The best cat litter for smell controls odor and keeps the litter box area as well as your home smelling fresh and clean.
Cat litter invariably stinks, but there are steps you can take to prevent that from happening.
If you are wondering what is the best cat litter these products can help you make an informed choice.
We will also recommend some tips to help you keep your litter area fresh and odor-free.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best cat litter for smell:
- Fresh Step Advanced Clumping, Activated Charcoal Cat Litter
- Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Ultra Odor Control Cat Litter
- Purina Tidy Cats with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Cat Litter
- Boxiecat Premium Ultra Clean, Longer Lasting Odor Control
- Nature's Miracle Premium Tough Odor Bio-Enzymatic Formula
Best Cat Litter For Smell And Odor Control – 2022 Top Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Fresh Step Advanced Clumping, Activated Charcoal Cat Litter
Activated charcoal makes Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter the best cat litter odor control.
We all know how powerful activated charcoal is, thanks to its odor neutralization action.
It keeps working until all ammonia odors are degraded fully.
Being unscented, most cats love this litter, there are no harsh scents or fragrances in it.
Compared to other Fresh Scent litter products, this advanced clumping formula actually keeps your home fresh for up to a week.
Vets also recommend Fresh Scent best odor control cat litter because it uses all-natural odor control without harsh chemicals, dyes, or scents.
Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter is so good that they even have a 10-day odor control guarantee! Definitely something to try!
What we like about it
- Vet recommended, all-natural odor control with activated charcoal
- No harsh chemicals or fragrances
- ClumpLock technology quickly forms clumps and minimizes crumbling
- Highly absorbent litter that lasts long and is suitable for multi-cat homes as well
What we don’t like about it
- Is a bit dust and tends to get stuck to kitty’s paws
- FREE FROM ADDED FRAGRANCES AND DYES: Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Cat Litter is formulated without added fragrances and dyes; packaging may vary
- MORE ODOR FIGHTERS PER POUND*: This Advanced formula neutralizes odors on contact with activated charcoal and no additional fragrance for 10 days of odor control guaranteed
- LOW DUST FORMULA: For cleaner surfaces, this Fresh Step clumping litter has a low dust formula with smooth particles that form tight clumps for easy scooping
- MADE WITH CLAY, CARBON AND MINERALS: Activated Charcoal Technology plus clay and minerals work together to give you a high quality clumping cat litter
- PET FRIENDLY PARTICLES: This clumping clay litter is made with small, smooth particles that are gentle on cats’ paws for easy digging and ultimate comfort
2. Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Ultra Odor Control Cat Litter
If you have multiple cats, Naturally Fresh walnut-based cat litter is the best cat litter for smell to buy for keeping your home smelling great.
The fibrous materials in the natural cat litter quickly absorb odors and neutralize them upon contact.
Compared to other clay-based litters, Naturally Fresh best litter for smell has 3 times the absorbency.
So you need to change this litter less often and buy less frequently!
What we love best about this cat litter is that it is 100% biodegradable, dust-free, and great for the planet, people, and pets.
What we like about it
- All-natural, walnut-fiber-based advanced odor-defense cat litter formula neutralizes odors on contact
- 3 times the absorbency of other clay-based litters
- 100% biodegradable and safe for pets, people, and planet
- Dust-free and great for allergic people and cats
What we don’t like about it
- Clumps fall apart easily; difficult to scoop and clean
- Twenty-Six Pound Bag
- Made in the USA
- 100% Natural and Eco Friendly
- Superior Odor Control
- Virtually no dust, Low Tracking
3. Purina Tidy Cats with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Cat Litter
Two trusted brands have joined hands to make Purina Tidy Cats with Glade one of the best odor control cat litter.
This litter utilizes an ammonia blocker which keeps the ammoniac urine and feces stench down.
Moreover, it also utilizes moisture-activated absorption technology that forms a tight odor seal as soon as your cat does its business.
The natural clay litter from Purina with Glade scent solutions keeps your home fresh and clean like spring for up to 2 weeks.
What we like about it
- Controls ammonia odors for 2 weeks; has a pleasant Glade® scent
- Uses an absorptive power-pieces technology to further seal and lock odors
- Strong clumping action makes clean up easier
What we don’t like about it
- Not as dust-free as expected
- One (1) 38 lb. Box - Purina Tidy Cats Clumping Cat Litter, Tidy Max Glade Tough Odor Clear Springs Multi Cat Litter
- Tidy Max ammonia blocker blocks ammonia odor for up to 2 weeks. Tidy Max moisture-activated Power Pieces absorb odor and liquids
- Two trusted brands, one powerful litter. Forms strong, tight clumps for easy cleanup
- Packaged in a recyclable box that is convenient for storage. Tidy Cats With Glade Clear Spring litter helps you maintain a fresh-smelling home
- Formulated for multiple-cat households. TidyLock technology neutralizes ammonia, urine and fecal odors
4. Boxiecat Premium Ultra Clean, Longer Lasting Odor Control
Boxiecat keeps ammonia smells down thanks to the pure, premium, highly absorbent, dust-free, and well-sized clay granules that also utilize the Flat-Top™ clumping technology.
