After analyzing over the top 50 products we choose the 10 best cat litters for odor control that can eliminate the strongest smells from and around the litter.
Do you know bad odor is not only harmful to cats but can also be harmful to pet parents?
Do you know that Veterinarians and cats do not like perfumed litter?
So how to find out the perfect litter for odor control that your cat will love and vet recommends?
The various available options for odor-controlling cat litters are based on material, price, tracking, clumping ability, scented, and unscented.
We have carefully analyzed and mentioned the benefits and drawbacks to make it easy for you to choose the perfect cat litter for odor control.
A Quick Comparison (updated in 2023)
Best Overall
Editor’s Pick
Affordable Pick
The 10 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control Reviews of 2023
1. Fresh Step Multi-Cat with Febreze Freshness
The Fresh Step Advanced Multi-Cat with Febreze freshness has advanced strength clumping formula which is the best odor control cat litter. It is also the best cat litter for odor control on our list because of many of its features.
This cat litter is also suitable for all life stages and it is also available at a very convenient price. Its advanced Febreze freshness helps it in masking and eliminating the odor from and around the litter.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best cat litter for odor control.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 14 lb to 75 pounds
- Type: Clumping Clay
- Scented
- 10 days odor control guaranteed
It is a 99.9% dust-free formula that creates less mess on the floor while you scoop & pour. It also does not irritate your cat while breathing and keeps the air pleasant. Moreover, its Fresh Step® Clumplock® Technology locks in liquid & odor and creates tight clumps that make scooping & cleaning easy.
Pros:
- Highly effective for controlling odor even in multi-cat homes
- 99.9% dust-free formula
- Advanced formula with clumping technology that creates tight clumps on being in contact with cat waste
Cons:
- The packaging of this litter is not good and you might have to store it in a different container
2. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Unscented Clay Litter
If you have a finicky cat the does not want to go to the litter box then Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat litter has the solution. It provides the solution to pet parents whose cat does not go to the litter box or while litter training a cat.
For getting cats attracted to the litter it is blended with a natural herb attractant. Because of this natural herb attracting your furry friend will get easily attracted to the litter box. Hence, this cat litter is the best in solving litter box problems.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 20 and 40 lb box
- Type: Clumping Clay Litter
- Unscented
- Natural herbal cat attractant that attracts cats
This litter is specially formulated for multiple cats, which is also 99% dust-free. Being specially formulated for multiple cats it is highly effective in eliminating the strongest odors even from the litter boxes used by many cats.
Pros:
- Attracts cats who do not want to use the litter box
- The natural herbal scent that is superior in masking odor
Cons:
- Expensive as compared to other cat litters
Are you willing to know more about the best natural litters for cats, then you should check out this naturally fresh cat litter article.
3. Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
Ever Clean extra strength clumping cat litter by Ever Clean is unscented and perfect for odor control. It eliminates odor for up to 14 days with the help of its activated carbon bonded litter granules. It is highly absorbent in nature due to which it is very effective in masking the odor in and around the litter box.
This clumping cat litter locks in moisture and creates extra-strong clumps that make the scooping and cleaning process easy. It starts clumping immediately after coming in contact with cat urine or feces.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 14, 25, and 42 lb
- Type: Clumping Clay
- Unscented
The low-dust formula is also great as it will not irritate your cat while breathing and will also keep the floor clean. It also locks the smell and stops it from spreading in and around the box. Moreover, with all its effectiveness it is one of the cheapest cat litters on our list.
Pros:
- Available at a very affordable price
- Eliminates odor for up to 14 days
- Creates extra-strong clumps for easy scooping cleaning and scooping
Cons:
- Might not be very effective for multiple cats of it is not changed frequrently
4. Fresh Step Extreme Scented Litter
The Fresh Step Extreme Scented Litter is available in two variants – Extreme and New! Advanced Extreme. The “Extreme” version has Mountain Spring scent and the “New! Advanced Extreme” has Hawaiian Aloha scent. Both the variants come on with a 10 days odor control guarantee with the help of ammonia block technology activated charcoal.
It is one of the best cat litters for odor control with the power of Febreze that fights the litter box odor and eliminates them. It repels the strongest odors from cat urine & feces and leaves behind a light topical scent.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 14lb to 75 pounds
- Type: Climping Clay
- Scented
- 99.9% dust-free
- 10 days odor control guaranteed
This clumping cat litter is 99.9% dust-free and is also formulated for multi-cat litter boxes. So it is great even if you have multiple cats at your house which makes it very great for daily use. It would be clean and maintained on a regular basis because it is clumping litter so you can easily scoop the waste out of the litter.
