There are also tips and tricks for choosing a cat litter, including keeping your cat happy with their bathroom facilities.
In this article
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2026
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter |
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Best Value
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Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice
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Fresh Step Advanced Extreme Clumping Cat Litter |
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| Best for Kittens |
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Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter |
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World’s Best Cat Litter |
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The 9 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control in Canada
1. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter — Best Overall
| Material: | Clay |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Our choice for the overall best cat litter for odor control in Canada is Dr. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter. This litter has medium-sized clay granules to reduce litter tracking. It quickly forms hard clumps that are easy to scoop. The litter itself is unscented, but it clumps quickly enough to keep odors at bay, even when used by multiple cats.
Dr. Elsey’s litter comes in 40-pound bags, which are tough to lift and carry but can be delivered straight to your door. One bag is enough to last about 2 months.
- Controls odor easily
- Clumps well
- Reduced tracking
- Works for multiple cats
- Heavy and hard to pour
2. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Cat Litter — Best Value
| Material: | Clay |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Cat Litter provides strong odor control and easy cleanup. The moisture-activated granules quickly lock in odors from cat waste. The clumps don’t crumble, making them easy to scoop out. This litter claims to keep your home odor free for up to 7 days. Presumably, this means you can change the litter weekly, as you should still scoop out the box on a daily basis. When it is time to change litter, its unique Slide technology makes it “slide” right out, so there’s no sticky mess at the bottom to scrub off.
There are several different options for Arm & Hammer cat litter. Due to its added features, Slide is the most expensive option in the product lineup. However, it’s still affordable compared to other odor control brands and easy to find. In our opinion, Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Cat Litter is the best cat litter for odor control in Canada for the money.
- Dust free
- Locks in odors for 7 days
- Rock-hard clumps
- Multiple cat formula
- Baking soda aids with odor control
- More expensive than other Arm & Hammer cat litters
3. Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter — Premium Choice
| Material: | Concentrated clay |
| Scent: | Mountain Spring |
Our premium choice cat litter for odor control is Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter. This litter contains Febreze to not only keep your litter box odor free but to also smell pleasant to be around. This is a great option if your litter box is in a high-traffic area of your house. Just stir it while scooping to freshen it up.
The Outstretch formula from Fresh Step enables you to keep your litter box smelling clean 50% longer than other litter brands. Even if you miss a day of scooping, this litter lasts about 6 weeks with one cat using the box.
The Febreze smell can be overpowering, especially if you’re sensitive to perfumy odors. It can also be a turn-off to picky cats.
- Contains activated carbon to eliminate odor
- Lasts longer than most other brands
- Also available in unscented
- Febreze scent can be strong
4. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter — Best for Kittens
| Material: | Clay |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Kittens don’t really need special cat litter, but many kitten owners find that their precious bundles of joy are more interested in chewing on the litter than using it to go to the bathroom. If this sounds familiar, try Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter. It’s specifically designed to protect tiny paws and is dust free to avoid introducing allergens into the respiratory system.
The quick-clumping formula stops odors in their tracks. Since kittens are known for making surprisingly smelly deposits in the litter box, this is important. The litter is also infused with herbal “attractants” that lure your little one into the box. This helps with litter training and prevents your kitty from wanting to go anywhere else.
You won’t want to use this litter for the long term; it’s specially designed for kittens under 1 year of age. This litter is slightly less absorbent than adult cat litter. While this is meant to promote litter training, it can also make cleanup more difficult. If you have an older cat struggling with using the litter box, you can try Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract.
- Designed for kittens ages 8 weeks to 1 year
- Contains herbal attractant to promote litter box training
- Comes with a booklet to address common litter training challenges
- Allergen free
- Quick clumping
- Less absorbent than most other litters
- Not for cats over 1 year of age
5. World’s Best Cat Litter
| Material: | Clay |
| Scent: | Unscented |
World’s Best Cat Litter uses corn instead of clay in an effort to make organic litter that’s biodegradable. This means it’s super lightweight and easy to carry and pour. The manufacturer claims that it can be flushed down the toilet, two clumps at a time. However, many states have restrictions on flushing cat litter. At the very least, it won’t weigh down your trash bags.
Since this litter is plant based, it smells like malted hops. It also contains dust that will track. This is offset by the quickness with which it clumps and the fact that you can make a single bag last up to 2 months, even with more than one cat.
