Training your feline to use a litter box can be tricky. Cats can be fussy at times, especially when it comes to their litter box. Even the smallest change in their litter or the placement of the box can cause them to abruptly stop using it. Training them to use the box in the first place can be challenging too.
Litter box attractants are ideal for helping train your cat to use their litter box, and they can be helpful when your cat suddenly stops using their box. There are few things more frustrating than a cat that does their business everywhere but the litter box. Litter box attractants can help solve the issue. These products work simply by producing an attractive odor that cats love, making their litter box a more inviting place to relieve themselves.
There are not that many cat litter attractants on the market, but several have been proven to do the job. We put together this list of five great cat litter attractants, along with in-depth reviews to help you choose the best cat litter attractant for your feline friend.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
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Best Overall
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Dr. Elsey's Cat Litter Attractant |
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Best Value
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Fresh Step Litter Box Attractant |
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Premium Choice
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Litter Magnet Cat Attract |
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Simple Solution Cat Litter Attractant |
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VetMD Litter Box Attractant |
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The 5 Best Cat Litter Attractants
1. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant – Best Overall
| Size: | 20 ounces |
| Litter Compatibility: | Clay and clumping litters only |
One of the most popular cat litter attractant companies on the market, Dr. Elsey’s is well known for its competitive pricing. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant is no different, making it our top choice overall. This litter attractant is 100% biodegradable, making it safe for the environment. It also contains no perfumed deodorants or artificial chemicals that can cause reactions in more sensitive cats. Instead, it uses a safe, enticing blend of natural herbs that are perfectly safe for cats.
The product is great for adults and kittens and is enough to treat up to 100 pounds of litter! For these reasons, we consider this product the best cat litter attractant on our list.
The only downside to this attractant is that it can only be used with clay and clumping litters and is not suitable for paper or pine litters.
2. Fresh Step Litter Box Attractant — Best Value
| Size: | 9 ounces |
| Litter Compatibility: | Any litter type |
A well-known brand in the cat litter attractant world, Fresh Step Litter Box Attractant has a litter box attractant that is inexpensive yet highly effective. In fact, it is the best cat litter attractant for the money.
One of our favorite features is that this attractant can be used with any litter type and makes use of cat-safe, non-toxic herbal ingredients rather than harsh perfumes or deodorants. This includes herbs like rosemary, alfalfa, and yucca extract for an attractant that is good for both the environment and your feline friend. Best of all, the attractant comes in a convenient, no-mess container that makes it a breeze to use.
The convenient powder form of this attractant is helpful for adding it to your cat’s litter, but it is a fine powder, and several customers report that it causes irritation in their cats. Also, it comes in a small container that will not go far.
3. Jorvet Litter Magnet Cat Attract — Premium Choice
| Size: | 20 ounces |
| Litter Compatibility: | Clay and unscented clumping litter |
Made from a blend of all-natural herbs that are 100% safe for cats, the Jorvet Litter Magnet Cat Attract is a great premium option for your feline. The attractant is suitable for any clay and unscented litter type and can be used to treat up to 100 pounds of litter, or roughly 1 cup for every 20 pounds. The attractant has a rich, earthy, catnip-like smell that seems to be highly enticing to most cats, and it does well to mask the smell of your cat’s litter box.
This attractant is not suitable for paper, corn, wheat, or scented litter. Also, while the scent works well for most cats, it is pungent, and adding too much can be overwhelming.
4. Simple Solution Cat Litter Attractant
| Size: | 9 ounces |
| Litter Compatibility: | Any litter type |
With a blend of enticing natural herbs that can be used for both training and corrective behavior and is suitable for use with any litter type, the Simple Solution Cat Litter Attractant is a great choice for your feline. The attractant is vet recommended and perfectly cat safe and is ideal for use with kittens and adult cats. You simply add 1 or 2 ounces to your cat’s litter and sprinkle a touch more after scooping, bringing an earthy odor that your cat will love.
This bag is rather small and won’t go that far, especially if you have multiple cats. Also, while Simple Solution claims that the litter is suitable for any litter type, some customers reported that the attractant prevented clumping litter from clumping.