Pros:
- Available in a wide variety of sizes to choose from
- 99.9% dust-free formula minimizes irritations and allergens
Cons:
- Since this is a scented litter so it might not be preferable to cats that are allergic to that fragrance
5. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Cat Litter is an unscented clumping clay litter that is even perfect for multi-cat litter boxes. It is an unscented litter without any added fragrance so it is perfect for cats even with any allergies.
The hard-clumping medium grain clay litter makes the process very of scooping and cleaning very easy. It is also ideal for sifting as well as mechanical litter boxes that make it easier to dispose of your cat’s waste.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 18 to 40 lb bag
- Type: Clumping Clay
- Unscented
- 99.9% dust-free hypo-allergenic litter
It is a 99.9% dust-free litter that keeps the floor surface clean. It is also hypo-allergenic and natural and thus safe for cats (and even pet parents) with any allergies. This litter upon getting in contact with the cat waste forms hard clumps that make it very easy to scoop and clean.
Pros:
- Hypo-allergenic cat litter safe for cats and pet parents with any allergies
- Forms hard clumps that are easy to scoop and clean
Cons:
- The unscented formula won’t add any additional fragrance to the litter and surrounding area
6. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a specially formulated litter for pet parents with multiple cats in their house is an unscented cat litter. It uses a proprietary de-dusting system to reduce the dust formating and hence keeps your floor clean.
It is specifically formulated to neutralize the odor immediately, including strong odors like ammonia. This all-natural clay formula is hypo-allergenic to common allergens and thus safe for cats as well as pet parents with any allergies.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 20lb and 40 lb bag
- Type: Clumping Clay
- Unscented
- Proprietary de-dusting system
This litter is made up of all-natural clumping clay with a proprietary de-dusting system that helps in absorbing the odor. It also forms hard clumps which make the scooping and cleaning process easy.
Pros:
- Low tracking and low dust for cleaner floors
- Non-stop odor control
Cons:
- Even though the company claims it to be low tracking still some of the litter might track outside the box
7. World’s Best Multi-Cat Corn Cat Litter
Are you not satisfied with the conventional clay litter? If yes then World’s Best Multi-Cat Corn Cat Litter would be the best option for you. This all-natural litter is totally flushable(safe for septic & sewer systems) and biodegradable which makes it environment friendly.
It has a long-lasting odor control formula that helps in controlling and eliminating even the strong odors from your kitty’s waste. In addition to this, its quick clumping formula makes it easy to scoop without the requirement of scooping.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 7,14, & 28 lb bag
- Type: Clumping Corn Cat Litter
- Unscented
- Long-lasting odor control
This clumping corn litter is made from whole kernel corn free from harmful chemicals and artificial perfumes. This makes it safe for your cat as well as you. Moreover, it is completely lightweight & 99% dust-free that keeps the floors clean and reduces irritation.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable
Cons:
- It is not very much effective in controlling odor if not changed over time
where the trash pickup is not easily accessible then you might find it inconvenient to throw the litter waste bag into the trash pickup. This Daily litter box management problem can be solved by using the best flushable cat litters.
Seeking a way to solve the daily litter box management problem, Yeah it can be solved with the best flushable cat litter.
8. Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter
The Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is Ultra-low dust litter which is claimed to be 100% dust-free by the company. It is specially formulated for seven days of odor protection for multi-cat households.
Its proprietary blend of micro-granules forms a tight seal around odors and stops it from spreading. The baking soda present in it destroys sealed-in odors on contact. In totality, it helps in completely sealing the odor for a pleasant surrounding.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 14, 19, and 28 pounds
- Type: Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Clay
- Scented
- Complete odor-sealing litter for 7-day odor protection
It creates rock-solid clumps for easy scooping & cleaning. It also reduces tracking and thus the litter stays where it needs to be without scattering from the box. The ultra-low dust litter helps your cat (as well as you) breathe easy without any irritation. The micro-particles of which it is made up of make your furry friend feel softer.
Pros:
- 100% dust-free litter
- 7-day odor-free guaranteed
- clump up rock solid for easy scooping
Cons:
- As this litter is scented so it might not be preferred by some cats
9. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
This non-clumping litter by Feline Pine is made from pine fibers. It is highly absorbent in nature and will eliminate odors and keep your home pine fresh. It works like thousands of tiny sponges to absorb liquid and lock away ammonia odors to block even the toughest odors.
