Best Cat Litter for Odor Control: 10 Top Picks

Your cat may be sweet, but chances are what they leave in the litter box is decidedly not. Many cat litter brands promise to banish stinky odors and leave your home smelling fresh, but which ones can pet parents count on to suppress those oh-so-smelly smells? 

That question has been occupying the minds of cat lovers ever since the earliest domesticated felines started squatting over sand or sawdust to do their business. As the industry has evolved, so have the answers — from the clay granules Edward Lowe first introduced 75 years ago to everything from wheat to walnut shells, pinewood to paper, clumping clay to crystals…and beyond. 

According to a recent Research and Markets report, the global cat litter market is set to exceed $10 billion within the decade. Yet the question remains: Of all the options available to pet parents, which cat litter is best for covering up the smell of your kitty’s business — or better yet, neutralizing the stench completely? 

The answer is likely to vary based on the factors that matter most to you, your cat, and your household. That is why we’ve rounded up the best cat litters for odor — from formulas developed with all-natural ingredients to those safe enough to use with kittens and strong enough to leave for weeks at a time.

Here’s everything you need to know about this sweet-smelling segment of the kitty litter market, so you can choose the best cat litter for odor…and for your particular feline. 

Best Cat Litter for Odor: Our Top Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

We chose the following odor-control cat litters based on a comprehensive analysis of customer reviews, availability, price, and personal experience as the head of a two-cat household — with very high standards when it comes to maintaining a stink-free home! Here’s what made the list.

• Best Overall Cat Litter for Odor Control: Naturally Fresh Harmony Lavender & Bamboo Scented Cat Litter
• Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats: Tidy Cats Free & Clean
• Best Clumping Litter for Odor Control: SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter
• Best Non-Clumping Litter for Odor Control: Pretty Litter
• Best Kidney Monitoring Formula: Genius Litter By Alpha Paw
• Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter for Odor Control: Skoon All Natural Cat Litter
• Best Smelling Odor-Control Cat Litter: World’s Best Cat Litter
• Best Natural Odor-Control Cat Litter: Healthy Pet’s ökocat Litter
• Best Unscented Cat Litter for Odor Control: ExquisiCat Litter
• Best Odor-Control Litter for Kittens: Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter

10 Best Odor-Control Cat Litter Options to Consider

We chose the following odor-control cat litters based on a comprehensive analysis of customer reviews, availability, price, and personal experience as the head of a two-cat household — with very high standards when it comes to maintaining a stink-free home! Here’s what we found.

Best Overall Cat Litter for Odor Control

Our Pick: Naturally Fresh Harmony Lavender & Bamboo Scented Cat Litter

Harmony Lavender & Bamboo Scented litter is the newest odor-banishing formula from Naturally Fresh. At first glance, you’ll notice this innovative litter looks unlike other cat litters. That’s because it’s made from all-natural upcycled walnut shells to better absorb ammonia and banish litter box smells. But this unique cat litter doesn’t just banish bad smells. It’s also infused with natural, pet-safe lavender and bamboo essential oils to help boost your cat’s mood and maintain a fresher, harmonious home. 

You and your cats will enjoy the fresh, gentle scent of lavender and bamboo, which isn’t overpowering or masked by harsh chemicals or perfumes. When it comes to absorbency, this quick-clumping formula scoops up easily. Best of all, the walnut shells are derived from a renewable source and produced in solar-powered facilities, making it a sustainable formula.

Highlights

• First cat litter formula designed to improve your pet’s wellbeing through soothing scents
• Infused with naturally calming, pet-safe lavender and bamboo essential oils
• Made with upcycled walnut shells to control odors effectively and organically 
• Eco-friendly and sustainable litter formula produced in solar-powered facilities
• Quick absorption and clumping in an easy-to-scoop biodegradable formula
• The subtle scent is pleasing, not overpowering 

• Made in the United States 
• Non-toxic and free of silica dust
• Incorporates MoodScentz+ technology from Givaudan, a leader in fragrance and wellbeing

Things to Consider

• Average litter usage is one 14-pound bag per cat per month
• A bit more expensive than standard clay or scented litters, but you don’t have to change your litter box as often, and the calming benefits may be worth the added cost.

Best Overall Cat Litter for Multiple Cats

Our Pick: Tidy Cats Free & Clean

Hard-working, budget-friendly, and widely available at nearly every grocery store, Tidy Cats is not only the #1 best-selling cat litter brand, it’s also the very first. Launched in 1954 by Ed Lowe, the inventor of cat litter, Tidy Cats has been at the forefront of cat litter trends ever since.

