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Dr. Elsey’s and World’s Best Cat Litter are both favorites among owners who want an unscented, low-dust litter, but they are built from completely different materials. Dr. Elsey’s, founded by a veterinarian, makes clumping clay litters such as Ultra and Cat Attract. World’s Best makes clumping litter from compressed corn. Each has loyal fans, and the right choice depends on your cat, your home and how you dispose of waste.
📋 Table of Contents
The key products
Dr. Elsey’s
- Ultra: unscented, heavy-granule clumping clay with no additives or deodorizers.
- Cat Attract: the same base with an herbal attractant intended to help cats that avoid the litter box.
- Clean Tracks, Senior, Kitten Attract and other specialty versions.
- A separate litter attractant additive; the company advises against using it with corn or wheat litters.
World’s Best Cat Litter
- Original / Comfort Care Unscented, Multiple Cat Unscented, scented versions and lightweight or zero-mess options.
- Made from compressed corn, marketed as flushable where local rules allow.
Side-by-side
See also: How to Pick a Heating Pad for an Arthritic Senior Dog • How to Transition a Picky Cat to a New Food
| Factor | Dr. Elsey’s (clay) | World’s Best (corn) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Clumping clay | Compressed corn |
| Scent | Unscented (Ultra); herbal attractant (Cat Attract) | Unscented and scented options |
| Clump firmness | Very firm | Good, softer |
| Dust | Low | Low |
| Weight of bag | Heavy (20–40 lb bags) | Light for volume |
| Disposal | Trash only | Trash or flush (check local rules) |
| Approx. cost per pound | $0.45–$0.90 | $1.00–$1.60 |
Litter box avoidance
This is where Dr. Elsey’s stands out. Cat Attract was designed for cats that have stopped using the box, and many owners and shelters use it for newly adopted cats. However, litter box avoidance is often medical: urinary tract inflammation, crystals, arthritis, kidney disease or constipation can all make a cat avoid the box. See your vet before assuming it is a litter preference problem.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra UnScented Clumping Clay Cat Litter 40 lb. Bag
Included for 'Dr. Elsey's vs World's Best Cat Litter Comparison' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter 40 lb. Bag
Included for 'Dr. Elsey's vs World's Best Cat Litter Comparison' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
View on Amazon
Dr. Elsey's® Clean Tracks Clumping Clay Cat Litter 40 lb. Bag
Included for 'Dr. Elsey's vs World's Best Cat Litter Comparison' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
View on Amazon
Dr. Elsey's Crystal Attract Silica Cat Litter, 8lbs
Included for 'Dr. Elsey's vs World's Best Cat Litter Comparison' because the listing specifies 8lbs, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonOdor control
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra has no deodorizers and relies on tight clumping, so daily scooping is essential. World’s Best absorbs well and many owners report good odor control, though multi-cat homes may prefer its Multiple Cat formula. Neither will cover for an under-scooped box.
Weight, tracking and handling
Clay is heavy; a 40-pound bag is hard for some owners to lift. Corn is much lighter per volume. On the other hand, heavy clay granules tend to track less than light corn granules, particularly with long-haired cats.
Environmental and health considerations
Clay is strip-mined and does not biodegrade. Corn is renewable and compostable in some settings (never compost cat waste for food gardens). Flushing any cat waste carries a risk of spreading Toxoplasma to waterways, so many experts recommend bagging instead. Pregnant people and immunocompromised people should avoid scooping or wear gloves and wash hands carefully.
Cost per month
For one cat, expect roughly $8 to $14 a month for Dr. Elsey’s Ultra and $15 to $28 for World’s Best, depending on box size and scooping habits.
Litter depth, box size and cleaning routine
Both litters perform best at a depth of about 2 to 3 inches in a box at least one and a half times the length of your cat. Scoop daily, top up as needed, and do a full change every two to four weeks, washing the box with mild unscented soap. Clay clumps from Dr. Elsey’s are very firm and rarely crumble when scooped, which keeps the remaining litter cleaner for longer. Corn clumps from World’s Best are softer, so scoop gently and use a slotted scoop with wider gaps. In homes with several cats, add boxes rather than simply adding more litter to one box; the general guideline is one box per cat plus one. Keep a close eye on clump size and frequency, because a sudden change can be an early sign of a urinary or kidney problem worth discussing with your vet.
FAQ
Can I use Dr. Elsey’s attractant with World’s Best?
Dr. Elsey’s says its separate attractant should not be used with corn, wheat, paper or wood litters, so it is not recommended with World’s Best.
Which is better for kittens?
Both are commonly used. Some owners avoid clumping litter for very young kittens that may eat it; ask your vet and supervise early litter training.
Bottom line
Dr. Elsey’s is the budget-friendly, rock-solid clumping clay and the go-to for cats needing encouragement to use the box. World’s Best is the lightweight, plant-based alternative with a flushable option. If your cat is avoiding the box, check with your vet first, then consider Cat Attract.
