Cat litter can be messy, but it is a necessity for anyone who has a cat living inside their house. There are many types of litter on the market, but they are not all created equal. Some are scented to help cover up any unwanted smells around the vicinity of the litter box, but those scents could cause allergies in you or your cat. Also, the scent can do such a good job of covering up bad smells that you end up neglecting the cat box for too long.
Unscented cat litter will not cover up the smells, so you always know when it is time to clean out the litter box. You and your kitty also won’t have to worry about health problems like allergies or asthma as time goes on. There are many unscented cat litter options available on the market, but which ones actually work, and which ones should be left on the market shelf? We have done the legwork of answering these questions for you. Here are our reviews for the best unscented cat litter options in 2021.
The ScoopFree Premium Unscented Non-Clumping Cat Litter is the overall best unscented cat litter on the market for a variety of reasons. This premium non-clumping cat litter makes managing a litter box easy and hassle-free. The litter comes in one-time-use trays that are designed for use with a PetSafe self-cleaning litter box or another product of a similar design.
About 4.5 pounds of litter is loaded into each tray. All you must do is replace an old tray with a new one about once a month, and the litter box will do the rest of the work for you. The unscented litter stays fresh, so you do not have to worry about foul scents lingering in the house. The litter is also dust-free.
Pros
Quick absorption for optimal odor control
Pre-packed trays are easy to use
Features leak-proof trays
Cons
Requires a self-cleaning litter box
2. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Clumping Clay Litter – Best Value
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is more than 99% dust-free and hypoallergenic, which is perfect for sensitive kitties and owners. This is one of the best odorless cat litter options in 2021 for the money because it is affordable yet powerful. This litter clumps up quickly and ensures that no moisture will build up within the litter box as time goes on.
This is a multi-cat formula that can be used in both manual and mechanical litter boxes. It forms hard clumps that stay solid until the litter box is cleaned out, making cleanup time both easier and less time-consuming. Although this is an unscented product, the litter does an excellent job of controlling odors between cleanings and litter replacements.
Pros
99% dust-free
Hard-clumping action makes cleanup easy
Both used in mechanical & manual litterbox
Cons
Litter can stick to the litter box if not cleaned daily
What sets the Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter apart is that it has activated carbon, which works to eliminate odors even if you go days between cleaning your cat litter box. Ever Clean extra strength cat litter is designed to lock moisture in so it does not spread around the litter box. Made of clays and minerals, this is an all-natural product that is safe for those with health concerns such as asthma and allergies. One of the best things about this litter is that it does not stick to kitty paws, so it is not likely to get tracked throughout the house after your furry friend uses the litter box.
Pros
Activated charcoal for optimal odor control
Super-absorbent litter for easy cleanup
Made with natural clay, mineral ingredients
Cons
The litter is heavier than most other options
4. World’s Best Unscented Clumping Litter — Best for Kittens
Made of corn, World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Litter absorbs odors so they do not have an opportunity to spread throughout the house. This is an extremely lightweight litter that can be flushed down the toilet without causing any sewer problems as time goes on. There is no need for litter bags or nasty smells in the garbage can. Just flush dried clumps that you find in the litter box once or twice a day and be done with it! This formula is popular for its ability to keep odors under control without the help of perfumes and other artificial scents. It is also gentle enough for kitten paws.
Pros
Made of all-natural corn
Designed for multi-cat use
Litter is lighter than most others
Cons
Litter looks dirty without cleaning throughout the day
5. Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
The Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter is a hardy unscented cat litter made from wood fiber that is designed to naturally absorb moisture and lock in odors. Okocat premium wood clumping litter prevents enzymes from bonding together and creating unpleasant ammonia smells and waste odors. The wood fibers in this litter are cleaned through screens to minimize the presence of dust. No artificial colors, chemicals, or fragrances are used during the manufacturing process, which means only raw, natural wood fibers will take up space in your cat’s litter box. One thing that we don’t like about this product is that it is not soft and durable, which can make cleanup uncomfortable.
Pros
Includes no artificial colors, chemicals, or fragrances
Pre-dusted for optimal cleanliness
Instantly locks moisture and odors in
Cons
Not soft and durable like most other litters
6. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
The Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter works wonders when it comes to odor control. Your cat litter’s box is sure to maintain a woodsy scent between cleanings due to the natural scent of the litter. No chemicals or fragrances are added, but the light pine scent has no problem keeping the vicinity around the litter box smelling fresh and clean. Pine does not get dusty, so there is never a reason to worry about making a mess when pouring a new batch of litter into the box. While the product is designed to clump up when it comes into contact with moisture, the clumps tend to break apart during cleaning, which can be annoying.
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Cat Clay is made with activated charcoal for powerful odor control, yet it lacks chemicals that can irritate your cat’s skin and respiratory system. This product comes with an odor control guarantee in that you can get your money back if unpleasant smells waft out of your cat’s litter box within the first 10 days of use. While not completely dust-free, this litter leaves behind such little dust that you should rarely notice it. It’s expensive, though, and it is not the easiest litter to clean out of the box when replacing the litter altogether.
