The 6 Best Cat Litters to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsThings to ConsiderHow We TestedFAQWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Things to Consider

How We Tested

FAQ

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Brian Kopinski

People / Brian Kopinski

One of the biggest cat parent woes is thelitter box. If not cleaned and cared for properly, it can stink up your space and quickly become one of your most dreaded chores. Whether it’s anautomatic litter boxor a manual one, part of cleaning and caring for the litter box is choosing the right cat litter, especially one that is high-quality with excellent odor control.Experts SayWhen it comes to buying cat litter,Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant, says buying low-quality cat litter is as enjoyable for your cat as using cheap toilet paper is for you, since “it may be uncomfortable for your cat to use or may not control odor as well as better quality litter.”We set out to find the best cat litter and tested dozens of options until we found the best of the best. We consulted Dr. Bruns, a veterinarian withPetSmart Veterinary Services, to determine testing criteria based on factors that are key to a cat’s comfort, like scent and clumping capabilities. Plus, we looked at other factors like package design. We also paid close attention to odor control since that is a major concern for cat parents and can make or break a litter box situationKeep reading for the best cat litters that trap odor, clump up neatly, and allow your cat to do their “business” in peace.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Purina Unscented Cat Litter at Walmart$24Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter at Amazon$31Jump to ReviewBest Odor-Control:Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Clumping:Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$33Jump to ReviewBest Mess-Free:Tuft & Paw Cat Litter at Amazon$58Jump to ReviewBest Scented:Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter at ChewyJump to Review

One of the biggest cat parent woes is thelitter box. If not cleaned and cared for properly, it can stink up your space and quickly become one of your most dreaded chores. Whether it’s anautomatic litter boxor a manual one, part of cleaning and caring for the litter box is choosing the right cat litter, especially one that is high-quality with excellent odor control.

Experts SayWhen it comes to buying cat litter,Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant, says buying low-quality cat litter is as enjoyable for your cat as using cheap toilet paper is for you, since “it may be uncomfortable for your cat to use or may not control odor as well as better quality litter.”

Experts Say

When it comes to buying cat litter,Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant, says buying low-quality cat litter is as enjoyable for your cat as using cheap toilet paper is for you, since “it may be uncomfortable for your cat to use or may not control odor as well as better quality litter.”

We set out to find the best cat litter and tested dozens of options until we found the best of the best. We consulted Dr. Bruns, a veterinarian withPetSmart Veterinary Services, to determine testing criteria based on factors that are key to a cat’s comfort, like scent and clumping capabilities. Plus, we looked at other factors like package design. We also paid close attention to odor control since that is a major concern for cat parents and can make or break a litter box situation

Keep reading for the best cat litters that trap odor, clump up neatly, and allow your cat to do their “business” in peace.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Purina Unscented Cat Litter at Walmart$24Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter at Amazon$31Jump to ReviewBest Odor-Control:Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Clumping:Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$33Jump to ReviewBest Mess-Free:Tuft & Paw Cat Litter at Amazon$58Jump to ReviewBest Scented:Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter at ChewyJump to Review

Best Overall:Purina Unscented Cat Litter at Walmart$24Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter at Amazon$31Jump to ReviewBest Odor-Control:Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Clumping:Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$33Jump to ReviewBest Mess-Free:Tuft & Paw Cat Litter at Amazon$58Jump to ReviewBest Scented:Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter at ChewyJump to Review

Best Overall:Purina Unscented Cat Litter at Walmart$24Jump to Review

Best Overall:Purina Unscented Cat Litter at Walmart$24

Best Overall:

Best Budget:Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter at Amazon$31Jump to Review

Best Budget:Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter at Amazon$31

Best Budget:

Best Odor-Control:Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$20Jump to Review

Best Odor-Control:Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$20

Best Odor-Control:

Best Clumping:Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$33Jump to Review

Best Clumping:Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter at Amazon$33

Best Clumping:

Best Mess-Free:Tuft & Paw Cat Litter at Amazon$58Jump to Review

Best Mess-Free:Tuft & Paw Cat Litter at Amazon$58

Best Mess-Free:

Best Scented:Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter at ChewyJump to Review

Best Scented:Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter at Chewy

Best Scented:

