ExquisiCat Litter Review: Is This Pet Store Staple Actually Worth Your Money?

If you’ve ever stood in the cat litter aisle staring at a wall of options, feeling completely overwhelmed, I get you. After testing ExquisiCat litter across multiple formulas and months of real use, I’m here to tell you — head straight to PetSmart and grab a bag.

This brand punches above its price point in ways that’ll genuinely surprise you. Scroll down, and let me walk you through everything I discovered.

My Experience With ExquisiCat Litter

Let me set the scene for you.

I have two cats — one seven-year-old tortoiseshell named Mango who is extraordinarily picky about her bathroom situation, and a two-year-old orange tabby named Biscuit who, bless his heart, treats his litter box like a sandbox at a beach resort.

If any litter can survive those two, it deserves a fair review.

I started with the ExquisiCat Naturals Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Litter before rotating to the ExquisiCat Clumping Clay formula.

Both got serious time in my two-cat household, and I tracked everything — odor control, clumping strength, dust levels, tracking, and how my cats actually responded to each.

• The First Pour

Right out of the bag, the clay formula had a noticeably clean, neutral scent — not that aggressively perfumed smell that makes you sneeze and makes your cat bolt from the room.

The texture was fine and consistent. Mango walked up, sniffed, and stepped right in. That’s a win, honestly. Picky cat approved on day one.

The corn-based naturals formula was a different experience upfront. The scent was earthy and organic — like a farm supply store in the best possible way. Biscuit took about two days to warm up to it, which is pretty normal for a formula change.

• Clumping Performance

This is where ExquisiCat clay really shone for me. The clumps formed quickly and held their shape solidly. When I scooped, they came out in one clean piece rather than crumbling mid-lift and depositing half a clump back into the box.

If you’ve ever dealt with a clumping litter that just… doesn’t, you know how satisfying this is. The corn formula clumped adequately, though slightly softer. You need to wait a bit longer before scooping to get clean removal.

• Odor Control In Practice

Over a two-week stretch with twice-daily scooping, the clay formula held odor impressively well. My small apartment bathroom — yes, one of the boxes lives there, judge me — didn’t develop that lingering ammonia smell until around day twelve without a full change.

For the price point, that’s remarkable. The naturals formula controlled odor well too, though it peaked around day nine before I noticed any breakthrough.

• Dust And Tracking

Here’s where I’ll be straight with you. The clay formula does produce some dust on the pour. If you have respiratory sensitivities, pour slowly and stand back a little. Once it settles, day-to-day use is fine. The corn naturals formula is significantly lower in dust — a noticeable difference. Tracking was moderate for both. I used a litter mat, and that cut cleanup down considerably.

• Cat Acceptance

Both cats stuck with it. Mango — my resident litter critic — had zero protests. That alone tells you something meaningful.

The Pros of ExquisiCat Litter

Let’s get into what this litter genuinely does well, because the list is longer than you might expect from a store-brand product.

• Wallet-Friendly Pricing That Doesn’t Feel Cheap

ExquisiCat is PetSmart’s own brand, which means you’re not paying for national advertising campaigns or fancy packaging.

A 40-pound bag of the clumping clay formula costs significantly less than comparable premium brands — sometimes 30 to 40 percent less.

For multi-cat households especially, that monthly savings adds up fast.

I ran the numbers across a full year and realized I was saving close to sixty dollars compared to what I’d been spending on a popular national brand.

That’s practically a vet visit co-pay.

• Clumping Strength That Actually Delivers

The clay formula forms dense, hard clumps that scoop clean the first time. You’re not chasing fragmented clumps around the box or accidentally releasing liquid back into the litter.

For busy pet owners who want a quick, no-mess scoop session, this matters more than most litter companies want to admit.

• Multiple Formula Options For Different Needs

Whether you want classic clay, a corn-based natural alternative, a multi-cat formula, or a scented option, ExquisiCat has a version for you.

That kind of flexibility within one brand means you can find your sweet spot without switching brands entirely when your needs change. You can find something for a single senior cat with sensitivities, or a high-traffic three-cat setup.

• Low Maintenance Odor Control

For the price, the odor suppression is genuinely competitive. It won’t outperform every premium product on the market, but it will outperform its price tag consistently. Regular twice-daily scooping keeps things fresh well past the halfway point of a fresh fill.

• Cat Acceptance Across Sensitive Felines

Because the formula isn’t loaded with heavy artificial fragrances, cats tend to accept it well. Strong-scented litters can actually cause cats to avoid the box — a nightmare scenario that leads to accidents. ExquisiCat’s more neutral scent profile tends to work in your favor here.

• Widely Available

Since it’s a PetSmart exclusive, availability is consistent. You know exactly where to get it, and it’s reliably in stock. No hunting around multiple stores or waiting on shipping.

Also Read: Comparison of Neakasa And Litter-Robot Automatic Litter Boxes.

The Cons of ExquisiCat Litter

I’m not going to pretend everything is perfect, because it isn’t. Here’s what genuinely bothered me.

• Dust On Initial Pour: The clay formula releases a moderate dust cloud when you first pour it into the box. For people with asthma or dust sensitivities — or cats with respiratory issues — this is a real concern. The naturals formula is better in this regard, but the classic clay is something to be aware of.
• Tracking Is Real: Both formulas track outside the box with some frequency, particularly after enthusiastic diggers (looking at you, Biscuit) have had their way with the box. A quality litter mat is essentially mandatory, not optional. Without one, you’ll find granules spreading across your floor.
• Corn Formula Odor Control Has A Shorter Window: While the naturals formula is impressive for what it is, it does start showing odor breakthrough a bit earlier than the clay version. For multi-cat households, you’ll want to scoop more frequently and top off more often to compensate.
• Not Flushable: Neither formula is flushable. This is common across most litters, but it’s worth noting if you were hoping to skip the trash.
• PetSmart Exclusive: If you don’t live near a PetSmart or prefer to shop across multiple retailers, this one might be inconvenient. It’s not available at general grocery stores or big-box retailers.