And its “Free & Clean” formula is no exception. This unscented clumping clay cat litter uses odor-absorbing activated charcoal to banish bad smells instead of just covering them up. We didn’t detect any suspicious scents from our two cats. Plus, it’s dye-free, fragrance-free, and low-dust, which makes it a well-rounded best overall in our book. 

Highlights

• Fights odors with TidyLock technology, featuring activated charcoal
• Promises 10-day odor control when used as directed
• Available in a variety of sizes, including lightweight jugs and bulk bags
• Made without artificial fragrances or dyes, so it’s good for sensitive cats
• 99.9 percent dust-free
• Affordably priced

Things to Consider

• As is the case with clay litters, some tracking can be expected

Best Clumping Litter for Odor Control

Our Pick: SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter

Though clay-based cat litter is best known for clumping, this all-natural, grass-based option from SmartCat clumps so fast and hard, smells don’t have a chance to escape. Plus, it’s biodegradable and better for the environment, which gives it a leg up on traditional clay cat litter. Made from 100% grass farmed in the U.S., it’s super-soft on paws, which makes this a great choice for kittens, too.

Highlights

• Made from grass, so it’s biodegradable and renewable
• Clumps on contact to lock in odor-causing bacteria
• GMO-free, chemical-free, clay-free, fragrance-free
• Soft, sand-like texture cats love
• Ultra-lightweight, so it’s easier to carry, easier to scoop
• 99 percent dust-free, making cleanup a breeze

Things to Consider

• Some reviewers noted that this litter tends to track easily outside of the litter box

Best Non-Clumping Litter for Odor Control

Our Pick: Pretty Litter

Though Pretty Litter is probably best-known for its color-changing crystals that help you monitor your cat’s health, those crystals do an incredible job suppressing litter box stink, too. Made from super-absorbent silica gel (yes, just like the little desiccant packets found in shoe boxes, purses, and countless other products), Pretty Litter crystals don’t clump at all. Instead, the unscented crystals suck up odors and liquids, trapping bad smells inside. Though you still have to scoop and dispose of any solid waste, that means less maintenance, less mess, and longer-lasting litter, plus a better-smelling home for you and your cats.

Highlights

• Multi-tasking Pretty Litter controls odors and alerts you to potential health issues with crystals that change color when your cat pees
• Non-clumping formula requires less scooping, upkeep
• Only have to change litter once a month
• Crystals are up to 80 percent lighter than the leading clay cat litters
• 99 percent dust-free and resistant to tracking
• Ships free to your door with subscription

Things to Consider

• Subscription can be pricey — ranging from $22-$60 per month depending on the number of cats
• Get used to green crystals; yellow-to-green color indicates healthy urine

Best Kidney Monitoring Formula

Our Pick: Genius Litter By Alpha Paw

Genius Litter uses a super-absorbent naturally occurring mineral silica gel in its formula. As a result, urine and feces dry out without clumping. The natural scent is light and not overpowering to create a more inviting litter box experience. This highly-absorbent, eco-friendly formula features crystals that change color based on your cat’s urine and kidney health. Thanks to Alpha Paw’s low-tracking formula, waste and litter remain in the box. 

Highlights

• Genius Litter touts a multi-feature formula with color changes and odor trapping.
• Detects urine abnormalities for kidney and urine management.
• Easy to clean and non-clumping.
• Less scooping for easy maintenance.
• Antibacterial silica gel is less likely to stick to paws.
• Each six-pound bag lasts about one month for a medium-sized cat.

Cons 

• Do not solely rely on the color change formula. Always check with your veterinarian if you suspect urinary or kidney issues in your cat.
• Multi-cat households should use separate litter boxes to monitor color changes.

Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter for Odor Control 

Our Pick: Skoon All Natural Cat Litter

Skoon offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on its non-clumping cat litter “pebbles,” which the brand describes as ultra-absorbent, odor-controlling, microscopic mini sponges. Made from diatom — a biodegradable and highly absorbent mineral — these pebbles handle liquid waste handily, so all you have to worry about is scooping out the solids. Best of all, the scale of the pebbles is larger than traditional cat litters, so they don’t stick to cat paws and get tracked all over your house. Even the finer-grain option designed for automatic litter boxes is non-tracking, too. Overall, this is a low-maintenance litter both cats and parents will love.  

