Clumping Clay / Behavioral
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Herbal attractant actually works for litter-box-avoidant cats, with the same low-dust multi-cat clay performance as Ultra.
Overall score
9.5/10
Cost per day
$0.56
Reviewed Mar 5, 2026
Head-to-head comparison
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs Dr. Elsey's Ultra: Which Should You Buy?
Buy Ultra unless your cat has stopped using the box, which is the one job Cat Attract does better. The clay underneath is the same: the same hard clumps, the same very light dust. Cat Attract adds a herbal draw and a higher price, so it is a fix for a problem rather than an everyday upgrade.
ReviewCatLitter editorial teamUpdated Mar 7, 2026
This comparison page is maintained by the ReviewCatLitter editorial team and grounded in the same scoring framework used across the published review catalog.
Clumping Clay
Dr. Elsey's Ultra
The gold standard for dust-free clay litter. Rock-solid clumps, very low dust, and excellent day-to-day usability.
Overall score
9.4/10
Cost per day
$0.51
Reviewed Mar 7, 2026
Overall winner
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract is the strongest all-around pick in this comparison for cats avoiding the litter box.
Lowest daily cost
Dr. Elsey's Ultra at $0.51/day
Budget is often the deciding factor in this tier.
Best odor control
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract at Strong unscented control
Odor control often decides whether a litter feels tolerable long term.
Tracks less outside the box
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract at Moderate
Tracking can be more important than overall score in small spaces.
What we actually measured
Every figure below is a reading from our own test runs, not a rating. Where a run never took a reading it says so.
| Reading | Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract | Dr. Elsey's Ultra | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust weighed per pourParticulates caught in the air while the bag goes into the box. Lower is better. | 0.04 mg | 0.03 mgbetter | 0.01 mg |
| Clumps that survived the drop testShare of clumps still whole after a three-foot drop. Higher is better. | 98% | 98% | level |
| Granules outside the boxCounted inside the 12-inch ring around the tray. Lower is better. | not measured | 18 granules | only one side measured |
| Bag priceWhat the tested bag cost. Bag sizes differ, so read it next to cost per pound. | $26.99 | $24.99 | $2.00 |
| Cost per poundBag price divided by what is in the bag. Lower is better. | $0.67 | $0.62better | $0.05 |
| Cost per dayWhat the box costs to keep running each day. Lower is better. | $0.56 | $0.51better | $0.05 |
| Cost across a yearThat daily cost carried over a full year of use. Lower is better. | $204 | $186better | $18 |
Neither run recorded ammonia after one day and ammonia after three days, so those rows are left out rather than filled in from a similar bag. The full test data shows every reading we have.
Why Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract wins this matchup
Primary tradeoff: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract's weakest area here is tracking.
Strongest odor control in this set with strong unscented control.
Clumping is a real edge: rock-solid.
It still lands a stronger overall score than cheaper options because it is more balanced.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| Pricing | ||
| Price | $26.99 | $24.99 |
| Weight | 40 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Cost / Day | $0.56 | $0.51 |
| Performance | ||
| Dust Control | 9.2 0.04mg per pour | 9.4 0.03mg per pour |
| Clumping | 9.8 Rock-solid | 9.8 Rock-solid |
| Odor Control | 8.8 Strong unscented control | 8.5 Strong unscented control |
| Tracking Outside the Box | 7.3 Moderate | 7.2 Moderate |
| Value for Cost | 8.6 $0.56/day · $26.99 | 8.8 $0.51/day · $24.99 |
| Features | ||
| Type | Clumping Clay | Clumping Clay |
| Flushable | ||
| Scented | No | No |
| Our Verdict | ||
| Best For | Cats avoiding the litter box | Dust-sensitive homes |
| Read ReviewCheck Price | Read ReviewCheck Price | |
Best fit
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract makes the most sense for cats avoiding the litter box.
Worth it if
You want herbal attractant actually works for litter-box-avoidant cats, with the same low-dust multi-cat clay performance as ultra.
Skip it if
You need a formula that solves cats avoiding the litter box better.
Best fit
Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Dr. Elsey's Ultra makes the most sense for dust-sensitive homes.
Worth it if
You want the cleanest clay experience with hard clumps and low dust.
Skip it if
You need flushable or lightweight litter.
If neither option is quite right
The closest litters we have tested to this matchup, on score and on price.
Premium Clumping Clay
Boxiecat Premium
Weighed 0.04mg per pour and runs at $0.55 a day.
Best for lowest-maintenance scooping
Natural Corn + Cassava
Sustainably Yours
Weighed 0.11mg per pour and runs at $0.63 a day.
Best for best-performing natural litter shoppers
Corn Litter
World's Best Cat Litter
Weighed 0.15mg per pour and runs at $0.58 a day.
Best for eco-conscious owners who want flushable litter
Read the full reviews
Use this page to choose a winner quickly, then open the full product reviews if you want the long-form test notes.
Keep comparing nearby options
Related matchups that share one of the same products and answer the next likely decision.
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Choose Ultra if dust or fragrance bother anyone in the house. Choose Clump & Seal if the price of the bag decides it.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Boxiecat Premium
Ultra gives you the hardest clumps and the lightest dust for less money.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs PrettyLitter
Ultra is scoopable clay. PrettyLitter is crystals that change color to flag a health problem.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal vs Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Cat Attract is what you try when your cat is missing the box. Clump & Seal is what you buy when the bag price decides it.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Arm & Hammer HardBall
Ultra is the cleaner litter. HardBall is the cheaper way to get clumps that set fast and come out in one piece.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Arm & Hammer Super Scoop vs Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Super Scoop is the cheapest honest way to keep a box going. Ultra is what you buy when cheap keeps leaving broken clumps in the tray.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Quick Answers
Which is better: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Dr. Elsey's Ultra?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract comes out ahead on the balance of dust, clumping, odor control, tracking and daily cost. Dr. Elsey's Ultra is still the one to buy for dust-sensitive homes.
Which is cheaper per day: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Dr. Elsey's Ultra?
Dr. Elsey's Ultra runs at $0.51 a day against $0.56 for Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract.
Which controls smell better: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Dr. Elsey's Ultra?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract scored higher: strong unscented control, against strong unscented control for Dr. Elsey's Ultra.
Which tracks less outside the litter box: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Dr. Elsey's Ultra?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract keeps more litter in the box: moderate, against moderate for Dr. Elsey's Ultra.