The joy of having a furry feline as a pet can be diminished by the unpleasant odor that comes with the need to have a litter box inside the house. Choosing the best cat litter for odor can help cover up the smell, keeping your home smelling fresh and more like the Four Seasons than a barn.
Top Picks
- CLUMPING LITTER: One 17.5-lb. box of Fresh Step Advanced Heavy Duty Clumping Litter With Febreze Freshness, featuring 3X odor-eliminating carbon (1) for Fresh Step's longest odor-fighting formula (3)
- 3X ODOR-ELIMINATING CARBON (1): Fresh Step clumping cat litter formulated with black carbon odor shield granules to trap and neutralize unwanted litter box smells
- 30-DAY ODOR CONTROL GUARANTEE: Odor-fighting clumping cat litter fights odor on contact and guarantees 30 days of odor control (2)
- FORMS TIGHT CLUMPS: Fresh Step cat litter heavy duty formula has ClumpLock technology that forms tight, easy-to-scoop clumps around liquid and cat urine
- FRESH, CLEAN SMELL: Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter combines natural clay with carbon, Ammonia Block Technology, and Febreze freshness for next level odor control
- CLUMPING CAT LITTER: One 14-lb. box of Fresh Step Clumping Litter with Febreze Gain Original Scent, activated charcoal kitty litter that keeps litter boxes smelling fresh
- 15 DAYS OF ODOR CONTROL: Fresh Step litter combines natural clay with carbon, Ammonia Block technology, and Febreze freshness for 15 days of kitty litter box odor control (1)
- RAPID LIQUID ABSORPTION: Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter quickly absorbs liquid, ensuring a dry and clean litter box environment for your cat's comfort
- FORMS TIGHT CLUMPS: Fresh Step ClumpLock technology locks in liquid and odor on contact and causes immediate kitty litter clumping to make scooping easy and prevent crumbles from being left behind
- EXTRA-STRENGTH SCENT: Fresh Step cat clumping litter with extra-strength (2) Febreze Gain Original scent to keep your cat’s litter box smelling clean and inviting
- #1 CAT LITTER DEODORIZER BRAND*: Formulated with ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda Crystals to eliminate tough odors on contact and keep your litter box fresh longer (*Based on units sold).
- EXTRA STRENGTH ODOR ELIMINATION: This kitty litter deodorizer destroys feces and urine odors on contact, leaving your litter box fresher with each sprinkle of this cat litter box deodorizer.
- PROVEN ODOR CONTROL FOR 9 DAYS: Enjoy a prolonged fresh, new-litter scent for up to 9 days with this cat litter odor eliminator. In fact, internal lab tests show lower odor levels with this product compared to using litter alone.
- SAFE FOR DAILY USE AROUND CATS AND OWNERS: This cat litter deodorizer is made with ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda Crystals, safe for daily use when used as directed. Simply sprinkle in this cat litter deodorizer into your litter box.
- COMPATIBLE WITH ANY TYPE OF CAT LITTER: Whether using scented, unscented, clay, scoopable, or natural litter, use this ARM & HAMMER absorbent litter deodorizer daily to deodorize your cat litter box
Best Cat Litter For Odor
Premium Odor Control with Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Cat litter is a top choice for eliminating odor. The litter is comprised on medium grain clay that reduces spreading around outside the litter box and is also great for multi-cat household. It’s also the best choice if you have a cat with allergies as it is free form plant proteins and scented perfume.
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Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented
Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented eliminates odor on contact with activated charcoal. It is also great for clumping, so you won’t need to change the full litter box as often. It’s unscented, so it is a great choice for anyone with allergies or scent-sensitive cats.
World’s Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula
As the brand name suggests, this cat litter claims to be the World’s Best Cat Litter. It is made from renewable whole-kernel corn, making it the most natural, eco-friendly cat litter. This litter is safe for people, pets and the planet. It’s also low dust and has superior clumping. The corn forms tight clumps on contact with moisture.
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum guarantees you will have at least seven days of odor protection. Arm & Hammer is known for their baking soda, so the addition of that to their formalized micro-sealing granules, keeps litter smelling fresh even with multiple cats. The granules surround urine, locking it in with a strong barrier before the smell can escape.
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented is a great budget option that get the job done. Made from activated charcoal, your home will stay fragrance-free and dust-free, so litter won’t be easily tracked around the house.