- Quick clumping
- Lightweight formula is easy to handle and pour
- Can be flushed
- Dusty
- Malty smell
6. Tidy Cats Lightweight Cat Litter
| Material: | Clay, charcoal |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Lightweight Cat Litter claims to be 50% lighter than other leading brands. It is indeed noticeably lightweight, making it easy to pour, carry, and store. This litter is also virtually dust free and doesn’t track around your house, even on hardwood floors. For odor control, it contains activated charcoal and ammonia blockers, which are guaranteed to cover odors for 14 days.
This company has stepped up its efforts to make its packaging eco-friendlier. Tidy Cat’s litter now comes in paper bags within a recyclable cardboard box. For sensitive cats, it’s also 100% free of any dyes or fragrances.
If your cat isn’t great about burying their waste, this probably isn’t the litter for you. The charcoal and ammonia blocker do stop odors, but only if the waste is fully encased in the litter. If your cat likes to do their business and leave, you’ll likely still be bothered by the smell.
- Low to no dust
- Also available in scented
- Non-tracking
- Contains activated charcoal to eliminate odor
- No dyes or fragrances
- Only hides odor if your cat buries their waste
7. SmartCat All-Natural Clumping Litter
| Material: | Grass seed |
| Scent: | Unscented |
While most clumping cat litters are clay based, this litter from SmartCat clumps just as well and is made from grass seed. This makes it fully biodegradable, and it’s made from a renewable resource, so it’s better for the environment. It clumps instantly when it comes in contact with moisture, locking in odors at the source. It’s free of any added chemicals or fragrances and has very little dust.
Unfortunately, low dust isn’t no dust, and this litter does tend to be tracked around the house. However, it has a soft texture that even the pickiest of cats love. This “feel good” sensation on the cat’s feet also makes this litter a great choice for kittens.
- Biodegradable
- Clumps on contact
- Chemical free
- Soft texture for sensitive feet
- Lightweight
- Very low dust
- Tracks easily outside the litter box
8. Skoon All-Natural Cat Litter
| Material: | Diatom pebbles |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Skoon All-Natural Cat Litter contains cat litter “pebbles.” This isn’t a clumping litter, but the pebbles act like mini sponges that absorb liquids and odors. They’re made from diatom, which is highly absorbent and fully biodegradable. Since they naturally soak up all liquid waste, you’ll just have the solids to scoop.
Since the pebbles are large, this litter is dust free and doesn’t stick to cat feet. This means no tracking around the house. If your cat does try to munch on the pebbles, they’re non-toxic and hypoallergenic. This formula is unscented, but Skoon Litter also comes in lavender and lemon scents.
The biggest downside of non-clumping litter is that you have to change the litter more often. While most solid waste can be scooped out, the liquid can’t, so you’ll go through more cat litter over the long term. This makes it a less economical solution than most other clumping options. Some cats also don’t like the feel of large pebbles under their feet, but Skoon does make a fine-grain formula if this is the case.
The biggest reason to try Skoon is due to its satisfaction guarantee. It offers a full refund if you don’t like the litter, so you have nothing to lose from giving it a try.
- Absorbent diatom pebbles
- Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
- No dust
- No tracking
- Comes in scented and unscented
- Money-back guarantee
- Non-clumping litter
- Requires frequent litter changes
- Some cats don’t like the large pebbles
9. BoxiePro Deep Clean Probiotic Clumping Cat Litter
| Material: | Clay |
| Scent: | Unscented |
BoxiePro Clumping Cat Litter contains a blend of probiotics to target litter waste and odor at the microscopic level. This significantly reduces the number of bacteria present in your litter box and prevents those bacteria from tracking out of the box onto other surfaces in the house. This formula claims to be low dust, but it does track out of the litter box.
Unfortunately, BoxiePro doesn’t live up to all its claims. Many customers claim that the clumps are sticky and fall apart when scooped. This also means when you scoop, you release the odor. This makes cleaning the box messy. As a premium brand, this litter is also more expensive than most other options.
- Targets bacteria in litter box waste
- Low dust
- Tracks outside the litter box
- Sticky clumps
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Litters for Odor Control
Is Odor-Control Cat Litter Different?
Odor-control cat litter is specifically designed to mask or neutralize offensive litter box smells. To do this, it often contains odor-absorbing ingredients like silica gel or carbon. These highly porous materials absorb moisture along with odor, thus preventing smells from escaping the litter.
Scented cat litter masks odors by covering up bad smells with more pleasant ones. However, some perfume smells can be strong and excessive themselves. Strong smells can also discourage your cat from using the litter box.