This litter is chemical and clay-free and thus leaves no irritating dust in the air. Its improved formula absorbs liquid twice as fast as the original Feline Pine. Moreover, it does not use synthetic perfumes, additives, or any harsh chemicals.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 7, 20, and 40 lb bag
- Type: Pinewood non-clumping litter
- Unscented
- Chemical and clay free
This unscented litter has improved formula that uses the odor-fighting powers of 100% natural pine without any harsh chemicals, additives, and synthetic perfumes. All it does is by utilizing the power of nature to eliminate the toughest odors and leave your home smelling fresh.
Pros:
- All-natural litter free from harsh chemicals, additives, or synthetic perfumes
- The highly-absorbent formula absorbs liquids faster
Cons:
- Since it is a non-clumping litter so it needs to be changed frequently
10. Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter
The Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter is available in two variants, “New! Advanced Unscented and Ultra Unscented. It fights the odor on contact and controls it for a longer time. It is specially formulated to prevent the growth of the bacteria and its activated charcoal provides 10 days of odor control.
The clumping litter is easy to scoop and clean as it forms clumps upon coming in contact with the kitty’s waste. It also locks in liquid and odor on contact with this ultra-tight clumping formula that prevents stinky crumbles from being left behind.
Key Features:
- Quantity: 18.5, 20, and 37 lb
- Type: Clumping Cat Litter with Activated Charcoal
- Unscented
This low dust formula does not irritate your cat in breathing and also provides cleaner surfaces. Its natural odor control helps it in masking the odor even on being unscented or without adding any artificial fragrance.
Pros:
- Low dust formula for cleaner air and surfaces
Cons:
- Not very effective in masking the odor for more than 10 days in case of multiple cats
Buyer’s Guide for Cat Litters for Odor Control
Choosing the right odor control litter can be confusing because there are a lot more types of variants available in the market. Not only the various types of cat litters for odor control but there features like fragrance, clumping, dust, can affect the use. Thus, we have made this definitive buyer’s guide that will help you choose the best odor control cat litter.
In the end, we have also provided with the frequently asked questions to help you solve the common confusion regarding the odor control litter for cats.
What is Odor Control Cat Litter?
The name itself is self-explanatory that an odor control cat litter controls the odor in and around your cat’s litter box. The odor-controlling cat litters either mask the smell by adding any fragrance and absorb the bad smell or both. In either of the cases, the result is a pleasant smelling or acceptable fragrance surrounding your cat litter box with eliminated odor.
The odor-controlling cat litters come in two varieties; Scented and Unscented. The unscented ones eliminate the odor by absorbing it from the cat’s waste. Whereas, the scented ones mask the odor by adding a pleasant fragrance. It may also absorb the smell in some amounts.
Few of the scented cat litters contain artificial fragrance which might not be preferred by some cats and it neither very much recommended. On the contrary, the scented cat litters that are all-natural are recommended if your cat prefers it, as it’ll cause no harm to your cat neither you.
Who Should Buy Odor Control Cat Litter?
Most of the pet parents should consider purchasing the cat litter for odor control especially of they have multiple cats. If your cat is allergic to any smell then also you should definitely consider purchasing a cat little that is odor control.
Certain odors can also be harmful to human beings and thus by eliminating the odor it will not only reduce the chances of inducing any health-related problems in your cat but it will also cause you no harm.
Moreover, a decent smelling house is something that everyone wants. It will not only maintain air hygiene but will also indirectly make an overall healthy and happy environment.
If your kitty is mourning from asthma then you should check out this best kitty litter for cats with asthma, here you will see the best options of litter for asthmatic cats.
Types of Odor Control Cat Litters
The cat litters for odor control can come in various types. Here we are mentioning the top 5 types of cat litters that are best for odor control:
Clumping Clay
Clumping litters mostly contain a material called bentonite that allows the litter to form a solid crumb when it absorbs liquid from the cat urine or feces.
Because the waste gets crumbled, so it is very easy to remove from the box without emptying the entire box. Hence, the scooping and cleaning task becomes easy with the clumping clay.
In addition to this, it not only absorbs the urine but it also absorbs the moisture from the feces, and the clump is formed. This eliminates the odor from the waste as it is already absorbed.
Non-Clumping Clay
The non-clumping cat litters are made from clay materials that do not clump. Unlike the clumping litters, they absorb urine but do not clump. So while cleaning the litter box the solid waste will be removed but the moist litter will be left inside only. This will make it smelly over time of it is not changed frequently.
