If you’re a proud pet parent, you know that life with a furry companion is filled with cuddles, laughter, and the occasional 'What on earth did you just eat?' moment.

But let’s be honest—one of the less glamorous sides of pet ownership is dealing with their bathroom habits.

Whether you’re a dog walker who’s forgotten the poo bags one too many times or a cat owner on a never-ending quest to keep the litter box from taking over your home with its unique aroma, we’ve all been there.

So, when a budget-friendly solution pops up at Kmart promising to banish those pesky pet odours for just $8, it’s no wonder Aussie pet owners are keen to give it a go.

But before you rush out to stock up, vets are urging caution—especially if you have a curious kitten or a pet with a penchant for sampling things they shouldn’t.

Kmart’s $8 Cat Litter Odour Eliminator has been flagged by vets as potentially unsafe for kittens, with ingestion risks linked to illness or blockages. Credit: Facebook

One Kmart shopper recently shared her experience online after purchasing the Cat Litter Scents in a Bottle, also known as the Cat Litter Odour Eliminator.

She hoped it would keep her home smelling fresh, but things took a worrying turn when her five-month-old kitten became unwell shortly after the product was added to the litter.

'She eats bloomin’ everything,' the owner wrote, wondering if the new beads were to blame.

This story quickly caught the attention of pet experts, who weighed in with some important advice.

Dr Natalie Slade from the Beaches Vet in Sydney explained that while the ingredients in the Kmart product—activated charcoal and clay—are generally safe, they’re not meant to be eaten.

And if you’ve ever had a kitten, you’ll know that 'not meant to be eaten' is basically an invitation for them to try.

'Ingesting the beads in large numbers could potentially result in illness from excessive amounts of the ingredients being absorbed or from a gastrointestinal blockage,' Dr Slade warned.

Her advice? The product may be suitable for adult cats who aren’t prone to eating non-food items, but it’s best avoided for kittens and curious cats.

Vet nurse Tess Nolan echoed these concerns, saying she prefers to stick with traditional, high-quality kitty litter—especially for young cats.

​

'These litter balls could look more like a toy than a toilet,' she said, raising the risk of foreign body ingestion and expensive vet visits.

Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton revealed that gastrointestinal issues are the most common insurance claim for cats, with treatment costs ranging from $727 to a staggering $27,061 for cats aged 1 to 8 years.

That $8 bargain could end up costing a lot more if your pet ends up at the vet.

As with many pet products, reviews are divided. Some shoppers rave about the odour eliminator, claiming it works wonders and keeps their homes smelling fresh.

'Few cupfuls in kitten litter and no more smells—really works. Recommend,' one happy customer wrote.

But others, especially those with veterinary experience, are more cautious.

​

'I would never trust that (I’m a vet nurse) because: where was it made, what is it made of, is it toxic?' one commenter questioned.

Many recommend sticking to natural, non-toxic options, such as Breeder’s Choice.

Kmart has stated that they take product safety seriously and have not received similar complaints about the odour eliminator, which has been on shelves for years.

They encourage anyone with concerns to contact their customer service team for investigation.

If you’re looking for alternatives to keep your home smelling sweet, the experts have some tried-and-true tips:

• Feed a high-quality, low-residue diet: This can reduce the odour of your cat’s waste.
• Clean regularly: Scoop the litter box daily and wash it weekly with a pet-safe cleaner.
• Ventilation is key: Keep the litter area well-ventilated to prevent ammonia build-up.
• Try natural deodorisers: Activated charcoal inserts, a sprinkle of baking soda under the litter (not on top), or natural deodorisers labelled as kitten-safe can help.
• Consider a hooded litter tray: This can contain mess and odour, but remember, nothing beats regular cleaning.

While the $8 Kmart Cat Litter Odour Eliminator might work for some, it’s not without risks—especially for kittens and cats who like to nibble.

