big differenced in the number of times she sneezed.” – FragileCat, reviewing Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter
“Ever since we replaced our carpets with hardwood floors, we’ve had an ongoing challenge of cleaning up the trail of gravel and muddy tracks that our cat leaves after every visit to his tray. So disheartening to spend 30 minutes cleaning the floor and right afterward there’s a new set of tracks to clean up! Yesterday’s News, suggested by our vet to solve all our issues, and its planet-friendly. No more tracks everywhere, no scraping the tray clean after every visit. Our cat didn’t mind the switch at all.”– HarryH, reviewing Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Scented Cat Litter
Negative Customer Reviews For Yesterday’s News Cat Litter
“I was so excited at first because the no tracking and mess was the best ever. However, after a few days of my two cats using this litter, my house now smells like I have litter boxes in my house which it never has before. Also, I have 3 different litter boxes for them to use but put this litter only in one box, so it is not like it was used excessively to sink like it does. I would have given it 0 stars but it is okay to use in the rabbit litter box because I complete it dump it every two days.”– Ang4, reviewing Yesterday’s News Original Formula Cat Litter
“I was looking at litters that are not made from clay due to one of my cats having allergies. The problem with this litter is it has no clumping abilities. I ended up scooping most of the litter out because I couldn’t see what was dirty or not. The company claims the dirty litter goes to the bottom and is a darker color. I couldn’t see the difference and will not purchase again.” – Chelsea, reviewing Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Unscented Cat Litter
“I hate this litter. I always use the So Phresh paper pellets, which unfortunately Chewy does not carry. I thought I’d give this a try and it’s horrible. Rather than absorb, it turns to dirt after cat pees in it a few times. I foster a lot of kittens for a rescue and this just isn’t worth it.” – Patty, reviewing Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Scented Cat Litter
How Much Does Yesterday’s News Cat Litter Cost?
Yesterday’s News is still an affordable cat litter, especially when comparing it to other all-natural cat litters. The average price for Yesterday’s News is under $0.75 per pound and the price per pound goes down the larger the bag you purchase.
Overall, Is Yesterday’s News Cat Litter A Good Choice?
Yesterday’s News cat litter is a great product, but only if you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly, non-clumping cat litter. Made from recycled newspaper, this litter is highly absorbent and completely dust-free. Plus, because it comes in large pellets, it won’t get stuck in your cat’s paws to be tracked all over the house. There is the downside, of course, that it doesn’t absorb odors as well and won’t clump.
One thing we want to mention about Yesterday’s News cat litter is that it works particularly well in a sifting litter box like the Tidy Cats Breeze all-in-one litter system. Using a sifting litter box enables you to separate wet pellets and feces from the unused pellets, as long as the holes in the sifter are large enough. Many users simply prefer to throw out and replace the entire litter box worth of litter on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending how many cats they have.
Because Yesterday’s News cat litter is made from recycled newspaper, it is safe for kittens and cats of all ages. It’s a great option for litter box training and for cats with sensitive paws who need a softer material in the litter box. Just keep in mind that it may not control odor as well as clay litters, so it may need to be changed more often.
Where Is Yesterday’s News Cat Litter Sold?
Yesterday’s News cat litter is sold online and in most pet stores. You can find it for sale from online retailers like Chewy and Amazon as well as big box stores like Walmart and Target as well as local and national pet stores like PetSmart and Petco.