The smell of cat litter can be a genuine challenge for cat owners.
Many of us have returned home only to be greeted by the unpleasant and pervasive scent of cat urine that lingers throughout the house.
This becomes even more problematic when hosting guests or sitting down for a meal. (It often feels as though my cat chooses these moments to use the litter tray.)
Of course, we love our feline companions and want the very best for them. But here’s something not everyone knows: cats themselves dislike the smell of their own urine.
A clinical study conducted by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (USA) found that strong litter tray odours can cause stress in cats and significantly affect their overall wellbeing.
Some cats may even refuse to use their litter tray, choosing instead to urinate elsewhere if they find the odour unpleasant.
So, the question is: how can we effectively eliminate these odours?
Over time, I have tested many different types of litter and various odour-control methods. None of them delivered perfect results.
I had never tried Pacha Litter — which I had heard praised as the most effective solution for odour control — so I decided to conduct a thorough comparison, leaving Pacha to be tested last to see whether it truly lived up to its reputation.
The methods I examined were:
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Incense
- Scented litter
- Charcoal litter
- Air freshener
- Pacha Litter
One of these solutions proved significantly more effective than the others — unexpectedly, it was the one I had least confidence in at the start.
1) Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda is often recommended for neutralising odours.
I already use it for household cleaning, so it seemed worth a try.
I confirmed it was safe for my cat (Whiskers) and sprinkled some over the litter.
Result: Unfortunately, it was a disaster. Whiskers ended up with powder all over her paws, tracking it through the living room, onto the sofa, the chairs, and even the dining table.
Within a day, I found damp, urine-soaked powder in several places around the house.
While it may have some odour-absorbing capability, the mess it created made it completely impractical.
2) Incense
Another suggestion I found was placing incense near the litter tray to mask odours.
However, after researching the health implications, I discovered a study (cited on a reputable health website) which reported:
“According to a study of 60,000 people in Asia, incense increases the risk of respiratory cancer.”
Given this, I decided not to attempt this method — for my health and my cat’s.
3) Scented Litter
Scented litter is widely available, but after watching a comparative review by Dr. Elsey’s on YouTube, I decided against it.
Cats have a far more acute sense of smell than humans, and the strong artificial fragrance can cause them discomfort or even stress.
For this reason, I did not consider it a suitable solution.
4) Charcoal Litter
This approach initially appeared promising: no artificial scents, no hazardous powder.
However, after purchasing a charcoal-based litter from a well-known UK brand, I noticed no improvement whatsoever.
Activated charcoal can absorb odours, but my research revealed that it becomes less effective upon contact with moisture — an unavoidable factor in a litter tray.
5) Air Freshener
I tested using a household air freshener both in the litter tray area and in the room itself over a period of two weeks.
While the effect was initially pleasant, it lasted no more than five minutes before the original odour returned.
The quantity required for continuous use made this method neither cost-effective nor practical.
6) Pacha Litter
Finally, I reached the much-discussed Pacha Litter — a silica-based litter developed in collaboration with veterinarians, capable of changing colour depending on the acidity of the cat’s urine, thereby offering insight into potential health concerns.
My research confirmed that silica crystals are widely used in moisture-absorbing applications, are non-toxic, and pose no risk even if a small amount is ingested by a cat.
I ordered a bag from my-pacha.com and received it at my home in London within three days.
Following the instructions provided on the packaging, I began using it — and was immediately impressed.
👉 The odour vanished entirely.
The litter is non-clumping, which simplifies maintenance. I stir it once a day and remove solid waste, which dries within an hour.
Urine is completely absorbed by the silica crystals, preventing any lingering smell even when the litter tray is used during mealtimes.
Silica crystals act like microscopic sponges, absorbing up to 50% of their weight in liquid. Once the urine is trapped within, the odour is neutralised.
In summary: Pacha Litter fully met its reputation: it controls odours with remarkable efficiency. It is the most effective solution I have tested.
The only minor drawback: it produces a small amount of dust when poured into the tray — not a major issue, but worth noting.
Availability
Pacha Litter is currently available exclusively online through the brand’s official website: my-pacha.com.
