Scented or Unscented Cat Litter?

By April Liu

unscented or scented litter for your cat

 

A Cat-First Perspective

Whether to use scented or unscented (odorless) litter is a question we know many people have considered.

We wanted to cover this in our Litter Box Care series because it’s more than a preference — it’s about what’s best for your cat.
And that’s where we always start.

 

 

What Vets Say About Scented Litter

Here’s what veterinarian Dr. Lisa Pierson, D.V.M., says on the topic (catinfo.org):

“I do whatever I can to provide my cats with the most natural and inviting litter available and that happens to be an UNscented clumping clay litter.”

“Always use unscented litters and do not add any deodorizers to the litter or around the litter box. Cats, because of their extremely keen sense of smell, are often put off by scented litters and perfumed environments.”

That quote perfectly sums up what we’ve heard again and again from behaviorists, veterinarians, and concerned cat parents like you.

 

 

Your Cat’s Nose Is 14x Stronger Than Yours

A cat's sense of smell is significantly more sensitive than ours.
 So when we add perfumes, even ones we think are mild or pleasant, the effect can be overwhelming.

And here’s the truth:
 Many "scented" kitty litters are strong enough to fill a room — and that’s from a human perspective.


 Imagine how it smells to your cat.

The litter box is meant to be a safe, neutral place to do their business.
 If it smells unnatural, it may stop feeling like that.
 And that’s where problems start.

 

 

Why Are Litters Scented in the First Place?

Here’s a hint — it’s not for your cat.

Many litter companies use chemical additives to mask odors, not eliminate them.
 These added fragrances are for human noses — not feline comfort.

In some cases, it’s because the litter itself can’t truly handle odor control.
 That might be due to the material used (which may be low-quality or inappropriate) or simply a cost-cutting strategy.


 So instead of fixing the problem, fragrance is added to overpower the smell.

From our perspective as cat lovers, baking soda, chemical deodorizers, colored specks, perfumes, and other additives aren’t what belong in a cat’s litter box.

 

 

When “Unscented” Isn’t Really Unscented

We’ve purchased litters labeled “unscented” that still smelled heavily fragranced when opened.


 Why? We’re not sure.
 But based on that experience, our advice is this:

Don’t just choose unscented — choose odorless.

Litter shouldn’t smell like anything at all.
 A high-quality litter will control ammonia naturally.
 It won’t need “help” from artificial scents.

 

 

If Your Litter Box Still Smells…

Even with great litter, odor problems can creep up.
Here are a few practical tips that often solve the issue:

  • Use the right number of litter boxes (one per cat, plus one extra)

  • Add enough litter to each box (around 2–3 inches deep)

  • Scoop boxes more often (at least once a day)

  • Deep clean the litter box at least once a month with hot water (no bleach)

We’ve written about these in other articles — and we’d love to hear your experiences, too.


If you have questions or ideas, please reach out.
We’re here to help.

 

A Thoughtful Update: Yes, We Now Make a Scented Litter — Here’s Why

This part matters.
Because we resisted it for years.

We once stood in a pet store aisle, looking at rows of scented cat litter.
It was everywhere.


And it made us wonder — if cats are using these products, could we offer a better version of scented litter?

One that actually puts cats first?

That was our mission.

 

 

Our Rules Were Clear:

  • It had to be safe

  • It had to be very mild, never overpowering

  • Cats had to prefer it to other scents

  • Ideally, it would offer calming properties — not just scent

We hoped for something that could serve both cat and human, especially in households dealing with stress-related litter box issues.

That’s when one of our longtime veterinarian partners — a specialist in cat behavior and litter box problems — joined our mission.

Together, we spent months researching and testing.

 

 

✅ The Result: A Gently Scented, Cat-Approved Litter

It’s subtle.
It’s moisture-activated, so the scent only lifts when the box is in use.
It was developed with vet guidance and tested by cats who deal with litter box stress.
And it meets every standard we set:

  • Vet-developed

  • Safe and calming

  • Light enough for sensitive noses

  • Preferred by cats in testing

We’re proud to offer it as part of the Boxie line.
And we still stand by our unscented, odorless litters as the best choice for many cats.

But for those who prefer a light, fresh aroma?
We’ve made a version we believe cats — and their humans — can feel good about.

 

As always, our goal is simple:
To keep cats comfortable, happy, and using the litter box.

If you’re ever unsure about your litter setup, or your cat’s litter habits change, please consult a veterinarian.


Boxiecat is vet-recommended, but we’re not here to give medical advice — just to help however we can.

And if you have questions, reach out.
We love hearing from fellow cat lovers.