Best OverallPurina Unscented Cat LitterPHOTO: Target$24 at Walmart$33 at Chewy$17$16 at PetSmart

Best OverallPurina Unscented Cat Litter

Best Overall

Purina Unscented Cat Litter

PHOTO: Target

$24 at Walmart$33 at Chewy$17$16 at PetSmart

Star QualitiesOutstanding odor controlNo dust when scooping and cleaningEasy to pour into a litter boxRed FlagsDoesn’t clump as well as some of the other cat litters we tested

Star QualitiesOutstanding odor controlNo dust when scooping and cleaningEasy to pour into a litter box

Outstanding odor control

No dust when scooping and cleaning

Easy to pour into a litter box

Red FlagsDoesn’t clump as well as some of the other cat litters we tested

Doesn’t clump as well as some of the other cat litters we tested

Apart from its odor control, the box it comes in makes it really easy to pour and fill the litter box with little hassle. It has an opening that’s designed specifically for pouring and doesn’t require any awkward grips or struggle that comes with re-filling the litter box compared to other designs, such as bags. Though it’s not the most impressive feature, the litter clumps well enough (just not as good as other options on our list, like theFresh Step Outstretch Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze) for those who change the litter box on a more regular basis.

Overall, we cannot recommend the Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented litter enough. The impressive odor control alone is enough to make us want to re-purchase, as it truly worked wonders on targeting one of the biggest cat owner woes: a stinky litter box.

Size:35 lbs. |Scent:Unscented |Ingredients:Natural clay with activated charcoal

PHOTO: People / Cara MilhavenPHOTO: People / Cara Milhaven

Best BudgetScoop Away Unscented Clay Cat LitterPHOTO: Walmart$31 at Amazon$27$12 at Walmart$12 at Chewy

Best BudgetScoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter

Best Budget

Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter

PHOTO: Walmart

$31 at Amazon$27$12 at Walmart$12 at Chewy

Star QualitiesClumps well and does not get stickyUnscented option has fantastic odor controlHandle makes it easier to pour into the litter boxRed FlagsA little dustier than other litters

Star QualitiesClumps well and does not get stickyUnscented option has fantastic odor controlHandle makes it easier to pour into the litter box

Clumps well and does not get sticky

Unscented option has fantastic odor control

Handle makes it easier to pour into the litter box

Red FlagsA little dustier than other litters

A little dustier than other litters

In addition to its clumping, the budget-friendly cat litter also comes in a box that is super easy to use. To fill the litter box, it has an opening on the side along with a handle that helps you carry it while pouring. And, although there was some dust when pouring, it wasn’t too terrible to manage and didn’t take away from the fact that this is one of the best cat litters available, especially considering the price tag.

Size:25 lbs. |Scent:Unscented |Ingredients:Clay

PHOTO: People / Lisa PezzutoPHOTO: People / Lisa Pezzuto

Best Odor-ControlArm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat LitterPHOTO: Amazon$20 at Amazon$19 at PetSmartView on Petsupermarket.com

Best Odor-ControlArm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter

Best Odor-Control

Arm & Hammer Fragrance-Free Clumping Cat Litter

PHOTO: Amazon

$20 at Amazon$19 at PetSmartView on Petsupermarket.com

Star QualitiesCompletely odorlessLitter clumps well, making it easy to clean out the boxExcellent odor controlLarge size makes it a great valueRed FlagsBox isn’t as easy to open and pourLitter can kick up more dust than other options

Star QualitiesCompletely odorlessLitter clumps well, making it easy to clean out the boxExcellent odor controlLarge size makes it a great value

Completely odorless

Litter clumps well, making it easy to clean out the box

Excellent odor control

Large size makes it a great value

Red FlagsBox isn’t as easy to open and pourLitter can kick up more dust than other options

Box isn’t as easy to open and pour

Litter can kick up more dust than other options

The Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Cat Litter is another option we tested with outstanding odor control. This kitty litter is completely odorless, provides excellent odor control, and is unscented, so it basically goes undetected in your home. We found that, considering the odor control and the 40-lb. box, it is also a fantastic option for those with multiple cats, since it will last you a long time and helps keep litter box stench at bay.