5. VetMD Litter Box Attractant Powder For Cats
| Size: | 9 ounces |
| Litter Compatibility: | Any litter type |
The VetMD Litter Box Attractant Powder For Cats can be used with any litter type and is ideal for both adults and kittens. The attractant is made from a perfectly pet-safe herbal blend that includes timothy, alfalfa flower, and rosemary extract, with an enticing earthy smell that is sure to attract most cats and kittens. Simply mix roughly 2 ounces into your cat’s litter box and sprinkle a handful more after scooping.
The attractant is free from perfumes and harsh chemicals, is paraben-free, and is great for use even with sensitive cats.
Several customers reported no change in their cat’s litter box habits after using this product, while others reported that it helped a little. Also, it’s a fairly small bottle for the relatively high price.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Litter Attractant
There are few smells worse and more difficult to get rid of than cat urine. If your cat is urinating around your home and not using their litter box, we know how incredibly frustrating this can be. Training a cat to use a litter box can be difficult too, and for indoor cats, there is no other option but a litter box. The problem becomes even more compounded if you have more than one cat in your home. Fortunately, there is a potential solution: cat litter attractants. While these are not guaranteed to work, most cat owners swear by them and they are worth a try. But how do you find the best cat litter attractant for your cat?
If you have a cat that has suddenly stopped using their litter box or you’ve just brought home a new cat that you need to train, cat litter attractants can be a massive help. Let’s take a look at what exactly these attractants are and how they work.
What are cat litter attractants and how do they work?
Cat litter attractants are a fairly simple concept. As the name suggests, these products are made with an enticing odor that is meant to attract your cat to their litter box and thus make them more likely to use it. While these products are fairly new to the world of cat products, many cat owners swear by them and have great success in litter box training after incorporating them. There have even been a few studies showing that these attractants are preferred by most felines.
Just as catnip is irresistible to most cats, cat litter attractants also use herbs to entice your feline, and manufacturers often include catnip in their ingredient list. Not only do these products make your cat feel more relaxed and comfortable while using their litter box, but the herbal blend also has a great smell that can even help mask the odor coming from the litter box.
What to look for when choosing litter box attractant
Since cat litter attractants are a fairly new product on the market, there are not that many to choose from. But with so many customers reporting that the products help with litter box training, it’s highly likely that we’ll see new brands popping up onto the market soon. While these products are simple in their concept, there are a few things to look for when choosing one.
Litter compatibility
Litter compatibility is arguably the most important factor to consider when choosing a litter attractant. Since some attractants are only usable with certain types of litter, you’ll need to choose the right one for the litter that you currently use. Some attractants can be used for any litter type, which makes choosing a bit easier, but they are still unlikely to work well with scented litters. Most are made for use with clay or clumping litter, though, and you’ll have less choice if you use other litter types.
Amount
There is not too much variation in the price of litter attractants, but some may come in smaller amounts than others. Most attractants need around 2 ounces per litter change, with a small sprinkle after scooping, so a 10-ounce bottle will only be enough for four to five litter changes. If you have more than one cat at home, this can quickly get expensive.
Ingredients
The last factor that you’ll need to consider is the ingredients. Most attractants on the market advertise all-natural ingredients but fail to list the exact ingredients that they contain. These herbal ingredient blends are safe for most cats, but if you have a particularly sensitive cat or one with skin allergies, you’ll need to exercise a bit of caution. Try sprinkling a tiny bit into your cat’s litter at first and slowly build it up, and check for any adverse reactions. If you are still worried, you can contact the manufacturer for a full, in-depth ingredient list.
Why do cats avoid their litter box?
While it’s great to know that there is a product like cat litter attractants on the market to help you out, it’s important to get to the root of the problem and discern why your cat is not using their litter box in the first place. Naturally, kittens will take a bit of time to adjust to this process, but there are typically specific reasons in older cats. Discovering these reasons alongside using an attractant will go a long way toward helping you solve the problem.
Conclusion
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra litter attractant is our favorite choice overall because it’s 100% biodegradable, free from perfumed deodorants or artificial chemicals, and suitable for up to 100 pounds of litter. If you’re on a bit of a budget, the Fresh Step litter box attractant is the best cat litter attractant for the money. This inexpensive attractant can be used with any type of litter, is free from perfumes, deodorants, or harmful chemicals, and comes in a handy no-mess container.
As frustrating as it is when your cat stops using their litter box, there is a solution. Litter box attractants have worked for countless cat owners, and hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you choose the right one to work for you too.
Featured Image Credit: Axel Bueckert, Shutterstock
