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Cats are awesome. But the smelly “treasures” they leave us in their litter boxes? Considerably less awesome. The good news is that there are ways to banish—or at least seriously minimize—litter box odors. And a high-performing litter is a good place to start.
Various factors go into finding the best cat litter for odor control—so we consulted cat behaviorist Janet Cutler, PhD, CAAB, to help you make an informed decision. There are also a few things you can do to help a good odor-control litter do its job, which we explain in more detail below.
Best Clumping: Fresh Step Simply Unscented
Clumping litter is often recommended for odor control because it seals bad smells inside tightly formed clumps. “Clumping litters also help to reduce smell as they typically allow dirty litter to be removed more quickly and efficiently,” adds Dr. Janet Cutler, a certified cat behaviorist at Cat World.
You won’t find any perfumes in this Fresh Step clumping litter—just a powerful charcoal-based formula that fights bacterial odors. This litter is ideal 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 great for cats with asthma or respiratory issues.
What we like:
- No perfumes, low-dust formula
- Low-maintenance
- Reduces scooping
Things to consider:
- Clumping clay is heavier than natural materials
- May not be a safe choice for kittens who like to nibble on litter
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Best Unscented: Frisco Unscented Odor Defense Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Scented litter is marketed as a way to cover bad smells—but it’s not necessarily the best way to accomplish this, says Cutler. “The smells from the perfumes, while meant to mask kitty litter smell, can be irritating to cats and make them less likely to use the kitty litter box,” she explains.
Free of fragrances, this clay cat litter from Chewy’s in-house brand, Frisco, is a good choice if you or your cat need to avoid perfumes. It reduces ammonia to absorb odors and works fast—before the smells spread.
What we like:
- No added perfumes or scents
- Fast-forming clumps trap odors
- Affordable option
Things to consider:
- There are some complaints of dust
Best Multi-Cat: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Clay Litter
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. (Just keep in mind that clay litter is not always safe for kittens.)
What we like:
- No perfumes or deodorants
- Effective clumping ingredients prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box so the box stays cleaner
Things to consider:
- Some cat parents report high dust levels
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Best for Kittens: Feline Pine Platinum Non-Clumping Litter with Baking Soda
Because it’s so absorbent, pine is highly effective at trapping odors. This Feline Pine formula doubles down on odor control with the inclusion of neutralizing baking soda. It’s a non-clumping, clay-free litter that’s safe for kittens. It’s also lightweight and softer than clay, so it’s gentle on tender kitten paws.
What we like:
- More eco-friendly than clay
- Lightweight pellets are easier to carry and pour
- Unscented and low-dust formula that’s gentle on kittens’ respiratory systems
Things to consider:
- Non-clumping formula
- Some people (and cats) won’t like the natural pine scent
Best with Baking Soda: Arm & Hammer Platinum Slide Litter
Cat parents concerned about litter box odors should look for formulas that include baking soda, according to Cutler. Arm & Hammer’s Platinum Slide litter forms tight clumps to lock in odors. And baking soda works hard to neutralize the smell of urine.
What we like:
- Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
- 7-day odor control
- Low-dust formula
Things to consider:
- Has a faint scent
Best with Activated Charcoal: Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Clumping Clay Litter
Dr. Cutler also recommends litter with activated charcoal to combat litter box stink. With its highly porous surface, activated charcoal acts like a sponge to soak up foul odors.
When used as directed, the folks at Tidy Cat report this Naturally Strong formula can control odors for up to 12 days. Plus, this litter has excellent clumping action, which enhances its ability to control smells.
Features we like:
- Activated charcoal traps odor molecules
- fragrance-free
- Solid clumps make cleaning easy
Things to consider:
- Tends to track
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Best Wood Litter: ökocat Less Mess Clumping Cat Litter Mini-Pellets
Wood is a naturally absorbent material, which effectively traps both moisture and odors. This ökocat litter forms solid clumps to lock in smells and make frequent scooping easier. The wood fiber also prevents ammonia odors from developing by keeping enzymes from bonding with urine and waste.
What we like:
- Absorbs liquid on contact
- Sustainably sourced materials
- Similar texture to clay: perfect for transitioning
- Biodegradable and compostable
Things to consider:
- Pricier option
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Best Grass Litter: SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter
With its excellent clumping ability, grass-based litter tends to do a good job of minimizing odors. We’ve used this SmartCat litter with our own cats and been impressed with its quick-clumping action. This litter is lightweight, low-dust, and safe for kittens.
What we like:
- Quick-forming clumps trap odor-causing bacteria on contact
- Biodegradable & made from renewable resources
- Soft, sand-like texture
Things to consider:
- Has a natural earthy aroma, which some won’t like
- Pricier option
Best Silica Crystal Litter: PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Blue Crystal Litter
Silica gel crystals have highly porous surfaces that immediately soak up urine. Even after moisture evaporates from the beads, odor-causing molecules stay trapped inside. While it’s considerably more expensive than conventional clay litter, crystal litter can last for up to 30 days without needing a change.
This PetSafe crystal litter is said to remove odors five times faster than clumping clay litter. You’ll need to remove solid waste daily and then stir the remaining particles.
What we like:
- Absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste
- Less tracking than clay litter
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
Things to consider:
- Lightly scented
- Some cats may struggle to adjust to the crystal texture
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Strategies to Reduce Litter Box Smells
One way to reduce litter box odor? 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.
The number of boxes available matters, too. “If you have multiple cats in your home, making sure that you have a litter box for each cat and one extra can also help to reduce smell,” says Dr. Cutler. Ideally, these will be placed in separate areas of the house. Distributing litter boxes gives your cats privacy and prevents a territorial kitty from dominating access to the box.
Another important consideration is regular cleaning. Cutler recommends scooping waste from the box daily and emptying and washing the litter box at least once a month.
You can also control litter box odor if your cat is willing to use a covered cat litter box with a charcoal air filter. “Covered boxes can keep some of the smell within the box,” explains Cutler. “And robotic kitty litter boxes empty once your cat has gotten out, helping to reduce the smell,” she adds.
If possible, put the litter box in a well-ventilated area, such as a bathroom with a ceiling fan. Dr. Cutler advises keeping litter boxes in an area where there is air movement rather than in a confined space that allows smells to build up.
But even with all the tips and tricks, there are still times when we just can’t keep up with the litter box—here’s looking at you, weekend getaway. That’s why a litter that can stand up to a few days without the room smelling worse than a zoo is a must.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and an interview with certified cat behaviorist Dr. Janet Cutler. We avoided litters with artificial fragrances, prioritizing instead litters with baking soda, activated charcoal, and/or superior clumping action. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.