Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter Review: Ultra and Cat Attract
Our Dr. Elsey's cat litter review covers Ultra and Cat Attract: hard clumping, dust, the herbal attractant, bag weight, and who should skip it.
By Melinda Dixon
Updated October 15, 2026
Dr. Elsey’s cat litter is a plain, unscented clumping clay made from 100% bentonite, sold mostly in big 40 lb bags. Its best-known formula, Ultra, forms hard clumps that its maker says will not break down, and Cat Attract adds an herbal attractant meant to draw cats back to the box. This review covers both, with Ultra as the main pick.
Our verdict: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra is a strong default for owners who want an unscented clay that clumps hard and scoops cleanly, in one or several litter boxes. Skip it if you need a lightweight litter or a plant-based one. This is a research-based review drawn from Dr. Elsey’s published specifications and Amazon owner ratings, not a home trial.
This guide is general product information, not veterinary advice. If your cat’s litter box habits change, such as straining, going outside the box, or producing much more or less urine than usual, contact your veterinarian.
Prime Dr. Elsey's Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
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At a Glance
| Formula | Ultra (main pick); Cat Attract (herbal attractant) |
| Material | 100% bentonite clay, medium grain |
| Clumping | Hard clumping |
| Scent | Unscented |
| Dust | Ultra listed as 99.9% dust-free, Cat Attract as 99% dust-free, per the maker |
| Bag size | 40 lb |
| Use | Formulated for single or multi-cat homes |
What We Like
- Hard clumps. Medium-grain bentonite forms clumps that Dr. Elsey’s says hold together and keep moisture off the bottom of the pan, so scooping takes one pass.
- No added fragrance. Ultra is unscented, a safe starting point for a cat that avoids perfumed litter.
- Low dust, per the maker. Dr. Elsey’s describes Ultra as low dust and hypoallergenic, which matters in a small apartment or for owners with allergies.
- Long track record. Ultra has been on Amazon since 2005 and carries one of the largest owner rating counts of any cat litter we cover.
- A formula for box avoidance. Cat Attract adds an herbal attractant for cats that have started going elsewhere.
What Could Be Better
- Heavy bags. A 40 lb bag is hard to carry up stairs or pour into a box.
- Clay only. Bentonite is mined clay and is not flushable, so owners who want a plant-based litter should look elsewhere.
- Unscented is not odor-masking. Odor control depends on clumping and regular scooping, not on a fragrance.
- Some dust complaints. Some owners report occasional dusty bags despite the low-dust claim.
Clumping, Dust, and Tracking
Clumping is the main reason to choose Dr. Elsey’s. Hard clumps lift out whole instead of crumbling, which leaves less wet litter behind and keeps the box fresher between full changes. Keep a deep enough layer of litter, since a shallow layer lets clumps stick to the pan.
The medium grain is meant to limit tracking, but any clay litter will follow some cats out of the box. A litter mat at the entrance helps, especially with long-haired cats.
Cat Attract and Litter Box Avoidance
Cat Attract is the same hard-clumping clay with a natural herbal attractant blended in, and each bag includes a Litter Box Solutions booklet. It is aimed at cats that have started using the floor or the bed.
Before you switch litter, rule out a medical cause. A cat that suddenly avoids the box, strains, makes many trips with little urine, or has blood in the urine needs a call to your veterinarian the same day. Litter changes help with preference problems, not with illness.
Prime Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
How It Compares
Against scented clay litters like ARM & HAMMER or Tidy Cats, Dr. Elsey’s trades fragrance for a plain formula, which suits cats that dislike perfume. Against lightweight litters, it is heavier to carry for the same bag size. Compare ten clumping clays in our best cat litter guide, or see which work in automatic boxes in our Litter-Robot litter guide.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Look elsewhere if you cannot lift a 40 lb bag, if you want a flushable or plant-based litter, or if you prefer a scented formula. For more options, browse our cat litter coverage.
Why You Should Trust Us
We do not conduct our own product trials; our picks draw on published specifications, independent reviews, and Amazon owner ratings, which also set each product’s ICL Score. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but that never affects our verdicts or scores. Read the full method in How We Review.
Final Verdict
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra is a simple, unscented clumping clay with a long record and hard clumps that make scooping fast. Cat Attract is worth trying for a healthy cat that has started avoiding the box. The trade-offs are heavy bags and no plant-based option in this line. If a plain clay suits your cat, it is an easy pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Elsey’s cat litter good for multiple cats?
Dr. Elsey’s says Ultra and Cat Attract are formulated for single or multi-cat homes. More cats means more scooping and more frequent full changes.
What is the difference between Dr. Elsey’s Ultra and Cat Attract?
Both are unscented, hard-clumping bentonite clay. Cat Attract adds an herbal attractant meant to bring cats back to the box.
Is Dr. Elsey’s litter dust-free?
Dr. Elsey’s lists Ultra as 99.9% dust-free and Cat Attract as 99% dust-free. Some owners still report dust in some bags.
Can you flush Dr. Elsey’s cat litter?
No. It is clumping clay, which can block plumbing. Bag used litter and put it in the trash.
What do Dr. Elsey’s cat litter reviews say?
Owners mostly praise the hard clumps and the lack of scent; complaints focus on bag weight and occasional dust. The current Amazon rating appears on the product card above.
About the author
Melinda Dixon covers cat litter and odor cleanup for IndoorCatLab. Each guide compares litter types, manufacturer specifications, owner ratings, and published independent reviews, and explains what labels do and do not claim.