Pros
Comes with a 10-day odor control guarantee
Features tight clumping action
No chemicals or irritants for pets
Cons
More expensive than other better performing brands
Can be tough to clean from the corners of the litter box
The Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a hypoallergenic cat litter that contains little dust and is easy to scoop during cleanings. Made just for multi-cat households, this litter holds up to vigorous use while controlling foul odors all day long. It is low tracking, which means that you and your cats will not carry litter around the house on your feet and paws. The best thing about this clay litter is that it tightly clumps as soon as it comes into contact with moisture, and the clumps stay together during cleanup. The worst thing about this product is that it does not do a great job of keeping moisture from puddling up along the base of the litter box.
Pros
Tight clumps stay together during cleanup
Features low-tracking functionality
Hypoallergenic
Cons
Does not keep moisture from building on the base of the litter box
Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter uses a patented ClumpLock technology that immediately locks in moisture, so the litter box stays clean even if weeks go by before a complete litter replacement is done. It is designed to prevent bacteria from growing on the litter and in the litter box between litter replacements. This product is recommended by veterinarians for cats with allergies and environmental sensitivities. What we do not like about this product is that it smells like dirt, which can be bothersome if the litter box is kept in a main area of the home.
Pros
Features a patented ClumpLock technology
Keeps bacteria from growing in the litter box
Recommended for cats with allergies
Cons
The litter smells like dirt
Dustier than some other brands
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Unscented Cat Litters
The choices for buying unscented cat litter are growing in popularity as the years pass. Many consumers find them to be quite efficient for taking care of odors without overwhelming the room with strong fragrances or harsh chemicals. Regardless of your reasoning for wanting to try unscented cat litter, we think you will feel pretty pleased with the results, permitting that you buy the right product.
So, what exactly are you looking for in terms of specifics with each cat litter product? Here are some things you might want to consider before making your final choice.
Clumping vs. Non-Clumping Cat Litter
There are two main types of cat litter that are on the market today: clumping and non-clumping. What exactly are the differences between these two? Does it really matter? Truthfully, it just depends on your preference and what you feel is most effective.
Clumping
Clumping cat litter contains specific materials that react to moisture, clumping around them. So when your cat urinates, the litter immediately adheres to the spot. This helps to keep the area clean, not allowing the dirty spots to contaminate the rest of the litter.
Many people claim that this helps during scooping and overall cleaning. However, many clumping cat litters tend to have very small particles which can lead to higher tracking.
Non-Clumping
Non-clumping cat litters are made of several different kinds of materials. Generally, the pellets tend to be larger, reducing tracking through the home. Also, because the pellets are larger, this type of litter also reduces dust particles in the air.
While people tend to like some of the benefits that come with non-clumping cat litter, it can be difficult to clean. Not only is scooping a challenge, but it’s also harder to contain waste from your cat, leading to more frequent complete litter changes.
Image Credit: Tanya Plotnikova, Shutterstock
Unscented Cat Litter Product Aspects
Regardless of whether you choose clumping or non-clumping cat litter, there are plenty of other things you can consider before purchase. Let’s break it down.
Odor Control
Even though the litter is unscented, you want the smell of your cat’s waste to be under control, too. Sometimes it’s hard to get just the right product that is environmentally friendly without lacking in departments like odor control.
Always make sure to buy a product that has some type of component designed to reduce odor. For instance, many unscented cat litters often use ingredients like:
Baking soda
Carbon
Active charcoal
Tracking
When your cat is scooping their litter, it’s easy for them to get tiny particles of cat litter stuck between their toes. The tiny or the particles are, the higher chance of tracking there is. Getting a product that has very low tracking is best for any home, especially if you don’t have a litter mat.
Dust
Some people are more sensitive to dust than others, but nobody wants a cloud of cat litter in their face every time they scoop or pour. Because of the ever-expanding improvements in the pet industry, many litters are now advertised as low-dust formulas, but some are still dustier than others.
The Power of Reviews
We feel that there’s no better way to figure out how a product will work in your situation than to check out what real-life users are saying. Reviews are incredibly important.
It gives consumers an opportunity to voice their opinion about the goods they purchase. If you’re wanting an efficient unscented cat litter that is going to do the job as intended, make sure that other people are satisfied with those aspects in particular. It may be helpful to look for the same results in those with single and multi-cat families.
This biodegradable deodorizer is fragrance-free and safe for all ages of cats and types of litter. It uses bio-enzymes to naturally get rid of odors and help your litter last longer.
At Pet Keen, 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 company!
Conclusion
These unscented cat litter options are sure to meet your expectations and then some. They all do a great job at keeping litter boxes clean and contained and at keeping foul odors to a minimum. Check out our first pick for best unscented cat litter, the ScoopFree Premium unscented clumping cat litter. It can be used with both manual and mechanical litter boxes, and it is hassle-free.
The second pick on our reviews list, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay, is an awesome option that should not be overlooked, as it’s one of the best at controlling odor. The truth of the matter is that every option on our reviews list is worthy of consideration. Which option from our list interests you the most, and why? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens....Read more