ökocat Natural Wood Cat LitterÂ
ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter is another eco-friendly alternative that eliminates dust and chemicals. IT is made from pellets of reclaimed wood that is able to trap moisture and reduce odor. It has a great fresh pine scent. The pellets are also soft and feel gentle on your cats paws, making at an attractive choice.
Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance
As the name suggest, Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance give you odor protection around the clock, making it a great choice if you have a busy schedule. It is also an effective choice for multi-cat homes.
Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Clumping Litter
Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Clumping Litter is another environmentally friendly product made from walnut shells. It has excellent odor control and is 100% biodegradable. Like corn, walnut shells are absorbent and can trap in moisture. You may have to scoop a bit more to keep things fresh.
Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care
Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care is another great choice for those who have a sensitive nose and prefer fragrance-free litter. It’s lightweight, making it easy to transport home and dispose of when you change the full litter box. It also maintains low dust and tracking, so your home will stay clean.
Frisco Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter
Frisco Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter is an affordable option that still provides excellent odor control. It’s low dust and easily forms strong, hard clumps that make scooping easy. We would definitely recommend to anyone with a multi-cat house who needs to stay on a budget.
Best Cat Litter for Odor
Here is how we determined our top picks. We know your furry feline will love a better litter box – and so will you.
Factors to consider
When choosing the best cat litter to reduce odor in your home, there are other important factors for a cat owner or cat parents to consider besides odor control formulas.
Clumping Ability
Litters that clump and seal urine can make it much easier to maintain a clean litter box. You do not want to be stuck with small particles of urine that can stink up the whole box and room.
Dust Level
Clumping litter can also help reduce dust that can get into your pets tiny lungs. Choosing a litter that is 99.9% dust-free not only protects your pet, but makes for less mess and bad smells.
Odor Control
Cats’ smell receptors are significantly stronger than the human nose. So while marking their litter box with urine can help attract the cat to continuing using the litter box, you may need to reduce odor in your home. Litters with baking soda and absorbent clay can help. You may also prefer a scented litter to cover the unpleasant smell. We think unscented litters are best for your cats health.
Litter Box Essentials
Besides choosing a great cat litter that keeps your home clean and satisfies your cats needs, you should ensure you have a litter pan that is large enough for your cat or cats. You might want to choose a litter box with low-sides to make entry easy.
A litter box with a hood or cover can help prevent your cat from spraying litter granules outside the box and give your kitty some needed privacy. We also recommend placing the litter box in a quiet spot, away from all the action.
Reducing Odor in Litter Boxes
To ensure that you are keeping odors at the lowest level possible, we recommend scooping the litter box daily and disposing of pee clumps and poop.
Doing a deep clean once a month will help eliminate odors that may have seeped in the plastics over time. Use hot soapy water and a mix of white vinegar and water to disinfect. Then fill with a new box of fresh litter that is a couple inches deep. This will make it easier for the odor eliminating particles to surround the moisture without sticking to the bottom of the box.
FAQs on the best cat litter for odor
What Type of Cat Litter is Best for Odor Control?
Litters with activated charcoal that surround moist particles quickly and have strong clumping power are best for odor control. If you prefer a more natural option, wood, corn, and walnut shell litters also offer effective odor control and are eco-friendly.
How Often Should I Change My Cat’s Litter?
Odor control litter won’t 100% solve the problem of smells. It’s important to clean the litter box every day and completely change the litter every two to four weeks. Natural or non-clumping litters may need to be scooped and changed more frequently to eliminate odor.
Can I Use Scented Litter for Better Odor Control?
Using a scented litter can help mask odors, but it doesn’t eliminated it completely. It’s more important to have a reliable product that is great at absorbing moisture and clumping, so you can easily do the daily cleanings Unscented litters with strong odor control capabilities, are just as effective as scented litters, and can be a safer choice for your cats health.
How can I stop cat litter from smelling?
There are several steps you can take to prevent litter box odors:
- Regular Scooping: Scoop out clumps and waste daily to prevent odors from building up.
- Proper Ventilation: Place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to help disperse odors.
- Use a Litter Box Liner: Liners can make cleaning easier and prevent waste from sticking to the box.
- Use a Covered Litter Box: Covered boxes can help contain litter particles that spread odors and give cats more privacy.
Is Dust-Free Litter Important for Odor Control?
