Best Cat Litter For Odor

Unscented

Lastly, you’ll want to decide if you prefer a scented or unscented litter. Each type of litter has its pros and cons, just like all other options. Odorless litter is more likely to be healthier for your cat, as it doesn’t include chemicals or perfumes. Although odorless litter is better at masking the smells from cat urine or feces than odor-free, some litter can retain a distinctive “litter” scent so you might consider a perfumed litter.

You should make sure that any litter you choose doesn’t include any harmful chemicals, and we always recommend trying scented litter in small quantities first before committing to a large bag or bulk box. Some cats are sensitive to scented litters even if there are no harmful chemicals included, so depending on your cat, you may find that they opt not to use fragrant cat litter. They’ll at least make it easy for you.

Litter of Clumping Wood That’s Strong on Odor

The original APkocat litter from Healthy Petas is made of sustainably sourced wood fiber. It has been formulated to reduce odor, despite being unscented. It has a mild woodchip scent that is pleasant to the nose. The litter is lightweight and low in dust, which makes cleanup simple. Itas a great pick for those who want something planet-friendly as well, since itas completely biodegradable and compostable. It is also free of artificial scents and chemicals. You can choose from two sizes: a 13.2-pound medium box or a 16.6-pound larger one. Choose between Original, Super Soft or Less Mess formulas.

Fresh Step Advanced Multi-Cat Litter

This cat litter by Fresh Step boasts of excellent odor control technology that is best for handling multi-cat households.

Features:

• 99% dust-free
• Scented with Febreeze
• Guaranteed 10 days of odor control
• Constructed from clumping, clay
• Utilizes the Fresh Step ClumpLock Technology
• You can purchase 14-18.5, 20 and 34 pound items

We love it!

Fresh Step’s Multi-Cat Litter is great for multiple cat households. The extra-strength odor control formula stops odor on contact. There is no bad odor to greet you when you walk in your front door, not even if you have more than one cat in residence.

They are simple to use and come in small bags so that you do not have to lift a lot of weight to refill or fill the litter box. You can also seal the bags to keep spills out.

Multi-Cat Litter is easy to clump and leaves little to no dust. Lastly, because of the odor control and great clumping action, each bag of clay litter lasts for a long time.

There are some things that could use some improvement.

Do not allow your litter to get too high in the box. Multi-Cat Litter sticks to your litter box’s bottom like concrete and makes it difficult to pick them up.

Best Natural Odor-Control Cat Litter

Our Pick: Healthy Pet’s okocat Litter

Highlights

• This wood fiber is sustainably sourced and responsibly rescued.
• A proprietary blend of plant fibers helps you to easily and naturally clump.
• Fresh and outdoor-y scents
• Hard to find and low in dust
• Completely dust-free formula sold in smaller boxes with white paper pellets

Things to Consider

• The standard litter is more expensive than the German-based company at $1.01 per pound

Buyer Review: “I really like this litter. This litter is less dusty than any other natural litters that I’ve used. The pieces are also larger so it tracks better than the other alternatives. It does track but not nearly as well as Nature’s Miracle, which I had until it was discontinued. Although it is a bit more difficult to scoop than others due to the larger pieces, this doesn’t make it a problem. I will continue to use this product.”

Swheat Scoop Multi Cat Unscented Clumping wheat Cat Litter

You can find sWheatscoop multi-cat wheat litter that is more environmentally friendly than traditional clay litters.

This litter doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals or compounds whatsoever, making it great for cats with urinary problems. And it’s recommended by vets for cats post-surgery to prevent infections. Best of all, when it’s time to be changed, you can just compost it.

This litter is very effective at clumping but it can be difficult to determine when the litter has reached its limit. If you have a deep digging cat, you may still find urine unabsorbed at the bottom of the litterbox. And when it comes to odor control, it doesn’t provide as much as other competitor brands.

Purina Yesterday’S News Odor Control Litter For Cats

Purina Yesterday’s News Odor control is an excellent non-clumping, paper-based cat litter. It controls odors well. The paper pellets are super absorbent, soaking in and neutralizing feces and urine on contact.

This product is an environmentally-friendly and biodegradable option. Because the pellets are large, they are very low tracking, so you won’t find them scattered through your home.

Also, this particular litter is vet-recommended. This litter is completely safe for all cats. But because it’s non-clumping, it is relatively hard to scoop.

The Tests

To test the absorption and saturation of cat litters, as well as how they handle odor, we tested them all.

A wide range of subjective and objective tests were performed. After looking to see how heavy and maneuverable each product was, we poured 1,000 grams of litter into a pan, then added 5 tablespoons of water. We measured the litter again after removing the clump. This would show us the effectiveness of each litter in absorbing liquids into compact, tight clumps.

The next test involved pushing the litter to the sides of the pan and dropping in 3 tablespoons of water along the edge. Not all cats urinate in the center of the box, especially if it hasn’t been recently scooped. This can make it difficult to scoop, and clumps can easily break apart, leading to increased smells.

