Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter: An Honest Review
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Introduction to Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Finding a cat litter that clumps hard, controls odor, and keeps dust and tracking low is tougher than it sounds. After testing Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter for several weeks—and reading what other owners and Reddit users say—I’m laying out what this litter does well, where it struggles, and who it works best for.
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What Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Claims to Do
According to the manufacturer, Ultra is their #1 selling litter. Its top features include:
- Unscented, perfume-free composition, ideal for cats or owners sensitive to fragrance
- Heavy, non-tracking granules + medium-grain clay designed to prevent moisture reaching the bottom of the litter box and form solid clumps
- Superior odor control using a natural formulation rather than perfumes or deodorizers
- Designed for both single-cat and multi-cat households, and compatible with sifting or mechanical boxes
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My Testing Experience & Real User Feedback
Setup & Method
I used Ultra in two litter boxes—one for daily use by a single cat, and one shared between two cats—for about three weeks. I tracked:
- How well clumps form and how well they hold
- Odor levels over time
- Dust, tracking, and cleanup
- Any issues when cats pee heavily or in corners
I also dove into reviews on Amazon and Reddit to cross-check how others’ experience compares with mine.
What Worked Well
- Hard, solid clumps
Most urine and feces turned into solid, scoopable clumps that held together well. I appreciated that I didn’t have to deal with “crumbly” litter everywhere.
“Dr. Elsey’s is still my choice after a year … I really like how low-dust it is and how well it clumps.” Reddit
- Odor control is good
In my small apartment, the smell stayed under control for a day or two before the litterbox needed a scoop. It wasn’t perfect, but it avoided strong ammonia or cat-pee odor for the most part. - Less dust and tracking (mostly)
I noticed significantly less fine dust than with some litters. There was still some tracking—especially when cats exited the box—but the heavier granules helped reduce scatter.
“Dr. Elsey’s is a very heavy litter and a bit dusty but they make a low tracking formula … way less dusty than others.” Reddit
Stable in mechanical or sifting boxes
Because of the heavier granules, I didn’t see as many lumps sticking to mechanisms or getting caught in sensors (for those using automated boxes). Several owners on Reddit report the same.
Where It Fell Short / Mixed Feedback
- Heavy weight
Because it’s clay, the bags are quite heavy. Lifting, pouring, and handling large bags is a workout. - Tracking in some cases
Some users say it still tracks more than expected, especially when cats jump out of the box quickly:
“Dr Elsey clumps really well … but you will go through a bag pretty quick if you got multiple cats … dried clumps stick to the liner.” Reddit
- Formula changes & inconsistent batches
There’s chatter online about changes in formula over time:
“Instead of dry, scoopable clumps, I get damp, stinky mud … it got worse over time.” The Cat Site
- Odor limitation on pee-only smell
One Reddit user noted that while it blocked feces odor well, ammonia from frequent peeing had some detectable presence:
“It does amazing blocking the odor of my cat’s poo … but it does not block the ammonia smell of pee at all.” Reddit
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Hard clumps that hold together | Heavy to carry / pour |
| Decent odor control in everyday settings | Some tracking still happens |
| Low dust / reduced scatter | Potential batch-to-batch inconsistency |
| Works well with mechanical / sifting boxes | Odor limitations in heavy usage |
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra vs. Competitors
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra often ranks in “best litters” lists for clumping performance and odor control.
However, some Reddit users say alternatives like BoxiePro are less dusty or track less. Others prefer Fresh Step or other clay blends for scent or cost reasons, though say those trade-offs come with increased dust or weaker clumps.
If your priority is clumping + low dust, Ultra stands strong. But if tracking or bag weight are major pain points, alternatives might outperform in those areas.
Who Should Use Dr. Elsey’s Ultra
This litter is a strong pick if you:
- Want unscented, perfume-free formula
- Prefer hard clumping performance
Are concerned about dust and scattering - Use a mechanical / sifting box
- Don’t mind handling heavier bags
It might be less ideal if your cat pees a lot, you dislike heavy lifting, or you're trying to minimize tracking to a super low level.
Tips to Get the Best Out of It
- Use 2–3 inch depth of litter—too thin and clumps break apart.
- Scoop daily, especially for heavy peeing cats.
- Use a high-rail litter box or pad under the box to catch runners.
- Rotate in a low-dust topper or linings if you experience dust spikes.
- If formula batches change, test smaller bags first before committing to large orders.
Final Verdict
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter delivers on many of its promises: solid hard-clumping, reasonable odor control, and lower dust. It’s not perfect—but for many cat households, it hits enough of the right marks to warrant use.
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