Size:40 lbs. |Scent:Unscented |Ingredients:Clay with baking soda crystals

PHOTO: People / Asad RichardsonPHOTO: People / Asad Richardson

Best ClumpingFresh Step Clumping Cat LitterPHOTO: Amazon$33$29 at Amazon$17 at Target$17 at WalmartStar QualitiesThin, sandy texture is gentler on a cat’s pawsFebreze scent keeps odor at bay without smelling overwhelmingFeels more lightweight than other litters we testedClumps easilyRed FlagsGives off a lot of dust when filling the litter boxThe best clumping cat litter is the Fresh Step Outstretch Long Lasting Concentrated Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze Freshness. This lightly scented cat litter has a refreshing Febreze fragrance that helps keep bad odors at bay and keeps the room with the litter box smelling ultra-fresh. The litter itself has a thin and sandy texture that feels more lightweight than other options and boasts excellent clumping abilities — even larger clumps stay together well — that makes it really easy to scoop and keep the litter box clean.Clumping isn’t the only thing we liked about this cat litter. We also loved the box it comes in, which we found was super easy to use. It’s easy to pour litter into the litter box (though there is a lot of dust when re-filling) and doesn’t create a lot of mess, which isn’t always the case with other kitty litter options.Size:32 lbs. total (between 2 boxes) |Scent:Febreze |Ingredients:Clay with activated charcoal and FebrezePHOTO: People / Alessandra AmodioPHOTO: People / Alessandra AmodioPHOTO: People / Elizabeth Theriot

Best ClumpingFresh Step Clumping Cat LitterPHOTO: Amazon$33$29 at Amazon$17 at Target$17 at Walmart

Best ClumpingFresh Step Clumping Cat Litter

Best Clumping

Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter

$33$29 at Amazon$17 at Target$17 at Walmart

Star QualitiesThin, sandy texture is gentler on a cat’s pawsFebreze scent keeps odor at bay without smelling overwhelmingFeels more lightweight than other litters we testedClumps easilyRed FlagsGives off a lot of dust when filling the litter box

Star QualitiesThin, sandy texture is gentler on a cat’s pawsFebreze scent keeps odor at bay without smelling overwhelmingFeels more lightweight than other litters we testedClumps easily

Thin, sandy texture is gentler on a cat’s paws

Febreze scent keeps odor at bay without smelling overwhelming

Feels more lightweight than other litters we tested

Clumps easily

Red FlagsGives off a lot of dust when filling the litter box

Gives off a lot of dust when filling the litter box

The best clumping cat litter is the Fresh Step Outstretch Long Lasting Concentrated Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze Freshness. This lightly scented cat litter has a refreshing Febreze fragrance that helps keep bad odors at bay and keeps the room with the litter box smelling ultra-fresh. The litter itself has a thin and sandy texture that feels more lightweight than other options and boasts excellent clumping abilities — even larger clumps stay together well — that makes it really easy to scoop and keep the litter box clean.

Clumping isn’t the only thing we liked about this cat litter. We also loved the box it comes in, which we found was super easy to use. It’s easy to pour litter into the litter box (though there is a lot of dust when re-filling) and doesn’t create a lot of mess, which isn’t always the case with other kitty litter options.

Size:32 lbs. total (between 2 boxes) |Scent:Febreze |Ingredients:Clay with activated charcoal and Febreze

PHOTO: People / Alessandra AmodioPHOTO: People / Alessandra AmodioPHOTO: People / Elizabeth Theriot

Best Mess-FreeTuft & Paw Cat LitterPHOTO: Tuft & Paw$58 at AmazonView on Tuftandpaw.comView on ChewyStar QualitiesNo dust at all when pouring the litter into the litter boxFlushable and compostableBag is resealable and easy to pour fromRed FlagsDoesn’t clump as well as other litters, but it clumps the best compared to other natural littersSmaller amount of product included versus others on the listThe most mess-free cat litter we tested is the Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter. This subscription-based cat litter comes in a 9.5-lb. resealable bag that is easy to pour into the litter box with minimal mess. Made from natural and non-toxic ​​white sorghum grass, the litter also makes clean-up easy since it’s 100 percent flushable and compostable, too (although, if you live in California, flushing used cat litter is prohibited). When testing this litter out, we found that the large pellets made for a much better pouring situation, since there was virtually no dust. Plus we found it was easy to clean out the cat waste since it easily separated from the pellets.Size:9.5 lbs. |Scent:Unscented |Ingredients:Soybean fiber, corn Starch, corn flour, guar gum, charcoalPHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu Han

