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Fresh Step Cat Litter Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Written by: Ashley Bates

Last Updated on February 6, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Fresh Step Cat Litter Review

Fresh Step Cat Litter Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Fresh Step Cat Litter a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. 

As any cat owner knows, buying the right kind of litter is paramount when you have a kitty. So, if you’re exploring all the different options, Fresh Step has certainly come up in your search. This leader in cat litter produces awesome products that are worthy of consideration.

In this article, we aim to explore all the Fresh Step options, the benefits of some, and potential downfalls. Let’s get into it!

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At a Glance: The Best Fresh Step Cat Litter Products:

Image Product Details
Winner
Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter
  • Odor control
  • Neutralizes smells by reducing bacterial growth
  • 30% lighter than traditional cat litter
  • Second place
    Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Litter Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Litter
  • Very lightweight formula
  • Ammonia locking technology
  • 99% dust-free
  • Third place
    Fresh Step Multi-Cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter Fresh Step Multi-Cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter
  • For multi-cat households
  • 10 days of odor control
  • Low dust
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    Fresh Step Cat Litter Reviewed

    Fresh Step cat litter has been a top litter on the shelves of every department store and pet shop for years. It is an extremely trusted brand that many families find value in.

    Not only do they have a vast selection of litter to choose from, but each one of them has a different purpose. In this review, we’re going to go over a little bit about company history, price, litter types, and best products.

    light gray cat curiously looking at the litter box while being cleaned by its owner
    Image Credit: Mila Naumova, Shutterstock

    Who Makes Fresh Step Cat Litter and Where Is It Produced?

    Fresh Step is a brand of cat litter that is owned by Clorox. If you know anything about the Clorox brand, you know how cleanliness is a part of everyday care. Clorox makes a variety of products including this cat litter and pairs with other reputable companies to promote the best products possible.

    Most of these cat litters are incredibly affordable for any home. Fresh Step cat litter is primarily made, packaged, and sold in the United States.

    Fresh Step is notoriously generous, giving hefty donations to shelters, rescues, and other facilities annually. They give away roughly 1,000 scoops of their premium cat litter, giving back to the community.

    Who Is Fresh Step Cat Litter Best Suited For?

    Fresh Step is compatible with just about any house cat. Their products range from clumping to non-clumping, lightweight to regular clay, and fragrance-free to ultra-odor fighting compounds. You can find a product that virtually matches any household need.

    Fresh Step continues to be an innovator in odor control. They pair with other companies, such as Febreze and Gain, to provide highly absorbent, odor-fighting formulas.

    Who Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

    There is no one-size-fits-all for every cat. While Fresh Step litter works for just about any house cat, there are certain things to consider.

    For example, even though they use completely cat-safe ingredients in all of their litter, some cats might have breathing problems, fragrant sensitivities, and other oddities that will make them less suitable candidates for these products.

    Instead, you might have to choose a more natural or recycled cat litter such as recycled paper pellets, walnut husks, or wood chips. One really terrific choice would be Dr. Elsey’s! It is all-natural with optimal odor control—and even sensitive cats can enjoy it.

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    Discussion of Product Quality

    Fresh Step cat litter is an amazing quality, incorporating several aspects of what makes cat litter great. They also think about the consumer, producing a large variety so more families can take advantage of the perks.

    These formulas are very well thought out, checking all the boxes. They offer tons of odor control options in both clumping and non-clumping varieties.

    Fresh Step Cat Litter Price

    Fresh Step cat litter falls into the range of moderate to high pricing. This can be a big determining factor when many families choose the brand they trust. Unfortunately, prices might raise eyebrows, causing you to choose a less expensive option instead.

    However, price also often reflects quality and reputation. So, when you buy this product, you can expect to cross the boxes for what makes cat litter worthwhile.

    Fresh Step Cat Litter Ingredients

    Fresh Step cat litter only uses cat-safe ingredients in their products. All products are run through rigorous testing to ensure feline safety above all else. However, some cats can be extremely sensitive to scent, dust, and other aspects of litter.

    If you find that your cat has any visible irritation or discomfort from using the litter, we recommend discontinuing the use immediately.

    woman cleaning her pet cat's litter box
    Image Credit: sandyman, Shutterstock

    Odor Protection

    Odor protection is the base for what makes this litter fabulous. Most of Fresh Step’s litter products have added scent and some of them can be quite powerful to breathe in.

    In Fresh Step, you can find these elements of odor protection:
    • Febreze
    • Gain
    • Activated Charcoal
    • Ammonia Block technology
    • ClumpLock technology

    As you can see, Fresh Step aims to control odor first and foremost, even in their natural products. Having a litter box in the home can create a lot of bad smells, and no one wants that lingering in the air.

    Materials

    For the most part, Fresh Start uses clay as the base ingredient in all of their litter products except the silica crystals. They carry both clumping and non-clumping litters so you can have which you prefer. Each has its pros and cons, and it’s whatever makes odor control and cleanup easiest for you.

    In Fresh Step, you can find these elements of odor protection:
    • Standard Clay
    • Lightweight Clay
    • Silica Crystals

    Dust/Tracking

    Fresh Step makes all of their products as low-tracking as possible. All of the litter that we checked out was at least 99% dust-free. Some of the smaller clumping granules might be easier to track, while the larger granules aren’t quite as bad.

    It is obvious that Fresh Step aims to provide as little tracking as possible, regardless of the type of litter you purchase.

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    Fresh Step Cat Litter Types

    There are several different types of Fresh Step kitty litters. Here is a list based on litter type.

