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Home > Cats > 8 Best Cat Litter Deodorizers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

8 Best Cat Litter Deodorizers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

young woman cleaning the litter box of her cat

Not many cat owners would disagree that stinky litter is, hands down, the worst part of owning a cat. If you can’t find a way to adjust to it, then you’re never going to live in complete harmony with your cat. Those who can’t stand the smell of soiled litter often turn to cat litter deodorizers to mask the stench. Our reviews of some of the top litter deodorizers available this year is sure to help make the decision to buy some easier. While they don’t always suit an individual cat, you’re bound to find one that both of you enjoy.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Bio Enzyme Litter Deodorizer Hepper Bio Enzyme Litter Deodorizer
  • 100% natural and biodegradable
  • Bio-enzymatic formula
  • Can be used with any cat litter
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer
  • Main ingredient is baking soda
  • Odor won't deter cats
  • Used for more than just litter
  • Third place
    Smiling Paws Cat Litter Deodorizer Smiling Paws Cat Litter Deodorizer
  • 3-in-1 formula
  • Works fast
  • No toxic chemicals
  • Fresh Step Deodorizing Crystals Fresh Step Deodorizing Crystals
  • Crystals dissolve over time
  • No residue left behind
  • Minimizes how often you need deodorizer
  • Nonscents Cat Litter Deodorizer Nonscents Cat Litter Deodorizer
  • Neutralizes odors
  • Extends litter life
  • No Perfumes or chemical
  • The 8 Best Cat Litter Deodorizers

    1. Hepper Advanced Bio Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer – Best Overall

    hepper bio enzymatic litter additive

    Size: 12 oz.

    Our choice for the #1 best overall cat litter deodorizer goes to Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s a bio-enzymatic deodorizer. That means it uses natural enzymes to eat up the organic compounds that make cat feces and urine smell, eliminating them and the odors they cause.

    Even better, Hepper’s cat litter deodorizer is 100% biodegradable, making it a true “green” product that won’t harm the environment. We also like that they don’t use fragrances to cover up smells like many cat litter deodorizer products. Plus, by using this product regularly, you can extend the life of your cat litter and save some money in the process.

    You can use Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer on any cat litter, including clumping and non-clumping types. This excellent deodorizer can also be used on and in other items, including trash cans, cat carriers, and trash compactors, to eliminate odors and keep your home smelling fresh and clean. All these features and their money-saving, odor-eliminating benefits make Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer a great product and our best overall choice.

    At PetKeen.com 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!

    Pros
    • 100% biodegradable enzymes, environmentally friendly
    • Affordable
    • Neutralizes odors
    • Safe for cats of all ages
    • No artificial scent
    Cons
    • No bulk product options

    2. Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer – Budget Buy

    Size: 20 oz., 30 oz.

    Even though the low price is one of the best things about this cat deodorizer, it works better than even some of the most expensive produce. Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer uses baking soda in their recipe to fight nasty smells. It has a fresh scent and works quickly. On top of that, you can use it in more places around the house than just the litter box. It is safe to sprinkle over your carpet or other fabric materials before vacuuming it up.

    The packaging has three holes in the top that allow the product to flow quickly. However, it doesn’t completely neutralize the odor and won’t get rid of it permanently. With all of this in mind, it is safe to say that Arm & Hammer makes one of the best cat litter deodorizers for the money.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Main ingredient is baking soda
    • Odor won’t deter cats
    • Used for more than just litter
    • Easy to pour
    Cons
    • Won’t completely eliminate odors

    3. Smiling Paws Organic Cat Litter Deodorizer

    Smiling Paws Pets Organic Cat Litter Deodorizer

    Size: 12 oz.

    Unlike the others on this list, the Smiling Paws Organic Pets Cat Litter Deodorizer brand has created a 3-in-1 deodorizer built to soak up odors, absorb moisture, and emit its own pleasant fragrance. The recipe is free from toxic chemicals, though, so you won’t have to worry about it being bad for your cat.

    This deodorizer works quickly, and the smell from cat waste is almost gone the second you pour it. Unfortunately, it does have a smell that is a little odd and that some cats might not like. It is more expensive than other deodorizer options, but it is still a great choice.

    Pros
    • 3-in-1 formula
    • Works fast
    • No toxic chemicals
    • Biodegradable
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Odd smell

    4. Fresh Step Fresh Scent Deodorizing Crystals

    Fresh Step Cat Litter Crystals

    Size: 15 oz.

    Many deodorizers are made from powder, but Fresh Step Fresh Scent Deodorizing Crystals has created theirs with crystals that dissolve inside the litter box. The crystals don’t leave behind any residue you have to clean up, so it is perfect for a home with a young kitten that is already making pretty big messes. Aside from the low maintenance, the crystals also release aroma when they contact waste so that it works right away and helps them last longer. However, the smell from the waste sometimes outlasts the crystals in the box and may have to be deep cleaned more often.

    Pros
    • Crystals dissolve over time
    • No residue left behind
    • Minimizes how often you need deodorizer
    Cons
    • Stronger odors might outlast crystals
    • Deep clean more often

    5. Nonscents Cat Litter Deodorizer

    NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer

    Size: 16 oz.

    Nonscents Cat Litter Deodorizer has a special shaker bottle, a formula with concentrated zeolite, and a clever name. Nonscents uses their product to extend the life of your cat litter while eliminating even the smelliest messes. They do not use any perfumes or chemicals, which is ideal because some cats are sensitive to strong scents. Even though it eliminates stench, the smell of the product itself isn’t too overpowering, but some cats still might not like it too well.

