North Dakota Pet Care Alert: Why Scented Litter Stinks for Cats

A Stinky Situation: Why Fragrances and Cats Don’t Mix

Today I have a very stinky topic.

Imagine the worst smell you can think of—rotting cabbage, old cat urine, or a skunk that met an unfortunate end on the road. Got it? Now, picture walking into a restroom that reeks of it. Would you stay, or would you find another restroom? What if you had no choice? What if you were in a hospital, trapped in bed with sheets soaked in that unbearable stench?

Now, here’s the connection to Whisker Wednesday: When sick kittens are surrendered to rescues, they often arrive wrapped in soft, freshly washed blankets. But there’s a problem—those blankets are saturated with strong fragrances from detergents and fabric softeners. While these scents may be pleasant to us, they’re overwhelming and distressing to sensitive kitten noses. Imagine if your hospital sheets smelled like diarrhea—that’s how bad it can be for them.

Rescues also get many reports of cats avoiding their litter boxes or being surrendered for urinating outside them.  If medical issues are ruled out, the cause is often behavioral. One of the several things, along with declawing, that can lead to behavioral problems, is scented litter. It might smell nice to you, but to a cat, it stinks! Who can blame them for seeking a different “restroom”? Always choose unscented cat litter to keep your cat comfortable and encourage proper litter box use.

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The truth is, cats dislike artificial fragrances, and for good reason—these chemical blends aren’t regulated for safety, not for pets or humans. Essential oils aren’t a good alternative either, as most are toxic to cats. Household cleaners like Lysol and Pine-Sol can cause kidney damage, and Febreze is a neurotoxin.

A single exposure may not seem harmful, but over time, repeated exposure to these chemicals builds up in our pets’ bodies—far faster than in ours. Our dogs, cats, and birds are the canaries in the coal mine, suffering the effects before we even notice.

Please protect yourself and the animals in your care. Choose fragrance-free products whenever possible, always opt for unscented cat litter, and spread the word—because knowledge saves lives.