Dr. Elsey's Prioritizes Feline Health: Discontinues Scented Cat Litter

CHEYENNE, Wyo., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Elsey's, a veterinarian-founded company committed to feline health and wellness, has announced the immediate discontinuation of its Ultra Scented cat litter line. This decision marks a significant step in the company's ongoing mission to provide products that align with the natural needs of cats, ensuring their health, comfort, and well-being.

For years, Dr. Elsey's has been at the forefront of feline wellness as an industry leader, offering scientifically backed, veterinarian-formulated solutions that support a cat's natural instincts. While the company previously produced scented litter in order to accommodate consumer demand, recent scientific research and the latest veterinary insights have mandated the immediate need to eliminate artificial fragrances from its product lineup.

"Cats rely on their sense of smell to navigate their world, and artificial fragrances can significantly disrupt their instincts, causing stress and discomfort," said Dr. Bruce Elsey, founder of Dr. Elsey's. "We've always been committed to doing what's best for cats, and breakthrough scientific studies now show us that scented litters introduce unnecessary risks. We're acting on that knowledge and making this important change, and we are hoping and advocating that other manufacturers do what is right and follow our example."

While scented litter may appeal to cat owners, the most credible, authoritative research as of today indicates that it negatively impacts feline health in several very significant ways:

• Disrupting Natural Instincts: Cats use scent to detect threats and communicate. Strong artificial fragrances can overwhelm their sensitive noses, leading to anxiety and stress.
• Triggering Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Studies show that environmental stressors, including overpowering scents, contribute to FIC, a painful urinary condition that affects many cats.
• House-Soiling and Shelter Surrenders: Stress from litter box aversion can cause cats to stop using their litter box, a leading cause of feline abandonment and surrender to shelters. By eliminating scents, Dr. Elsey's aims to reduce this heartbreaking issue and keep cats in loving homes.

Dr. Elsey's decision underscores the company's philosophy: cat litter should be made for cats first. While many brands design products with human preferences in mind—adding perfumes and dyes—Dr. Elsey's prioritizes feline well-being.

"Our natural clay litter effectively controls odor without harmful artificial fragrances," said Dr. Elsey. "By using high-quality, natural ingredients, we offer a safe solution that keeps cats comfortable while still providing the odor control pet owners need."

Dr. Elsey's Ultra and other unscented varieties offer superior clumping, minimal dust, and long-lasting odor control—without compromising feline health. Additionally, cat owners can adopt simple, natural methods to maintain a fresh litter box, such as daily scooping, proper ventilation, and refilling the litter box every week.

As a family-owned business founded by a veterinarian, Dr. Elsey's is uniquely positioned to make decisions based solely on feline welfare. Unlike corporate brands driven by shareholder interests, Dr. Elsey's remains committed to research-based, ethical product development.

"We answer to our values, not profit margins," said Dr. Elsey. "Being independent allows us to act quickly and decisively when we discover better ways to protect and care for cats. Discontinuing scented litter is one of those steps."

From its inception, Dr. Elsey's has focused on solving real problems faced by pet owners. The company was born out of a desire to keep cats in homes by addressing common challenges, such as inappropriate elimination and health-related litter box aversion. Today, that mission continues with an unwavering dedication to common-sense solutions.

Dr. Elsey's guiding philosophy remains simple: if a product isn't good for cats, they won't make it. This principle extends beyond litter to the brand's entire lineup of feline-friendly solutions, from nutrition to wellness products.

"Do what's best for the cat—not just the owner," Dr. Elsey emphasized. "That's our commitment. We are dedicated to keeping cats happy, healthy, and in loving homes."

Dr. Elsey's Ultra and other unscented litters are available from a variety of retail locations. Find your nearest retailer or where to order online at www.drelseys.com.

About Dr. Elsey's
Founded by Dr. Bruce Elsey, a feline veterinarian with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Elsey's is dedicated to providing science-backed, veterinarian-formulated solutions that promote feline wellness. With a product line that includes high-quality cat litter, nutritional products, and wellness solutions, the company's mission is to keep cats in loving homes by offering products designed with their unique needs in mind.

For more information, visit www.drelseys.com.

Media Contact:
Mat Brost
877-311-2287
[email protected]

SOURCE Dr. Elsey's