The best cat littler odor control products are the ones that immediately reduce odor from cat urine and feces to keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
Whether you have one cat or many, you need a high-quality cat litter having strong odor control properties.
This way, you don’t have to deal with horrid ammonia smells emanating from the cat litter boxes.
So, in this guide, we are recommending the best odor control cat litter that is acceptable to your pets and also pleasant to humans!
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 littler odor control:
- Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Ultra Odor Control Cat Litter
- Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter Odor Control
- Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter with Activated Charcoal & Natural Odor Control
- Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter
- Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping odor Control Cat Litter
Control odors with kitty approved products! Check them out below.
Best Cat Litter Odor Control: 2022 Top Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Ultra Odor Control Cat Litter
Naturally Fresh Ultra-Odor Control Clumping Cat Litter contains highly absorbent, all-natural, GMO-free, and plant-based ingredients that keep odors down.
It utilizes walnut shells along with an enhanced triple enzyme action that quickly neutralizes odors and ammonia from cat urine and feces.
This keeps your home free from feline potty odors for a long time to come.
Naturally Fresh is also considered the best cat litter for multiple cats.
Its super-absorbent formula clumps together wet mess and feces within minute, making clean up super-easy.
This best odor control cat litter is free from silica dust so it doesn’t stick to cat’s paws.
This reduces tracking and also lets you and your fur babies breathe easy.
The 100% biodegradable litter is easy to scoop out and does not need too much scraping.
What we like about it
- Superior odor-control using an all-natural formula
- Virtually zero dust reduces tracking
- Eco-friendly: uses renewable, GMO-free, natural ingredients and is processed in a solar-powered plant
- Free from silica hence suitable for allergic individuals
What we don’t like about it
- The scent could be appealing to dogs and they tend to eat those clumps!
- Twenty-Six Pound Bag
- Made in the USA
- 100% Natural and Eco Friendly
- Superior Odor Control
- Virtually no dust, Low Tracking
2. Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter Odor Control
Fresh Step Extreme Scented cat litter has a crisp and fresh mountain spring scent, fights odors on contact, and also keeps odors away longer compared to other cat litter in this category.
It is also the best cat litter for multiple cats that helps eliminate feline potty odors quicker and longer, no matter how many cats you own.
The litter is 99.9% dust-free, has a low-tracking feature, and most cats love the fresh, crisp mountain spring scent that it leaves behind.
The litter is also considered the best clumping cat litter as it is backed by its Clump-Lock technology.
What we love about it
- Fresh crisp scent and superior odor control loved by cats and humans
- Guarantees 10-days odor control to keep the litter box and your home fresh
- Highly absorbent
What we don’t like about it
- Strong scent lingers on cats.
- FRESH STEP CLUMPING CAT LITTER: Two 18.5-lb. boxes of Fresh Step Advanced Extreme Clumping Litter with Febreze freshness with Mountain Spring scent to keep litter boxes smelling fresh
- ADVANCED ODOR PROTECTION: Fresh Step cat litter extreme features an advanced formula that starts fighting odors on contact to control odor longer (1) 10
- RAPID LIQUID ABSORPTION: Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter quickly absorbs liquid, ensuring a dry and clean litter box environment for your cat's comfort
- FORMS TIGHT CLUMPS: Fresh Step litter with ClumpLock technology locks in liquid and odor on contact and forms tight clumps to make scooping easy and prevent crumbles from being left behind
- FRESH, CLEAN SMELL: Fresh Step cat litter uses the power of Febreze with a tough odor-eliminating formula to block cat urine odors, so all you smell is the crisp Mountain Spring scent
3. Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter with Activated Charcoal & Natural Odor Control
If you prefer an unscented cat litter, then Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter is a great choice as it has been recommended by vets as the best cat litter odor control product.
It contains activated charcoal that immediately removes odors upon contact and even controls them for a long time.
That is also the reason why this litter keeps multi-cat households fresh, clean, and stink-free for almost 10 days.
The low-dust litter reduces tracking and its hypoallergenic formula is also suitable for allergic individuals.
Most cats also seem to love this perfume-free cat litter since it is free from harsh fragrances and dyes.
What we like about it
- Powerful odor elimination; keeps homes smelling fresh for almost 10 days
- Easy to clean and scoop out due to high absorbency.
- Fresh-scent loved by cats and humans
What we don’t like about it
- Not as dust-free as some cat owners would like.