Best Mess-FreeTuft & Paw Cat LitterPHOTO: Tuft & Paw$58 at AmazonView on Tuftandpaw.comView on Chewy

Best Mess-FreeTuft & Paw Cat Litter

Best Mess-Free

Tuft & Paw Cat Litter

PHOTO: Tuft & Paw

$58 at AmazonView on Tuftandpaw.comView on Chewy

Star QualitiesNo dust at all when pouring the litter into the litter boxFlushable and compostableBag is resealable and easy to pour fromRed FlagsDoesn’t clump as well as other litters, but it clumps the best compared to other natural littersSmaller amount of product included versus others on the list

Star QualitiesNo dust at all when pouring the litter into the litter boxFlushable and compostableBag is resealable and easy to pour from

No dust at all when pouring the litter into the litter box

Flushable and compostable

Bag is resealable and easy to pour from

Red FlagsDoesn’t clump as well as other litters, but it clumps the best compared to other natural littersSmaller amount of product included versus others on the list

Doesn’t clump as well as other litters, but it clumps the best compared to other natural litters

Smaller amount of product included versus others on the list

The most mess-free cat litter we tested is the Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter. This subscription-based cat litter comes in a 9.5-lb. resealable bag that is easy to pour into the litter box with minimal mess. Made from natural and non-toxic ​​white sorghum grass, the litter also makes clean-up easy since it’s 100 percent flushable and compostable, too (although, if you live in California, flushing used cat litter is prohibited). When testing this litter out, we found that the large pellets made for a much better pouring situation, since there was virtually no dust. Plus we found it was easy to clean out the cat waste since it easily separated from the pellets.

Size:9.5 lbs. |Scent:Unscented |Ingredients:Soybean fiber, corn Starch, corn flour, guar gum, charcoal

PHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu HanPHOTO: People / Lu Han

Best ScentedFresh Step Calm Cat LitterPHOTO: TargetView on Chewy$18 at PetSmartView on Petsupermarket.comStar QualitiesPleasant yet subtle scentBox has a built-in handle, making it easier to pourSand-like consistency doesn’t create any dustRed FlagsScent is great for humans, but some cats may not take to itIt’s no secret that litter boxes can wreak havoc on your sense. While there are some excellent options for odor control — many of which are on this list — sometimes you need a little extra help to keep things smelling fresh. Our top pick for the best-scented litter is the Fresh Step Calm, which features a pleasant rose, chamomile, and hemp seed oil that provides a refreshing aroma. While not every cat takes to scented litter, this one is on the light side, so some kitties might not mind it. In addition to its scent, the litter is also formulated with activated charcoal for eliminating odor smells and definitely does a great job of keeping the stench at bay.Its scent and odor elimination aren’t the only things that make this a standout cat litter. The litter has a sand-like consistency that doesn’t create any dust when scooping or pouring into the box, plus it clumps really well making it easy to use.Size:22.5 lbs. |Scent:Rose, chamomile, and hemp seed oil |Ingredients:Clay with activated charcoalPHOTO: People / Elizabeth TheriotPHOTO: People / Elizabeth Theriot

Best ScentedFresh Step Calm Cat LitterPHOTO: TargetView on Chewy$18 at PetSmartView on Petsupermarket.com

Best ScentedFresh Step Calm Cat Litter

Best Scented

Fresh Step Calm Cat Litter

View on Chewy$18 at PetSmartView on Petsupermarket.com

Star QualitiesPleasant yet subtle scentBox has a built-in handle, making it easier to pourSand-like consistency doesn’t create any dustRed FlagsScent is great for humans, but some cats may not take to it

Star QualitiesPleasant yet subtle scentBox has a built-in handle, making it easier to pourSand-like consistency doesn’t create any dust

Pleasant yet subtle scent

Box has a built-in handle, making it easier to pour

Sand-like consistency doesn’t create any dust

Red FlagsScent is great for humans, but some cats may not take to it

Scent is great for humans, but some cats may not take to it

It’s no secret that litter boxes can wreak havoc on your sense. While there are some excellent options for odor control — many of which are on this list — sometimes you need a little extra help to keep things smelling fresh. Our top pick for the best-scented litter is the Fresh Step Calm, which features a pleasant rose, chamomile, and hemp seed oil that provides a refreshing aroma. While not every cat takes to scented litter, this one is on the light side, so some kitties might not mind it. In addition to its scent, the litter is also formulated with activated charcoal for eliminating odor smells and definitely does a great job of keeping the stench at bay.

