I’ve owned cats for most of my life, which means I’m very familiar with all things litter: what makes a particular formula good, unfavorable or worse, less safe. Yet after testing my way through nearly every litter material, texture and gimmicky promise, I had yet to hear of tofu litter, a litter type that claims to be a superior and safer alternative for me and my pet.But according to Dr. Jennifer Taketani, veterinarian and medical director at Corona Del Mar Animal Hospital, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, tofu litter isn’t actually made of tofu but what is left over from its manufacturing. This includes food-grade byproducts such as soy, pea and cornstarch, which make the litter all-natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and even flushable. “Most cats are smart enough not to eat litter in general, but if they do, no worries with this product,” Taketani said.First developed and patented in Japan in 1995, Taketani said that soy or pea fibers absorb liquid and bind with natural starches to form a solid clump around urine or feces, which can then be easily removed, leaving cleaner litter and a reduced chance of conditions like urinary tract infections for your cat.“[The] clumping ability seems similar to that of clay litter,” she said, adding that “Tofu litter claims to be better at odor neutralization than traditional litter, as it traps odors without strong artificial scents.”One Amazon customer who claims to work in veterinary medicine and made the switch to tofu litter called it a “game-changer” and was shocked when, by the third day of no scooping, they still couldn’t smell a thing — a stark contrast from the clay litter they had been using.According to Taketani, “This litter is also ultra-low dust, improving indoor air quality and respiratory health for cats and their people.” She attributes the reduced dust production to the shape of tofu litter, which typically resembles pellets rather than granules. This also means no dusty paw prints tracked around the house.And good news for those of us who have a difficult time lugging around 40-pound boxes of bentonite clay-based litters, many tofu-based litters promise to be lighter weight than traditional formulas. Many tofu litters on the market seem to be more or less the same, but ahead, we found several different options to fit your litter box type, budget and personal preferences.The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.AmazonA deodorizing tofu litter In addition to low dust and strong and instant clumping, with a high hardness that won't leave a gloopy mess at the bottom of your litter box, the Vetreska tofu cat litter features added 5% deodorizing beads to even more effectively neutralize odors. Made from corn starch and pea dregs, this litter comes in several scents, like this one featuring natural cherry blossom extract.AmazonFour Paws cat litter, made from starch and pea powderMade with pea powder and edible starch, the Four Paws litter promises to be low tracking, lightwieght and it won't stick to fur. The green tea fragrance contains tea polyphenols, catechins and other antibacterial and deodorizing ingredients, according to the brand, although it comes in several different scents. It's safe for flushing but not compatible with automatic litter boxes.AmazonA popular tofu litter boasting sponge-like absorption According to a user on Reddit who decided to forgo traditional big-box litters and switch to litter of the tofu variety, the Pidan tofu litter has "no dust, low tracking, good clumping, excellent odor control." This 100% dust-free litter is made with a blend of soy and pea pulp fiber, cassava-wheat-corn starch and flour to offer "sponge-like absorption" according to the brand, which works so fast, you'll never have to scrape those gluey, caked-on chunks of soaked litter from the bottom of your litter box — a major pain point for cat owners. The flush-friendly litter also features two different-sized elongated pellets to help result in resulting in tight and solid clumping. If you can't part with traditional bentonite clay litter, Pidan offers a 70%-30% tofu and clay blend litter for a best of both worlds option.