When it comes to your pet’s health, sometimes it’s better to spend a little more on a tried-and-true product or stick to natural solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Vets have warned that Kmart’s $8 Cat Litter Odour Eliminator could be unsafe for kittens, as the beads may be ingested and cause illness or a gastrointestinal blockage.
• Experts recommend using more traditional or higher-quality kitty litter options for young cats, as kittens are prone to eating foreign objects and may see the beads as toys.
• While some shoppers have shared positive experiences with the odour eliminator, pet professionals and some cat owners urge caution and suggest safer alternatives like Breeder’s Choice, baking soda, or activated charcoal pads.
• Regular cleaning of litter boxes, use of pet-safe cleaning products, and feeding cats a high-quality, low-residue diet are all recommended as safe and effective ways to reduce odour without risking your cat’s health.

Have you tried this product, or do you have your own tips for keeping the litter box (and your home) smelling fresh? We’d love to hear your experiences and advice! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Read more: The cat’s out of the bag: Michu’s eco-friendly litter is changing the game

 

[meighLeigh]

THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR CAT.

The only safe solution to litter box odour is to change the litter whenever it smells - or, better still, once it has been used.
There's a condition in cats called the "Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease" or blocked bladder - it can be live threatening, especially in male cats. The quickest and easiest treatment is to CHANGE THE DIRT TRAY. Cats have a much more acute sense of smell, and their instinct (as hunters) is to bury their waste so the prey can't smell it. They are also fastidious. If the dirt tray smells, they will try somewhere else (piddling in the sink, for example - or spraying in the house!) or just hang on for as long as they can until they have a clean place to eliminate. They can 'hang on' until it gets extremely painful or, especially in the case of male cats, the sediment in the urine literally sets like concrete in the urethra so they can't pee at all.
"Odour eliminating" agents usually mask the odour to our weak sense of smell. The cat can still smell the pee, and often the 'odour eliminating' agent. In fact, the 'odour eliminating' agent and build-up of the smell of pee risks making the cats litter tray averse so they'll use anywhere except the litter tray.

For those who question it - speak to a cat practitioner. I can add BVSc, MANZCVS (Feline Medicine) after my name. I'm not a cat specialist, but I do have a special interest in cat health.

 

[Colette 3799]

When we got Charlie from the shelter they sold me a wood based cat litter. It has two trays, the litter goes in the top tray and when he urinates the wood becomes like sawdust and drops into the bottom tray through holes. I have adapted it a bit over the years. I use a kitty litter cover over the bottom tray with a ‘puppy pad’. This way I can remove the smelly urine without having to clean out the top tray every time. Even without my adaptation the litter stays fresher than the regular one tray litter boxes. I have used those odour eliminating crystals but I put them in the bottom tray on top of the puppy pad so the cat can’t get to them. Also a tip the local pet stock store told me - the commercial wood based litter is quite expensive so they have a big bag of the same pellets which is marketed as horse bedding and it’s much cheaper and works exactly the same

 

[Veggiepatch]

Interesting.

Activated charcoal is used for humans as an absorptive agent for those who have ingested a toxic substance or overdosed on certain prescribed or illicit drugs.

 

[Liz]

My cats are very fastidious, she tells me when she uses the litter tray and I go and scoup it out. The only way to eliminate odour is to keep it clean or if you really are that fussy, dont' get a cat or kitten. I would never buy this product. And my vets have always recommended clumping bentonite clay.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I have owned cats for all but about 10 years of my life.

If your cat isn't fussy and you live near a beach, substitute sand for cat litter and save some dollars!

 

[Penny4]

I use Breeders Choice which is recycled paper turned into pellets. I used to buy clumping litter, but my cat got irritated runny eyes from the dust. I clean it every time she uses it, and once/week hose the litter tray out and dry it in the sun.

 

[7777]

Bicarbonate of soda works well to eliminate odours. Bicarbonate of soda is a product used in foods, and also is used as a cleaning product. It is also well known as a product that effectively eliminates odours or any unwanted bad smell. This product is said to be a safe and an effective way to eliminate the smell from cat litter box. Like I said, people use this product in foods, indicating that it is safe. So in any event, sprinkle some of the bacarbinte of soda sparingly, on top of the fresh litter to help remove any odour that may be coming from the cat litter box. Bicarbonate of soda comes in a dark blue and white box and the bicarbonate of soda is a white powdery product. It dose not have to be mixed with anything , just sprinkle about half a teaspoon of the powder on to the cat litter. It can be purchased at any Coles or Safeway store for 3.95 1kg.