Its scent and odor elimination aren’t the only things that make this a standout cat litter. The litter has a sand-like consistency that doesn’t create any dust when scooping or pouring into the box, plus it clumps really well making it easy to use.

Size:22.5 lbs. |Scent:Rose, chamomile, and hemp seed oil |Ingredients:Clay with activated charcoal

PHOTO: People / Elizabeth TheriotPHOTO: People / Elizabeth Theriot

What to Know About Cat Litter

Scent

When shopping for pet litter, Dr. Bruns says it’s important to consider scent. “While many litters come in both scented and unscented varieties, it is typically best to choose an unscented option as cats have very sensitive noses, and the strong chemical scent can discourage them from visiting their litter box or lead to an allergic reaction," she explains. With that said, many pet parents might be drawn to scented litter to help with odor control.

If you wish to go the unscented route but want an odorless litter, Dr. Bruns says to look or litter made with ingredients like activated charcoal — such as theFresh Step Calmlitter which comes in scented and unscented. Cat litter with baking soda (like theArm & Hammer Super Scoop Cat Litter) can also help contain scents and keep them from permeating a living space.

Odor Control

Speaking of scent, odor control is another important factor to choose from, as many unscented cat litters do an excellent job of keeping odor at bay without the inclusion of perfume.Erin DeAngelis, a cat product specialist atPet Supplies Plus, recommends doing a five-day test to see if the litter lives up to the package claims and is truly odor-controlling.

If you don’t wish to test on your own, we did the testing for you and found thatTidy Cats Naturally Strong UnscentedandArm & Hammer Super Scoop Cat Litterboth have outstanding odor control. We love also love the latter because it features absorbent clay and odor-diffusing baking soda crystals to help combat the litter box stench.

Pellet Size

While it’s not the most important thing to consider, it’s worth looking at the cat litter pellet size as this can often be the culprit for some cat parent woes. “Pet parents should consider a litter with large pellet sizes if they are tired of finding litter all over their house,” says Samantha Patterson, an educator atPet Food Express. “The larger the pellet size, the less likely the stuff will stick to the cat’s paws,” she adds, noting that this means less tracking throughout the house.

Behind the Scenes

Figuring out products your pet loves is no easy feat — especially when it comes to something like cat litter. To find the best cat litter (for us and our fur babies), we tried some of the most popular options, testing each over a four week trial period and looking at the following qualities:

After performing all tests, we rated each cat litter on a 1-5 scale for the following categories: odor, design, clumping, and mess. We carefully reviewed the results of each to determine which ones we can most recommend for cat owners. The products with the highest average ratings earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list of the best cat litters.

