Keeping a cat’s litter box fresh is a constant battle, so we gave Dr. Elsey’s Ultra a real-world try. We just put it in our own boxes, curious if it would actually clump well and keep odors at bay.
First impressions? It’s pretty good at keeping things from smelling, which is a relief if you’ve got more than one cat. Scooping was straightforward thanks to the firm clumps, though there’s still a bit of dust—despite the low-dust claim.
We did see some litter tracked outside the box, especially with energetic cats. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning.
Bottom Line
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra is a strong pick for anyone after a clumping cat litter that does a solid job on odor. It isn’t flawless, but it covers the basics well enough for most folks. Check it out here.
Overview: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter 40 lb. Bag
Clumping was the first thing that jumped out when we started using this litter. The clumps hold together, so scooping is quick and painless.
Most of the litter stays in the box, but some tracking does happen—especially if your cats are on the wild side. The dust is definitely less than with some bargain brands, though not completely gone.
People with allergies in our group liked the improvement, but if you’re super sensitive, you might still notice a bit. Odor control held up for several days, which is honestly all you can hope for.
The 40-pound bag is a beast to move, so lugging it around isn’t fun. Still, for multi-cat homes, the size makes sense and it’ll last a good while.
Premium Quality Texture
Pouring the Ultra litter in, the granules felt heavy and solid—no sharp bits, which is a plus. The clay forms sturdy clumps that don’t fall apart when scooping, so cleaning stays easy.
We did notice a bit more dust than we wanted, even with the low-dust promise. The fine granules sometimes stick to paws and show up on the floor, but overall, the texture feels reliable and durable.
The unscented formula means there’s no fake perfume—just that straightforward clay smell. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
Low Dust and Hypoallergenic Performance
Dust is always a worry with clay litter, especially for folks with allergies. Ultra is better than cheaper brands, but not totally dust-free.
Some dust shows up when filling and scooping, but it doesn’t hang in the air long. The unscented formula seemed gentle enough for our cats and for people who don’t want extra chemicals.
Most of us didn’t have sneezing fits or watery eyes after cleaning the litter box, which is a win.
Pros:
- Less dust than many other clay litters
- Works for most allergy-prone homes
- No added perfumes
Cons:
- Not totally dustless, especially when pouring
- Minor dust clouds may still bother the very sensitive
Efficient Hard Clumping Action
We could tell right away that Ultra UnScented clumped differently. The litter quickly pulls moisture together, and the clumps stayed firm when we scooped.
Cleanup went faster, honestly. The clumps formed on top of the litter instead of sticking to the box bottom, so there was less scraping.
Sometimes, if the cat was really enthusiastic, a few small pieces would break off. Still, scooping was simple overall.
Pros:
- Clumps lock in moisture
- Easy scooping
- Less mess at the bottom
Cons:
- Occasional small pieces break off if the cat is rough
Superior Odor Control for Multi-Cat Households
In a house with more than one cat, we noticed a clear difference in how the room smelled. Even after a couple of days, the usual strong odors didn’t build up like they do with other brands.
The clumps stayed firm, which helped with fast cleanups and kept smells from escaping. If boxes went uncleaned for too long, some odor did eventually show up—it’s not magic, but for regular scooping, it worked well.
Pros:
- Controls most strong odors between cleanings
- Clumps stay solid, locking in smells
Cons:
- Some odor if not scooped daily
- Results may vary depending on litter box habits
Reduced Tracking Formula
We found that this litter really does help keep the area around the box cleaner. The mix of medium-grain and bigger granules seemed to make a difference.
There were fewer stray pieces stuck to our cat’s paws or scattered on the floor. We still found a few bits here and there, but it was less than normal.
If you’re tired of litter trails, Ultra UnScented makes cleanup a bit easier—even if it doesn’t end tracking completely.
Ease of Cleaning
After scooping, we noticed Ultra UnScented forms tight clumps that are easy to remove. Daily cleaning was quick and there was less waste stuck to the bottom.
We did see a bit of dust when pouring and scooping, so some extra wiping up is needed nearby. The fine grains can sometimes track out, so sweeping the area is still part of the routine.
Pros:
- Clumps hold together well
- Most waste lifts out easily
Cons:
- Dust appears during cleaning
- Fine litter may scatter outside the box
Overall, cleaning this litter is pretty straightforward. You’ll just want to stay on top of dust and tracking to keep things tidy.
User Experience in Sifting and Mechanical Litter Boxes
Cleaning litter boxes can get messy, but with sifting and automatic boxes, the clumps stayed solid and were easy to remove. The granules were the right size for most sifters, so waste separated well without much hassle.
We did notice some dust, especially when pouring. Tracking was a bit more than ideal, and sometimes clumps could stick if left too long.
- Clumps hold up in both sifting and mechanical boxes
- Moderate tracking outside the box
- Some dust when filling or cleaning
All in all, using Dr. Elsey’s Ultra in our boxes was simple enough. The litter handled waste well, though tracking and dust could bug some users.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The tight clumps made cleanup way easier for us. Odor control is strong—even with multiple cats—which really helps keep the house livable.
No added scent is a bonus for sensitive cats and people. Dust levels are lower than with a lot of other brands, so we didn’t see clouds every time we scooped.
The litter grains are a good size, so there’s less tracking through the house. Not none, but less.
Quick Highlights:
| Feature | Experience |
|---|---|
| Clumping | Strong, easy to scoop |
| Odor Control | Noticeable improvement |
| Scent | Truly unscented |
| Dust | Lower than average |
| Tracking | Less mess outside box |
Cons
We still noticed some dust, especially when pouring the litter in. While tracking isn’t as bad as some litters, some always ends up outside the box—especially with cats that love to dig.
The 40 lb. bag is heavy and kind of a pain to move, honestly. If you don’t scoop daily, clumps can stick to the box bottom and make cleanup harder.
What Stood Out to Us:
- Some dust is still present, especially when refilling
- Tracking happens if you have active or long-haired cats
- The 40 lb. bag is bulky and hard to store or pour
- Can form stuck clumps if not scooped regularly
Customer Reviews
We saw lots of customers praise Ultra UnScented for its clumping and odor control. Many said it keeps smells down and forms tight clumps, which makes scooping easier.
On the flip side, some users complained about dust, even though it’s supposed to be “99% dust-free.” Tracking is another common gripe, with granules spreading outside the box.
A few people struggled with the big bags—they’re just awkward to handle. Still, plenty of cat owners said their picky cats liked this litter better than others.
Key points from feedback:
- Strong odor control
- Good clumping action
- Some dust and tracking issues
- Heavy, bulky bag
- Works well for some picky cats
Overall, customer opinions lean positive, but there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind before you buy.
Conclusion
After using this litter for a while, some strengths really stood out. The clumping is solid—honestly, better than a lot of other brands we’ve tried.
Odor control? It’s definitely up there, which is a relief. Most of the time, scooping is easy enough, though occasionally it’s a bit of a chore.
But dust is still an issue, even though it’s marketed as low-dust. We also noticed some tracking outside the box, which means a bit more sweeping than we’d like.
Overall, Ultra UnScented works well if you’re after strong clumping and decent odor control. Just be ready for some dust and the occasional trail of litter—there’s always a trade-off, isn’t there?
