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What Is The Best Cat Litter For Odor Control?

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The best cat litter for odor control is a litter that doesn’t necessarily replace the odor with a perfume but nevertheless masks the odor of cat litter. The odor can be masked by adding an artificial fragrance or by neutralizing the odor.

The cat litters we have reviewed are mainly litters where the odor is neutralized using different methods. We have also chosen one lightly fragranced product primarily because the perfume used is subtle and not overly fragranced.

Some Of The Best Odor Control Cat Litters Are:

1. Fresh Step Advanced Uses Activated Charcoal
2. Dr Elsey’s Ultra Premium Cat Controls Odor Naturally
3. Arm And Hammer Platinum Clump And Seal Uses Plant Derived Particles
4. Fresh Step Multi Cat Advanced/Febreeze Added Fragrance
5. Purina Tidy Cats Scented Litter/Fresh ScentAmmonia Blocker & Added Fragrance
6. Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance Free And Bio Enzymatic Odor Control

There is nothing worse than coming home to a less than pleasant odor from the cat litter. Because our pets do spend time inside with us, it is normal and to be expected that there may be some less than desirable odors. We can work around this.

Reviews – Best Cat Litter For Odor Control

1. Fresh Step Advanced Unscented Clumping Litter

Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Clumping Cat Litter, Recommended by Vets, 37 lbs Total 18.5 lb Box ( 2 Pack )

How does it work? This is a low dust, unscented litter that uses activated charcoal to contain odors for 10 days.

The litter forms tight clumps so that no clumpy bits are left behind. Activated charcoal is often used to eliminate odors. There is more information about activated charcoal here for your own reference. There are also no dyes in this litter.

Regular daily scooping of this clumping litter and changing the litter at least every 10 days is recommended. Depending on the number of cats using the litter, the litter may need to be changed more often. Your nose will be the guide. We think this is the best cat litter for odor control that is also unscented.

Using activated charcoal also means there is one less chemical coming into your home.

Pros

Activated charcoal is a non chemical method to prevent odors.

This litter lives up to its low dust claims. Whilst there will always be some dust with tis type of litter it can be minimized by pouring slowly into the box to avoid dumping it in quickly.

Cons

Do not flush down the toilet or use in home composting systems.

Specifications

This litter is available in two sizes.- 18.5lb or 37lbs. The litter is packaged in a box. This litter contains – sodium bentonite, limestone, activated charcoal, and an antimicrobial agent (borates). 


Are you sitting on the fence regarding scented cat litter versus unscented cat litter? This articles explains the good, the bad and the ugly of both types of litter

2. Dr. Elsey’s Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 Lb / 18.14 Kg (Pack May Vary)

This litter controls odor naturally, without the use of chemicals, perfume or deodorants.

How does it do that? How it does that is linked to the fact that this is a fast clumping litter which absorbs urine and faecal matter very quickly whilst killing the odor. This coupled with regular scooping is a winner.

For people with an allergy or intolerance to artificial fragrances this is a big plus. No added fragrance.

The litter itself, is a combination of the Dr Elsey’s Classic litter (which are heavier granules) with a medium grade clay. This results in an excellent clumping litter that prevents moisture from falling to the bottom of the tray.

As with the other litters do not flush the litter. Dispose of in the trash.

This is a very good and natural solution but remember regular scooping is also the key to success.

For best results scoop the litter box twice a day.

Pros

This litter is also suitable for sifting and mechanical boxes.

Reasonably priced.

Cons

The litter does clump into very hard clumps. Ensure enough litter is added to the litter box to ensure the clumps do not stick to the bottom of the box.

Specifications

The bags of litter are either 18lbs or 40lbs. This is a clumping clay litter.


What do you think of scented cat litter? It’s either, YES to scented litter or NO. For some it is a saving grace but for others it’s a no go.

3. Arm & Hammer Multi-Cat Clump & Seal Clumping Litter

Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter, Multi-Cat, 40 Pound (Pack of 1)

This litter is designed for efficient and effective odor control even in households with more than one cat. It is unscented.

How does it work? It works by using plant-derived particles to help create rock solid clumps for easy scooping. In addition a tight seal is formed around the cat waste, while at the same time Baking Soda is used to destroy sealed-in odors.

If possible scoop the litter daily to remove the waste and keep the remaining litter fresh. More litter can then be added as required, to replace what has been scooped.

TIP: If you are unsure of how you will react to a fragrance or lack of, try ordering a smaller sized product until you have tested it yourself.

Pros

This litter also has an excellent track record for dust control and tracking.

Specifications

The is a choice of two sizes – 27.5lb or 40lbs. The litter is packaged in a box. The ingredients include, moisture-activated micro-granules, odor eliminators and baking soda. For exact ingredients click here.


4.Fresh Step Advanced Multi Cat Febreeze Freshness

Fresh Step Advanced Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter with Odor Control, 37 lbs Total ( 2 Pack of 18.5 lb Boxes)

How does this litter work to control odor? This is clumping litter that works quickly to clump which traps odors. Plus it uses the added strength of Febreeze to ensure that odors are dealt with quickly. Odor control stated is 10 days.

Febreze is developed specifically for the product application, and it is designed to be used in litter and safe for your cat(s).

The Fresh Step Team

The added fragrance is not an overpowering smell and most people comment positively on the fragrance. This litter is suitable for multi cat use and still control odors well.

If you have a particularly sensitive sense of smell, one of the odor neutralizer litters described on this page would be a better choice for you.

Pros

Low tracking.

Hides odor very well.

