Fresh Step Odor Shield Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Cat Litter, Febreze Freshness, 38 lb Total, Easy Pour Pouches (4 Pack)

I have had cats for 20 years and have tried almost every brand of clumping cat litter from generic store brands on up. I was devoted Scoop Away fan for years but something changed around the time of the COVID lockdown and the quality went way down hill - uneven size/sharp pieces, tons of dust, etc. My cats hated it and one of mine resorted to peeing just outside the box (which is a clear sign they know where to go but there is an issue with the litter or the box). Made the switch to Fresh Step and never looked back. Yes, it is a bit more expensive than the rest but it is worth it and Walmart has the best everyday price I have found for the 38 oz 4-pack (I do sometimes purchase the 42 lb version from one of the warehouse stores when there is an extra sale/coupon). I prefer the 4-pack because I can work with 1 bag at a time. 1 bag is perfect for a litter box change and it is easier to manage the smaller bags than the big box or giant bags. Yes, there is a bit of dust when I add fresh litter or change the litter box, but that is the only time it happens and I just hold my breath or look away. It is not an issue when my cat uses the box (I have watched). People need to be realistic - any litter can only control odor to a point. You have to sift the box of pee and poop every day and change out the litter completely and clean the actual box every once in a while. Plastic is porous so if your box is plastic, you should expect to need to replace it every few years as they will become permanently stinky. I also sprinkle a layer of pure baking soda at the bottom of the box every time I change or add litter to help control odor. Also get a washable mat. I stopped using products marketed as "litter mats" because no matter what they claim, nothing truly stops litter scatter. I now use a 2x3 or 3x5 machine washable rug (like the kind you would get for your kitchen, bathroom, or in front of a door) that I can shake outside and wash as needed.

I switched to another brand recently that was a lil bit cheaper, and it def produced less dust. BUT, my room smelled by day two, had to completely toss the litter at the end of the week...very quickly coming back to this. This brand does come with a lot of dust, but it keeps my room fresh and I continue to simply add...not completely dump so in the long run, it's cheaper.