Maintenance Tips For Getting The Most Out Of ExquisiCat

Getting the best performance from this litter is genuinely easy once you know the right approach. These tips apply to most clumping litters, but they’re especially relevant for ExquisiCat given its specific performance characteristics.

1. Fill The Box To The Right Depth: Aim for three to four inches of litter depth. Going too shallow means clumps hit the bottom and stick — creating a mess that’s nearly impossible to clean without emptying the whole box. Deeper fill gives the litter room to clump properly and extends the time between full changes. With ExquisiCat’s clay formula especially, proper depth makes a significant difference in clump integrity.
2. Scoop At Least Once Daily, Twice If Possible: I know, I know — nobody wants to hear “scoop more often.” But twice-daily scooping is what keeps ExquisiCat performing at its best. Removing clumps before they break down keeps the overall litter cleaner, extends the life of each fill, and prevents odor from building up prematurely. It takes two minutes. Your cats will thank you.
3. Use A Quality Litter Mat: Since both formulas have some tracking tendency, a high-sided or double-layer litter mat outside the box is worth the small investment. It catches granules before they migrate across your floors, which means less sweeping for you and a cleaner experience overall.
4. Transition Slowly When Switching Formulas: If you’re switching from another brand to ExquisiCat — or switching between ExquisiCat formulas — do it gradually. Mix about 25% new litter with 75% old for the first week, then increase the ratio. This is especially important for cats that are particular about their box setup. Mango required a slow transition even between ExquisiCat formulas.
5. Do A Full Box Change Every Two To Three Weeks: Even with diligent scooping, the litter accumulates waste residue over time. A full empty, wash with mild soap, dry completely, and fresh fill every two to three weeks keeps bacteria and odor from taking hold at the box level. This is especially important with the corn naturals formula, which benefits from more frequent full changes.
6. Store Unused Litter In A Sealed Container: If you buy in bulk — which I recommend for cost savings — store unused litter in a sealed container rather than leaving the bag open. Moisture in the air can affect clumping performance over time. A simple airtight bin works perfectly.
7. Try The Unscented Version First: If you’re new to ExquisiCat, start with the unscented or lightly scented clay formula. It’s the most universally accepted by cats and gives you the clearest picture of the base performance before you start experimenting with the naturals or multi-cat varieties.

How ExquisiCat Compares To Other Brands?

The cat litter market is crowded, and ExquisiCat has some real competition. Let me walk you through how it stacks up against three brands you’ve probably heard of.

• ExquisiCat Vs. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal

Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal is probably ExquisiCat’s most direct competitor in the everyday-use clay space.

Clump & Seal’s biggest selling point is its baking soda base and antimicrobial protection, which honestly does deliver slightly superior odor control over a longer stretch — particularly in warmer climates or poorly ventilated spaces.

If you have three or more cats in a smaller home, that edge matters.

However, you’re paying a meaningful premium for it. Clump & Seal tends to run 20 to 30 percent more expensive per pound than ExquisiCat.

The clumping performance between the two is genuinely comparable — both form solid, scoopable clumps.

Dust levels are similar as well. If budget is your priority and you’re a one-to-two cat household in a well-ventilated space, ExquisiCat performs close enough that the price difference is hard to justify. If odor control is your single biggest concern regardless of cost, Clump & Seal earns its premium.

• ExquisiCat Vs. Feline Pine Litter

Feline Pine is an entirely different animal — no pun intended. It’s a wood-based litter that works through a dissolution method rather than clumping.

Pine pellets absorb liquid and dissolve into sawdust that falls to the bottom of a special sifting box.

It’s virtually dust-free, extremely low-tracking, and has a naturally pleasant pine scent that requires zero artificial fragrance.

The trade-off is that Feline Pine requires a specific type of sifting box, which adds cost and setup.

The odor control, while different in mechanism, is quite effective for urine. Solid waste still needs to be scooped manually. It’s also a heavier commitment in terms of the learning process and box system.

Compared to ExquisiCat, Feline Pine wins on dust and tracking by a wide margin. ExquisiCat wins on simplicity, availability, and the ease of transitioning cats who are already used to traditional litter textures.

If your cat has been using clay litter for years, a switch to Feline Pine requires patience. ExquisiCat, by contrast, is something most cats accept immediately.

• ExquisiCat Vs. Ökocat Cat Litter

Ökocat sits firmly in the premium natural litter category.

It’s made from reclaimed wood fiber and positions itself as a biodegradable, compostable alternative to clay.

The clumping performance in Ökocat’s wood clumping varieties is genuinely impressive for a plant-based product — arguably better than ExquisiCat’s naturals formula.

Odor control is strong, tracking is minimal, and dust is nearly nonexistent.

The significant gap, though, is price. Ökocat costs considerably more per use than ExquisiCat — often double.

For environmentally conscious cat owners with the budget for it, Ökocat is a genuinely superior product.

But for the average household trying to balance performance with practicality, ExquisiCat’s naturals formula gets you surprisingly close to that natural litter experience at a fraction of the price. If you want to dip a toe into natural litters without a major financial commitment, ExquisiCat Naturals is an excellent starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In Conclusion

ExquisiCat litter is one of the smartest buys in the cat care aisle — full stop. It won’t win every category against premium competitors, but it delivers reliable, consistent performance at a price that keeps your budget intact.

Grab a bag from PetSmart, give it two weeks, and I’d be surprised if you weren’t quietly impressed. Your cats probably will be too.