Cons

Can have a tendency to get stuck to the bottom of the box. Adding more litter after scooping the box will help with this issue.

Specifications

The sizes available are – 18.5 lbs or a 2 x 18.5lbs pack . The litter is in box(es).The ingredients include a proprietary technology containing premium scoopable clay, limestone activated charcoal, fragrance, and an antimicrobial agent


5. Purina Tidy Cats Light Weight Glade Tough Odor Solutions

Purina Tidy Cats LightWeight Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clear Springs Clumping Dust Free Cat Litter - 17 lb. Pail

How does this litter control odor? The ammonia smell from the litter box is controlled effectively with this litter. It contains an ammonia blocker that lasts for two weeks when used as directed. In addition, Purina has teamed with Glade to provide a barrier against strong odors and leave behind a fresh scent. here is a note from the manufacturer regarding the use of Febreeze.

The litter forms tight clumps for easy scooping.

The lightweight litter has proved to be popular in part because bags and boxes of litter can be very heavy. This lightweight version stands up very well with controlling odors and clumping well. It also stores easily.

With limited space, the pail with a handle makes carrying and storing easier than trying to maneuver a bag or box into a small space. The pail weighs17lbs.

For maximum odor effectiveness litter should be scooped daily and topped up to a depth of 3 – 4 inches.

Pros

This litter uses an ammonia blocker which prevents ammonia forming for two weeks (when used as directed).

Easy to handle due to the lightweight nature of the litter.

Cons

Can be dusty and track as it is so lightweight.

Specifications

This litter comes in a reusable pail and weighs 17 lbs. Different sizes are available. The ingredients in this litter are Natural Clay And Mineral Product with a Deodorizing System.


6. Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Fragrance Free And Budget Price

Nature's Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Litter, 20 lb

Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Odor Control litter is fragrance free and is not scented or perfumed.

It is a clay clumping litter which clumps well and controls odors even masking the dreaded ammonia odor.

We are essentially looking at the odor control in this review and this litter stacks up even in a confined living environment. It does not release a fragrance but simply neutralises the smell.

How does it neutralize the odor?

It uses a bio enzymatic odor control system to control odors. As Nature’s Miracle is a specialist in these cleaners it makes sense to use this method in cat litter.

This is a quote explaining how a bio enzymatic cleaner works. There are more details here.

Bio-enzymatic cleaners contain specific quantities and qualities of bacteria along with enzymes and microbial nutrients that essentially digest chemical and organic waste (soils). … Odor-causing bacteria are “food” for these microorganisms.

Pros

Fights odors caused by ammonia, urine and faeces.

The odor is very well controlled.

Cons

Depending on how you handle the litter it may be dusty. Filling the litter box using control and pouring slowly will avoid clouds of dust.

Specifications

This is a clay based litter. The size is 40lbs. It is packaged in a reusable pail.

Our Top Choice Is…

For-No Added Fragrance Cat Litter

How To Use Cat Litter Attractant. Come back to the litter box kitty. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Compare Odor Control Litter

This information shows the price you pay per pound for each product.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
best cat litter for odor control
Do any of these cat litters smell like roses?

FAQ For Cat Litter Odor

Why Does My Cat’s Urine Smell Like Ammonia?

Cat urine smells like ammonia because cat urine contains urea. Urea is a waste product of protein breakdown. Cats are big protein eaters. Bacteria breaks down the urea and this is what releases ammonia and the along with it the strong smell that is often associated with cat litter.

You could try feeding your cat a different source of protein to see if that makes a difference.

To help combat the ammonia smell, litter needs to be changed frequently. If the ammonia smell if very strong or has changed and is now noticeably stronger than usual see your vet for advice.

The only way to really get rid of the ammonia smell is to use an enzyme cleaner to remove cat’s urine.

Note: This is also the same science behind the use of the bio-enzymatic system used in Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Litter. This is a very good article which explains exactly how to remove cat urine and what should be used (also talks about using vinegar and baking soda).

What Is In A Homemade Litter Box Deodorizer?

An additive for odor control in litter is often sodium bicarbonate or baking soda.

Here is a homemade solution for cat owners to help with odor control in the litter box.
Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of baking soda into the litter. You do need to be diligent about doing this and repeating as necessary.
It will work in the same way as placing sodium bicarbonate inside a refrigerator to absorb odors which is by simply leaving an opened packet of bicarb soda in the fridge.

How Can I Keep Cat Litter Odor Under Control?

Regular scooping is the best way to help keep odor under control. Team this with an odor busting litter and you are on the way to success.

Scooping is most easily done with a litter that is readily scoopable such as a clumping clay litter. This way it is possible to remove the hardened lumps from the litter and top up the litter box with some fresh litter.
With the removal of the scooped litter is largely the removal of odor. There is a lot more detail concerning looking after a litter box in this article.

My nose seems to work part time so I have to ask other people about pet smells that may be happening, that I am not even aware of. We are all different.

What smells like a bad odor to some is barely noticeable by others. Some are supersensitive to any odors and perfumes. With cat litter, it has to be a bit of trial and error to find something that is okay and that you can happily live with.

best cat litter for odor control
Fragrance free all the way for me but you are partial to lavender aren’t you dear?
BEST RATED
Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Clumping Cat Litter, Recommended by Vets, 37 lbs Total 18.5 lb Box (Pack of 2)

Fresh Step Advanced Unscented Clumping Litter

Activated charcoal is a non chemical method to prevent odors.

 Starts fighting odors on contact.

Forms tight clumps to reduce smelly crumbles.

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