Updated: September 18, 2026 ·
When a deodorising litter fails to fix the smell, the litter is often not the cause. Odour comes from urine, faeces and the box itself, and each needs a different fix.
Urine smells worse the longer it sits. How quickly you can lift the clump matters more than the litter's deodorising claim. Once you are scooping at least daily, differences between litters shrink.
Plastic absorbs urine and accumulates odour. If the smell persists after a full litter change, wash or replace the box itself. A scratched box traps urine in the grooves, so replacement every few years is realistic.
In still air, any litter will smell. Placing the box where air moves, or adding ventilation or an air purifier, changes the experience considerably. Avoid moving it somewhere the cat feels exposed, though — that risks them not using it.
People often find it effective, but some cats dislike the scent and avoid the box. Fewer visits carries a health risk, so watch their behaviour after switching.
A change in urine concentration or odour can reflect a change in health. If nothing about your routine changed, consider a vet visit.