Dust-free litter can help keep your house cleaner and will not irritate your lungs. Some brands even claim to be virtually dust free., so when you pour litter, a cloud of dust will not form.
It can also help reduce odors that may be attached to the dust and then will linger throughout your home, so choosing a low-dust or dust-free litter can help keep smells contained. Additionally, low-dust litters are better for your cat’s respiratory health.
Are There Any Eco-Friendly Litter Options with Good Odor Control?
Yes, litters made from natural materials like wood, corn, or walnut shells have great odor-absorbing properties and keep things smelling fresh. We recommend the World’s Best Cat litter, which is made from whole-kernel corn, or Naturally Fresh Walnut-based clumping litter These options are great for eco-friendly cat households.
Can Multi-Cat Households Use the Same Litter?
It can be even more challenge to reduce litter box odors when you have more than one cat and twice the amount of waste. There are many litters that have strong odor blocking technology that will be better for multi-cat households.
How Do I Transition My Cat to a New Litter?
Cat can be very finicky and some cat’s preference of litter can make it difficult to try other litters. We recommend to slowly transition to a new type of litter by mixing in small amounts with the old brand very gradually. After a few days, you can completely switch. This process will help your cat adjust to the new scent and texture.
Can Litter Affect My Cat’s Health?
Yes, choosing a reliable, safe cat litter can ensure you don’t comprise your pet’s health. Too much dust from cheap litter can cause your cat to have respiratory. Also cats who have allergies or sensitive skin can have trouble tolerating scented or perfumed litters. We recommend looking for dust-free, unscented brands. Always monitor your cat’s behavior when introducing a new litter and consult a vet if you notice any issues.
Is It Worth Investing in High-End Cat Litter?
If you want to maintain a fresh, clean home, or if you don’t have a secluded spot to put the litter box, you may find it beneficial to invest in a high-quality, premium cat litter. It will save you time scooping and changing the whole litter box.
What litter do vets recommend?
Vets and pet experts usually prioritize your cat’s health and well-being and recommend natural litters that are dust-free and unscented. Finding the best cat litter for you can depend on your personal preferences, household style and your cats needs. Some top choices recommended by vets are clumping clay litters and natural litters. If you have more than one cat, you should look for a product labeled for multi-cat households. Always consult your own vet for what is best for your individual cat.
How do I keep my house from smelling like cat?
Several steps can help make your house smell clean without pet odors. Make sure you clean the litter box regularly, change the entire litter at least once a month and keep the litter box in a an area with airflow. Covered litter boxes can also help contain the smell and prevent litter tracking particles that spread odor from getting around the house.
How do I stop my cat poop from smelling so bad?
You can try a scented litter if perfumes don’t bother you. Scented litter can help masks the smell of cat urine and feces. You might also want to look into a self-cleaning litter box for prompt removal of the poop. The automatic litter box, Litter Robot, has received rave reviews and not only automatically cleans, but also has good ventilation.
Which cat litter to avoid?
There are several types of cat litters that can present health problems and environmental problems. Try to avoid clumping clay litter with sodium bentonite, scented letter with strong fragrances, and crystal litter made from silica gel. These can irritate your cat’s respiratory system and irritate your cat’s paws.
Non-clumping litters that only absorb urine, but don’t clump, can make it harder to clean of waste and spread odors more quickly. Clumping litter is a much better, cleaner options.
We would also recommend avoiding the litter genie and just use a trash bag or small plastic bag to quickly get your cat’s waste out of the house.
Other Factors to Consider
Cat Owners in search of the right cat litter to control odor should also make sure to keep the litter box clean consistently and clean the entire litter box at least once a month. Litter clumps and cat waste can make a very offensive smell.
If you have two cats or many cats, you may be wondering how many litter boxes you need? One per cat or one per two cats should be enough. Self cleaning litter boxes can also save you time and energy cleaning your cat’s litter box.
Keeping your cat’s litter box clean can also help prevent a urinary tract infection. If you notice super small cat pee clumps in your clay cat litter, you might want to get your cat checked by the vet.
The bottom line on the best cat litter for odor
Choosing the best cat litter can make a huge difference in the overall smell of your home and your pets health and comfort. Look for litters with absorbent charcoal, clay, wood or corn, or synthetic crystals. Don’t forget to scoop daily, and keep your kitty litter box filled with a couple inches of fresh litter.