Highlights

• Absorbent diatom pebbles eliminate odors
• Hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and with a low amount of dust
• Oversized pebbles won’t stick to cats’ paws, preventing tracking
• Comes in scents like lavender and lemon in addition to unscented

Things to Consider

• Some reviewers claimed that there was more dust from the litter than they were expecting
• If your cat doesn’t like the larger pebbles, this litter also comes in a fine-grain formula 

Best Smelling Odor-Control Cat Litter

Our Pick: World’s Best Cat Litter

Scented cat litter can be a tricky thing to perfect because smells are so subjective. But World’s Best clumping corn-based cat litter strikes the perfect balance. Instead of heavy artificial fragrances, the brand uses natural botanical oils to create light (but effective) and pleasant floral scents like lavender and lotus blossom. But the scents aren’t the only line of defense against litter box odors. The litter granules are made from naturally absorbent, whole-kernel corn, which traps waste and odors quickly and cleanly. So it’s tough on smells while remaining easier on the environment than clay alternatives.

Highlights

• Lasts twice as long in the litter box as normal clay litter
• Uses natural botanical oils instead of synthetic chemicals or perfumes
• Flushable litter is safe for sewer and septic systems (though check local ordinances)
• Smell is pleasant, but not overwhelming
• 99 percent dust-free

Things to Consider

• Pricey, though the brand says you only need to use half as much as other litters

Best Natural Odor-Control Cat Litter

Our Pick: Healthy Pet’s ökocat Litter

Though there are a lot of natural cat litter options on the market, ökocat gets our vote for the very best because it’s engineered to be both high-performance and environmentally responsible. The word ”öko” is German for “eco,” so it’s no wonder this earth-friendly cat litter uses the power of plants to stop smells in their tracks. Öcocat’s precision-cut wood fibers naturally absorb odors and prevent the buildup of ammonia by stopping enzymes from bonding with waste — all without added chemicals, dyes, or fragrances. A blend of spruce, fir, and pine provides a fresh natural scent to your cat’s litter box. 

(Another great natural odor-controlling litter option is Naturally Fresh Walnut Shell Cat Litter, which is made from walnut shells.) 

Highlights

• Made from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued wood fiber
• Clumps easily and naturally, thanks to a proprietary blend of plant fibers
• Smells fresh and outdoorsy
• Low on dust and hard to track
• Completely dust-free formula sold in smaller boxes with white paper pellets

Things to Consider

• This German-based brand is a bit on the pricy side, at more than $1 per pound for the standard litter
• Safe to flush (though check your local regulations) 

Best Unscented Cat Litter for Odor Control

Our Pick: ExquisiCat Litter

We prefer litter to be unscented; after all, isn’t that the point? No one honestly wants to detect any smells coming from the litter box. ExquisiCat offers totally unscented paper pellets that promise 10 full days without any odors. 

Highlights

• Made from paper, this formula eschews the dust from clay and claims it’s three times more absorbent; plus, it’s tough to track
• Three ingredients make this litter a straightforward pick, recycled paper, baking soda, and zeolite — a hydrated aluminosilicate that is great for absorption 
• Made from paper, it couldn’t be lighter to handle

Things to Consider

• Some reviewers claim the larger pellets make it hard for some kitties to move around in the box

Best Odor-Control Litter for Kittens

Our Pick: Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter

You might think, “Cats are cats. Why do kittens need special litter?” But inquisitive baby cats may be more inclined to chew on their litter than use it for a bathroom. Dr. Elsey’s kitten-specific formula is not only soft on tiny paws, but it’s also all-natural and virtually dust-free to protect sensitive kittens from potential allergens. The clumping formula offers superior odor control, which is great because cute, cuddly kittens are also capable of surprisingly stinky litter box deposits. Plus, the litter is infused with an herbal attractant designed to lure kittens to the litter box, which is especially important during litter box training so your kitty doesn’t pee everywhere.  

We’d also like to shout out Purina’s Yesterday’s News, which uses recycled paper that won’t harm curious kittens looking to munch on pellets.

Highlights

• Designed for kittens aged 8 weeks to 1 year
• Veterinarian-formulated by Dr. Elsey, himself
• Contains kitten-specific natural herbal attractant to aid litter box training
• Comes with free Litter Box Solutions booklet addressing common challenges

Things to Consider

• Dr. Elsey recommends switching to Cat Attract after first year to ensure consistent litter box use
• Some users found that the formula was dusty and not as absorbent as some litters for adult cats in the same brand

What is Odor-Control Cat Litter?