    Litter Type  Odor Control   Effectiveness 
    Advanced Outstretch Long Lasting Clumping Litter Febreze, activated charcoal Maximum
    Outstretch Long Lasting Clumping Litter Febreze, activated charcoal Maximum
    Outstretch Long Lasting Clumping Litter—Simply Unscented Activated charcoal Minimum
    Advanced Gain Original Scented Litter Febreze, Gain Maximum
    Original Scented Litter Febreze, activated charcoal Maximum
    Clean Paws Gain Original Febreze, Gain, activated charcoal Maximum
    Clean Paws Calm Rose, Chamomile Maximum
    Clean Paws Simply Unscented Ammonia Block technology, activated charcoal Maximum
    Hawaiian Aloha Extreme Febreze, activated charcoal Maximum
    Clean Paws Multi-Cat Febreze, Ammonia Block Maximum
    Odor Shield Febreze, activated charcoal Maximum
    Triple Action Activated charcoal, ammonia block Maximum
    Advanced Simply Unscented Activated charcoal Moderate
    Crystals Health Monitoring Ammonia Block technology Minimum

    Some of these cat litter options have impeccable results from consumers while others have a few complaints. If you are looking at Fresh Step litter, make sure to read reviews on the actual products to see if it’s worth your money.

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    Downfalls of Fresh Step Cat Litter

    As we were reviewing this cat litter and also considering other customers, we wanted to point out a few things that some folks had issues with. Since we like to look at the good and the bad side of everything, it’s best to consider all sides.

    Strong Scent

    One common complaint we see across the board is that Fresh Step smells very intensely. For some, this fragrance might be a little too much. Luckily, there are also fragrance-free options if you aren’t a fan of perfume scents.

    Not a Match for All Situations

    Despite having multiple brands, Fresh Step simply won’t work for all cats. Whether it isn’t in your budget or your cat has special health needs, it isn’t an ideal match for every home. Cats have their own preferences, too.

    Price

    Price can be a major deterrent for some people—everyone has a budget! While this type of cat litter can be affordable to many, it is on the higher end of common cat litters.

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    A Quick Look at Fresh Step Cat Litter

    Pros
    • Low dust content
    • Low tracking
    • Odor control technology
    • Multiple options
    • Easy scooping
    • Cat safety
    Cons
    • Scents can be overpowering
    • Not for sensitive cats
    • Higher prices

    Recall History

    As of the time of this writing, we could not find any recalls of any Fresh Step cat litter products.

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    Reviews of the 3 Best Fresh Step Cat Litter Types

    1. Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter

    Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter

    Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter uses natural, high-absorbing clay to create a perfect spot for your kitty to do their business. This clay helps to neutralize odors and reduce bacterial growth.

    This particular cat litter uses the fabulous smell of Febreze to mask odors and keep it all under control. Even though it is traditional, it is designed to be 30% lighter than comparable non-clumping clay cat litter.

    This formula is considered paw-activated, meaning that the Febreze scent really takes off when your cat starts to scoop. This particular cat litter is suitable for single and multi-cat households. Because it is non-clumping, it may be a little more complicated to clean than some others.

    Pros
    • Odor control
    • Neutralizes smells by reducing bacterial growth
    • 30% lighter than traditional cat litter
    Cons
    • No clumping

    2. Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Litter

    Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    As you may have guessed by the name, Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Litter is one of the brand’s clumping cat litters. It immediately adheres to the pee or poop, creating a protective barrier around it.

    Not only is this litter extremely lightweight, but it also stretches so you get the biggest bang for your buck. It has a powerful ammonia-blocking technology that reduces bad smells associated with litter box messes.

    The ClumpLock technology feature helps liquids absorb, making scooping and cleaning a breeze. It is also 99% dust-free, making it suitable for most cats.

    The only thing we didn’t like about this particular litter is that it has a slightly muddy consistency once it has been used.

    Pros
    • Very lightweight formula
    • Ammonia locking technology
    • 99% dust-free
    Cons
    • Slightly muddy consistency when wet

    3. Fresh Step Multi-Cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter

    Fresh Step Multi-Cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter

    Fresh Step Multi-Cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter is an ideal selection for people who own more than one cat. This low dust formula keeps particles in the box and not airborne, making it perfect for cats with any type of respiratory problem.

    This formula uses Febreze to eliminate stench and odor associated with litter box use. Like many others, it is paw-activated, releasing a fragrant Febreze scent. This company swears by their products, ensuring each ingredient is safe for cats.

    This particular clumping litter also contains ClumpLock technology to help absorb liquid and trap odor on contact. This litter is marketed to provide 10 days of strict odor control, making it perfect for those heavily traveled spaces.

    Pros
    • For multi-cat households
    • 10 days of odor control
    • Low dust
    Cons
    • Scent might be too strong for some

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    What Other Users Are Saying

    Customer reviews are incredibly important. It gives you direct insight into what other consumers have to say about a specific product. We love it when both ourselves and other consumers are happy with the product.

    So, we would like to give you a little bit of an insight as to what people have to say. Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to everything. What matters to one person might not matter to another, and it could cause a difference in opinion.

    Here is a good look at what other users say about this brand. Read through these reviews on Amazon to get a sneak peek to make a well-educated purchase.

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    Conclusion

    Fresh Step cat litter has been a trusted cat litter brand for years and we project that it will continue to be in the future. This brand of cat litter is a leader in its field, although pricing can be a little higher compared to some competitors.

    Keep in mind that different textures and materials will behave differently during cleaning. You might find that you like one particular formula over another. Your best bet is to read reviews from trusted consumers to see which would work the best for your household.

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