This helps to keep the rock-hard clumps from sinking to the bottom of the box, making cleanup a lot easier, and odorless problematic.
Your home will remain fresh-smelling and odor free for weeks thanks to Boxiecat best cat litter for smell.
No wonder this best cat litter no smell has won The Cat Fancy Editor’s Choice Award and been voted the best cat product of the year.
Dr.Lisa Franck DVM renowned veterinarian has called Boxiecat Premium Cat Litter as ‘truly the best cat litter’.
And she has used every cat litter in the market.
What we like about it
- Highly absorbent, dust-free premium clay litter that keeps ammonia smells out for weeks
- Vet recommended, made in USA, award-winning product
- Ideal for hypoallergenic cats and people
- Resists tracking, clumps hold well and stay on the top
What we don’t like about it
- Forms very heavy clumps
- PREMIUM LONGER-LASTING LITTER — Boxiecat’s award winning clumping clay cat litter is soft on your cat’s paws and resists tracking. Lasting twice as long as traditional litters, our premium clay cat litter scoops easily and stays ultra clean.
- EXCEPTIONAL ODOR CONTROL — Effectively eliminates ammonia odors. Remains odor-free even after weeks of scooping, it's like a new bag after every scoop! 1 Bag + 1 Cat = 1 Month
- CONCENTRATED CLUMPING POWER — Rock hard Flat Top clumps form instantly on the top of the litter box, rather than soaking to the bottom, keeping your cat litter box clean and dry. Easy to clean, no more scraping.
- HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA — Veterinarian recommended, Boxiecat’s Scent Free formula is safe and gentle for cats. Our 99.9% dust-free litter never contains any cheap filters, harsh chemicals or preservatives.
- CATS LOVE IT — Made in the USA and winner of the 2022 Modern Cat Best Cat Litter Pick award, Boxiecat litter is the best cat litter for single or multi-cat homes and all litter box types. Try our full line of pet care solutions.
5. Nature's Miracle Premium Tough Odor Bio-Enzymatic Formula
Nature’s Miracle clumping litter uses natural corn cob fibers along with a bio-enzymatic system that destroys urine, ammonia, and feces odors on contact.
This prevents the odors from spreading out to other areas of your home.
Moreover, Nature’s Miracle continues to work until all odors are degraded.
The natural corn cob granules also absorb odors quickly and its fast-clumping action further keeps odors sealed tightly.
What we like about it
- Natural pine odor control; bio enzymes prevent ammonia odors from spreading
- Fast-clumping action prevents odors and makes cleanup easier
- No dyes, clay-free, dust-free, non-toxic, cat-safe ingredients
What we don’t like about it
- A few cats had sneezing/coughing bouts due to this litter
- POWERFUL, FAST-CLUMPING FORMULA: Nature's Miracle Premium Clumping Corn Cob Litter absorbs 2x as much liquid as traditional clay litter.
- BIO-ENZYMATIC FORMULA: The bio-enzymatic formula works to destroy tough litter odors.
- MADE WITH NATURAL CORN COB: The litter is made with heat-processed natural corn cob and is 99.
- 9% dust free.
- CONVENIENT DESIGN: This litter comes with a resealable zipper and handle, making it easy to pour new litter into the box.
Top Tips To Help You Reduce Cat Litter Odor And Smell
Use these cat litter odor eliminator tips to keep your home smelling fresh and clean:
A. Use the best litter for smell control
The best cat litter no smell can significantly reduce litter box odor problem.
Many high-quality formulas come with fresh, natural scents to keep your home smelling nice and clean.
B. Scoop out the mess daily
When you clean, scoop and discard cat feces and wet litter right away, you can significantly reduce odor and keep not only the litter box area but your entire home smelling clean.
This refers to all the litter boxes in case you keep many cats or multiple boxes around the house.
C. Do a deep-cleaning of the boxes once a week
Wash and clean the boxes once a week using some vinegar, soap, or an enzymatic cleaner. This will remove the smells stuck to the box/pan.
D. Change and replace the litter regularly
Replace the entire litter with fresh litter ensuring at least 3-4 inch depth in each box.
Some litter needs more frequent replacement.
It depends on your cats, how often they use the box, whether they are diggers, and if the litter gets tracked and wasted. In most cases, clumping litter can be replaced after 1-2 weeks.
Some finicky cat parents are known to even replace the litter daily.
E. Replace very dirty boxes
If the litter boxes are old and worn out or have developed deep dents or scratches, it may be a good idea to invest in new ones.
This is an oft-overlooked factor but it can make a huge difference in how your home smells.
F. Add more boxes
If you keep multiple cats, you must use multiple, properly-sized litter boxes.
As a thumb rule, you need at least one box per cat.
It is also a good idea to place one box on each floor of the house.
This can reduce the concentration of odors in one spot.
Also read: Top 5 Best Cat Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats
G. Increase the ventilation
As far as possible, keep the boxes in well-ventilated areas.
You can place the box underneath an open window or place a fan near the box.
H. Mix deodorizers with the litter
In addition to using the best litter for smell you can also mix baking soda or activated charcoal with the litter.
