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Of all the factors that go into choosing a cat litter for your household, the first one is probably how much the cat likes it. If your cat prefers a particular litter, you will probably put up with just about anything—paying premium prices, wrestling with big, slippery bags, dealing with leaky cartons. You’ll even avert your eyes from the clouds of dust wafting from the litter box and trails of granules on the new carpet. But chances are, even the most doting pet parent will assert their own preferences when it comes to smells. Kitty may just have to settle for your choice of the best cat litter for odor control.
There are various factors that go into finding a good cat litter for odor control, and a few things you can do to help a good odor-control litter do its job.
Strategies to Reduce Litter Box Smells
One way to reduce litter box odor is to make sure your cat is comfortable using the box and burying waste. If cats don’t like their litter, the litter box type, or the litter box location, they may refuse to use the box or leave the box quickly without covering their waste. In multiple-cat households, one cat may be ambushing another cat as it leaves the litter box—or preventing the poor cat from reaching the box at all.
Veterinary experts recommend that your household have one litter box per cat—ideally, in separate areas of the house. Distributing litter boxes gives your cats privacy and prevents a territorial kitty from dominating access to the box.
The experts also recommend that, unless you have a robot cat litter box, you scoop waste from the box on a daily basis and empty and wash the litter box itself every few weeks.
You can also reduce cat box odor if your kitty is willing to use a covered cat litter box with a charcoal air filter. If possible, put the litter box in a well-ventilated area, such as a bathroom with a ceiling fan. Here are some more tips on controlling litter box odor.
But we all know that there are times we just can’t keep up with the litter box. If we’re away for a weekend, we need a litter that can stand up to a few days without the room smelling worse than a zoo.
The Best Cat Litter for Odor
We checked out a wide range of litters, including clumping litter, clay litter, silica litter, walnut-shell litter, and various types of pellets. Veterinarians advise against using perfumed litter because cats dislike strong smells and the perfume can discourage them from using the box. We’ve included a few mildly scented litters but focus on ones that absorb or neutralize, rather than mask, waste smells.
This all-natural clumping clay litter gets top ratings because it keeps things smelling fresh around your house. It’s free of scents and perfumes, but the clay granules are formulated to trap waste odors. It works well with a variety of litter boxes including sifting and mechanical boxes. Note, however, that clay litter is not safe for kittens.
What we like about it:
- No perfumes or deodorants
- Almost completely dust-free
- Effective clumping ingredients prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box so the box stays cleaner
This biodegradable corn-based litter releases a natural lavender scent that counteracts the ammonia fumes from cat urine. Some households love the lavender, others don’t. If you are looking for a scented litter, this is certainly worth checking out. Store in a cool, dry place (warmth and moisture can lead to mold in corn products).
What we like about it:
- Biodegradable corn formula
- Effective odor control through absorbent litter plus natural lavender
- Sizes include a smaller 7-pound bag so you can try it affordably
This scented cat litter doesn’t depend solely on perfumes to reduce odor—it has moisture-activated micro granules that create a tight seal around waste to contain smells. It’s also a dust-free litter.
What we like about it:
- Seven-day “no-odor” guarantee
- Firm clumps make cleanup easy
If odor is an issue, try this clay clumping cat litter from Arm & Hammer, the brand that is synonymous with “odor control.”
What we like about it:
- Rock-solid clumps are easy to scoop
- Contains baking soda and other odor neutralizers
- Fragrance-free formula
The Ultra Odor Control version of Naturally Fresh walnut-shell litter includes three enzymes that neutralize the chemicals that cause litter box odors. The walnut shells are also highly absorbent, which helps reduce additional odor.
What we like about it:
- Forms tight, strong clumps that are easy to scoop
- Since it’s so absorbent, one bag lasts a long time
- The dust-free formula keeps you and your kitties sneeze-free
This litter is the top pick for my multi-cat household because it rapidly absorbs litter box odors. You might smell something for a few minutes after the cat uses the box, but after that, the smell is gone. The secret ingredient is activated carbon. After the clay granules soak up liquids, the carbon neutralizes the odor-causing bacteria. If your cats are willing to cover the evidence they leave behind, this long-lasting litter will eliminate any odors.
What we like about it:
- Unscented and dust-free
- Carbon effectively neutralizes odor
- You get a choice of box or bag packaging
If it turns out that the unscented odor-control litters are no match for your cat or cats, it might be time to check out a well-regarded scented product. This clumping clay litter has a reputation for masking unpleasant litterbox smells; the scent itself is fairly mild.
What we like about it:
- Eliminates ammonia, urine and fecal smells
- Clumps well for easy scooping
- Choice of packaging: jugs, bags, or a reusable pail
This simple traditional pellet litter gets rave reviews for its innovative odor-control system. Designed to work with the brand’s litter box system, this litter allows cat urine to pass through to a scented, odor-controlling absorbent pad in the bottom section of the litter box. Scoop solid waste daily, then slide out and replace the pad every week.
What we like about it:
- Low-maintenance
- Reduces scooping
No perfumes—just a powerful charcoal-based formula that fights bacterial odors. This is the ideal litter for a household with perfume or scent allergies that still needs a cat litter that can best control odor. The low-dust formula is also a great pick for cats with asthma or respiratory issues.
What we like about it:
- No perfumes, low-dust formula
- Low-maintenance
- Reduces scooping
This clay cat litter from Chewy’s in-house brand, Frisco, reduces ammonia to absorb odors and works fast—before the smells spread. The litter itself has no fragrances, so it’s recommended if you or your cat avoid perfumes.
What we like about it:
- No added perfumes or scents
- Quick-clumping litter
- Low-dust formula
Tips for Testing Out a New Litter
If your cat is wary of change, try the new litter out in a separate box until you’re sure it meets approval. Or you can try mixing small amounts into the regular litter box so your cat can adjust gradually. The Humane Society has additional new litter tips.
Further Reading
Featured image via K. G. Anderson