Face it, not everyone likes taking care of the litter box. Even the best clay litter can leave a sticky, stinking mess stuck to the bottom of the box.
If it were you using the litter box, you would certainly not be able to put up with the smell of cat remains. Hygiene is very important to cats.
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So, what’s the solution? It is simple, buy the best cat litter for odor control.
There are numerous options to choose from as far as cat litters are concerned. Different cats have their own distinctive preference for absorbency, fragrance, and texture.
Now, let’s help you find the best cat litter for odor control.
Cat Litters Comparison
| Product Name | Size (pounds) | Clumping/Non-Clumping | Single or Multi-Cat | Price |
| Ever Clean Extra Strength Cat Litter | 25 and 42 | Clumping | Single Cat Strength | Check Price |
| Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal Litter | 28 | Clumping | Multi-Cat Strength | Check Price |
| Dr. Elsey’s Cat Ultra-Premium Clumping Litter | 18 and 40 | Clumping | Multi-Cat Strength | Check Price |
| World’s Best Cat Litter | 7, 14, and 28 | Clumping | Multi-Cat Strength | Check Price |
| Purina Yesterday’s News Paper Cat Litter | 13.2, 26.4, 30, and 5 | Non-Clumping | Single Cat Strength | Check Price |
Choosing the ideal cat litter can be quite confusing. With so many variants it can be difficult to decide what litter would be best for both you and your cat.
Cats are fussy concerning the litter their owners use. Therefore, it is extremely important to settle for a formula that is not only easy to clean, but it is also healthy and safe for your cat.
Types of Cat Litters
There are several types of cat litters you can consider for your kitty, which include:
Paper
This is one of the most widely available types of litter in the market. It can range from torn-up paper to pellets. Instead of being able to top this type of litter up, it has to be completely replaced every two days.
Typically, paper litters have less odor control when compared to other forms of odor control. The paper type helps you save on kitty litter.
In fact, you can make your own paper kitty odor control. Most pet owners make their own kitty litter from the shredded newspaper.
If you have a paper shredding machine in your home office, just feed your old newspapers through the machine, and place a good amount of the shredded paper in the cat’s litter box.
Crystal
This type of odor control can be dusty as it is made from silica crystals. This kind of litter is able to perform a sudden surface assimilation of smells and urine. The water evaporates immediately, leaving the cat box completely dry.
The silica crystals will absorb the kitty urine without letting the formula get clumped, as such you would not require any additional product to control the odor. Do not worry if the granules change color, as this will not affect the formula’s absorbing power.
Clay
Clay kitty litter is one of the inexpensive choices and it is remarkable at absorbing urine. It also scoops easily to get rid of the feces. Pure clay formula is not too great at odor control; so, you can consider products that are incorporated with baking soda or fragrance to mask odors.
You use only a small amount of this litter at a time, about an inch deep in the tray. We strongly urge you to completely replace clay litters frequently because they are dusty and can pose a health risk for your kitty.
Clumping Clay
The clumping associated with this formula results from the use of bentonite clay that is very effective at capturing urine before it sinks to the bottom of the box and holds it in a clump.
This makes maintaining the kitty tray a breeze. Just scoop everything solid daily and add fresh litter. About once a month, you should dump all the litter and replace with clean one.
For odor control, baking soda and fragrance are usually added to these products, especially for multi-cat formulas.
What To Look For In Cat Litters?
Knowing the different types of kitty litters is not enough. You need to shop for a product that is highly absorbent, masks odor, and easy to clean.
Highly Absorbent
This is, in fact, one of the most important considerations when shopping for the best kitty litter for odor control. You can choose between clumping and non-clumping formulas.
Clumping formula is normally composed of bentonite (a highly absorbent clay material) that creates solid clumps when it comes in contact with your cat’s waste.
Clumping makes scooping and cleaning the box remarkably easy. However, clumping litters are non-biodegradable, dusty, and can be heavy to move.
On the other hand, non-clumping litter is made from other clay materials. This kind of formula will absorb waste, but will not form clumps.
Non-clumping litter gets fouler sooner rather than later and you are likely to leave some waste behind when you clean the tray.
Easy To Clean
The best cat litter for odor control is one that is easy to clean. When choosing between clumping and non-clumping formulas, you should consider one that is easy to scoop.
Usually, the most convenient choice is clumping litter because it is highly absorbent and easy to scoop. Many, but not all, clumping litters can be flushed down the toilet along with urine and poop.
Ability to Mask Odor
Litter additives intended to absorb or mask litter box smell can be objectionable to your cat due to their strong scent or the increased dust they add to the box.
However, you need a formula that is capable of masking the smell. Therefore, you should choose a product that does not present an excessively strong scent that your cat cannot tolerate.
Low Tracking
You also need to choose a low tracking litter that will not stick to your cat’s feet. You do not want your kitty to spread the litter all over the house, giving you extra cleaning chores.
Tips to Help with Odor Control
- Keep your kitty litter box in a highly ventilated area. Do not keep it in a closed location; this may make it harder for you to control the smell.