The non-clumping litter is only feasible if your cat is comfortable & prefers it. While using it you need to change it frequently to avoid smelly litter. In addition to this, it is also very cheap as compared to the clumping litter so makes a good option if you are looking for a budget litter box.
Silica-Gel Crystals
The silica-gel crystal litter is made from sodium silicate sand that is processed with oxygen and water. These litters have similar properties like the silica-gel beads that we use as food preservative pouches or with electronic equipment to protect from moisture.
The silica-gel crystal have one of the highest absorbing capacity as compared to any other cat litter. This makes it the best type of odor control cat litter.
Paper Litter
Paper litter is one of the most common types of litter that is available in the form of torn-up paper, pellet forms, or granules. This type of letter is made from recycled paper and thus it is bio-degradable and safe to the environment.
Moreover, all forms of paper litters are dust-free and highly absorbent. Being highly absorbent, it is easily able to mask the odor from the litter box and cut off the bad smell.
Pine Litter
Pine litter is the most natural type of cat litter that eliminates odor from the litter box. It is also a recycles litter that is made from scraped pine lumber. While making, it is heat-treated to remove oils, toxins, and allergens from the wood to make the litter safe for your cat as well as you.
It naturally has a pine scent that helps in eliminating the odor and thus can be used as an odor control litter. Moreover, it is available in the form of pellets, granules, or roughly crushed pine, so that you can choose the one which is most appropriate for your requirement.
How to Choose the Best Cat Litter for Odor Control
While choosing any form of litter you should consider that it is highly absorbent, deodorizes smell, is easy to clean, and won’t stick to your cat’s paws much. The same is applicable while you are choosing a cat litter for odor control.
However, it becomes necessary to see the capacity of the odor control of the litter in order to choose the best odor eliminating cat litter. There are some other important factors as well that we need to consider:
Quantity
Before purchasing any cat litter you should consider its quantity based on your usage. There are various sizes of packages are available to purchase in the market. Generally, cat litters do not expire over time but its effectiveness of odor control or absorbency may reduce after a year.
Since the cat litters do not have a shelf life so they do not “spoil” over time. However, in the case of scented litters, the effectiveness of fragrance might reduce over time. So it is recommended not to store the cat litter for very long (not more than a year).
Manufactures also mention the date of effectiveness of the litter on their package. So you can plan the quantity to purchase based upon your usage.
Dust
A dusty cloud of litter can be difficult to breathe around and can create discomfort to the cats. Therefore, it becomes important to choose a cat litter that is dust-free or produces lesser dust.
Few felines can be allergic to dust. In this case, it is recommended that you get them a completely useless cat litter that is also odor controlling.
The clay litters can have some amount of dust even if the manufacturer claims it to be “dust-free”. In spite of this, clay litters are recommended because of their high absorbency and lower price. On the other hand, go for the cat litters made of materials other than clay for dustless features, although it might have its own drawbacks of being less absorbent.
Tracking
Litter tracking is one of the most common problems cat owners face. The tracked litter will not only make your entire house look messed up but it will also reduce the amount of litter in the box, and you’ll have to refill the litter more frequently.
This problem can be avoided by using a non-tracking or a low tracking cat litter. Using a non-tracking litter will not only decrease the number of refills required but it will also reduce your burden of cleaning up the mess from your home.
Litter mat is also a good option for you if your cat is very notorious and scatters the litter from the box too much. In this case, in spite of the fact that the litter is non-tracking, the litter can get scattered around the floor or anywhere in your house. So to avoid this, all you can do is either train your cat to stop littering or use a litter mat.
Fragrance
The fragrance is an important factor to consider in cat litters for odor control. Few odor-controlling litters have an added fragrance in them which are often referred to as a scented litter. Whereas, few of the litters have no additional fragrance added to them.
Now it might seem that a litter with added fragrance is the best option as an odor-controlling litter but this is not always the case. Some cats can be allergic to the artificial fragrance added to the litter, and thus it might not be suitable for them.
On the other hand, the unscented litter does not mean it won’t have any fragrance of itself at all. Even the unscented litters would have their natural fragrance which helps in masking the bad odor by providing a pleasing and desirable smell.
Comfort
While choosing a litter you have to consider the comfort of your feline as well as you. Your comfort would depend upon how easy the litter is to clean, how effectively it is able to absorb the urine & moisture from the feces, how pleasing its fragrance is, and how effectively it is in eliminating the odor.
For cats, you need to see whether the grains, pellets, or the granules are comfortable to your cat in terms of its shape and texture. The litter should be smooth in texture as a sharp or rough litter might be uncomfortable for your cat.