Next, we took 500 grams of litter in an aluminum pan and slowly added water while stirring. Eventually this slurry of muddy clay wouldn’t accept anymore water. The more liquid a litter can accept, the more value you get out of the product.

Also, we wanted to test how effective these products were at masking odors. If you have ever smelled cat urine you will know just how strong it can be. So we took a small amount of ultra-potent fox urine and poured it in each litter, let it set for a period of time, and then took an air quality meter to measure the volatile organic compounds. The less VOCs measured, the better the litter did at covering up the aromas.

Only the best performed made it to the last step. Each product was used by Gypsy and Servo for four days. A porous mat was placed in front of each box. We then analyzed how litter was removed by our paws. We were also able to observe how the litters performed in real life outside of our lab. Some started to break down quickly, while others maintained their integrity.

Use Wet Wipes To Clean Up The Sides

Some litter may not contain all the waste. Many cats, especially females, prefer to urinate in front of the litter box walls rather than the bottom. This waste, which isn’t often visible, can accumulate between litter cleanings. It may also contribute to litter box smell.

Use a non-toxic cloth to remove any litter from your cat’s litter box. It helps reduce odor buildup in between cleanings.

Do this today:

Use a nontoxic, wet wipe next time you empty the litter box. Remember, it’s important to use a non-toxic wipe that’s completely safe for your cat.

The Litter Box of your Cat Does Not Have to Smell Terrible

Some odors are inevitable. You can’t keep a cat in your home without some odors – malodorous waste is a part of life, and in small doses, it’s something to be thankful for. It’s a reminder that you’re peacefully sharing your home with a beautiful living creature.

Despite the inherent smell associated with any animal waste, there’s no need for your cat’s litter box to constantly reek. Even a multi-cat home can be virtually odor-free if you know how to properly manage the litter box.

Cats have a natural ability to keep their coat clean. You’ve seen your cat grooming throughout the day, fastidiously smoothing and cleaning his or her coat and skin.

Cats hate being dirty. They also have twice the number of olfactory sensory receptors as humans. This gives them an enhanced sense of smell. If your cat’s litter box smells bad to you, it’s probably worse for your cat.

When your sensitive kitty is offended by the smell of their litter box, they may decide to find a newer, cleaner place to eliminate, like your bed, a couch, or in the corner of the room.

An inappropriate urination problem can become a major issue that quickly spirals out of control. Your cat will get attached to the new place, you’ll need to clean it up more often, and your efforts to motivate your cat to go back to using the litter box are unsuccessful. It’s one of the most frustrating things a cat guardian can deal with.

Even worse, some cats have a more self-destructive response to an unpleasant, smelly litter box. Instead of opting to use an alternate location, they’ll avoid elimination altogether. It can cause constipation or urinary tract diseases.

Best Cat Litter For Odor Control

It’s not unusual to say that all cats love us. They’re all our little angels! However, it’s a never a pleasant experience to walk by your cat’s litter box and catch a whiff of their recent bowl movement.

There are many cat litter options that can be used to eliminate the most unpleasant odors. There are many options, and it can become overwhelming to think about all the different elements of cat litter.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best cat litter for odor control, in addition to a comprehensive buyer’s guide to better understand what goes into a good cat litter.

Dr

You should try Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat litter if you want the best.

Dr. Elsey’s cat litter has somehow found the perfect balance between heavy-duty odor control, maximum clumping capability, and minimal tracking. And unlike most other box store brand cat litters, it’s 99.9% dust-free. It’s ideal for pets with asthma or other respiratory issues. Plus, its dust-free nature makes it great for owners who live in smaller apartments with minimal ventilation.

What if your litter is automatic? This litter will work just fine with your box as well. For those who have multiple cats, Dr. Elsey’s is a good choice!

This cat litter is excellent for controlling odors.

Best Smelling Odor-Control Cat Litter

Our Choice: The World’s Best Cat Litter

Scented cat litter can be a tricky thing to perfect because smells are so subjective. World’s Best clumping, corn-based cat litter achieves the right balance. The brand does not use heavy synthetic fragrances. Instead, it uses natural botanical oils. This creates light but pleasant floral scents such as lavender and lotus bloom. But the scents aren’t the only line of defense against litter box odors. Litter granules made of whole-kernel corn are naturally absorbent and trap waste quickly. So it’s tough on smells while remaining easier on the environment than clay alternatives.

Highlights

• It lasts twice as long as regular clay litter in the litterbox
• Natural botanical oils are preferred over synthetic perfumes or chemicals.
• Flushable litter can be used in septic and sewer systems. However, it is best to check the local ordinances.
• Pleasant, but not overpowering scents are pleasant.
• 99 percent dust-free

Things to Consider

• Pricey, though the brand says you only need to use half as much as other litters

• Pricey, though the brand says you only need to use half as much as other litters

Sample buyer review: “First we tried the unscented version of this litter. With the original, if you don’t scoop for about 2-3 days it does get a funky smell. My husband doesn’t mind it, but I think it smells like stinky feet. It’s easy to scoop and clump, which I love. I decided to make it scented. So far the scent has been negligible. The lavender scent is very nice and it’s not overpowering. My cats really like it, even my picky girl. This litter is very good for my cats!

