Okay, so you know how cats can be super picky about, well, everything? Food, toys, beds… and especially their litter box. I’ve got two of these furry overlords, and finding a litter they both agree on has been a journey, to say the least. Let me walk you through what I did.
The Picky Problem
First off, let’s be clear: I tried EVERYTHING. Clay litter, crystal litter, paper litter, even that fancy walnut shell stuff. One cat would use it, the other would give me the stink eye and pee on the rug. Not ideal. It was driving me nuts!

Research Time
So, I hit the internet, scouring forums, reading reviews, watching YouTube videos of cat experts (yes, they exist!). The common themes I found were:
- Unscented: Cats have sensitive noses, and strong perfumes are a no-go.
- Fine texture: They like to dig, so something that feels good on their paws is important.
- Low dust: Dust irritates their respiratory systems (and my lungs!).
The Experiment Begins
Based on my research, I decided to try a few different litters that seemed promising. I bought small bags of each to avoid wasting a ton of money if they didn’t work out. Here’s what I tested:
- Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented: This one kept popping up everywhere as the gold standard for picky cats.
- Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Unscented: Figured I’d try a more budget-friendly option.
- ökocat Natural Wood Clumping Litter: Wanted to see if a natural option would work.
The Litter Box Setup
Here’s the key: I set up three separate litter boxes, each with a different litter. Placed them side-by-side in the same room. This allowed my cats to choose which one they preferred without any pressure. Think of it as a cat litter buffet!
The Observation Period
For two weeks, I did nothing but observe. I scooped each box daily and noted which ones were used the most. I also paid attention to my cats’ behavior: Were they hesitant to enter a certain box? Did they seem to enjoy digging in one more than the others?
The Results Are In
Okay, drumroll please… Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented was the clear winner! Both cats used it consistently. The Arm & Hammer was a distant second, and the ökocat was completely ignored. Like, seriously, not even a single pee in that box.
Why I Think It Worked
I think Dr. Elsey’s worked because it ticked all the boxes: unscented, fine texture, and low dust. Plus, it clumps really well, which makes scooping a breeze. Maybe my cats are just basic, but hey, at least they’re using the litter box now!
Final Thoughts
Finding the right cat litter can be a real pain, but it’s worth the effort. If you have picky cats, I highly recommend trying the multi-litter box experiment. It’s a bit more work upfront, but it can save you a lot of headaches (and rug cleaning) in the long run.

Good luck with your own picky feline overlords!