There are many reasons that cats make amazing pets. They’re loyal, playful, and cuddly but also fiercely independent. They can be trusted alone for several hours, don’t require constant attention, and bathe and toilet themselves; this is one of the best reasons to own a cat. They love you but they can also take care of themselves for a reasonable amount of time.
A cat can use a litter box instead of having to be allowed outside to “do his business,” which is a definite perk of being a cat owner. There is a downside to this, of course: the stench. If you’ve been struggling with litter box odor, you might be at your wit’s end.
We love our cats; we just don’t like to smell them.
If you’re frustrated with your current cat litter, we’re here to help. There are many options to consider when looking for the best cat litter for odor control.
Top 14 Cat Litters for Odor Control Comparison Chart
Kitty Litter 101
You might get a little overwhelmed when looking at how many different kinds of cat litter are available, especially if you’re a new pet owner. There are a lot of options available. We broke down a few of them for you.
Kitty Litter Materials
There are a few different choices when it comes to kitty litter and each as its own pros and cons. Litter can be made of the following materials:
- Clay – The very first kitty litter was made of clay, and it continues to be a popular choice. Clay can absorb a lot of liquid and also has some natural odor control. There are two kinds of clay litters, traditional clay and clumping clay, which has a special clay called bentonite added to allow it to clump. More about this later. One complaint about clay litters is they can be quite dusty. They’re widely available and generally inexpensive.
- Silica Crystals – These litters are made of silica gel that’s been made into a crystal form. Silica is super absorbent and also provides odor control. They don’t produce as much dust as a clay litter, but some cat owners worry about their cat ingesting too much of it. Silica crystals might work for some cats, but none of the litters that made our list are this material.
- Biodegradable/Natural – If you’re a cat owner who is concerned about your pet eating their litter or if you’re trying to be environmentally responsible, natural litters are the way to go. Sometimes called biodegradable litters, these litters are made of a few different materials, all of them same if ingested and environmentally friendly. Some of these materials include recycled paper and materials derived from pine, wheat, corn, or other plants.
Clumping or Non-clumping
One way you can change your kitty litter to see if you can get any additional odor control is to move from one that clumps to one that doesn’t, or vice versa. A big difference between them is how often they need to be cleaned and changed.
- Non-Clumping – These litters are very common and fairly inexpensive. It will typically have to be changed every week, which is more often than clumping litters. This is because the cat urine will collect in the bottom of the tray and eventually start to smell, despite that fact that they often contain baking soda or charcoal to help with odor control. Non-clumping litters made of clay tend to be a little dusty and are not very environmentally friendly because they aren’t biodegradable.
- Clumping – Clumping litters contain special clays and other additives that cause it to form into clumps when it gets wet with urine. The waste can simply be removed with a scoop and disposed of, leaving the rest of the litter behind. You can usually replace clumping litter monthly since you’re removing most of the waste. Dust is also a concern with clumping litter, and it also isn’t environmentally friendly. Clumping cat litter is always made of clay.
Things to Know
Here are some general tips to keep in mind when buying cat litter:
- Your cat might not immediately take to a new litter, and you may need to make the change gradually.
- If your cat seems uncomfortable using the new litter or continues to be resistant, you may have to choose a different kind. A great kitty litter won’t do you any good if your cat refuses to use it.
- Your cat’s paws could be more sensitive to some materials than others.
- If you have a small kitten, avoid litters that have a fine grain as the dust that gets kicked up could lead to health problems in young cats.
- If you have more than one cat, keep in mind that you’ll need to clean your litter box more often and look for a litter that is able to handle multiple cats.
- Even though it might not be the best choice for your nose, cats generally prefer litter that is unscented.
- Generally, you should never flush any litter down the toilet. There are a few natural brands that are safe for your septic tank, but unless the brand specifically states so, avoid flushing.
14 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control Reviewed
1. Ever Clean Extra Strength Cat Litter
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – Fine
Ever Clean is a clay based clumping litter that gets consistently good reviews for being great at controlling odor. This unscented version is perfect for cats, who tend to prefer unscented litter, and pet owners who don’t like the perfumey smells often used to mask odors.
Ever Clean uses its own maximum clumping technology, which really soaks up the urine and prevents it from getting to the bottom of the box to sit where it can sit and create more odor.
Another great thing about Ever Clean Extra Strength Cat Litter is it doesn’t produce much dust. In fact, it claims to be 99.9% dust free even though it has a relatively fine texture. All around, this little will keep your house smelling fresh and looking clean.
2. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter
- Scent – Mildly sweet
- Texture – Fine
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter has special micro-granules that form a seal around any waste to help control the odor. It also has the added odor eliminating help of Arm & Hammer baking soda to take care of any odors that escape. It’s formulated to keep your home odor free for seven days.
The microparticles also mean that this litter has a pretty fine texture. It’s nice and soft on your cat’s paws while also forming solid clumps that don’t fall apart or take too much litter out of the box with them. This extra strength litter is specially formulated for a home with multiple cats.
Because there’s minimal dust and tracking, this litter stays in the box and won’t get tracked all over your house. Overall, this is a great choice if you need an extra strength litter for multiple cats.
3. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Fresh Home
- Scent – Mildly sweet
- Texture – Fine
For households that don’t require a multi-cat strength formula, there’s Clump & Seal Fresh Home litter. The Fresh Home formula has the same micro-granule technology that all the Clump & Seal formulas have that seals in any odor.
Baking soda is added for extra odor absorption, helping to make sure that the litter delivers on its promise to keep your home odor free for seven days. Arm & Hammer has a long history of keeping things smelling fresh, and the Clump & Seal litters are no exception.
The fine texture of this litter makes it comfortable for your cat’s paws while still producing ultra-low dust and minimal tracking, so your home will smell fresh, and your floors will stay litter free.
4. SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – Sand-like
SmartCat is an all natural litter that clumps on contact and can be scooped within minutes of your cat using it. Because it clumps so fast and continues to absorb urine until it’s all absorbed, it also traps any odor causing bacteria to eliminate odors.
Most cats take to the sand-like look and feel, which will make it easier to transition from your old litter. It’s dust free, so no need to worry about any possible respiratory issues; this is also a lightweight litter which is half the weight of traditional litters.
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter is exactly what its name says it is: all natural. It’s made from 100% grass seed and has no chemicals, clay, or added fragrance, which makes it exceptionally environmentally friendly. The one downside is that it’s high tracking and can make a bit of a mess on your floors, so you might want to keep your litter box somewhere where this won’t be an issue.
5. FRESH STEP Multiple Cat Litter Strength
- Scent – Febreze
- Texture – Granules
Fresh Step Multiple Cat Strength litter has added carbon fibers to help neutralize any odors and keep things smelling fresh. It also has Fresh Step’s patented bacteria inhibiting formula to prevent future odors, too.
It also has the power of Febreze, so when cats move the litter around, the fresh scent is released. If you like a perfumey smell, this is a great litter to try; but, if you prefer an unscented litter, the smell might be a little too strong for you.
This litter forms tight clumps, making it easy to scoop out waste and keep the box clean. While this formula does not track as much as previous Fresh Step litters, there’s still a fair amount that escapes the box.
6. Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal Litter
- Scent – Mildly sweet
- Texture – Fine
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal makes another appearance as one of the best cat litters for odor control with the Micro Guard formula. This one has the same fine texture and micro granules that seal in the waste and the smell from your cat’s waste as the Multi-cat and Fresh Home formulas with a little-added help.
This formula has micro guard which not only helps this litter stay fresh right after use but also helps eliminate the future odor that can develop from bacterial growth, helping keep their guarantee to stay odor free for seven days.
This formula has some plant derivatives added to help make the clumps solid for easy scooping and minimal dust. This formula has larger granules and tends to track a little more than other formulas.
7. Precious Cat Ultra Premium Cat Litter
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – Medium grain
This formula combines heavy granules with a medium grain clay that makes ideal clumping litter that helps keeps moisture from reaching the bottom of the pan; this will prevent bacteria from growing after all the waste has been scooped.
This is dust-free, all natural formula that doesn’t contain any plant proteins, perfumes, or deodorants, so it’s completely hypoallergenic. It is great for cats with allergies or asthma and it’s also a good formula for anyone who has a mechanical or self-sifting litter box.
One downside to this litter is that the pricing can be a little inconsistent. The range can vary a bit but if the price is a determining factor for you, keep an eye on it and buy when it’s low.
8. Precious Cat Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter
- Scent – Herbal
- Texture – Large granules
If your cat likes to go everywhere and anywhere but in the litter box, this is the litter to try. The Cat Attract Formula contains a natural herb that promises to draw your cat to the litter box. Plus, the texture is ideal for their paws, which will hopefully keep bringing your cat back again and again.
This litter is hard clumping with superior odor control and works two fold. Not only will it keep the odor out of the litter box, but it will stop your cat from spreading it around the house. It’s also strong enough for homes with multiple cats and can be used with a mechanical sifting litter box.
