Litter odor-control additives
Also appears on labels as: activated charcoal, odor-eliminating minerals, natural odor-neutralizing enzymes, natural plant-based odor control, antimicrobial agent (borates), borates
Charcoal, mineral absorbents, enzymes, borate salts, or added scent, blended in to mask or break down ammonia.
Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.
- Where it comes from
- Varies by additive.
- Why it's in the product
- Odor control between scoopings.
- Safety and toxicity
- Charcoal and mineral absorbents are inert and unobjectionable. Added fragrance is the one worth thinking about: cats have a far more sensitive nose than we do, and scented litter is a recognized cause of box avoidance, which is a bigger practical problem than the chemistry. Borates are mildly toxic if a pet eats litter in quantity.
- Interactions and who should be careful
- If a cat suddenly stops using the box after a litter change, the added fragrance is the first thing to suspect.
We make the longer argument about this one on the fragrance evidence page.
General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.
Found in 7 scored products
Lowest scores first. Its presence here is not what drove those scores.
