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Entry 561Filed under Breeding

Which Cat Litter Attractant Should You Choose? 4 Options for 2026

Compare four attractant formats by litter type and intended use, with manufacturer directions and important limits on what they can establish.
4-minute read By Animalso Team
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The right cat litter attractant depends on whether you want to keep a compatible clay litter, switch to litter with attractant already mixed in, or choose a crystal substrate. These four Dr. Elsey’s formats cover those different uses, but the available product information does not establish an independent head-to-head winner or a success rate. If your cat has started eliminating outside the box, consider a veterinary assessment before treating the problem as a litter preference.

First, check why your cat is avoiding the litter box

House soiling can be linked to medical problems, litter-box aversion, or a preference for another location. Painful, urgent, frequent, or difficult urination or defecation can make a cat miss the box; an attractant cannot diagnose those causes. Cornell University’s Feline Health Center advises a veterinary physical examination and appropriate diagnostic tests for a cat with house-soiling behavior. Its guidance is from January 2015, so use your veterinarian for advice specific to your cat.

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Also consider whether the behavior is spraying or another kind of house soiling, and review the box setup before changing products. Cornell recommends keeping boxes clean, considering a gradual litter change, and checking box size, access, location, and number. Many cats prefer unscented litter; for a multi-cat household, Cornell recommends one box per cat plus one, distributed across multiple locations. Clean previously soiled areas with a product that neutralizes odor rather than merely covering it. The underlying cause matters: as Cornell puts it, “The solution to your cat’s problem will depend on the underlying causes of their behavior.” Read Cornell’s house-soiling guidance.

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Four cat litter attractant options, compared

Product Format and stated ingredients Best fit
Ultra Litter Attractant Separate additive for non-scented, scoopable medium-particle litter Keeping a compatible litter while adding an attractant
Cat Attract Clay litter with natural clay and herbs Switching to a ready-to-use attractant litter
Kitten Attract Clay litter with natural clay and herbs Kittens in the manufacturer’s stated 8-week-to-1-year age range
Crystal Attract Crystal litter described as silica sand and hydrolyzed herbs Choosing a crystal rather than clay substrate

These are different formats from one manufacturer, not four independently tested market leaders. Product information describes formulation and directions, but does not show that one works better than another. Check current packaging and product details before buying.

#1 Best Overall
Dr. Elsey's® Cat Attract® Clumping Clay Cat Litter 18-lb. Bag
  • PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
  • HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
  • LOW DUST & LOW TRACKING: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation that helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
  • SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
  • NATURAL HERBAL ATTRACTANT: Blended with a natural herb attractant, the ideal texture and particle size combine to solve litter box problems by bringing cats back to their litter box.

1. Ultra Litter Attractant: best if you want to keep compatible clay litter

This is a separate cat litter attractant powder, rather than a complete litter. Dr. Elsey’s says one 20-ounce pouch treats 100 pounds of medium-particle, non-scented scoopable litter and may last one cat over three months. Those figures are the manufacturer’s coverage estimate, not an independently measured average. The product is designed for the brand’s Ultra Litter.

Compatibility is the main limitation. Dr. Elsey’s says it cannot guarantee results with paper, wheat, corn, conventional, or pine litters, or with perfumed, cedar, baking-soda, or other deodorizing products. The company’s explanation is that other odors may mask the attractant’s scent premise. If your current litter falls outside the stated use, choose a compatible product or a litter with attractant included rather than assuming the additive will work.

Rank #2
Fresh Step Cat Litter Box Training Attractant Powder, 9 Oz Bottle
  • LITTER BOX ATTRACTANT ENCOURAGES CATS TO USE THE LITTER BOX: Herbal attractant additive encourages cats and kittens to use the litter box by adding a familiar scent, helpful during new-cat introductions, box moves, and retraining.
  • WORKS WITH ALL LITTER TYPES CLUMPING CLAY CRYSTAL AND NATURAL: Compatible with clumping and non-clumping clay, crystal, paper, and natural litters, sprinkled and mixed into clean litter for scent distribution in single- and multi-cat homes.
  • NO-MESS SHAKE BOTTLE FORMAT FOR CONTROLLED EASY APPLICATION: The 9-ounce bottle is designed for controlled shake-and-pour use, helping reduce mess and over-application when refilling or topping off litter before mixing in lightly.
  • HERBAL BLEND SCENT CUES GUIDE CATS BACK TO THE LITTER BOX: Pet-friendly herbal formula uses scent cues to guide cats to the litter box as an additive, not a deodorizer or disinfectant, intended for use with clean litter regularly.
  • FOR CATS AND KITTENS LEARNING OR REESTABLISHING BOX HABITS: Suitable for kittens learning litter box habits and adult cats that need a refresher when adding a second box, switching locations, or after stress-related routine changes.

See Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Litter Attractant details.

2. Cat Attract: best for a ready-to-use clay litter switch

Cat Attract is a clay litter formulated with an attractant, so there is no separate powder to measure. The manufacturer describes its ingredients as “Natural Clay and Herbs” and markets it for cats that do not use the box. Dr. Elsey’s recommends filling a clean, dry box to 3–4 inches, scooping waste twice daily, and adding litter as needed. Dispose of used litter in the trash rather than flushing it, per the product directions.

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The brand says Cat Attract contains a proprietary blend of natural grasses and does not include catnip. The publicly stated description does not identify the exact blend. As with any litter change, the new substrate may not suit every cat’s texture or box preference.

Rank #3
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter 40 lb. Bag
  • PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
  • HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
  • LOW DUST & LOW TRACKING: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation that helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
  • SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
  • NATURAL HERBAL ATTRACTANT: Blended with a natural herb attractant, the ideal texture and particle size combine to solve litter box problems by bringing cats back to their litter box.

See Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract details.

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3. Kitten Attract: best for the stated kitten age range

Kitten Attract is the brand’s clay litter option for kittens from 8 weeks to 1 year old. Dr. Elsey’s lists natural clay and herbs and recommends changing to Cat Attract after the kitten turns one. That age guidance is the manufacturer’s positioning; it does not establish that the product is needed by every kitten or appropriate for cats outside that range.

See Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract details.

4. Crystal Attract: best if your cat prefers a crystal substrate

Crystal Attract combines a crystal litter format with attractant. Dr. Elsey’s describes it as silica sand and hydrolyzed herbs, and says it does not contain crystalline silica. Those are the manufacturer’s formulation and safety statements. Choose it only if a crystal substrate is a reasonable fit for your cat and household; an attractant does not make a disliked texture suitable.

See Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract details.

How to choose among these attractants

  • Want to keep your current litter? Consider the separate additive only if your litter matches the manufacturer’s compatibility description.
  • Prefer a one-product switch? Cat Attract is the ready-to-use clay option.
  • Choosing for a kitten? Kitten Attract is specified for ages 8 weeks to 1 year; the manufacturer recommends Cat Attract after that.
  • Looking for crystals rather than clay? Crystal Attract is the crystal-format choice; substrate acceptance still matters.

None of these choices replaces a clean, accessible box or a veterinary evaluation when elimination habits change. The product pages make manufacturer claims about intended use, but the available evidence here does not establish comparative clinical effectiveness, a guaranteed outcome, or an independent success rate.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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