Introduction
Cleaning the litter box, but with Fresh Step Cat Litter, it’s all different. Cats are pretty much the best, right? Their soft fur, cute toe beans, and hilarious antics make cat ownership super fun. But one not-so-fun part of living with cats?
As any cat parent knows, keeping that litter box fresh is so important for your cat’s health and happiness. And picking the right cat litter can make all the difference. One of the OG cat litters that’s been around for years is Fresh Step Cat Litter.
This clay-based litter from Purina promises some pretty nice perks when it comes to odor control and easy cleaning. But does it stand up to its claims? And how does it stack up against other popular litters? We’re investigating!
Table of Contents
Pros of Using Fresh Step Cat Litter
When it comes to the pros for Fresh Step cat litter, odor control and convenience seem to take center stage:
👃 Kills odors amazonically fast
Cat pee is no joke, you guys. It can linger and stink up your whole place if you don’t have a litter that tackles it quickly. Fresh Step says its formula neutralizes funky ammonia odors on contact. No more holding your breath when you scoop! with Fresh Step Cat Litter
🛀 Great for multi-cat homes
Got more than one fur baby? All those extra potties can mean more smells. Luckily, pet parents say Fresh Step Cat Litter handles heavy usage like a champ and keeps the stink at bay, even with multiple cats.
💵 Lasts a decent while per box
One box of Fresh Step goes a fairly long way, especially if you only have 1-2 cats. Some report a single jug lasting over a month with one cat before needing a litter change. Pretty good bang for your buck!
🔁 Clumps nicely for scooping
Scoopable litters FTW! Pet parents give Fresh Step’s clumping action solid marks, saying the granules combine nicely when wet for easy cleaning. No dusty crumbs or rock-hard clumps here.
🏋️♀️ Lightweight formula Some clay litters can get pretty darn heavy to lug around. Fresh Step Cat Litter shaves off some weight, clocking in at around 13 pounds per jug. Less strain on your back during litter duty? Yes, please!
Cons About Fresh Step Litter:
But Fresh Step isn’t necessarily the perfect litter for every cat parent. Here are some of the downsides:
🚨 Chemical smell bothers some cats and humans A decent number of reviewers report an overpowering chemical odor from the Fresh Step formula. While it may help mask cat smells, some say that strong perfumed scent is a turn off. And it can even deter finicky kitties from using the litter box.
🐾 Too rough on some cats’ paws
Clay litters can be less forgiving on kitty paws than natural options like pine or wheat. And some pet parents say the granules in Fresh Step are too sharp and coarse for their cats, leading to less litter box visits.
💸 Cost might be prohibitive long term
While a single jug lasts for a decent stretch, Fresh Step Cat Litter is one of the pricier clay litter options out there. For multi-cat homes that go through litter quickly, it might not be the most economical choice when restocking monthly.
👎 Dustier than some litters Despite the clumping action working well for scooping, a number of folks complain that Fresh Step generates a lot of dust. When your cat scratches around in it, expect clouds of fine particulate in the air and coating your surroundings.
🚚 Heavy jugs awkward for some to carry
Even though it’s lighter than many clay options, lugging almost 13-pound loads of litter can still be a hassle, especially for pet owners with mobility issues or injuries. The plastic jugs are also pretty bulky.
Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter
Clumping Litter with Febreze: Combines odor control and freshness.
10-Day Odor Control Guarantee: Formulated with Ammonia Block Technology.
99.9% Dust-Free Formula: Keeps surfaces and air cleaner.
Scoopable Kitty Litter with ClumpLock Technology: Absorbs liquids and minimizes mess.
Fresh Step Quality: Designed for your cat’s health and happiness.
How Fresh Step Cat Litter Compares To Other Litters
So how does Fresh Step hold up against competitor cat litters? Here’s a quick comparisons on key factors:
👃 Odor control: With most clay formulas, the odor-busting power diminishes the longer the litter sits in the box. But Fresh Step ties with Tidy Cats for keeping ammonia smells in check best over time.
💰 Price per use: Fresh Step Cat Litter is a little costlier than average up front. Litters like Dr. Elsey’s and Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal beat it out slightly in value when comparing cost per use.
🐾 Comfort and tracking:Natural grain litters like World’s Best Cat Litter and Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat rate higher marks for softness and not tracking all over. But Fresh Step tracks less than many clay options.
🏆 Overall satisfaction: In overall cat parent reviews, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat comes out on top for clumping clay options. Lightweight Fresh Step alternatives like Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal also rate very well.
The Takeaway? While not the absolute best performer across the board, Fresh Step is a solid middle-of-the-road pick if you want an affordable clumping clay litter that controls odor fairly well. It may work better for single kitties vs multi-cat homes and does track a bit. But for convenience and odor, it beats out many low-cost litters.
FAQs
For one cat, you can get away with dumping all the litter every 3-4 weeks. For two cats, aim for every 2-3 weeks. And in multi-cat households, weekly complete changes are best to keep odor and bacteria at bay.
Nope! Pet owners say Fresh Step transitions well from loose grains to solid clumps when wet. The clumps form enough to scoop out urine and poo easily but don’t typically harden into cement-like chunks.
Bugs looking for a litter meal can be gross, yet common. Luckily, reviews don’t indicate major issues with Fresh Step attracting ants, flies, or roaches like some natural clay-free litters prone to bug problems.
Flushing cat poo is a big no-no, no matter the litter! It can spread parasites. The litter itself shouldn’t be flushed either, even in small clumping pieces, as it can create plumbing issues. Always toss used goods in the trash.
Yep! The slightly rougher texture makes it not quite as comfy on kitten paws as a super soft litter. But as long as your little fuzzy friend can climb in and out okay, Fresh Step is totally safe for them.
Does Fresh Step track everywhere?
Since it’s a clay formula, it does track more than wood pellet varieties. But it fares better than most regular clay types, with the granules not shedding readily from kitty paws. So you likely won’t find litter bits everywhere with this pick.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing cat litter, there are a ton of options out there claiming to be the best. And while Fresh Step might not beat out other litters in every area, it remains a leading contender.
This trusted brand offers middle-of-the-road pricing with some nice advantages. We especially dig the odor eliminating powers that battle stinky ammonia smells quickly. And clay clumping action makes for easy, fuss-free scooping. So if convenience and fragrances are important in your litter search, add Fresh Step to your short list.
Of course, no litter is one-size-fits-all. While many kitties and owners adore Fresh Step, others find the perfume too strong or texture too rough. At the end of the day, observe your furball’s litter habits closely and let their preferences and needs guide you. But overall, Fresh Step remains a quality clay pick to consider in your quest for litter box bliss.
So there you have it, all the main litter-al details on the ever-popular Fresh Step! Hopefully this breakdown helps you decide if it’s a good match for you and your feline roomies. Drop us a comment with your experiences if you give it a whirl. Happy scooping!