    Pros
    • Shaker body for easy application
    • Affordable
    • Neutralizes odors
    • Extends litter life
    • No Perfumes or chemical
    Cons
    • Some cats may not like the smell

    6. Rocco & Roxie Cat Litter Box Odor Eliminator

    Rocco & Roxie Cat Litter Box Odor Eliminator

    Size: 12 oz.

    The Rocco & Roxie Cat Litter Box Odor Eliminator is on the pricey side but well worth the money. The pellets are made from corn and covered with tiny pores that help trap moisture while in the box. These corn pieces help to trap odors and extend your litter life. However, the smell of this product is one of the worst things about it. The aroma can be overwhelming at first and might take some time to adjust to.

    Pros
    • Compatible for all types of litter
    • Corn pellets absorb moisture
    • Ideal for urine odors
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Powerful smell
    • Might deter cats

    7. Simple Solution Cat Litter Box Deodorizer

    Simple Solution Stain Remover

    Size: 32 oz.

    The Simple Solution Cat Litter Box Deodorizer is one of the rare deodorizers on the list that comes in the form of a spray instead of a granule or pellet. The spray is perfect for targeting a direct source of waste. Of course, some people assume that you might as well just scoop it out if you’re going through the trouble of spraying it, so it’s up to you to determine if you think it is worth it.

    This odor solution has three stream settings and can coat the entire box. The spray does add additional moisture to the litter and could have you spending more to refresh the box.

    Pros
    • Spray targets waste source directly
    • Three stream settings
    • Lasts a long time
    Cons
    • Adds moisture to box
    • Increases litter use

    8. FO2RREST Natural Cat Litter Deodorizer

    FO2RREST Natural Cat Litter Deodorizer

    Size: 5.7 oz.

    FO2RREST Natural Cat Litter Deodorizer is another brand that stands out by using silica gel to trap and remove odors instead of powder. If you already use silica litter, it’s a bit redundant and won’t be of much value, but it’s great for traditional litter users. You also won’t want to use the pebbles if you flush your litter directly because they are insoluble.

    There are two dispensing options to keep it clean when you pour and control exactly how much product you want to use from the small bottle. Overall, it absorbs urine well and is a deodorizer that many cat owners swear by.

    Pros
    • Absorbs urine well
    • Bottle has two dispensing options
    Cons
    • Not suitable for silica litter
    • Not flushable
    • Small bottle
    • Expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: Finding The Best Cat Litter Deodorizer

    As you’ve probably already guessed, a cat litter deodorizer is meant to fight the nasty smells that come from the litter box and fill your home. While a lot of the ingredients found in deodorizers are also put into litter, they are a lot more concentrated in these products. It is important to start out using very small quantities to see how your cat reacts to it and allow them time to adjust.

    Types of Litter Deodorizers

    Powder

    Powder is the most common form of deodorizer that people buy. These powders are mainly made up of baking soda or other similar ingredients. Powder-based products are sprinkled and mixed into the litter or poured directly over a trouble spot. The powder tends to get buried as your cats use the bathroom. It is also lightweight and could get kicked around easily. They are some of the most effective, but they also tend to smell the strongest and could irritate some cats.

    Granules

    Granules are larger than a powder but still smaller than the clumps in traditional clay cat litter. Granules are made mostly from minerals like zeolite and are designed to be sprinkled over the entire area of the box. Granules don’t have as strong of perfumes associated with them as powders, which is a huge bonus for owners with sensitive cats.

    Spray

    Spray deodorizer is one of the least common types. They are usually made by mixing baking soda with other perfumes and ingredients. The spray is suitable to use all over the house where cats might be spraying. There are also downsides to spray. They add a lot of moisture into the litter, and the bottles are notorious for jamming.

    Beads

    Instead of sprinkling these larger beads into the box, you simply drop a few on top of trouble areas. You won’t have to worry about creating dust with these, but not all of the beads seem to work as efficiently as the others.

    Things to Consider Before Buying Deodorizer

    Cat Litter With Leaves
    Image Credit By: StanislauV , Shutterstock

    Number of Cats in the House

    Living in a multi-cat household means that things can get pretty stinky. It also means that you might want to be extra careful when picking out a deodorizer. If even one of your cats doesn’t take well to the new aroma, then it could lead to behavior issues. On the other hand, you might have to use stronger-smelling powders to block the odor.

    Litter Box Location

    If your litter boxes are located near a high-traffic area, you might want to reconsider their placement. Cats like to use the bathroom in private. Plus, the further away the boxes are from a shared space, the less likely your guests are to smell the waste. You might also consider if there is good ventilation that makes airing out the area easier.

    Cat Sensitivities

    Deodorizers are great for us but not always so great for our cats. Like we mentioned before, strong perfumes are upsetting to some cats. You or your cat may even have allergies to some of the ingredients. For sensitive owners and cats, try buying the beads instead of dusty powders.

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    Conclusion

    After looking at all these reviews, we hope that this article has assisted in making the buying process go a lot smoother. While we love everything about our cats, we don’t love the smell they leave behind after going to the bathroom. We have found that the top overall best cat litter deodorizer comes from Hepper’s Litter Additive. Our budget buy pick comes from Arm & Hammer, and the third place pick is from Smiling Paws Organic. Regardless of the one you buy, you can feel confident knowing that these products are made to do the job right and keep your home smelling clean and free of cat urine.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: sandyman, Shutterstock

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