- FRESH STEP UNSCENTED CAT LITTER: One 18.5-lb. box of Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Clumping Litter that's perfect for those who prefer Fresh Step cat litter unscented
- ADVANCED ODOR PROTECTION: Advanced formula unscented litter neutralizes odors on contact with Activated Charcoal Technology and more odor fighters per pound (1)
- RAPID LIQUID ABSORPTION: Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter quickly absorbs liquid, ensuring a dry and clean litter box environment for your cat's comfort
- FORMS TIGHT CLUMPS: Kitty litter clumping makes scooping easy and prevents crumbles from being left behind in the kitty litter box
- NO ADDED DYES OR FRAGRANCES: Unscented clumping litter uses clay, carbon and minerals to stop cat urine odors on contact without the use of added fragrances or dyes
4. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter
ARM & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter contains 10% more odor eliminators than the brand’s fresh-home litter formula.
The best cat litter clumping product guarantees to keep your home fresh and odor-free for up to 7 days.
It is also 100% dust-free and that eliminates tracking while also making it safe to breathe for pets and humans.
The Clump & Seal formula forms rock-hard clumps that are easy to clean and scoop out.
What we like about it
- Powerful odor elimination
- Light and fresh scent appealing to cats
- Extremely absorbent
- Little to no dust
What we don’t like about it
- Clumps are sticky and heavy
- 10% more odor eliminators than our Clump & Seal fresh scent. Clump and Seal Cat Litter Multicat Platinum odor control clumping cat litter has powerful odor eliminators plus ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda. Strong enough for multi-cat households!
- Powerful cat litter odor control so it’s strong enough for multi-cat homes.
- 7 day odor-free home, Guaranteed. Clump & Seal MultiCat clumping cat litter. Get the cat odor control benefits of having a cat odor eliminating litter box. So effective, it’s guaranteed to keep your home odor-free for 7 days.
- Patented formula seals and destroys odors on contact. Complete odor-sealing clumping cat litter, a breakthrough in odor control. Unique technology forms a tight seal around odor and destroys it with powerful odor eliminators and Baking Soda.
- Rock hard clumps for easy scooping. Clumping cat litter with plant-derived particles that help create rock solid cat litter clumping. Moisture-activated Micro-Granules form tight seal around waste without cat litter crystals or cat litter pellets.
5. Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping odor Control Cat Litter
Purina Tidy Cats uses a patented Instant Action® system for immediate odor control.
It works by quickly forming strong clumps of feces and cat urine which not only prevents odors but eases the cleanup process as well.
Thanks to Purina’s best cat litter clumping action, your home is protected from ammonia, urine, and fecal odor buildup.
Its natural clay and deodorizing formula quickly trap and seal away odors making it the best cat litter for multiple cats as well.
What we like about it
- High absorbency and quick clumping action guarantee powerful odor-control
- Has a pleasant scent that cats and humans love
- 99.9% dust-free
- Strong clumping action for easy cleanup
What we don’t like about it
- Packaging needs improvement. The large boxes are unwieldy.
- One (1) 40 lb. Box - Purina Tidy Cats Clumping Cat Litter, Instant Action Multi Cat Litter
- Purina Tidy Cats scented cat litter with guaranteed 10-day odor control when used as directed
- Low dust cat litter formula enables a clean pour and forms strong, tight clumps for easy cleanup and scooping
- Clay cat litter features a moisture-activated, quick-release deodorizing system with a bright outdoors scent
- Instant Action scented litter formula neutralizes ammonia, urine and fecal odors
Types Of Cat Litter For Odor Control
Shopping for the best cat litter odor control can be a bit overwhelming since there is a lot of choices available for cat owners these days.
The types of cat litter that help in keeping odors down mainly contain one of the following ingredients:
A) Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal easily absorbs strong odors and keeps the litter fresh and clean smelling. It is also safe for use around cats.
Charcoal also absorbs moisture from the feces and urine to enhance clumping and ease up the cleaning process.
The downside to using cat litter containing activated charcoal is that it can be dustier which leads to tracking.
B) Clay
Clay is a highly absorbent material that makes excellent cat litter odor control.
Many different types of clays can be found in kitty litters including sodium bentonite (clumping litter), fuller’s earth, sepiolite, moler clays, and attapulgite.
They have varying degrees of absorbency, density, odor control, and dust formation, etc.
Cats and humans with asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues should not use clay-based cat litter.
C) Silica
Silica comes from quartz found in sand. Cat urine and feces stick well to silica which also has superior odor-control properties.
The downside to silica usage is that it has dust and is known to cause respiratory issues in animals and humans.
D) Organic odor absorbents
Odor control cat litter could also contain gypsum, zeolites, hydrated calcium silicates, alfalfa pellets, walnut or peanut shells, and waste-paper pellets.
These are safe for animals and humans and also sustainable, renewable, and eco-friendly.
Some of these organic ingredients have high odor control properties – especially orange peels, zeolites, and walnut or peanut shells.
Important Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Cat Litter Odor Control
What is the best cat litter for odor control is a question many cat parents are faced with, at least in the beginning.
