Struggling to keep your apartment from smelling like a litter box? We get it. When you’re living in a small space, even the slightest odor can feel like it’s taking over the whole place. That’s why finding the best odor control cat litters is so important—they’re your first line of defense against lingering smells.
To help you breathe easier (literally), we’ve put together a list of the best odor control cat litters for small spaces that actually do what they promise. To further protect your home from bad smells, check out our list of the best cat litter boxes for odor control.
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Best Overall
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Runner Up
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Best Clumping
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This smart, lightweight cat litter with absorbent crystals traps odors and eliminates moisture. It changes color to monitor your cat's health, detecting issues like UTIs. One 8lb. bag lasts up to 2 months! With a low-dust, perfume-free formula, it's ideal for single and multi-cat households. LIMITED TIME OFFER GET A FREE LITTER BOX WITH PURCHASE |
The litter is made of a natural mineral derived from fossilized algae – and the result? A low-tracking, odor-neutralizing litter that instantly works to absorb liquids and dehydrate waste in any litter box. Plus, an 8-lb bag lasts up to 2 months, replacing 40 lb of clumping clay litter! LIMITED TIME OFFER BUY 2 GET 30% OFF |
Fresh Step Extreme Clumping Cat Litter is formulated with the power of Febreze in Mountain Spring scent to destroy extreme litter box odors. This 99.9% dust free litter formula with Ammonia Block Technology, controls the growth of bacterial odors and blocks urine odors, as it leaves behind a Mountain Spring scent. The paw activated fragrance releases every time your cat uses the litter box, providing odor control as needed without being overpowering. |
This smart, lightweight cat litter with absorbent crystals traps odors and eliminates moisture. It changes color to monitor your cat's health, detecting issues like UTIs. One 8lb. bag lasts up to 2 months! With a low-dust, perfume-free formula, it's ideal for single and multi-cat households.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
GET A FREE LITTER BOX WITH PURCHASE
The litter is made of a natural mineral derived from fossilized algae – and the result? A low-tracking, odor-neutralizing litter that instantly works to absorb liquids and dehydrate waste in any litter box. Plus, an 8-lb bag lasts up to 2 months, replacing 40 lb of clumping clay litter!
LIMITED TIME OFFER
BUY 2 GET 30% OFF
Fresh Step Extreme Clumping Cat Litter is formulated with the power of Febreze in Mountain Spring scent to destroy extreme litter box odors. This 99.9% dust free litter formula with Ammonia Block Technology, controls the growth of bacterial odors and blocks urine odors, as it leaves behind a Mountain Spring scent. The paw activated fragrance releases every time your cat uses the litter box, providing odor control as needed without being overpowering.
Top Picks for the Best Odor Control Cat Litters for Small Spaces
- Top Pick – Pretty Litter
- Runner-Up – PetSafe ScoopFree® Premium Natural Cat Litter
- Best Budget Pick – Fresh Step® Extreme With Febreze
- Best Wood Litter – Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
- Best Paper Cat Litter – Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
- Best For Multi-Cat Homes – Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Dust-Free Clumping Cat Litter
- Best Non-Clumping Litter – Tuft And Paw Really Great Cat Litter
Top Pick: Pretty Litter
Pretty Litter is our top pick for health-conscious cat owners and lovers of convenience. It’s an innovative subscription service that sends you a new disposable litter box every month, along with a monthly supply of their special health monitoring crystal cat litter.
Key features:
- Health monitoring
- pH-level indicator
- Unscented or scented options
- Lightweight
- Highly absorbent
- Odor trapping
- 99% dust-free
- Affordable subscriptions
- 30-day trial
- Free delivery
What we like:
The litter itself is lightweight and highly absorbent of both liquids and smells for the best odor control. With unscented and lotus flower scented options, the color of the litter changes based on the PH level in your cat’s pee, serving as an indicator of health issues, like high alkaline levels, which can denote UTIs or kidney stones.
Whilst it’s no substitute for a vet visit, it’s a handy tool for picking up on changes in your cat’s body to catch problems early on. Their innovative design has been featured in several publications, including Forbes magazine. You can choose an affordable subscription plan based on how many cats you have, and even try it risk-free for 30 days.
What to consider:
Subscription services aren’t right for everyone, but they’re significantly cheaper than their competitors and offer free delivery, too.
