The Best Cat Litter Deodorizers

The dreaded cat litter, a necessary evil? Not anymore. Thanks to the great advances over the decades, there have been plenty of tools created to help control odor from cat litter. Litter deodorizers help remedy the smelly issue by either neutralizing the scent altogether or masking it with a much more pleasant fragrance. Whether you want a device that stores the cat litter away from the tray or a product that sprinkles directly into your existing litter mix, we've got you covered with this list of our favorite litter deodorizes available today.

What to Look For

To find the best litter deodorizer for you and your furry friend, we asked ourselves a few questions: does it eliminate the odor or mask it? How long will it last? Is it strong enough for multiple cats? Our favorite deodorizer was the Litter Genie Plus Pail, which kept the dirty litter tightly enclosed to trap the smell. It’s built to last and holds nearly 20 pounds of waste. But if you’re looking for an option to use on the litter until it’s time for clean-up, take a look at NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer, which neutralizes odor upon contact and lasts for weeks at a time. Keep reading for a detailed guide on the best litter deodorizes on the market today.

Litter Genie Plus Pail

Out of sight, out of mind

This device physically blocks off the smell of cat litter, as it stores waste matter in a sealed container for up to two weeks.
Best Overall

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Storing cat litter in a container is a convenient way to eliminate smells before they start stinking up your space. The main advantage is that you are not simply spraying a substance over the litter tray to mask odors; instead, they remove the source of the problem completely. The design makes it easy to clip the bag and empty it again, requiring little effort to operate. The refill lasts ten weeks for one cat, so it is ideal for cat owners with busy lifestyles. Once full, the bags are clipped off so that the smell isn’t released back into your home.

Pros:

  •  The bags that come with this litter container are highly durable. Holding up to 19 pounds of waste, you can feel confident that they won’t break during clean-up.
  •  This choice also features a sturdy scooper that will last you quite some time. The handle is solid, a bit longer, and the scoop is coated with Teflon so that nothing sticks to the surface.

Cons:

  • This device is more of a temporary holding measure rather than a finite solution.

Fresh Step Scented Litter with Febreze

The more, the merrier

With its built-in odor neutralizer, this cat litter solution is suitable for multi-cat homes.
Best For Multiple Cats

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Fresh Step’s inclusion of Febreze as an odor-eliminator is excellent, as the spray version of this popular product is usually what people would use to cover smells on its own. As everything is self-contained within the litter mix, owners do not need to add any other products, which can save time, money, and effort. The formula is also tight-clumping for easy removal of waste matter and is suitable for busy litter trays.

Pros:

  • This litter is virtually dust-free, which helps to prevent those little paw print marks on your tabletops and furniture.
  • We love that this litter is designed with tiny, fine pieces that clump together well and last longer as a result.

Cons:

  • If you find that you dislike the scent of Febreze, this formula may not appeal to your senses.

NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer

Think inside the box

This additive-free deodorizer is able to effectively eliminate odors in cat litter boxes.
Best Without Additives

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As the name suggests, NonScents’ litter deodorizer does not use a fragrance that may cause sensitivity or irritation in your cat’s skin. The product was developed to effectively eliminate odors commonly found in cat litter boxes. No harmful ingredients are used in the formula, which ensures your cat will not be exposed to any potentially toxic components when this product is used in their litter box. The product comes in small bottles, but an eight-pound bag is also available, which is perfect for people who own multiple cats.

Pros:

  • While some products only claim to be fragrance-free, this option truly neutralizes the odor without an artificial scent. It’s formulated so that after just one use, you won’t smell much of anything at all.
  •  We appreciate that a little definitely goes a long way, so you don’t have to use half of the container in one go.

Cons:

  • The product does get somewhat pricier when buying a single bottle at a time.

Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Clumping Cat Litter

Easy on the nose

For those who wish to neutralize cat litter odors without masking it, this marvelous unscented cat litter deodorizer is hard to beat.
Best Unscented

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Traditionally, cat litter deodorizers work by adding heavy scents to mask the offending smells. Understandably, this tactic doesn’t suit everyone, not least because some cat owners do not want to expose their animals to strong perfumes. To combat the issue, Fresh Step has created an unscented version of their cat litter that works as an all-in-one system. The formula is also free from dyes and is 99.9% dust-free.

Pros:

  • This unscented litter produces very minimal dust and reduces the amount that’s tracked around for a nearly litter-free home.
  •  It also encourages very tight clumps that won’t break up during scooping, which can be a gamechanger for cats who have a favorite spot in the litter box.

Cons:

  • The package weighs 37 pounds, so use caution when lifting and carrying it.

Fresh Step Scented Litter Mountain Spring Scent

Odor control at its finest

This pick features sophisticated extreme clumping technology and boasts a lovely scent.
Best Scent

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In this formula, Fresh Step’s extreme clumping action and the Mountain Spring scent powered by Febreze work in tandem to eliminate odors. The clumping technology also aids in the easy removal of waste from the litter tray and absorbs liquid nicely. The formula provides ten days of odor control, including protection against the smell of ammonia. Also included in the mix is activated charcoal, which traps and eliminates odors and is also great at fighting bacteria.

Pros:

  • The fresh scent of this litter is impressively gentle and enjoyable and even does the job for a multi-cat household.
  • You may also notice that there will be less litter stuck to the bottom of your furry friend’s paws.

Cons:

  • With such excellent clumping power, you may have to top the litter up more often.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a cat litter deodorizer?

If your current cat litter mix isn’t protecting your home against unwanted smells, then the benefits of using a cat litter deodorizer are that it will remedy this. It’s essential to address the issue as it’s unpleasant for everyone who is in close proximity to the litter tray — including your cat. If smells continue to build, this can encourage flies. It can be difficult to remove foul odors, even with ventilation. You can ensure your home smells clean and fresh by getting on top of the problem from the start.

Is it better to use a built-in cat litter deodorizer or a separate one?

If you tackle the source of the problem, there’s no need for an additional product. However, if you are happy with your current cat litter and it doesn’t have a deodorizer, you may be apprehensive about switching. After all, your cat needs to be comfortable using it, and you are the one who cleans it up. The good news is that many brands have expanded their range to feature formulas that have an inbuilt deodorizer. Some cat owners may prefer to have a separate product if the original runs out or fails to work adequately.

What other steps can I take to reduce the smell of my cat litter tray?

It’s recommended that you change your cat litter mix every 10 to 14 days. If the smell is a concern, it makes sense to replace it more often. If you have multiple cats, it’s even more important to stay vigilant, especially if they don’t have separate trays (which, ideally, they should have in order to avoid territorial issues).

Other than switching your cat litter to include a deodorizer in the formula, you can take some other steps. If your litter tray is currently placed in a prominent area of the home, then moving it elsewhere, ideally to a well-ventilated area, can help reduce odors.

Dealing with litter trays is a downside to being a cat owner, but we can’t ignore the issue. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of your home is the best way to prevent odors of all origins.

About the Author

Chelsea is a doting caretaker for her firefighter husband and her two adorable cats. As a matter of fact, she's grown up with cats and is passionate about helping cat owners keep their pets healthy and happy. She's also an animal and environmental advocate, so you can always trust her to recommend the best products for your pets and the planet.

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