People / Alessandra Amodio

Frequently Asked Questions“Each type of litter offers different benefits and will largely depend on the cat’s preference and lifestyle of the pet parent,” says DeAngelis. She explains that clumping clay litter is typically the most popular because it’s easy to scoop and conserves litter. However, some might also prefer natural litter since they are biodegradable and better for the environment. “No matter which forms you choose, unscented is best since cats have 14 times more smell receptors than humans so added fragrance can be overwhelming to your cat,” DeAngelis adds.After testing out dozens of litters, we recommend theTidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented, which has excellent odor control, is unscented, and doesn’t give off a lot of dust when changing the litter box. If you’re looking for a litter with outstanding clumping abilities, consider theFresh Step Outstretch Long Lasting Concentrated Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze Freshness, which clumps easily and was proven to keep odor at bay.According to Lusvardi, clay litter is excellent for odor control since it is more absorbent and excels at clumping, making it easier to scoop and get all of a cat’s waste out of the box. In addition to clay and clumping, Dr. Bruns recommends looking for ingredients like activated charcoal for absorbing and neutralizing scent and baking soda for diffusing scent. With that said, cat litter is only as good as the cleanliness of the litter box. “The most important thing a cat owner can do to control odors is scooping their cat’s litter box at least once per day,” says Lusvardi.Pellet size is an important thing to look for when shopping for cat litter. For humans, larger pellets might be preferred since they don’t track as easily throughout the house. However, Lusvardi says some cats prefer smaller particles, so it’s best to go with your cat’s preference (or else they might not use the litter box in protest). If your cat has joint pain, pellet size is especially important since “smaller particle litters are a bit softer and less likely to cause cats to be in pain when using the box,” says Lusvardi.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Each type of litter offers different benefits and will largely depend on the cat’s preference and lifestyle of the pet parent,” says DeAngelis. She explains that clumping clay litter is typically the most popular because it’s easy to scoop and conserves litter. However, some might also prefer natural litter since they are biodegradable and better for the environment. “No matter which forms you choose, unscented is best since cats have 14 times more smell receptors than humans so added fragrance can be overwhelming to your cat,” DeAngelis adds.After testing out dozens of litters, we recommend theTidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented, which has excellent odor control, is unscented, and doesn’t give off a lot of dust when changing the litter box. If you’re looking for a litter with outstanding clumping abilities, consider theFresh Step Outstretch Long Lasting Concentrated Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze Freshness, which clumps easily and was proven to keep odor at bay.

“Each type of litter offers different benefits and will largely depend on the cat’s preference and lifestyle of the pet parent,” says DeAngelis. She explains that clumping clay litter is typically the most popular because it’s easy to scoop and conserves litter. However, some might also prefer natural litter since they are biodegradable and better for the environment. “No matter which forms you choose, unscented is best since cats have 14 times more smell receptors than humans so added fragrance can be overwhelming to your cat,” DeAngelis adds.

After testing out dozens of litters, we recommend theTidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented, which has excellent odor control, is unscented, and doesn’t give off a lot of dust when changing the litter box. If you’re looking for a litter with outstanding clumping abilities, consider theFresh Step Outstretch Long Lasting Concentrated Clumping Cat Litter with Febreze Freshness, which clumps easily and was proven to keep odor at bay.

According to Lusvardi, clay litter is excellent for odor control since it is more absorbent and excels at clumping, making it easier to scoop and get all of a cat’s waste out of the box. In addition to clay and clumping, Dr. Bruns recommends looking for ingredients like activated charcoal for absorbing and neutralizing scent and baking soda for diffusing scent. With that said, cat litter is only as good as the cleanliness of the litter box. “The most important thing a cat owner can do to control odors is scooping their cat’s litter box at least once per day,” says Lusvardi.

Pellet size is an important thing to look for when shopping for cat litter. For humans, larger pellets might be preferred since they don’t track as easily throughout the house. However, Lusvardi says some cats prefer smaller particles, so it’s best to go with your cat’s preference (or else they might not use the litter box in protest). If your cat has joint pain, pellet size is especially important since “smaller particle litters are a bit softer and less likely to cause cats to be in pain when using the box,” says Lusvardi.

Jessie Quinnis a contributing writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. (She’s also a proud pug mom.) For this story, Jessie spoke with multiple experts who helped inform which qualities were most important in the best cat litter, which included clumping, mess, and odor control. Jessie spoke withJoey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant, as well as Dr. Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM atPetSmart Veterinary Services, Samantha Patterson, an educator atPet Food Express, andErin DeAngelis, a cat product specialist atPet Supplies Plus,

Our Expert PannelJoey Lusvardiis a certified cat behavior consultant with Class Act Cats, a behavior consulation service for cat owners.Dr. Jennifer Bruns, DVM, is the MPVM atPetSmart Veterinary ServicesErin DeAngelisis a cat product specialist atPet Supplies Plus,

Our Expert Pannel

Joey Lusvardiis a certified cat behavior consultant with Class Act Cats, a behavior consulation service for cat owners.Dr. Jennifer Bruns, DVM, is the MPVM atPetSmart Veterinary ServicesErin DeAngelisis a cat product specialist atPet Supplies Plus,

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source: people.com