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Guide · Litter & odor
How to choose cat litter
Five things to check before you buy — each one an attribute you can verify in the listing itself, with the pick in litter & odor that answers it best.
Scent or no scent
Fragrance is the first fork in the road. Unscented clay controls odor by trapping it; scented litter adds perfume on top.
Check: Decide if anyone at home — cat included — is scent-sensitive. Sensitive? Go unscented.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra — see the reviewClump strength
Hard clumps lift out whole, taking the odor with them and leaving clean litter behind.
Check: Look for 'hard clumping' in the listing and plan to scoop daily.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra — see the reviewDust level
Dust goes on paws, floors and lungs. Low-dust formulas matter most in small rooms.
Check: Check the listing's dust claim — and treat it as a brand claim until you pour the first bag.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra — see the reviewCleanup style
Non-stick formulas slide out of the box instead of needing a scrape and scrub.
Check: Hate scraping? A slide-style litter is built for you.
ARM & HAMMER Slide — see the reviewPack size
Multi-cat homes burn through litter. A 40 lb bag means fewer reorders — and a heavier lift.
Check: Count your cats and your storage space before choosing the bag.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra — see the reviewThree mistakes to skip
- Buying a scented litter for a scent-sensitive cat — the box gets avoided, not used.
- Judging by the smallest bag in a multi-cat home: it runs out mid-week.
- Switching litters overnight; mix old and new for a few days instead.
Good questions
Questions
Scent or no scent?
Fragrance is the first fork in the road. Unscented clay controls odor by trapping it; scented litter adds perfume on top. Decide if anyone at home — cat included — is scent-sensitive. Sensitive? Go unscented.
Where do these rules come from?
From the listings of the products in this category — the same specifications our Spec scores use. Nothing here is a lab result or a hands-on test.
Which product should I start with?
Start with the category's top Spec score, then read its skip-if line: it is written to talk you out of the wrong pick.