Full review: Read our full review here.
PrettyLitter is a smart, lightweight cat litter with absorbent crystals that trap odors and eliminate moisture. It changes color to monitor your cat's health, detecting issues like UTIs. One 8lb. bag lasts up to 2 months, reducing waste and maintenance. With a low-dust, perfume-free formula, it's ideal for single and multi-cat households—just scoop the poop and enjoy peace of mind.
⭐ LIMITED TIME OFFER ⭐
FREE LITTER MAT + 20% OFF
Runner-Up: PetSafe ScoopFree® Premium Natural Cat Litter
PetSafe ScoopFree® Premium Natural Cat Litter is our runner-up pick. It’s ideal for eco-conscious owners and lovers of all things natural, as it’s made from 100% natural pebbles sourced from diatomaceous Earth in the USA, and zero chemicals or fragrances.
Key features:
- 100% natural pebbles
- Non-clumping cat litter
- Lightweight
- Low dust and low tracking
- Absorbs and dries waste
- 30+ days of odor control
- Lasts up to five times longer
- Fragrance-free
- No chemicals, additives, or dyes
- Sourced and made in the USA
What we like:
It absorbs moisture and dehydrates waste fast for over 30 days of superior odor control, in even the smallest of spaces. Although it’s non-clumping, it’s low-dust, low-tracking, and very lightweight for easy litter tray changes and a box that’s super soft on paws.
What to consider:
It’s on the expensive side, but it lasts five times longer than clumping clay litter, so it’s a good deal in the long run.
The litter is made of a natural mineral derived from fossilized algae – and the result? A low-tracking, odor-neutralizing litter that instantly works to absorb liquids and dehydrate waste in any litter box. Plus, an 8-lb bag lasts up to 2 months, replacing 40 lb of clumping clay litter!
Best Budget Pick: Fresh Step® Extreme With Febreze
Fresh Step® Extreme With Febreze is our top pick for buyers on a budget, with clever technologies that ensure no bad smells, and a paw activated mountain spring scent that releases every time your cat uses their litter box.
Key features:
- Mountain spring scent
- Paw-activated fragrance
- 10-day odor control
- Absorbs liquids fast
- Ammonia block technology
- ClumpLock technology
- Easy scooping
- Less tracking
- Power of Febreze
- 99.9% dust-free
What we like:
The ammonia block technology uses the power of Febreze to control the growth of bacteria and block urine smells for up to ten days. It also uses ClumpLock technology to absorb liquids for fast and easy scooping and less tracking around your home.
What to consider:
The dustiness of the litter can be inconsistent.
Fresh Step Extreme Clumping Cat Litter is formulated with the power of Febreze in Mountain Spring scent to destroy extreme litter box odors. This 99.9% dust free litter formula with Ammonia Block Technology, controls the growth of bacterial odors and blocks urine odors, as it leaves behind a Mountain Spring scent. The paw activated fragrance releases every time your cat uses the litter box, providing odor control as needed without being overpowering.
Best Wood Litter: Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Another natural option, Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter is our favorite clumping wood-based cat litter for odor control. It’s made from responsibly and sustainably sourced wood, comes in fully recyclable packaging, and uses no synthetics, dyes, or fragrances.
Key features:
- Wood-based clumping cat litter
- Responsibly and sustainably sourced
- Soft texture
- 99% dust-free
- Highly absorbent
- Stops odors at the source
- Easy scooping
- Recyclable packaging
- No artificial fragrances, dyes, or chemicals
What we like:
It works to naturally prevent enzymes from bonding with liquid and waste, to soak up liquids and prevent odors before they start. The wood fibers are de-dusted and screened for less tracking and mess, with a 99% dust-free formula that’s soft on paws and easy to scoop.
What to consider:
It works best with scoops with larger holes, so you may need to invest in a new scoop if you currently have one for fine litter.
Make litter box maintenance easier, cleaner and eco-friendly with Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter. It’s crafted from sustainably sourced, natural wood fiber that has been responsibly rescued and has a playful texture. Even though it’s made using natural materials, it’s still powerful enough to control those unpleasant kitty odors.
Best Paper Cat Litter: Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is made in the USA from recycled paper, helping to reduce landfill space and save trees from being harvested, making it our favorite paper-based pick, and another great one for eco-conscious buyers.