Multi-Cat Litter
Multi-cat litters are specially designed for pet owners with more than one cat. These litters tend to have more odor neutralizers in them. Multi-cat litters are thus recommended as if you have multiple cats then the litter box will be used more. Hence, it needs to be strong at controlling the odor to eliminate bad smells from and around the litter box.
Besides this, some people often as whether they can use a multi-cat litter if they have a single cat. A short answer to them would be “yes”. A multi-cat litter can definitely be used for single cats as well, however, it is only recommended when the single cat litter is not effective in eliminating the odor.
FAQs About Cat Litter for Odor Control
How to keep litter box from smelling?
There are a few things that you can follow on a regular basis so as to keep litter box from smelling. Here we have mentioned the important points that will help in reducing or totally eliminating the bad smell from the litter box.
Scoop the box at least once in a day and try to do it right after your cat is done with its routine job. Scooping the box daily will keep it clean and the chances of bad odor are reduced. Scooping daily will also make your cat feel good as she might not like to go into the litter box if her poop is already present in it.
Replace the litter at an appropriate time: Even if you scoop the litter box daily still there would be some amount of waste left in the box. Over time, the litter will also lose its effectiveness to eliminate odor because of reduced absorbency. Hence, you need to change the litter as and when the guide on the product suggests or as a general rule you should replace it twice a week.
Replace the litter box once a year:
The litter boxes are mostly made up of plastic, which is prone to scratches. Because of this, over time your cat’s claws and the scooper will develop grooves. These grooves become hard to clean and accumulate dirt. To avoid this you need to change the litter box once in a year.
Make sure that your litter box is placed in a well-ventilated place: We know that cats need privacy while they use the litter but this does not mean that you should keep the box in a closed room. Doing this will increase the smell concentration and make the litter box and surrounding more smelly. So it is best advised to keep the litter box in a well-ventilated place so that the smell cannot accumulate in the surrounding.
Use proper odor control of good brand: The most important and effective tip for controlling the litter odor is by using a proper cat litter that is made for odor control. A cheap odor control litter of unpopular brand will not be as effective as the one from top brands. Hence, it is necessary to use cat litter to control odor from top brands.
How much do odor control cat litters cost?
Litter is not a very expensive product and you should never compromise on its quality for the price as a litter of bad quality might be harmful to your cat. If we talk of the price, then some of the best cat litters that are available at an affordable price may cost only around 10$ for almost 20 pounds bag that will last around 3 months if you change the litter once every two weeks. Similarly, some of the premium litters for odor control may also cost somewhere around $30.
Which is the best cat litter for odor control?
So are you curious to know which one is the best cat litter for odor control? The Fresh Step Advanced Multi-Cat with Febreze freshness is the outstanding litter among all others from the list of odor-controlling litter. It is formulated with special technology that helps it in locking the odor and hence eliminating the bad smell from and around the litter.
Can I use baking soda in my cat’s litter box?
Baking soda is non-toxic and would neither harm your cat so it can be used in your cat’s litter box. In fact, if you use baking soda then it’ll help to eliminate the odor from the litter box.
The baking soda can be put in the litter box after cleaning the litter box. Make sure that you put the baking soda in large amounts in the litter box before refilling the litter. Because of this, while using the litter box when the cat kicks up the litter baking soda will mix up with the litter and help in reducing the odor.
Is Scented Cat Litter better than Unscented?
Cats mostly prefer unscented litter over the scented ones. This is because cats are more sensitive to any smell as compared to us. Another problem is that if your cat is allergic to the scent used in the litter then it might not be feasible for her.
On the other hand, if your cat is not allergic to the fragrance of the litter then it would be best to be used as an odor eliminating litter. This is because the scented litter will not only absorb the odor from the cat’s waste but it will also add acceptable fragrance that will make a pleasing smelling litter box and the place around.
So in the end, it entirely depends upon your cat’s preference (and your reference of fragrance as well) about what fragrance she is comfortable with. If your cat is okay with the new litter or if you already know any fragrance that she is okay with then go on with that litter without hesitating.
The Final Note
We hope you got the best cat litter for odor control for your feline. Always make sure that before purchasing the cat litter never compromise on the quality as purchasing a litter of bad quality will not maintain proper hygiene and thus would nor be healthy for your cat neither you.
References:
- Long haired cat — UC Davis
- Some long-haired cats actually prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface — Onslow County
- Tips on caring longhair cats — SAC County