Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team
If you’re like most cat owners, you adore your cat but don’t enjoy the mess they leave in the litter box. You may have a hard time entering the room with the litter box after your pet has gone potty. That’s when it’s time to get a cat litter deodorizer. White Bentonite Cat Litter
As the name suggests, a cat litter deodorizer is an extra product you put in your cat’s litter to cover up the pungent aroma. Which cat litter deodorizer is best? You’ll find out below with our reviews of the best cat litter deodorizers.
This excellent deodorizer uses bio-enzymes to break down odor-causing agents naturally and is safe for all cats. It can be used on any type of litter and will get to work immediately, destroying odors without a heavy, artificial smell. It’s fragrance-free, but the enzymatic formula eliminates foul odors that linger in the litter box.
What we really like about Hepper Litter Additive, our choice for best cat litter deodorizer, is that you can use it in other areas that smell, like the trash can where you dump used litter or a crate you use when your cat has kittens. We also like that it extends the life of your litter to save you a few dollars and extend your budget.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Arm & Hammer Litter Restoring Clary Sage & Mint Scent Cat Litter Box Deodorizing Crystals uses baking soda and essential oils to control and eliminate odors in your cat’s litter box. Unlike most other products on our list, Arm & Hammer dissolves, so there’s less to clean up later.
Also, the sage and mint help calm your cat. Because of those features, we picked Arm & Hammer Litter Restoring as our budget buy option. However, Arm and Hammer cover the smell rather than eliminating it like others on our list.
Arm & Hammer Litter Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder instantly eliminates odors the moment you sprinkle it on top of your cat’s regular litter. It’s also moisture-activated, and every time your cat uses their litter box, the product jumps into action to eliminate the smell.
This excellent deodorizer prevents clumping on the bottom of the box when your cat pees, making it easier for you to clean the litter box. As you might have guessed from the Arm & Hammer name, it also uses baking soda, one of the all-time great odor-absorbing substances.
NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer goes to work immediately after sprinkling it on your cat’s litter. The key is its natural zeolite, which doesn’t just mask odors but eliminates them at the source. NonScents is also concentrated, so a little goes a long way, and it extends the life of your litter, so you don’t have to change it as often.
Although most reviews for this product are stellar, several customers said the smell of bleach or chlorine was overwhelming. This might be problematic for some cats with sensitive noses, but most users say it works like a charm.
TriNova Natural Cat Litter Box Deodorizer is a bio-based product that absorbs odors rather than simply covering them with a heavy fragrance. Like most on this list, Trinova helps extend the life of the litter and can keep your cat-related budget under control. The formula is also hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free.
The manufacturer recommends putting the cat litter deodorizer on fresh litter or after scooping out poop in your cat’s litter box. It’s also suitable for any litter, but some customers say it doesn’t work as well as they thought.
This all-natural, odor-fighting cat litter deodorizer uses active carbon to eliminate smells and remove greenhouse gases at the same time. Yes, cat feces emit greenhouse gases. Scent Away Cat Litter Deodorizer Litter Box Odor Eliminator also contains zeolite, which is a natural ingredient that absorbs moisture and prevents clumping.
Scent Away extends the life of your litter with less frequent changes, which saves money. One common complaint was that it stuck to the feet of cats after using their litter box, which could be problematic. Some users also claimed it didn’t cover odors as well as they would have liked.
We like that Fresh Step Cat Litter Crystals dissolve after application, making cleanup a bit easier and faster. Even better, it only activates when your cat goes potty, so you don’t always smell it.
One major drawback of Fresh Step is that if several cats use the same litter box, it might not sufficiently cover up the smell. In other words, it might not work as well as you hope in a multi-cat household unless you have multiple boxes.
Nature’s Pure Edge Cat Litter Odor Control Deodorizer is a good choice if you have a single cat since it doesn’t last as long with multiple cats. It’s commercial strength, however, and will usually work well with one cat even if they have pungent waste. Because it’s concentrated, you don’t need to use as much product. Plus, Nature’s Edge is odor-free, so there’s none of the chemical smell you get from many cat litter deodorizers. Although Nature’s Pure Edge is effective for most customers, it’s not ideal for multi-cat homes.
We think the best thing about Nature’s Miracle Litter Box Deodorizer is that you only need a little to get a lot of odor neutralization. That makes it one of the more economical on our list, but it’s not as highly rated by consumers as some of the others. One reason might be that the fragrance can be overpowering.
Still, it is a good choice for multi-cat homes since it’s concentrated, and you don’t need to use as much in every litter box. Also, since Nature’s Miracle absorbs moisture, it makes clean-up time easier and quicker.
Gizmo Pet Supplies Odor Eliminator is unique in that it uses granules of different sizes to capture and eliminate odors. These small and large granules capture more odors and maximize the coverage area when using the product. We also like that it’s 100% organic, something you don’t see with many litter deodorizers. It has no fragrances, artificial scents, or other chemicals and solvents, making it very safe for your precious cat.
Possibly the biggest drawback is that Gizmo’s litter only comes in 250-gram (8.82 oz) packages. That’s a tiny amount, and if you have multiple cats, it probably won’t last long before you need to purchase more.
Like any product you purchase for your cats, some characteristics make one cat litter deodorizer better than another. We’ve listed the most important of those below to help you choose the right cat litter deodorizer for your cat, whether you have one or multiple felines in your home.
One of the most important factors when purchasing a cat litter deodorizer is how many cats you have in your home. If you have one cat, the type of deodorizer you choose isn’t as crucial since most will work well for one cat. For multiple cats, however, it’s best to choose a deodorizer that’s quite a bit stronger. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a bio-enzymatic deodorizer works best for multiple-cat households.
Depending on the litter box you have, a litter box deodorizer might work better or worse. For example, if you have a motorized litter box, deodorizers can make the odors worse in some cases. If that’s what you use, you might need a stronger deodorizer or more litter with every application. However, a milder litter box deodorizer will work just fine for regular, tray-type litter boxes.
If your cat has allergies or is sensitive to strong smells, you must purchase a cat litter deodorizer with no fragrance. It would also be a good idea to purchase a hypoallergenic cat litter deodorizer or one that’s all-natural. If you’re not sure, check with your veterinarian.
Although the location of your cat’s litter box isn’t a huge factor, if it’s inside a closet or other small space, the smell can be much worse than if it’s in the open. For litter boxes in small spaces, a stronger deodorizer is recommended.
Our best overall choice for cat litter deodorizers goes to Hepper Litter Additive because it’s all-natural, biodegradable, fragrance-free, and works remarkably well. Arm & Hammer Litter Restoring Clary Sage & Mint Scent Cat Litter Box Deodorizing Crystals is our budget option for its price tag and the essential oils they use that help your cat stay calm.
The rest of the cat litter deodorizers on our list are all excellent products and worth considering. Whichever you choose will help reduce the admittedly awful odors many cats make when they go potty. That, in turn, can make your life a little more pleasant for you and your precious cat.
Featured Image Credit: xamnesiacx84, Shutterstock
Cat Ownership Gregory Iacono former chiropractor and self-taught writer. Greg has experience in a wide variety of subjects including video script. As a man of clinical experience, Greg has the ability to digest a complex subject and make it accessible to the reader. Greg enjoys traveling and spending time with his two daughters and son.