The ability to clump

We have already mentioned that clumping can be a key aspect in eliminating unpleasant odors. The excrements attach to the clumping litter, preventing odors from spreading. This makes it easier to clean out the box and not have to discard the remainder of the litter. It will make it easier to clean the litter box and will also reduce your use of litter.

Note of caution for kittens: It is recommended to not use clumping litter with kittens under four months of age as they may try to ingest it. That would be very dangerous once the litter clumps, and expands, potentially blocking the kitten’s intestine. Non-clumping litter is the best for controlling odors in cats.

World’S Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter – Premium Choice

If you’re looking for the world’s best cat litter, a good place to start might be World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter. Just be prepared to pay a premium price – this litter doesn’t come cheap.

While most litters you’ll find are made out of clay, World’s Best uses a proprietary corn formula. The litter is 99.9% dust-free, hypoallergenic, and is made out of all-natural materials with no chemical additives. This is a natural solution.

It’s quite impressive in terms of its ability to clump. It’s also flushable, and totally safe for your septic and sewer systems. However, we don’t recommend flushing low-flow toilets.

The smell is our biggest concern, other than price. While you can’t smell cat urine or feces, you can smell the litter’s individual scent. A light and wet cardboard smell is produced by the corn formulation.

We recommend this product. This is our top choice for the best quality cat litter.

The Clumping Clay Litter Is Designed to Reduce Bacterial Odors

The lightweight formulation of this Catas Pride Bacterial Odor Control Cat Litter is something the brand takes seriously, claiming their clumping formula is 25% lighter than their competitors. The litter comes in a 15-pound container, which Catas Pride suggests is equivalent to 20 pounds of litter since itas so lightweight. The clay-based blend aims to control bacterial litter box odors for 10 days while keeping the dust to a minimum. The formula comes with a scent. It is also available in unscented versions, Natural Care or Total Odor Control. These formulations absorb the enzymes responsible for litter stinking to help control the odors.

Helpful Amazon review: aI like this litter because my cats like it. It’s pretty easy to scoop and neutralizes the odor better than some litter I’ve used. The scent isn’t overpowering.a

Scoop Daily

It’s important to remove waste daily to cut down on odor. To replace all the litter that you have removed, add new litter.

Consult A Veterinarian

Sometimes smelly waste is due to a cat’s diet or poor health. Ask your veterinarian for advice on the best diet for your cat. You may also bring your cat to a vet to make sure he’s healthy.

Recycled paper

Litter that is made from recycled paper is turned into either granules or pellets. If you’re looking for something that is dust-free and absorbent as well as biodegradable and renewable, then recycled paper cat litters might be a good choice. However, they have a few cons too.

The bottom of cat litter made out of paper is more likely to absorb moisture. If you wish to clean the litter, you will need to reach the bottom. Recycling paper can also be more costly than other litter types, making it harder for you to find them in shops.

Be aware of Pre-Purchase Options

These are some things to consider when searching for cat litter that will control odor and help you save money.

Clean The Cat’S Litter Box

You will need to empty the litter box once per week, even if you clean out every drop of urine and feces. Empty out all the old litter. Use soap and water to wash the litter boxes. Dry them under the sunlight. After the litter has dried, replace it with new litter.

Non-Clumping Cat Litter

The non-clumping litter is more common than the clumping. They’re good at absorbing large amounts of moisture. They are often cheaper than regular clumping cat litters.

Cleaning up urine is easier once it has accumulated in the litter box. Also, soiled non-clumping litter often mixes with fresh ones, so it will be hard to separate the two.

Silica Gel Crystals

Silica gel crystal cat litters are made of small beads of silica crystals. These offer excellent absorbency and odor control. Although they can be more expensive than other types of cat litter, they last long and can hold much urine waste so it all balances off.

However, silica gel can be harmful to your cats if ingested over a long period of time. Also, some cats, particularly senior ones, do not like crystals because these can feel too hard on their paws. There is also the fact that silica is not environment-friendly nor easy to dispose of.

Arm & Hammer

Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter

Qualitative

Value

Our Rating

PROS

• Great clumping with no tracking
• Works for multiple cats

CONS

Our #3 rating

Fill With Enough Litter

Litter is there to absorb liquids and odors. If you are not putting enough litter in the box, it is likely that not all the liquids are absorbed, causing the bad smells to persist. It is recommended to fill at least 2-3 inches of litter to see any result in terms of odor control.

Best Cat Litter For Odor: Our Top Picks

The following cat litters are odor-control. We analyzed customer reviews and price. Our personal experience was as a head of two cats in a household with high standards for keeping their home clean. This is what we chose.