There is no one formula that is guaranteed to work. What works for one cat parent may not necessarily work for another.
So, the best cat litter for odor is the one that will keep your home odor-free and fresh but is also safe, healthy, and pleasant for you and your cat.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting best odor control cat litter:
1) Utilizes natural odor-control ingredients
Avoid harsh-smelling cat litter packed with fragrances, perfumes, or chemicals.
Cats are 14 times more sensitive to scents than humans.
In the worst-case scenario, your pet might refuse to use its litter box entirely.
Also, many strongly-scented cat litter products are even harmful to humans and could trigger breathing issues, watery eyes, and other allergic reactions.
So, go in for products containing natural odor-eliminators like clay, baking soda, activated charcoal, walnut shells, or biodegradable enzymes.
These helps keep odors low without harming pets or humans.
2) Clumps easily
Clumping cat litter can be considered as the best invention of the 1980s.
The clumping action creates lumps with the feces and urine which you can easily scoop out.
Moreover, the clumping action leaves the rest of the litter intact and clean so you don’t have to change the litter too often.
3) Prevents tracking
Dust-free cat litter can keep tracking minimum.
Dust is the fine powder in cat litter that tends to stick to your cat’s paws and gets tracked everywhere it goes.
Thankfully, many best cat litter clumping products are low-in dust or even 100% dust-free and that can prevent this issue.
4) Is safe to breathe in
Many cat litter products contain fine particles that can enter into the respiratory tract causing breathing problems and other allergic symptoms in humans.
Cats can also suffer from health problems due to dusty cat litter products.
So, it is important to select hypoallergenic litter which has low-dust, zero silica, and is also free from other allergens.
5) Caters to multi-cat households
The more number of cats you own, the greater is the likelihood that your home will stink.
If you plan on keeping one litter box for all your cats, it is important to utilize the best cat litter for multiple cats.
This will help prevent odors and keep your home smelling fresh and clean without your having to constantly clean and scoop out the mess.
Even if you keep multiple litter boxes for all your cats, you must use the best cat litter odor control to reduce the ammonia smell of urine and feces.
Tips For Avoiding Foul Odors In Cat’s Litter Box
Apart from using the best cat litter odor control, here are some more tips to keep foul odors down in your cat’s litter box:
A) Clean the litter box regularly
Clean and scoop out the cat waste regularly and wash the pan/box in hot water/disinfectant/ mild soap from time to time.
This is very important to reduce litter box odors. Also, dispose of the clumped waste in a proper manner.
If the litter is flushable, you can flush it down the toilet.
In case it is not flushable, please avoid tossing it out in the garden.
Doing so could attract other cats and even raise a stink that your neighbors might complain about.
You can also use litter box liners to help with easy disposal.
B) Mix in some baking soda
If you are not using the best cat litter odor control, then you may want to mix some baking soda with the litter to keep odors down.
Regularly change the litter to keep odors minimal.
C) Never use harsh sprays or scents to mask odors
Remember, your cat is highly sensitive to scents and could stop using the litter box entirely or even tinkle outside it.
This will only increase your cleaning hassles.
D) Keep the litter box area well ventilated
You can also reduce foul odors near your cat’s litter box by placing it in a well-ventilated area near a window.
You can also use a HEPA-filter based air purifier to circulate the air near the litter box.
E) Use covered litter boxes
Covered litter boxes with lids can reduce odors.
However, not all cats are comfortable using these.
So do ensure that your cat is not claustrophobic else it could lead to behavioral issues.
You must also still keep a regular routine to clean the covered box since it may not offend you until you open its lid.
FAQs On Cat Litter Odor Control
1) Will mixing baking soda with cat litter remove cat urine smell?
Yes, baking soda effectively neutralizes cat urine and fecal odors so it is a good idea to add some to the litter from time to time.
2) Does cat litter absorb odors?
The best cat litter odor control product contains ingredients that can absorb smells of ammonia and urea from cat potty and urine.
These include activated charcoal, silica, clay, or other organic ingredients described above.
They are very effective in keeping your home smelling fresh for days.
3) How do I keep my house from smelling like cat?
Here are some tips to keep your home smelling fresh when you have cat/s:
- Clean out litter boxes regularly.
- Use the best cat litter odor control products
- Keep the litter box area well ventilated
- Add baking soda/activated charcoal to the cat litter to absorb odors
Conclusion
The best cat litter odor control is the one that will keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
We recommend Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Ultra Odor Control Cat Litter due to its plant-based, non-GMO, renewable, and eco-friendly ingredients that promise powerful odor-control without causing allergies in humans and pets.
It is also a great cat litter for multiple-cat households.
Do check out the other recommendations in the list above.
Do you have an extra-large cats at home?
Check our our top 5 picks about the best extra large litter box for extra large cats
