Fresh Step Cat Litter Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Christian Adams

fresh step litter review

Fresh Step Cat Litter Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Fresh Step Cat Litter a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Fresh Step Cat Litter is easily one of the most loved cat litter brands on the market. Because they offer a large variety of litter types, it is almost guaranteed that you can find a litter that both you and your cat love. Although the prices are a bit more expensive than other litter brands, their odor-blocking technology and high-quality ingredients make the price worth it.

Being owned by Clorox, the Fresh Step Brand is primarily manufactured in the US, ensuring quality ingredients and production methods. As of 2020, they are opening a new kitty litter manufacturing plant in the state of West Virginia, which the community is excited about.

Overall, Fresh Step Cat Litter is a great litter brand for just about any housecat. Whether your cat needs super powerful odor protection or a gentle formula due to health conditions, Fresh Step Cat Litter has a formula for just about every cat.

Of course, certain Fresh Step Cat Litter varieties are better than others. To find out which Fresh Step Cat Litter you should select for your feline friend, keep reading. In this review, we give you a comprehensive overview of the Fresh Step Brand, the top litters, and more. Without further ado, let’s learn why Fresh Step Cat Litter is purr-fect for your kitty!

Cat ball divider 1At a Glance: The Best Fresh Step Cat Litter Varieties:

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay
  • 10 days of odor protection guaranteed
  • Paw-activated scent
  • ClumpLock technology
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
  • Free from fragrance and dyes
  • Busts odors for up to 10 days
  • ClumpLock technology
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
  • Up to 10 days of odor control
  • Triple technology
  • Paw-activated Febreze
  • Fresh Step Clean Paws Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Fresh Step Clean Paws Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
  • Made without fragrances or dyes
  • 99.9% dust-free
  • Strong clumping power
  • Fresh Step Febreze Scented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter Fresh Step Febreze Scented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter
  • Scented litter
  • Absorbs liquids quickly
  • Weighs 30% less
  • 3 cat face dividerFresh Step Cat Litter Reviewed

    Fresh Step Cat Litter has long been one of the most loved and innovative litter brands on the market. It is made from a number of high-quality materials that are safe to use with cats and effective for trapping odor. They even offer different types of litter, ensuring you can find the best option for your cat.

    1Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat LitterWho Makes Fresh Step Cat Litter & Where Is It Produced?

    Fresh Step Cat Litter is produced by the Fresh Step Brand, which is owned by the Clorox Company, otherwise known as the Clorox Chemical Company. The Clorox Company is an American global manufacturer that produces a number of consumer and professional products. Clorox also manufactures other pet brands, including Scoop Away and Ever Clean.

    Although Clorox is a bit reticent about where they produced their kitty litter, recent developments show that they are opening more kitty litter plants in America. As of 2020, Clorox plans to open a new kitty litter plant in West Virginia.

    Which Types of Cats is Fresh Step Cat Litter Best Suited For?

    Fresh Step Cat Litter is ideal for just about any domestic housecat, ranging from old to senior cats and short-haired to long-haired cats. Because Fresh Step Cat Litter comes in so many varieties, you can easily find a litter to match your cat’s needs.

    Litter Ingredients

    Fresh Step Cat Litter is made from a variety of ingredients that keep your home and cat clean and fresh. Because Fresh Step Cat Litter comes in so many varieties, the ingredients will depend on the category of litter, including Regular Clay Litter, Scoopable Litter, Litter with Febreze, and Fresh Step Crystals.

    The Regular Clay Litter is made from non-scoopable clay, borates, and fragrance. Scoopable Litters use scoopable clay, limestone, activated charcoal, fragrance, and borates. Certain Scoopable varieties will also have scented Febreze that is specially formulated for your cat.

    The Fresh Step Crystals are made primarily from silica gel. This material traps the liquid and odors so that they can evaporate later. The crystals also come with added fragrance for odor protection.

    Most of the reviews in this article relate to Regular Clay Litter, Scoopable Litter, and Litter with Febreze since they are the most popular. We do not review Fresh Step Crystals simply because they are not used as frequently. If you want a crystal formula, though, Fresh Step’s is one of the best.

    Regardless of the litter type, all Fresh Step Cat Litters include high-quality ingredients. The clay and crystals are specifically made with cat-safe ingredients and patented odor neutralizers. Additionally, the Febreze infused litters are completely safe for cats. However, cats with allergies or special needs should opt for the unscented versions instead.

    3Fresh Step Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat LitterLitter Options

    One area where Fresh Step stands out is in the litter varieties. If you look on their website, you can easily see 5 main categories that the litter can fall under. This includes Scented Clumping Litter, Unscented Clumping Litter, Clean Paws, Non-clumping Litter, and Crystals.

    The Scented Clumping Litter is specifically formulated with Gain or Febreze scents. While the scent smells great to humans, they are also specially formulated for cats, ensuring that the scent is safe. If you or your cat has a sensitive nose, however, you can select the non-scented options instead. The Unscented Clumping Litter also includes technology for odor protection.

    Within both the scented and unscented varieties, you can also find lightweight and multi-cat options. The lightweight option weighs up to 30% less than the other litter. The multi-cat option, on the other hand, comes in a bigger variety, ensuring you have enough litter for all your felines.

    The Clean Paws line is an award-winning product that helps to keep the kitty litter within the litter box where it belongs. This line also comes in both scented and non-scented varieties.

    If you need a non-clumping option, Fresh Step offers one non-clumping litter that comes with the power of Febreze. It is made from activated carbon and clay, which eliminates odors. Similarly, the one Crystal Litter sifts through your scooper, making cleanup very easy.

    Odor Protection

    Whether you opt for the scented or unscented varieties, Fresh Step Cat Litter has impressive odor protection. Using a variety of ingredients such as activated charcoal and Febreze, all of their litters offer odor control that lasts at least 10 days.