- Scoop the tray on daily basis. You do not want the old waste to stay in the box for more than a day or else the smell will be hard to eliminate. And the kitty may probably avoid the box because of the old waste.
- Make an effort to replace the cat litter at least twice a week. You are likely to miss some small clumps of waste when scooping. So, replacement of the formula helps to maintain total hygiene.
- Settle for a litter product that smells right for you and your cat. Avoid heavily scented products that may be harmful to your kitty.
Now that you have an idea of what to look for in the market when shopping for cat litter, let’s go ahead and review our top five picks for your selection.
Top 5 Best Cat Litter for Odor Control
Ever Clean
If you are looking for the best cat litter for odor control at an affordable price range, look no further than the Ever Clean Extra-Strength Cat Litter.
This product will pamper your kitty with the freshest litter box. Ever Clean Extra is a strong clumping formula that makes scooping and cleaning of waste easy.
The formula offers maximum odor protection, ensuring that you and your cat are not subjected to stinking odors, thanks to the activated carbon that gets rid of the bad smell on contact.
If you have a sensitive cat, then this is the ideal product for her. It is unscented and free of any harmful additives that may deteriorate the health of your feline.
Pros:
- Unscented formula is effective for sensitive nose
- Advanced moisture lock provides strong clumps
- Long lasting freshness for your kitty
- Has coarse sand-like texture that is cat-friendly
- Does not stick on your feline’s feet
Cons:
- The unscented formula may not be ideal for some cat owners
Arm & Hammer
Second on our list is the Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal. This is the best clumping kitty litter that is designed for multi-cat use.
Its formulation will not only seal but also eliminate smells before they spread. Its particles are derived from plants, which generate solid clumps when in contact with urine or poop.
Unlike conventional formulas in the market, the Arm & Hammer litter features micro-granules that are moisture activated. The granules create tight seals when in contact with waste for effortless scooping.
If you or your kitten have respiratory issues, then Arm & Hammer is the ideal choice. It is completely dust free and suitable for the sensitive nose.
Pros:
- The multi-cat formula you can use with several boxes
- Particles are plant-derived for sensitive cats
- Moisture activated granules provide tight odor sealing
- Seven days smell-free home guarantee
- Dust free formula
Cons:
- Litter sticks on cat feet, messing up the floor when the cat moves around
- Requires frequent replacement
Dr. Elsey’s
Unlike most brands in the market, Dr. Elsey’s manufactured a litter which drives usage. This product features a combination of medium grain clay and heavy non-tracking granules.
The heavy non-tracking granules provide strong clumping when they are in contact with kitty poop or urine. Moisture will never hit the bottom of the box.
One of the outstanding attributes of this product is the lack of deodorants or perfumes, making it a suitable choice for pets with respiratory issues. It controls smells natural.
The manufacturer recommends removing the clumps on a daily basis, leaving the rest of the litter behind until it is time to completely dump the box.
Pros:
- Ideal for multi and single cat families
- Highly hypoallergenic, doesn’t contain deodorants or perfumes
- Controls odor naturally
- 9% dust-free and suitable for sensitive nose
- Perfect for mechanical/sifting boxes
Cons:
- May cause itching on some cats
World’s Best Formula
Have you tried countless cat litters in search for better odor control, less tracking, and minimal dust concentration?
If you have the solution is the World’s Best Cat Litter. This amazing product is made from whole kernel corn, which is safe and healthy for all cats.
There is no clay silica dust and we can’t believe how it absorbs smells. Clumping is superb, and it is the easiest kitty litter to manage from our point of view.
Because it is biodegradable and all-natural, you simply scoop out the clumps and flush them in the toilet for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- No clay, no silica dust
- Biodegradable and all-natural
- Superior clumping, no sticky litter box residue
- Stays fresh, lasts much longer
- Safe for cats as well as kids
- Absolute odor control
Cons:
- Some defective products may contain bugs before use
Purina Yesterday’s News
Last on our list is the famous Purina Yesterday’s News. This litter is highly recommended by veterinarians in the United States.
This unique formula is created from recycled paper, and it has superior moisture absorption when compared to conventional clay-based litter.
The recycled paper pellets are non-abrasive and paw-friendly, they will never hurt your kitty. It is low tracking so you don’t have to worry about the messy floor.
Is your kitten sensitive to harmful chemicals? If she is, then the Purina Yesterday’s News will offer her the much-needed peace because it is free of dangerous chemicals.
This product is not easy to scoop since it is non-clumping. You will have to remove the upper layer in order to access the wet litter at the bottom before you return the dry litter.
Pros:
- Superior absorption compared to clay
- 9% dust free
- Absolute odor control
- Low tracking
- No additives, such deodorants
Cons:
- Non-clumping little is difficult to scoop
Conclusion
Selecting the best cat litter for odor control may not be as easy as you would have imagined. However, we have presented you with detailed info to help you choose the ideal product.
Just make sure you choose a safer cat litter. Today’s ubiquitous litter varieties are made of different ingredients and not all of them are completely safe for your cat.
Move your cat away from litter varieties that may be harmful to their health, and consider better ones. You should even consider consulting a vet for advice.
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