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Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter vs Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter

Buy Dr. Elsey's Ultra if your cat has allergies, you want no scent at all, or you need a litter that clumps hard and stays put. Buy Fresh Step Advanced if odor is your main problem, especially in a multi-cat home, and you don't mind a Febreze scent. Dr. Elsey's wins on dust control and a simple unscented formula; Fresh Step wins on odor-blocking technology and tighter clumps. Owners of both report solid clumping, but Dr. Elsey's is the safer pick for sensitive cats.

  • Choose the Dr. Elsey's Ultra if you want an unscented, near dust-free clay litter for a cat with allergies or a picky nose.
  • Choose the Fresh Step Advanced if odor control is your top priority and you want carbon and ammonia blockers in a scented litter.

Prices

  • Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter: $10.80 at PADI-Dja (checked today)
  • Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter: $28.99 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is $18.19 cheaper than the Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter today
Dr. Elsey's
Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb

$10.80at PADI-DjaChecked 8 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit PADI-Dja
Pros
  • Unscented, no perfumes or deodorants
  • 99.9% dust-free claim
  • Hard clumps that hold together
  • Low tracking with heavy granules
  • Works in sifting and mechanical boxes
Cons
  • Large liquid volume can overwhelm it
  • Not flushable
  • Heavy 40 lb bag
  • No added odor technology beyond natural ingredients
Fresh Step
Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter, 37.5 lb

Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter

Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter, 37.5 lb

$28.99at AmazonChecked 8 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Extra-strength odor control with carbon
  • Ammonia blocking technology
  • Febreze scent masks litter box smell
  • Tight clumps and quick liquid lock-in
  • Low dust and low tracking
Cons
  • Scented, which some cats dislike
  • Additives may bother sensitive cats
  • Box packaging can be harder to pour
  • Odor control fades between full changes

What separates them

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat LitterFresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter
ScentUnscented, no perfumes or deodorantsFebreze Freshness scent
Odor controlNatural ingredients, up to two weeksExtra-strength: carbon, ammonia blocking, Febreze
Dust99.9% dust-free claimLow dust
ClumpingForms clumps that will not breakClumps tight
GranuleMedium grain, heavy non-tracking granulesClay granules, low tracking
Packaging40 lb heavy plastic bag37.5 lb box
Sensitive catsMarketed for allergies, no additivesScented, with additives
Multi-cat useDesigned for multi-cat homesDesigned for multi-cat homes

Price history

  • Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter: lowest $10.80 on Nov 10 at PADI-Dja.
  • Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter: lowest $28.99 on Nov 10 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

  • PADI-DjaNew

    In stockShips from Cameroon · duties may apply

    $10.80Checked 8 h ago
    Visit PADI-Dja
  • Chewy.comNew

    In stock

    $22.99+ $4.95 shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Chewy.com
  • PetSmartNew

    In stock

    $22.99+ $6.99 shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit PetSmart
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $22.99+ $6.99 shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • Tractor Supply CompanyCheck price at Tractor Supply Company
  • TargetCheck price at Target
  • Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
All 10 stores and price history →

Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter

  • UnderYoursNew

    In stock

    $73.49+ $7.95 shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit UnderYours
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $28.99Checked 8 h ago
    Visit Amazon
All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecDr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat LitterFresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter
Litter TypeClumpingClumping
Odor Control TypeNatural ingredientsFebreze Freshness, Ammonia Blocking Technology,…
ClumpingYesYes, Clumps Tight
AbsorptionHighly absorbentQuickly locks in liquid
Dust Level99.9% dust-freeLow Dust
Tracking LevelLow TrackingLow Tracking
Absorption SpeedAlmost immediatelyQuickly locks in liquid
Litter MaterialClayClay
Litter AdditivesNo plant proteins, No deodorants, No perfumesFebreze Freshness, Ammonia Blocking Technology,…
Package Size40 lb32.8 lbs
Package TypeBagBox
Packaging MaterialHeavy plasticBox
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecDr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat LitterFresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter
Scent TypeUnscentedFebreze Freshness
Number Of CatsMulti-CatMultiple Cats, Multi-cat box
Weight35 lb37 lb
FlushableNo—
Absorption CapacityLarge volume of liquid can overwhelm the litter—
Lasting PowerUp to two weeks (odor control)—
Free OfHypoallergenic, Unscented—
Granule SizeMedium grain—
Particle SizeMedium grain—

What reviewers say

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Owners of Dr. Elsey's Ultra generally report strong clumping and low tracking, and many choose it because it is unscented. Complaints center on the weight of the bag and on clumps breaking down when a box gets a heavy soaking.

What people mention
  • ClumpingPraisedOwners say clumps stay firm and lift out in one piece.
  • DustPraisedReviewers report very little dust when pouring and scooping.
  • TrackingMixedMany find tracking low, but some still see grains carried out of the box.
  • ScentPraisedBuyers like that it controls odor without added perfume.

Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter

Owners of this litter generally report solid clumping and strong odor control in multi-cat homes. The most common complaints center on the strength of the scent and on dust and tracking in practice.

What people mention
  • Odor controlPraisedOwners say it keeps multi-cat boxes smelling controlled between scoopings.
  • ClumpingPraisedClumps form tight and come out in one piece, making scooping easier.
  • ScentCriticisedThe Febreze fragrance is strong and some owners and cats find it too much.
  • DustMixedSome owners notice dust when pouring, though the brand calls it low dust.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a cat with allergies?
Dr. Elsey's Ultra. It is unscented and free of perfumes, deodorants and plant proteins, and it claims 99.9% dust-free. Fresh Step Advanced adds Febreze and carbon, which some sensitive cats react to.
Which controls odor better in a multi-cat home?
Fresh Step Advanced. It combines carbon, ammonia blocking technology and Febreze for extra-strength odor control. Dr. Elsey's relies on natural ingredients and lasts up to two weeks.
Which litter tracks less?
Both are low tracking. Dr. Elsey's uses heavy non-tracking granules mixed with smaller ones, which helps keep litter in the box. Fresh Step also markets low tracking.
Is Dr. Elsey's worth stepping up to over Fresh Step?
If you want an unscented, low-dust litter for a sensitive cat, yes. If odor is your main complaint, Fresh Step's carbon and ammonia blockers do more.
Do both work in automatic litter boxes?
Dr. Elsey's states it works with sifting or mechanical litter boxes. Fresh Step clumps tight, which suits scooping and most automatic boxes, but check your box maker's guidance.
Which lasts longer between full changes?
Dr. Elsey's claims odor control for up to two weeks. Fresh Step's extra-strength odor control is built for multi-cat boxes, but how long either lasts depends on the number of cats and scooping habits.

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More comparisons

  • Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb vs Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb
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  • Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb vs Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter, Multi-Cat, 30 lb
  • Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Clumping Cat Litter, 40 lb vs Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter, 37.5 lb
Texture Type
Fine Grain, Medium Grain
—
BiodegradableNo—
Suitable Pet TypesCats—
Cat SensitivitiesAllergies—
Odor Control Level—Extra-strength
Typical Users—Multi-cat households