Key features:
- Made from recycled paper
- Non-clumping cat litter
- 99% dust-free
- Low tracking
- Three times more absorbent than clay
- Baking soda neutralizes odors
- Unscented
- Non-allergenic
- No added chemicals or fragrances
- Easy-to-use zipper bag
- Made in the USA
What we like:
It combines absorbent paper with ammonia-locking baking soda to neutralize odors on contact. In fact, it’s three times more absorbent of smells and liquids than clay-based litter, with 99.9% dust-free soft pellets that retain their form to reduce tracking around your home and don’t scratch paws.
The formula is also unscented and non-allergenic for sensitive skin and airways, with a convenient zipper bag for easy litter tray changes.
What to consider:
It’s non-clumping, which isn’t to everyone’s preference, but it’s super absorbent and low mess.
Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper cat litter provides outstanding odor control and superior absorption. The paper moisture absorbing pellets retain their form allowing you to see and scoop the soiled areas while reducing tracking around your home.
Best For Multi-Cat Homes: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Dust-Free Clumping Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Dust-Free Clumping Cat Litter is our top pick for owners of multiple cats, with a powerful odor-control formula designed to keep multi-cat homes smelling fresh as a daisy.
Key features:
- Natural hypoallergenic formula
- 100% bentonite clay
- Dust-free
- Low tracking
- Maximum clumping
- Odor control
- Unscented
- Easy scooping
- Ideal for multi-cat homes
What we like:
It’s made with 100% natural, unscented, and hypoallergenic bentonite clay, which is 100% dust-free and won’t upset sensitive airways. The premium quality formula also offers maximum clumping, with ideally sized litter particles for low tracking and easy scooping.
What to consider:
It’s not the most lightweight formula, which could be a problem for some owners when it comes to maintenance.
Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings, Dr. Elsey's Premium Clumping Cat Litter features a combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
Best Non-Clumping Litter: Tuft And Paw Really Great Cat Litter
Tuft And Paw Really Great Cat Litter is our top non-clumping pick, with an innovative soybean formula made from thoughtfully repurposed bean fibers, a byproduct of soy processing, to reduce industry waste.
Key features:
- Unique soybean formula
- Non-clumping cat litter
- Added charcoal for odor control
- Lightweight and paw-friendly
- Safely and thoughtfully made
- Moisture trapping
- Ultra-low tracking
- 99% dust-free
- Flushable
What we like:
The unique moisture-absorbing formula is 99% dust-free and ultra-low tracking, with added charcoal for superior odor control. One bag typically lasts around one month per cat, and it’s 58% lighter than clay litter for easy refills. It’s also flushable for convenient disposal.
What to consider:
It’s unsuitable for cats with allergies to soy.
An ultra low tracking, clumping, dust-free tofu cat litter that disintegrates completely in water so that you can flush safely down the toilet. Totally mess-free. Flushable, odor eliminating, quick clumping and low-tracking for a squeaky clean home. Thoughtful, non-toxic ingredients made from soybean byproduct (tofu) that would have otherwise gone to the landfill – safer for your cat, better for the planet. Gone are days of lugging litter all the way home. We get you what you need, when you need it. Includes free shipping.
FAQs
How many litter boxes do I need in a small home?
You should aim for at least one litter box per cat, regardless of the size of your home.
How often should I change my cat’s litter to minimize odors?
Generally speaking, you should change your cat’s litter every 2-3 weeks, but if you live in a smaller home, you may want to do it more often. However, with a good odor-control litter, you shouldn’t have to. Don’t forget to scoop every day and deep clean with soap and water regularly!
How much cat litter should I use for good odor control?
The general guideline is that 2-3 inches of litter is best, but you can add more if necessary, so long as your cat can comfortably use and dig in the box.
Do cats prefer scented or unscented cat litter?
Generally speaking, most cats prefer unscented litter. However, many have no preference, and a natural, gentle scent can enhance odor control and even entice cats.
Final Thoughts
Those are our best odor control cat litters for small spaces and homes. Do you live in a smaller home or apartment? Let us know your top tips for keeping things clean and tidy with your feline friend around below. If you’re concerned about the smell of your cat’s litter box, check out our cat poop guide for everything you need to know about healthy poops.
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