Cat litter designed to control odors typically works by neutralizing or masking offensive smells…sometimes, by using a combination of both tactics.

To neutralize odors, kitty litter often contains ingredients such as carbon or silica gel. These naturally occurring, highly porous materials absorb moisture and odor molecules, trapping smells inside.

To mask odors, scented kitty litter fights bad smells by introducing more pleasing ones. Though if the artificial perfume is too strong, it could discourage your cats from using their litter box at all. 

In addition, the type of cat litter can also play a role in removing smells. For example, clumping cat litter forms solids when combined with cat urine, making it easier to scoop up and dispose of smelly waste. 

Just like some people prefer one brand of toilet paper over another, cats can have strong opinions about the type of kitty litter you use. Some cats may like a smoother litter surface, while those with sensitive noses may dislike strong scents. Other cats have been known to develop allergies to the dust that can accompany clay litter.

The good news is that there are so many kitty litter options available to pet parents these days, you’re sure to find an odor control cat litter option to fit your cat’s preferences and keep your home smelling fresh.

What to Look For in Cat Litter for Odor Control

Choosing a cat litter is an important decision that impacts your cat, your budget, and your entire household. So it’s important to shop around and test out several options before deciding on the one you’ll rely on to prevent that dreaded litter box aroma.

Here are some important things to keep in mind as you make your decision:

• First, remember that cat litter can’t work miracles. No matter what materials or methods the brand employs to control odors, maintaining and replacing the litter in your cat’s litter box plays a big part in keeping bad smells under control. 

• If you have a multi-cat household, there are formulas specifically designed for multiple cats. However, again, even the best multi-cat litter can only do so much. Be sure to use multiple litter boxes and clean them as frequently as possible. 

• Many litter options, including traditional clay cat litter, are not biodegradable, making them a poor choice for earth-conscious pet parents. As an alternative, explore the growing range of cat litters made from natural materials, such as pine chips, nutshells, corn, and wheat.  

• Though some cat litters are advertised as flushable or safe for septic systems, note that flushing cat waste is prohibited in some areas. In California, it’s banned because it could potentially harm the sea lion population. Always check up on regulations where you live before flushing any kind of cat waste.

• Like humans, cats can be sensitive to fragrances and dust. Look for unscented natural kitty litter or synthetic silica-based litters that neutralize smells instead of masking them. 

• Crystalline silica dust, an ingredient in many clumping cat litter, is a known carcinogen. However, it’s unclear how much of a risk this presents to humans and pets. If you are concerned, opt for a low-dust or dust-free formula to reduce any potential risks. 

• Cats with other health issues, like diabetes or kidney disease, might benefit from a non-clumping litter so pet parents can better monitor urine output.

Tips for Using Cat Litter for Odor Control

No matter which brand of odor-ousting cat litter you choose, experts agree that there’s plenty you can do to ensure you get the best results for a great-smelling home. Here are some proven tips for success: 

• The absolute best way to control odors is to regularly maintain and clean your cat’s litter box. Scooping daily, especially in a multi-cat household, is key to controlling unseemly smells. As an added bonus, if you scoop daily, you really only need to replace clay litter every two to three weeks, which saves you money, too. 

• No matter what schedule the cat litter manufacturer recommends for changing the litter in your box, always rely on your best judgment (aka, your sniffer). There are a lot of variables that can affect how well litter performs, from your cat’s diet to climate and humidity. So dome boxes may need to be cleaned more frequently than others.

• If your cat will tolerate it, a litter box with a hood can help contain the stink (while also preventing nosy canines from intruding on your cat’s privacy). Automatic litter boxes that scoop and contain smelly waste are another odor-fighting option. Just be sure to choose a cat litter that’s designed for self-scooping litter boxes, which often jam when traditional cat litter is used. 

• If using a litter liner to make cleanup easier, be aware that kitty claws can easily get caught in the tough plastic lining, which could harm your cat. 

• Whatever litter you and your kitty decide on, it might be best to stick with it unless absolutely necessary to modify it. Cats don’t like change, especially when it comes to their bathroom habits. If you do find that you need or want to change your cat litter brand or type, do it slowly over time. An abrupt litter change could prompt your cat to stop using the litter box, leading to smelly messes throughout your home.  

• Even if you’re using the best cat litter that money can buy, feline urine and feces contain bacteria toxic to humans; pregnant women are especially susceptible and should delegate litter box duties until after the baby is born.