Price wise, it’s a little more expensive than other litters, but if you’ve been having a hard time getting your cat to use the litter box, it might be worth it to you to pay a little more.
9. Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – Large cylindrical pellets
Yesterday’s News is made from at least 70% recycled newspapers. If you’re looking for an all natural and effective litter, this one is three times more absorbent than clay litter, controls odor, and has minimal tracking.
This formula is 99.7% dust free and has no added chemicals, making it great for a cat that has asthma or allergies. It’s also recommended by vets for post-surgical use because there is such a low risk of it causing breathing problems.
Another benefit of this litter is that, because it is non-clumping and all natural, it’s safe if your cat is one who tends to eat its litter. Clumping litter can be very harmful to cats if ingested, but there’s no need to worry with Yesterday’s News; this also makes it ideal for other animals, like rabbits or ferrets.
10. Tidy Cats Litter Box Kit System
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – OPellets
If you’re looking for something more than just a litter, you might want to consider the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box System. It comes with everything you’ll need to contain odor: a specially designed litter box, scoop, pellets, and pads.
Urine travels through the litter and collects in the pad while the solid waste stays in the pellets to be easily scooped out. Pads can last up to one week in a one cat household while the pellets are dust free and should be replaced monthly.
This system is very effective and easy to clean, but it is a little more expensive than traditional litters because the pads and pellets both need to be replenished.
11. WORLD’S BEST CAT LITTER 391032
- Scent – Unscented
- Texture – Granules
Most cat litters are not safe to flush. The same properties that make them flushable also make them clog up your septic tank, but the World’s Best Cat Litter is not only quick clumping and easy scooping, but it’s also safe for septic tanks.
Since you can flush it, there’s no odor from your litter box or your trash. It’s 99% dust free and has minimal tracking. This formula is 100% natural, so it’s safe for your cat and the environment. It forms small, solid clumps that can be scooped out easier and don’t take as much litter with them, so it lasts longer than some litters.
Because there’s less dust, it’s good for cats that have breathing problems. That said, because it’s natural and plant based, there is a risk that you might find some bugs among the litter.
12. Feline Pine Original Litter
- Scent – Earthy
- Texture – Pellets
Feline Pine is an all natural litter that’s made from pine that’s been reclaimed from lumber production and dried in a kiln. They don’t cut down any trees to make Feline Pine; rather they used what would otherwise go to waste when making useable lumber.
This original non-clumping formula has no added chemicals and is super absorbent. The pine is shaped into pellets, and the fibers act like sponges and soak up urine, binding to the ammonia and locking it in to eliminate any odor.
While the pellets themselves don’t track much, the sawdust that escapes from them can find it’s way onto your floor. The pellets are also quite large, which may not be preferable for some cats.
13. Purina Tidy Performance Clumping Cat Litter
- Scent – Light perfume
- Texture – Granules
Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance formula is specially designed so that every granule is a two part system designed to hold in odor and form a tight clump. Most litters are a mix of granules made to help with clumping or to contain the smell.
There’s also added protection to help eliminate any lingering odor to help keep your litter box fresher, longer. It’s light, perfume like smell is great for helping keep the smell at bay, but if you or your cat are sensitive to perfumes, this might not be a good choice.
Dust is kept low by a special anti-dust coating, which basically forms a little web around each granule to keep dust under control. It tends to clump a little too well as it takes a lot of litter out of the box with it.
14. Arm & Hammer Double Duty Clumping Litter
- Scent – Fresh
- Texture – Medium granules
This special formula has Arm & Hammer baking soda crystals throughout that are activated with moisture to help neutralize odors instantly.
This litter clumps well but the clumps can break if they’re too big. While the clumps hold a lot of waste, they also soak up a lot of litter. Because you’re pulling out more litter with each scoop, you may find you have to replenish it more frequently. This option is a really good price, though, so using a little more won’t ding your wallet too much.
It’s 99% dust free but can stick to paws and lead to some tracking around your house.; this is a really great option that does what it’s supposed to do at a very reasonable price.
Final Thoughts
We’ve given you a good look at the many options available for the best cat litters for odor control. Whether you choose clumping or non-clumping, clay, paper, or wood, there’s sure to be one that will work for you.
Remember, when switching litters, your cat might need to be introduced to the new one slowly. Plus, we all know that cats can be picky, so you may need to try a few different choices until you find the one that works to conceal odor and is a texture and smell your cat likes.
It is possible to have a cat (or two!) in your home and not have to live with the smell of a litter box.
Consider all of the options presented here and find the one that works best in your home.
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