Best Cat Litter For Odor Control (2024): With Dust Free And Clumping Options

Cats generally prefer unscented, naturally clumping litter. Unscented litter is best because your cat's sense of smell is much stronger than ours. Fragrances can upset your cat and cause inappropriate elimination. 

Clumping litter is preferred because you're able to remove waste and keep the box clean. Cats require and deserve a clean bathroom.

Regular scooping and cleaning is a must, regardless of the litter that you choose. So, what is the best cat litter for odor control?

Best Cat litter for Odor Control: Our Top 3 Picks

Some Additional Picks

Who Should Buy a Cat Litter for Odor Control?

Odor control is especially important for homes with more than one cat.

Cats are territorial creatures and prefer a clean smelling bathroom. You do too, right? It can be difficult to keep up with scooping out the litter box so odor control comes in handy. If the litter box is not up to your cat's standards, he may go outside the box. 

Cats can also develop serious health issues if their bathroom is dirty. These can be tough issues to correct, so start the right way with proper cleaning and the best odor control litter.

As well as considering an odor controlling cat litter, it's worth trying a cat litter deodorizer, as these can help eliminate odor even more effectively. Best practice, if cat litter smell is a big issue in your home, is to try both.

A cat litter designed to prevent odors and for multi-cat homes is ideal.

This litter is ideal for when you cannot clean the box straight away. Cats prefer a clean, stink-free bathroom. Multi-cat households can benefit from odor control litter because it pleases the cats. These litters are designed with multiple cats in mind. 

Also, the rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Your cat's safety and well-being should always come first. Sure, it may be more cleaning work. But, if your cats get sick or develop behavioral issues because the box isn't clean enough, that will be even more work.

If your cat litter box is in a bathroom, hallway, entryway, or enclosed area.

You don't want your house to stink so odor control litter is beneficial to you too. Odor control litter will keep the smell out of the cat's litter box and out of your home.

Best practices to purchase cat litter with odor control properties.

Make sure there are no harmful chemicals or toxic ingredients added to the litter. Cats are sensitive creatures. Some litters are vague with the ingredients. Always read the labels and reach out to the company if you have further questions. Your cat's safety comes first.

Odor control goes beyond using fragrances, as you’ll want to limit stinky smells and not just mask them. Most fragrances only mask the odor smell. You'll want to find an odor control litter that absorbs the smell. This will keep the litter box smell down best.

Features to Consider

Number of days the odor control will work for

Again, regular scooping and cleaning is a must. However, if you're unable to scoop daily, check the box to see the number of days the odor control will work for. Aim to clean the box before that time runs out. This is best for your cat, and it will keep your home free of litter stink.

Clumping cat litter

Clumping cat litter makes it easier to scoop out waste. This will keep the box clean and fresher. Clumping litter tends to be cheaper in the long run since you don't have to throw everything out. Removing the waste from the box daily is the best way to keep litter odor at bay. This will make your cats happy and safer too.

Additives. Are there any?

Always check the entire litter label to see if there are any additives. Many odor control additives can create litter box aversion in cats. This is because the additives are not natural. The cat's natural litter box is the desert. We should mimic this as best we can to keep our cats happy and healthy.

Activated charcoal or carbon

Activated charcoal is created from carbon-rich materials burned at high temperatures. It's used for its natural absorbing powers in filters, respiratory masks, and by the medical community to help treat overdoses. This is a wonderful and more natural way to control litter box odor.

You can create a DIY litter air freshener with activated charcoal and a cheesecloth if you can't find a litter that already includes it.

Fragrances

Some fragrances are dangerous and potentially toxic to cats. Unfortunately, some litters don't cite which fragrance is used. The box or bag may just say "lightly scented" or "with added fragrance" without noting the source. This is why it's important to read the entire litter bag or box and contact the manufacturer if anything is unclear.

All-natural ingredients

Some cat litters only utilize natural ingredients to prevent odors. This is best for your cat and you too. Some natural materials are used in litters for their extreme clumping and absorbing abilities. The more natural you can get, the better.

Low dust or not?

Cats prefer litter that is not dusty. Dusty litter is dangerous for your cat's respiratory system, and it's dangerous for you too.

Granule size

Most cat litters for odor control have a small to medium granule size. Cats prefer soft granule sizes that are soft. This is better for their paws and comfort.

FAQs

How do you keep cat litter from smelling?

You can use a specialty cat litter designed for odor control. Natural odor control cat litter is another helpful tool if you're unable to scoop daily. Always make sure there are no harmful and toxic additives. These additives can cause litter aversion or serious health issues.

You can use additives, such as litter deodorizers, to hide the smell. Activated charcoal is the most natural additive. It has a powerful absorbing ability and will lock in litter odor.

How does odor control cat litter work?

Odor control cat litter typically has an ingredient that helps to stop smelly bacteria from growing and spreading. Natural ingredients absorb litter and the smell. It locks everything into the clump which is removed by you, ideally daily. Regular scooping and cleaning is the best way to keep the litter box from smelling.

How do you deodorize cat litter?

There are some cat deodorizers that you can add to your cat’s litter box to improve its smell. Activated carbon is your best bet. You can add activated carbon to the cheesecloth to create an air freshener pouch to put near the litter box. This will absorb the litter odor and keep the smell out.

Some pet owners have had success using a small amount of baking soda. However, some studies show that cats prefer activated carbon to baking soda. If you use something that your cat does not like, this will lead to litter aversion. Litter aversion is a difficult behavioral issue to solve. Start right with natural remedies to keep your cat safe and happy.

Unfortunately, some cats will stop using a litter box that has a lot of artificial fragrances in it. Cats are sensitive to smells and many fragrances are dangerous to cats. Artificial fragrances can be toxic so it's best to avoid these.

Why does my cat’s litter box smell so bad?

Over time, the urea in urine turns to ammonia, which only adds to the smell. If you don't scoop regularly, these smells build up and contaminate the rest of the litter in the box. This is why clumping litter is crucial. 

Non-clumping litter requires you to mix the contaminated litter with clean litter. Clumping litter allows you to remove the waste from the box, keeping the rest of the litter clean and stink-free.

If the litter box is not properly cleaned out, the smell only builds up further. If you don't clean out the box completely, the stink will stick to the box. Also, plastic traps bacteria. It's best to clean out the box completely weekly and replace plastic boxes at least yearly. Proper litter box maintenance is a must if you don't want the box to stink.

Best Cat Litter for Odor Control: The Verdict

The best way to eliminate litter box odor is with regular scooping and weekly cleaning. Cats prefer and deserve a clean litter box. A clean litter box will help prevent litter aversion, health issues, and inappropriate behaviors. Remember that plastic traps bacteria so plastic litter boxes should be replaced at least yearly.

The best litter for odor control is unscented, naturally clumps, and uses ingredients that lock in odors naturally. Artificial fragrances and scents are dangerous to cats. Cats prefer unscented litter because their sense of smell is extremely strong. 

Clumping litter is a must. This allows you to remove waste easily, and this keeps the litter box clean. If you have multiple cats, you should have one box per cat, plus one extra. Cats are territorial creatures and prefer private bathrooms. The extra box comes in handy if you cannot scoop straight away.

The best option for litter odor control is Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Ultra Odor Control Multi-Cat Quick-Clumping Cat Litter. Walnuts are safe for cats, and this brand claims they use walnuts grown in the USA. This litter clumps naturally, and there are no fragrances added. It also boasts that it's a great option for multi-cat households.

Your best line of defense against litter odor is to keep the box clean. This is what your cat prefers and deserves. A clean box will keep the smell out and keep your cat happy and healthy.