A day’s worth of stress instantly melts away when you come home to your adorable kitty, your little ball of joy—that is, until you get a whiff of her litter box!
Cats are notorious for leaving foul, nasty messes in their litter boxes, the overpowering stench enough to bring tears to your eyes. So naturally, looking for cat litter that’s superb at odor control is at the top of your priority list with every purchase.
But how do you know which litter doesn’t make empty promises and leave your house stinking to high heaven? We’ve put together the 5 best cat litter products for odor control based on our research and recommendations from fellow cat parents. Take a peek at this list to find your and your kitty’s new favorite!
Top Rated Cat Litters for Odor Control
On the other hand, non-clumping cat litter reduces urine odor and absorbs liquid by using natural ingredients. It’s recommended for cats with kidney problems, so cat parents can monitor their urine better. Veterinarians also endorse non-clumping litter for kittens, since it reduces the possibility of ingestion.
But because it doesn’t clump, cleaning the litter box with this litter type can prove to be much more of a challenge. Take note as well that clumping cat litter is usually more effective at odor control.
Dust
Many commercial cat litter products have crystalline silica, which is a known carcinogen to humans.
The jury’s still out on this, but most experts agree that excessive cat litter dust also irritates cats’ lungs and causes respiratory issues. To be safe, it’s best to purchase low-dust cat litter or a product without silica dust.
1. Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Cat Litter
Superior odor control that traps smells and banishes them for good makes Dr. Elsey’s Utra Cat Litter one of the highest-rated cat litter products on the market. It combats odors and leaves your house smelling fresh and clean, even when you go longer between litter box cleanings. Plus, it’s free of added scents—no more nasty cat odors clashing with strong fragrances!
It’s also made with 100% bentonite clay that forms solid hard clumps when wet: easy to scoop out and hard to break down. Small litter granules also prevent excessive litter tracking, with a dust-free formulation that makes it suitable for cats and their humans with allergies.
This litter is designed for multi-cat households, so you can be certain that it’ll maintain longer freshness even when you have lots of kitties doing their business multiple times a day. It works with both sifting and self-cleaning litter boxes.
Pros:
- Outstanding odor control
- Fast liquid absorption and clump formation
- Hard clumping action for easy scooping and cleaning
- Dust-free formulation
- Ideal for multi-cat households
Cons:
- Some reviewers report that it doesn’t keep granules from sticking to the bottom of the litter tray
2. Fresh Step Extra Strength Scented Cat Litter
Wish you could Febreze litter odors away? Well, it’s possible with the Fresh Step Extra Strength Scented Cat Litter! It’s infused with Febreze that’s released every time your cat uses the litter box, helping fight odor while giving your home a pleasantly fresh and invigorating scent.
Better yet, it uses Ammonia Block Technology to deactivate enzymes and control bacterial growth, so it stops and destroys litter odor at the source. The result is 10 days of odor-free bliss!
Made for busy litter boxes, this cat litter features ClumpLock technology that quickly traps liquid and odor, forming tight and hard clumps that are easy to scoop up. Its fast absorption rate also prevents moisture from sticking to the bottom of the tray. Plus, this litter reduces tracking, keeping your space neat and clean—even when you have multiple cats at home!
Pros:
- Provides exceptional odor control with the power of Febreze
- Fights & squashes odor at the source
- Releases a fresh scent every time your kitty uses the litter box
- Forms hard clumps to make cleanup easier
- Prevents moisture from sticking to the bottom of your litter box
- Performs well in multi-cat households
Cons:
- May be dusty even with its 99.9% dust-free formulation
3. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cat Litter
Designed with a trademarked blend of moisture-activated granules, the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cat Litter destroys odor on contact. Its extra-strength formula contains odors from urine and fecal matter, preventing them from leaving the litter box.
As soon as your kitty does her business, this product will seal the odor and neutralize it immediately with the use of odor eliminators including the renowned Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Reviewers across the web have raved about its ability to combat odor and stay true to its 7-day odor-free guarantee!
It also features plant-derived ingredients that create solid clumps, as well as small and fine granules that reduce litter tracking and dust clouds that assault you every time you pour fresh litter into the tray. The soft texture of this odor-control litter is also perfect for finicky cats who are turned off by pellets or crystals.
Pros:
- Seals odor the minute your cat uses the bathroom
- Contains and destroys odors, preventing them from escaping the litter box
- Guarantees an odor-free home for 7 days
- Creates solid clumps for easy cleanup
- Prevents excessive tracking
- Features a 100% dust-free formulation
- Has a soft, fine texture that appeals to cats
Cons:
- Uses chemicals
4. Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
For pet parents who want non-clumping cat litter that doesn’t compromise on odor control, the Feline Pine Original Cat Litter is for you! This product is from Arm & Hammer and features its signature odor elimination capacity, serving as a natural alternative to their more chemical-laden cat litter above.
