Dr. Elsey's Reinforces Its Longstanding Commitment to Safer, Unscented Cat Litter

NEW YORK, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As artificial fragrances come under increasing scientific scrutiny for their potential health effects on both pets and humans, industry experts and veterinarians are sounding the alarm on heavily scented cat litter. For Dr. Elsey's, a pioneer in unscented, hypoallergenic litter formulas, this wave of awareness serves to further validate a key business decision the company made several months ago, as reported on by Health11News. Dr. Elsey's was notably the first company in its industry to discontinue its line of scented litter, despite its popularity with consumers.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), over 3,000 chemical ingredients are used in fragrance formulations, many of which are unlisted and considered proprietary. Several of these are classified as potential allergens, hormone disruptors, or respiratory irritants. For cats, these compounds can be overwhelming, even harmful.

A 2020 study published in Science of the Total Environment found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—including those released by fragranced consumer products—can trigger respiratory symptoms in cats. These concerns are echoed by a 2023 report from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which advised veterinarians to caution pet owners about the use of scented litters and plug-in air fresheners in multi-cat homes.

Dr. Elsey's set an industry precedent when it withdrew its scented litter line from the marketplace some months ago – the first of the companies in its industry to do so – despite the cost to its bottom line in taking such a bold action.

"More pet parents are realizing that masking odor with heavy perfumes doesn't solve the root issue of litter box aversion," says Carly Matthews, DVM, a small-animal practitioner in Breckenridge, Texas and a contributor to Health11News. "Dr. Elsey's gets it right. Their litter is clean, neutral, and—most importantly—respects the biology of the cat."

An estimated 10 million cats are surrendered to shelters globally each year, and behavioral issues related to litter box usage are a leading cause, according to the ASPCA. Dr. Elsey's believes that removing artificial irritants from a cat's environment—especially the litter box—could help reduce this heartbreaking trend.

About Dr. Elsey's:
Dr. Elsey's is a veterinarian-founded company dedicated to creating innovative, science-backed products that solve the complex problems of feline care. Visit www.drelseys.com.

About Health11News:
Health11News is a digital publication reporting on news and important matters of health and wellness to readers and consumers.

Media Contact:
Carly Matthews
212-987-1667
[email protected] 

SOURCE Health11News