These natural ingredients neutralize odors and keep the stink down.
Alternatively, you can mix commercially available cat litter deodorizers in the litter.
Important Factors To Consider When Selecting The Best Cat Litter For Smell
Here are some important factors to keep in mind when selecting the best cat litter odor control
1. Is approved by cats
When it comes to the best cat litter for smell, you and your cat may not always see eye-to-eye.
After all, a cat may not love the fragrances and dyes that humans love. So the best litter for smell must be cat-approved.
2. Fights odors longer
High-quality cat litter for odor control starts fighting odors on contact and keeps them from spreading all over the house.
The best cat litter odor control may either contain feline-approved gentle fragrances or may be unscented but with odor-neutralizing ingredients like baking soda or activated charcoal to keep fighting odors for several days.
3. Has high-absorbency and fast-clumping action
Select a cat litter that can absorb wetness quickly. This will keep ammonia smells down.
Also, ensure a high-clumping action that forms clumps of urine and feces which can be easily and quickly scooped out.
High-quality cat litter for smell and odor control clumps quickly.
This way, it does not stick to your kitty’s paws only to get tracked all around the house.
Low-clumping cat litter tends to crumble and can get tracked all over the place and that is one of the culprits behind a stinky home.
So choose a rapidly-clumping litter that stays off your kitty’s paws and your floors.
The quick clumping action also lets you easily and quickly scoop away the feces and urine which can further aid in odor control.
4. Has low-dust
Cat litter with dust tends to get tracked around the house which can increase foul odor and could even lead to breathing issues or sneezing and coughing bouts in animals and humans.
So, select a low-dust formula that minimizes tracking and subsequently reduces odors.
FAQs on The Best Cat Litter For Smell
A. What can you add to your cat litter to avoid smell?
Foul smell in litter boxes is unavoidable and that causes your cat to stop using his box. The only rule that will keep it from smelling is to CLEAN IT.
Scooping the litter box at least twice a day can keep that bad odor away from your litter box.
If you do not use a clumping litter, you need to remove the most soaked part and then fill it up with new litter.
Add and replace litter as often as possible. Wash it at least once a week to keep your house free from stinky odors.
You can also use commercially available cat litter deodorizers or natural DIY deodorizers like baking soda and activated charcoal to mix in the litter in order to control odors.
Baking soda and activated charcoal are the best odor neutralizers to add to cat litter to prevent foul smells.
Do not add any harsh fragrances or essential oils to cat litter since cats are sensitive and could be even allergic to these fragrances or oils.
B. Do I need to switch cat litter to get rid of smell?
Yes, you must regularly replace cat litter to avoid smell.
It is very important to scoop out the clumped mess right away. Additionally, replace the entire litter weekly or once in two weeks to keep odors down.
C. Is a closed litter box better for preventing odors?
In most cases, closed or covered litter boxes can minimize the odors but you must still ensure keeping them clean and scooping out the mess regularly.
Cat feces and urine has a very strong smell that can escape even from tightly closed boxes.
Therefore, regular scooping and frequent deep-cleaning of the boxes is still necessary.
D. Why does my cat’s litter box smell so bad?
The fishy odor, called Ammonia, which is caused by the bacteria when the urine decompose, is the main reason why the smell lingers in the air.
The high amount of urea present in the urine of cats makes the foul smell in the litter box.
The excretion of what is called Felinine in cat’s urine contribute to the stinky smell because it generates a sulfur odor or pyruvic acid that you recognize as “cat smell”.
When the litter box is not managed, these foul odors will build up and multiply until you clean the litter box and replace with fresh litter.
Apart from using the best cat litter for smell, adding cat litter deodorizers, and regularly scooping out and deep-cleaning the litter boxes, if your pet’s litter box still continues to stink then your cat could have a health issue.
Urinary tract infections, liver problems, certain foods or medicines can all cause the cat feces and urine to stink terribly. Please have these issues examined by a vet.
E. How to make cat litter deodorizer?
The cheapest way to make DIY cat litter deodorizer is to mix the litter with baking soda.
Baking soda is readily available for a few cents and all you need to do is add it to the bottom of the empty litter box before pouring the litter on the top.
Do this each time you replace your pet’s litter in each of the litter boxes that you keep around the house.
F. Can I Put Baking Soda In Cat Litter?
Cat litters come in different varieties. Some brands already contain baking soda as one of its main ingredients.
But if you feel that you want to add more baking soda, sprinkling a few portions will not do any harm.
Putting an appropriate amount of baking soda in your cat litter will effectively eliminate foul odors.
Baking soda is safe for cats and it is non-toxic.
However, if you have an asthmatic cat, this can be another allergen that can trigger an attack when ingested.
So before you add some more in his litter, be mindful of his condition to avoid health problems in your cat.
Conclusion
The best cat litter for smell seals in odors and keeps your pet’s litter box area as well as your home smelling fresh and clean.
We recommend the Fresh Step Advanced Clumping with Activated Charcoal & Natural Odor Control Cat Litter for its gentle, natural, unscented formula loved by felines and humans alike. Do check out other products.