    If you select a scented variety, the litter actually helps to make the room smell better. The scent is paw-activated, meaning that the scent will activate whenever your cat goes into the litter box, helping to make the room smell better.

    Price

    The one potential downside of Fresh Step Cat Litter is the price. Most of their cat litters are notably more expensive than other brands. Although this may be a downside for those on a budget, we certainly think the price is worth it, making it expensive but not overpriced.

    The reason why we do not think that this kitty litter is overpriced is because it is the top litter on the market. The technology is completely safe for cats and effective for you. Because it locks in odor and makes scooping easier, you also do not have to use as much of it, saving money in the long run.

    Fresh Step also comes with a Paw Points program. This allows you to earn rewards every time you purchase and review their products. You can redeem your points for free products, coupons, or donate them to your favorite shelter.

    divider-catclaw1A Quick Look at Fresh Step Cat Litter

    Pros
    • Suitable for nearly all domestic housecats
    • Many litter options
    • Up to 10 days of odor protection
    • High-quality ingredients
    • Cat-safe ingredients
    Cons
    • Expensive

    cat + line dividerRecall History

    We could not find any recent recalls of Fresh Step Cat Litters.

    Reviews of the 3 Best Fresh Step Cat Litters

    Let’s look at our favorite Fresh Step Cat Litters:

    1. Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter1Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    The Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is one of the best options for extreme odor protection. Scented with a Mountain Spring scent and ammonia lock technology, you get 10 days of odor control guaranteed with this litter.

    Not only do these ingredients eliminate odor, but they actually put a fresh scent back into the air. The fragrance is paw-activated, meaning that the Mountain Spring scent will permeate into the air every single time your cat hops into the litter box. The litter also comes with ClumpLock technology, which makes scooping a breeze and eliminates stinky crumbles.

    The main downside of this litter is that the formula seems to have changed, resulting in more dust. Although the amount of dust will not be an issue for healthy cats, cats with respiratory illnesses may want to go with a different option.

    Pros
    • 10 days of odor protection guaranteed
    • Paw-activated scent
    • ClumpLock technology
    Cons
    • More dust than in past formulas

    2. Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter2Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    If you or your cat has a sensitive nose, opt for the Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. This formula is free from dyes and added fragrance, which is why many vets recommend it. It allows your cat and you to breathe easy without worrying about fragrance or dyes.

    At the same time, this formula includes activated charcoal, which has the ability to neutralize odors for nearly 10 days. It even prevents bacterial odor growth on the litter. In other words, this unscented clumping clay cat litter also busts odor. Plus, it is easy to scoop because of the ClumpLock technology.

    Our one critique of this litter is that it does not particularly smell the best. In other words, it does smell a bit bad on its own, despite controlling odor wonderfully. However, this might not be much of a critique if you are specifically looking for a relatively natural kitty litter.

    Pros
    • Free from fragrance and dyes
    • Busts odors for up to 10 days
    • ClumpLock technology
    Cons
    • Litter does not smell pleasant on its own

    3. Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter3Fresh Step Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

    Even the smelliest of kitties are no match for this Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. It provides up to 10 days of odor control. However, it goes beyond the odor control of the other litters because it uses ammonia block technology, activated charcoal, and plant extract. All of these ingredients trap and absorb odor.

    Being mixed with Febreze, this litter also puts fresh scents back in the air. The scent is paw-activated, meaning that the room will smell fresher whenever the cat leaves the litter box. Additionally, it uses ClumpLock technology that makes cleanings a breeze.

    Our biggest complaint about this product is that it is more expensive than some of the other litters. Given its impressive odor control, though, its price is fair and to be expected.

    Pros
    • Up to 10 days of odor control
    • Triple technology
    • Paw-activated Febreze
    • ClumpLock technology
    Cons
    • More expensive than other Fresh Step Litters

    cat face divider 2What Other Users are Saying About Fresh Step

    We love Fresh Step Cat Litter and recommend it to any cat owner, but do not just take our word for it. Read other customer reviews to find out what other users like you think about this cat litter.

    • Michelle – “My cats love it and so do I. It absorbs the urine well and makes it easy to clean. It is a little dusty but not too bad compared to others. I changed brands and my cats wouldn’t use the litter. It also helps with odor.”
    • Alex – “My old litter, quite frankly, sucked. I just dealt with it because I thought it was normal. Ha! My old litter wouldn’t clump my kitty’s pee. Now this stuff….. everything is clumped and it’s so much cleaner and easier to clean!!! I love!! Forever reordering.”
    • Amazon – The only way to be the best pet owner possible is to shower your cat with love and be responsible in the products you buy. We recommend reading Amazon reviews before buying any products to ensure you get the best litter for your kitty. You can read reviews for Fresh Step Cat Litter here.

    cat paw dividerConclusion

    If you are looking for a dependable and odor busting kitty litter, Fresh Step Cat Litter should be your first choice. With a range of litter varieties, it is almost guaranteed that you find a litter that you and your cat will love. Although the prices are more expensive, the price tag is worth it because the kitty litter actually eliminates odor and is easier to clean than other brands.

    Although most of their litter formulas are top notch, we specifically recommend the Extreme Odor Control Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter, and Triple Action Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. All of these formulas have a 10-day odor blocking guarantee and easy to clean ClumpLock technology.

    Remember to read reviews before purchasing any litter. From there, select a Fresh Step Cat Litter based on your nose, your cat’s nose, and your favorite litter style.


    Featured Image: Chewy/ yamamedal, Shutterstock

    Get Catster in your inbox!

    Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
    Catster Editors Choice Badge
    Shopping Cart

    Pangolia

    © Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.