Cat Litter Deodorizer – Which One is better?

Cat Litter Deodoriser as a cat owner you know how smelly the litter box can get, and how quickly that odor can spread throughout the house. Thankfully, there are quite a few items that can help us deal with this odor and make our home smell better. While some people swear by commercial fragrances, others recommend adding baking soda to the litter.

If you are wondering about the difference between baking soda and a cat litter deodoriser – and are unsure about the better option – you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will be discussing the pros and cons of either option, helping you determine if one is superior to the other.

Baking Soda v/s Litter Deodoriser

 Baking Soda

Overview

Baking soda is a common household item that serves a number of purposes, including cleaning, cooking, and, of course, odor control. Baking soda is a naturally-occurring salt that humans have been using for several millennia. It is a crystal that can be found as a white powder. It possesses disinfecting properties and is highly effective at absorbing odors – which is what makes it so good for litter boxes and so desirable for cat owners.

When to Choose baking soda

Baking soda can be your go-to when you are looking for a low-cost cleaning and odor-absorption solution for your litter boxes. However, since baking soda does not have a fragrance of its own, it will simply control the odor but do nothing to improve it.

Pros

• Readily available
• Inexpensive
• Effective at absorbing odor

Cons

• Does not improve fragrance

Deodorizer

How it Works

Commercial deodorizers are slightly more sophisticated than baking soda (although baking soda is usually the base ingredient in these deodorizers, which is what gives them their odor- and urine-absorbing properties). In addition, though, the absorbent powder also contains small fragrance crystals that deliver a fresh scent in the air.

Since these deodorisers are specifically designed for litter box-use, they are not toxic to cats. That said, some fragrances may be quite intense and off-putting, both for the cat and their owner. Another possible reason your cat may not like a cat litter deodoriser is that it concentrates the scent. Moreover, since the fragrance usually contains some chemicals or artificial ingredients, prolonged and regular use may eventually begin to affect your cat’s health.

When to Choose Cat Litter Deodoriser

Use a litter deodorizer when you want to improve the scent of the litter box. Some cats produce more odor than others, and cat litter deodorisers can be an effective way of minimizing the unpleasantness. Similarly, if there are multiple cats in your house, the quantity and intensity of the odor might mandate the use of a deodoriser.

Pros

• Improves the litter box scent
• Makes less mess
• Better for allergies

Cons

• May be too strong for you or your cat
• May contain harmful chemicals

Which Kind of Baking Soda Should You Use for Litter Boxes?

Since baking soda is a single-ingredient item, there is little variation between brands. You can pick any brand, including budget or nameless brands – they will all look and work the same.

Which Kind of Cat Litter Deodoriser Should You Use for Litter Boxes?

When it comes to cat litter deodorisers, things get a little more complicated since every brand can be significantly different to the other. Therefore, you will need to test multiple brands and go through the ingredient list to make sure there is nothing that could bother or harm your cat.

Every deodoriser will have a unique fragrance: while some will be subtle, others may be more intense or even overpowering. Once again, you will need to experiment with several scents until you find one that sits well with you and your furry friend.

Other Ways to Eliminate Litter Box Odor

Using baking soda, litter deodorizers, or a combination of the two is just one way to address the odor in your litter box. You can enhance the efficacy of this method by combining it with one or more of the following:

1)    Use Air Fresheners with a Cat Litter Deodoriser

The use of air fresheners is one of the commonest ways to eliminate odors around the house. Air fresheners are used to get rid of odors produced as a result of cooking, smoking, or from the bathroom. They can also do a pretty decent job of getting rid of pet smells and litter box odors.

However, when picking an air freshener with pets around, you need to be a bit more cautious in your decision. Many fresheners come with chemicals or other ingredients that may be toxic or dangerous for your cat. Besides, smells like citrus or lavender, while pleasant for humans, tend to stress out or irritate feline souls.

2)    Maintain Good Litter Box Hygiene

Good hygiene is perhaps the most crucial measure in this regard, particularly because of its preventative nature. Good hygiene involves daily scooping of the litter box and removing any feces or urine from that day.

Other than that, you also need to remove old litter, clean the box thoroughly, and place fresh litter at least once a week. While cleaning, you should use either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, since these can help get rid of any odors in the box itself.

3)    Ensure Good Ventilation

Many people feel that an enclosed litter box is the answer to litter box odors. Well, while such a litter box may prevent smell from spreading around the house, it also ends up concentrating the entire odor inside the box itself. As a result, cleaning and scooping the box becomes a task straight from hell. Plus, this is also not healthy or hygienic for your cat.

Instead, if you are concerned about litter odors, an open box is actually the best solution. Such boxes allow the smell to spread around and keep it from concentrating. Besides, every time you look inside the open cat litter tray, you will be reminded of cleaning it – unlike enclosed litter boxes which are often completely forgotten about (out of sight; out of mind). That said, as long as you ensure regular cleaning, an enclosed box should also work fine.

Final Word on Cat Litter Deodorizer

To sum up, both baking soda and cat litter deodorisers do the job quite well. Baking soda can serve as an easy and low-cost solution for when you only want to control the odor inside the box. However, if you actually want to improve the box fragrance, you should go for a litter deodorizer.

Regardless of the solution you pick, it is likely to work better if used in conjunction with the other odor-controlling and improving methods discussed above.