Fresh Step

Fresh Step Heavy Duty Odor Block Clumping Litter

Ranked #6 in Cat Litter

642 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The odor-control benchmark, and it is backed by the widest range of testers of any scented clay litter. The trade is added fragrance, which some cats dislike, so it sits below the unscented leaders.

Consolidated from 3 independent outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

1 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

Its strong odor control is achieved with a heavy artificial fragrance and dye load that many cats refuse and that perfumes a home for years. The unscented route controls odor without that tax.
Flagged 16 September 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

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Pros & cons

✓ The odor-control benchmark
✓ Backed by the widest range of testers of any scented clay litter
✓ Good Housekeeping's Best Odor Control winner
✓ Evaluated in Consumer Reports' 13-litter test program
✓ Targeted odor fix at a supermarket price

✗ Added fragrance that some cats dislike
✗ A scented premium formula
✗ Artificial fragrance, unlike the unscented leaders
✗ Heavy artificial fragrance load
✗ Contains dyes

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. We quote no words from these sources, so each row shows only where we placed it.

3 stance not read sources

Good Housekeeping Article Read C

Consumer Reports Article Read R

Reviewed Article Read

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #6 of 13 on our cat litter tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 3 independent outlets.

Added fragrance that some cats dislike. A scented premium formula. Artificial fragrance, unlike the unscented leaders. Heavy artificial fragrance load. Contains dyes.