Is a scented or unscented litter best for cats? What is best for the cat is an unscented litter. In the litter stakes, an unscented cat litter wins hands down for the cat.
Cats have a keen sense of smell, so it should come as no surprise that cats are sensitive to smells, and that includes scented litter.
Our human perfumed choices of cat litter will be a problem for some cats.
This quote explains the situation clearly from the cat’s viewpoint.
Humans seem to forget that a cat’s sense of smell is infinitely more sensitive than our own. Add to this the instinctive nature of the cat to be clean and it is easy to see how a dirty litter box often spells disaster.
Think about how a wild cat would handle his bathroom duties. He would not be confined to a 1’ x 2’ bathroom. He would not choose to walk around in his own waste. He would simply choose another plot of land and that “plot of land” could be behind your sofa or in another area of your home.
Dr. Lisa A Pierson at Cat Info

Scented Or Unscented Litter?
The reason for buying scented litter is not too complicated, we want our homes to smell nice.
A cat litter box needs to be kept scrupulously clean to avoid being smelly, and even then, it is unrealistic to expect that there may not sometimes be an odor.
However, when considering a perfumed litter sometimes the artificial smell of the litter combined with cat pee is not that flash, sort of a double whammy.
If you are already using a scented litter and you and your cat are happy with that, that’s perfectly fine.
Is Unscented Litter Really Odorless?
In regard to cat litter, “unscented” really means that there has been no added fragrance.
There will just about always be a slight odor depending on what the litter is made from.
The smell of the cat litter will be a natural smell if it has a base of pine, corn, walnut, clay, wood pulp, and so on.
Cat owners often comment on the fragrance of cat litter made with corn, as smelling like corn. This is a plus or a minus depending on your preferences.
It is only when an artificial fragrance is added to the litter, that then creates a fragrance, that is often called a fresh scent for us humans.
Cat Litter odor can be Controlled Without Artificial Ingredients

Which Unscented Litter Is The Best?
An unscented and clumping litter, ticks all the boxes, the added bonus being that clumping litters are easier to scoop.
Litter box refusal problems are common, and sometimes cats will avoid using the litter box altogether.
The last thing you want to do is discourage the cat from using the litter box. That brings another set of problems.
Just as a smelly, dirty litter box will put the cat off using the litter box, one that is overly scented may also deter the cat from using the litter box.
The easiest and best option is to use unscented cat litter.
We Like… Dr Elsey’s
- NOTE: Item package indicates weight in both Kg and lb. 40 Lb is equal to 18.14 Kg. Fill clean, dry litter box with 3″ to 4″ of Dr. Elsey’s litter. Scoop waste twice daily and refill box as necessary. Replace entire box once a month. Dispose of used litter in trash. DO NOT FLUSH
- 99.9% dust free, hypo-allergenic natural litter to keep your surfaces clean and perfect for families who suffer from allergies
- Hard clumping, medium-grain clay makes it the perfect clumping litter that helps prevent moisture
- Multi-cat formula and superior odor control keeps your home smelling clean and fresh day in and day out
- Ideal for sifting and mechanical litter boxes so its easier for you to dispose of your kittys waste
- Forms hard clumps that dont break down making easier to scoop up and clean the box twice daily
Why do we Like Dr Elsey’s?
We like Dr Elsey’s because it is unscented and it is a clumping litter, there are two big ticks there.
It is an unscented cat litter, so there is no artificial fragrance. Plus, this cat litter clumps extremely well.
Litter that clumps well, makes it easier to pick up kitty poop, and the quicker the kitty poop is gone, the quicker we can return to the normal odor free state.
Now I know you can’t be standing over that litter box all day, ready to pounce, but when it is time for you to scoop, it will be easy peasy.
It doesn’t mean the smell has disappeared totally, but that it will be easy to do a quick clean up job.
It is a low dust litter, even when pouring it into the litter box, and as an added bonus it has very little tracking.
How To Keep The Litter Box Smelling OK Using Unscented Litter
- The solution to keeping the cat litter box smelling okay, is in large part due to regular scooping, so that any odors are minimized.
Regular scooping of the litter box, means scooping daily. For some people and for those with more than one cat, it may mean scooping the box more than once per day. - Change the cat litter frequently. Your nose will be the judge of when the litter needs changing or else just set up a regular cleaning the litter box schedule.
- Try putting some baking soda in the bottom of the litter box. Did you know that baking soda is also a method of controlling refrigerator odors – just leave an open box in the fridge.
Toss the baking soda when it has absorbed the fridge odors. I have done this many times and it absolutely works.
Baking soda will not affect your cat in any way. Sprinkle baking soda generously into the litter box when adding litter and give a mix around. - Give the litter tray a good clean when needed and remember to give it a very good rinse to get rid of any residual product and fragrance from the cleaning agent. Go for over the top rinsing as we know cats have a super sensitive sense of smell.
- Think about replacing the litter box. As with other plastic products about the home, eventually we have to trade them in (read as ditch) and buy new ones.
Plastic may last for pretty well ever, however a plastic litter box will eventually need to be replaced.
Plastic does absorb odors and stains and can be impossible to remove, particularly as the plastic gets older. - Consider using a liner for the litter, in the litter box. Using a litter liner makes it easier to empty the litter and do a quick clean up job when needed.
Some liners have elastic around the edge. Liners without elastic can have a tendency to fall back into the box when the cat is scratching about.
More Choices For Unscented Cat Litter
Image | Title | Price | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter with Activated Charcoal & Natural Odor Control | Check Price | |
![]() | Cat's Pride Unscented Complete Care Hypoallergenic Multi-Cat Litter | Check Price | |
![]() | Purina Tidy Cats Unscented, Clumping, Natural Cat Litter, Naturally Strong Clay Multi Cat Litter - (4) 12 lb. Bags | Check Price | |
![]() | ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter, Multi-Cat | Check Price | |
![]() | Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Multi-Cat Quick-Clumping Cat Litter, Unscented | Check Price | |
![]() | SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter | Check Price | |
![]() | Boxiecat Premium Clumping Cat Litter - Scent Free - Clay Formula - Longer Lasting Odor Control, Hard Clumping Litter | Check Price | |
![]() | ökocat Natural Wood Cat Litter, Clumping for Long Hair Breeds | Check Price | |
![]() | Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 Lb / 18.14 Kg (Pack May Vary) | Check Price |


BTW Birthday coming up soon!
If You Don’t Like Your Cat Litter, Don’t Ditch It. Look at All Of these Other uses For cat Litter.