The type of cat litter that you choose matters for keeping smells at bay. Clumping litter is easier to scoop on a daily basis, getting smelly waste out of the litter box and into the trash. But you also have to take your cat’s preferences into account. Some cats prefer one type of litter over another. Some are softer on their paws, while others make crunching noises under their feet. Some cats can be allergic to the dust in cat litter, so they need a no-dust formula.
The good news is that there are many odor-control cat litter options to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that works for you and your cat.
What to Look for in Odor-Control Cat Litter
Choosing a cat litter is often a process of trial and error. You’ll need to consider your budget, your cat’s preferences, and the preferences of everyone in the house.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about cat litter:
- Cat litter doesn’t work miracles. No matter what litter you choose, the best way to keep odors under control is to regularly clean the litter box.
- If you have more than one cat, look for a multi-cat litter. Also, use multiple litter boxes and clean them frequently.
- Many cat litters aren’t biodegradable. This is especially true for clay-based litters. If you want to be eco-conscious, explore options for cat litter made from renewable and biodegradable materials, like corn, pine chips, or wheat.
- While some litters are advertised as flushable and safe for septic systems, flushing cat waste can be a problem due to issues like parasites. Make sure to check any local laws and regulations before flushing cat waste down the toilet.
- Cats can be sensitive to dust and fragrances. Unscented litter that neutralizes smells is often better than scented litter that masks them.
- Many clumping cat litters contain crystalline silica dust. This ingredient is a known carcinogen, and it’s unclear how much of it you or your pet are exposed to when handling litter or how much of a risk it could present. A low-dust or dust-free litter will reduce your exposure.
- Cats with health concerns like kidney disease or diabetes may benefit from a non-clumping litter that enables you to monitor their urine output.
How to Choose the Best Litter
Here are the factors to examine when buying cat litter:
- Material — Different litters have different textures, grain sizes, and dust levels. Some are biodegradable and others are not.
- Odor control — Some litters have odor-neutralizing ingredients, while others use strong scents to cover up odor.
- Clumping or non-clumping — Clumping litter is usually easier to clean, but non-clumping is usually less expensive.
- Dust level — The more dust a litter has, the more it will track around your house. Dusty litter can also cause respiratory difficulties for your cat.
- Tracking — Your goal is to keep the cat litter in the litter box. Clay litters can tend to track more than others, but large particles track less than small ones. You can also place a mat outside your litter box to reduce the amount of tracking.
Is Clumping or Non-clumping Litter Better?
Whether to use clumping or non-clumping litter may be one of your biggest choices as a cat owner. Clumping litter requires daily scooping of the litter box. Non-clumping litter avoids this, but you’ll have to do a full litter change at least once a week.
As a rule, non-clumping litters are more eco-friendly than clumping litters. They come in a wide range of materials, like recycled paper, wood pellets, corn, wheat, and crystals. Some are flushable, depending on your plumbing system and location.
Clumping litters are usually clay-based, which can be dusty and tracked out of the litter box. But it also has a few huge advantages. Clumping litter enables you to regularly remove odor-causing waste without dumping the litter. This means the litter lasts much longer, which can offset the higher initial cost. With daily cleaning, most clumping litter only needs replacement about once a month.
What Type of Litter Do Cats Prefer?
In general, most cats prefer litter that’s unscented and finely grained. Some cats aren’t fussy about it at all, while others are incredibly picky. If your cat doesn’t use a certain type of litter, you may have to do a bit of experimenting to find one that they like.
How We Selected Our List of Cat Litters for Odor Control in Canada
Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat litters. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat litter. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!
Final Verdict
We recommend Dr. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter as the best overall cat litter for odor control in Canada. This litter clumps quickly, trapping odor at the source, and it has minimal dust, so it doesn’t track throughout the house. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Cat Litter is the best cat litter for odor control for the money. Baking soda keeps smells at bay, and the Slide formula keeps sticky messes from forming when it’s time to clean the box. Fresh Step Advanced Extreme Clumping Cat Litter is our premium choice because contains Febreze to keep your litter box smelling fresh for up to 6 weeks. It also comes in an unscented version if you find the smell too much. For kittens, we recommend Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Litter. It has special attractants to help you litter-train your kitten and help them use the box. It also traps nasty smells at the source to keep your home smelling fresh.
Hopefully, these reviews have helped you find Canada’s best cat litter for odor control. There are options for everyone and every cat, so you are sure to find one that meets your needs and stops those nasty litter box odors.
See Also: Best Cat Litters in Canada – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Tiplyashina Evgeniya, Shutterstock