Using the odor-fighting capabilities of 100% natural reclaimed pine shavings, it effectively fights and controls nasty odors on contact without artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals. Fine pine fibers absorb liquid and adheres to ammonia smells, ensuring the litter box stays fresh and easy to clean.
Cost-effective and biodegradable (and even compostable!), this cat litter is great for eco-conscious pet parents on a budget. It’s also lightweight, making it easier to carry, handle, and pour into a litter box than regular clay cat litter. Bonus: because it dissolves into a fine powder, you can flush it down the toilet for easy disposal.
Pros:
- Fights nasty litter smells using the natural odor-fighting powers of pine
- Absorbs liquid and seals ammonia odors
- Contains no chemicals or added fragrances
- Has flushable pellets for easy disposal
- Limits litter tracking
- Makes litter refills easier
Cons:
- Difficult to use for first-time pellet users
5. ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter
Another all-natural, plant-based litter, the ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter delivers top-notch odor control with no harmful chemicals. It prevents enzymes from binding to urine and fecal matter, so it prevents ammonia and odor from forming and overpowering your home. This means it doesn’t just neutralize odor but stops it at the source!
This natural clumping litter also features ultra-porous wood fibers that form solid clumps by absorbing liquid instantly—without any chemical binders. All you have to do is scoop up the clumps and flush them down the toilet.
Each bag of this biodegradable cat litter has wood fiber that’s undergone de-dusting, keeping your home cleaner and your indoor air clearer. It also ensures that the litter stays in the litter box where it belongs and doesn’t track all over your home.
Pros:
- Impressive odor control performance
- Instant liquid absorption on contact
- Great at litter tracking prevention
- Made from sustainably sourced wood fiber
- Biodegradable and compostable
- No chemicals, dyes, or artificial fragrances
Cons:
- Some pet parents find it difficult to scoop up
Factors to Consider in Cat Litter for Odor Control
Trying out different cat litter products to see which one your cat likes best and which one does the job perfectly is a good idea. However, you also want to make sure you aren’t throwing your money away with products that don’t meet your needs or standards.
Here are a few of the factors you need to take into consideration before making your purchase:
Scent & Odor Control Ingredients
Most cat litter products that advertise odor control include several ingredients that combat smells, such as baking soda and carbon. They also come in two variations: scented and unscented.
Some products may have chemical ingredients and fragrances, while others may use all-natural alternatives. The former may pose health risks or even be toxic to your cat, while the latter may not be as effective in combating odor.
The choice between these two options is ultimately up to your preference, but make sure your and your cat’s preference. Take note that some cats may dislike scented litter, and others may be allergic to some odor control ingredients.
Clumping or Non-Clumping
Clumping cat litter contains bentonite, a clay that allows clumps to form once it comes into contact with liquid. This type of cat litter typically makes scooping and clean-up easier, reducing the need for frequent litter changes. However, it does contain chemical ingredients and increases litter tracking.
How To Prevent Nasty Litter Box Smells
Poop stinks; there’s just no way around it. However, you can limit the overwhelming stench of your kitty’s stink bombs by following these simple steps:
Scoop out waste every day
It can be tempting to put off your litter box cleanups when you’re busy, but you’re sure to regret it the next day. A dirty litter box left alone for days will be more foul-smelling and difficult to clean; not to mention it might even put your cat’s kidney and urinary health at risk.
Make sure to scoop out waste from your cats’ litter box once a day. Do this twice a day if you have multiple cats.
Clean the litter box weekly
The litter doesn’t prevent the litter box from getting dirty and accumulating odors, so it’s important to wash out the litter box once a week. Empty it out and apply soap and water to the surface. Rinse it out thoroughly before pouring in a fresh batch of litter.
Change the litter box yearly
If cleaning your litter box daily doesn’t do much in stopping odor, the container itself may be to blame. This is because litter and leftover waste can settle and harden at the bottom or the sides of the tray, causing foul smells. Changing your litter box once a year will help ensure it stays fresh, clean, and safe for your cat to use.
Place the litter box in a well-ventilated area
It’s only natural to want to keep the litter box out of sight. However, putting it in a secluded area without ventilation can make it smell worse, and its odor can leak out and overwhelm your home.
Instead, place the litter box in a discreet but well-ventilated area, such as your bathroom or laundry area.
Use an odor neutralizer
In addition to odor control litter products, you can try different odor neutralizers on the market. If you’re on a budget, the baking soda in your cupboard will work wonders in helping fight litter box odors.
In Closing
Almost every part of owning a cat is delightful, with the notable exception of having to clean their litter box. It can be stressful and even embarrassing when your entire home stinks of cat, especially when you have guests over.
Luckily, there are plenty of odor control litter products on the market that can help you curb stinky kitty smells. It’s important to be careful with your choice and make sure it’s to your kitty’s liking, so you can prevent accidents while ensuring you and your kitty breathe easier!