Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter Review

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

This review is based on in-home testing by our editorial team and doesn’t reflect a direct endorsement by the author. We may earn a commission if you purchase through one of our links.

Looking for a simple solution to keep your cat’s litter box smelling fresher for longer? The addition to Fresh Step’s cat litter lineup could be just what you need. It’s fast-clumping, easy to scoop, and contains odor-eliminating carbon to deliver up to 30 days of continuous odor control.

Fresh Step has a long history of satisfaction among cat owners, but how does its Heavy Duty clumping cat litter stack up against the competition? Find out in this detailed, unbiased review.

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Ratings

Variety of Products – 5/5
Price Per Pound – 4/5
Multi-Cat Formulas – 5/5
Clumping Ability – 4.5/5
Natural/Alternative Options – 3/5

Overall Score: 4.3/5

Why Trust Cats.com

Having over 16 years of experience as a cat owner, I’ve tested more cat litter products than I can count. And because I’ve had as many as three cats at a time, odor control has always been a priority. Fresh Step has long been one of my preferred brands, so when I had the opportunity to test the latest addition to the lineup, I jumped at the chance.

To test Fresh Step Heavy Duty clumping clay litter, I enlisted the help of my own two cats, Biscuit and Munchkin. Throughout the testing process, I made observations about their reactions to the product while evaluating objective metrics like clumping ability, dust level, tracking, and odor control.

I also spent a few hours researching the brand’s history, familiarizing myself with its product selection, and reading customer reviews. Keep reading for my final assessment of Fresh Step’s Heavy Duty clumping cat litter.

Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter Features

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Fresh Step Heavy Duty is a clumping clay cat litter designed to control even the toughest litter box odors. Powered by black carbon Odor Shield granules for active odor control and lightly scented with Febreze fragrance, Fresh Step Heavy Duty is guaranteed to keep the litter box smelling fresh for 30 days when used as directed.

The secret to Fresh Step Heavy Duty’s powerful odor control is multifold. It starts with high-quality clay which absorbs moisture, forming tight clumps that are easy to scoop away. As the clay locks away moisture, the Odor Shield carbon granules get to work neutralizing odors. And each step your cat takes inside the litter box releases a hint of refreshing Febreze fragrance.

Not only is Fresh Step Heavy Duty cat litter designed to keep litter box odor at bay, but it’s a low-dust formula. That means less mess around the litter box.

To enjoy round-the-clock odor control with Fresh Step Heavy Duty, start with a clean litter box. Pour in 3–4 inches of litter and remove clumps and solid waste daily. Pour in new litter as needed to maintain the level preferred by your cat and to help maintain the fresh scent. When scooped daily, Fresh Step Heavy Duty effectively controls odors for up to 30 days before needing to be replaced.

What We Like:

Designed to provide up to 30 days of odor control
Suitable for use in multi-cat households
Forms tight clumps that are easy to scoop
Contains odor-eliminating carbon to keep the litter box smelling fresh
Refreshing Febreze fragrance isn’t overpowering and helps mask litter box odor
Available in sturdy boxes or multi-packs of smaller pouches

What We Didn’t Like:

Minimal dust on initial pour that settles quickly
Those sensitive to fragrance may prefer an unscented option
Fairly heavy, could be tricky for some cat owners to lift and pour

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

My cats and I are very familiar with Fresh Step cat litter and have tested many different products over the years. I’ve always been impressed with Fresh Step litter’s odor control properties, and the Heavy Duty formula was no exception. Though I typically prefer unscented cat litter, I didn’t mind the Febreze fragrance and didn’t find it overpowering.

During the testing process, my cats weren’t hesitant at all to use the litter box containing Fresh Step Heavy Duty. I noticed a little bit of dust when I first poured it, but none when I was scooping. The litter tracked about as much as other clay cat litters I’ve tested, but not as much as some of the lightweight litters I’ve tried. I wondered if the heaviness of the granules might reduce tracking, but it’s hard to say.

Having read some customer reviews before testing Fresh Step Heavy Duty for myself, I was interested to see how quickly the clumps hardened. Some customers claimed the litter stayed wet longer than they’d like or that it stuck to the bottom of the litter box. In my experience, the only time the litter stuck to the box was when Munchkin sprayed and the urine dribbled down the sides. Clumps in the middle of the litter box hardened quickly with no issue.

Fresh Step Heavy Duty did a good job controlling odor and I didn’t have any significant concerns while using it. The litter is on the heavier side, however, so users who struggle to lift heavy boxes or bags might have better luck buying the multi-pack of 9.5-pound bags.

What Do Customers Think of Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter?

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

While Fresh Step only released its Heavy Duty cat litter in March of 2025, the brand itself has a decades-long history of customer satisfaction. On Chewy.com, all of Fresh Step’s cat litter products have an average customer rating of at least 4.2 stars (out of 5 stars). Amazon.com appears to lump all of the brand’s cat litter product reviews together, totaling over 18,300 ratings with a 4.7-star average.

Despite being fairly new at the time of this review, Fresh Step’s Heavy Duty litter has a significant number of customer ratings and appears to be well-liked by cat owners. There were fewer than 250 reviews of the product on Fresh Step’s website but the average rating there was 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Positive Reviews

Customers who are satisfied with Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter frequently comment on the product’s strong clumping ability and long-lasting odor control. The product is particularly popular in multi-cat households. Several customers say the litter is a little pricier than they would like but still think it’s worth the cost.

“It really does last 30 days! Every time I scoop the box the Febreze scent rejuvenates every time, just as if I just poured it out of a new box. The clumps are tight with very few crumbles, making scooping a breeze.” – Linda on Chewy.com, June 24, 2025

“The clumps form tight, so it’s easy to scoop, and the scent is noticeable without being overpowering. We use it in an automatic litter box and it works really well with the system. My cat adjusted to it right away, and cleanup feels quicker compared to other brands I’ve tried.” – Cuddy on Amazon.com, September 5, 2025

Negative Reviews

While customers are largely pleased with Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter, some reviewers thought the Febreze scent was a little too strong. A few customers found that the litter stayed wet and stuck to the litter box more than they’d hoped. As with any clay cat litter, there are also some complaints about dust and tracking.

“I typically buy the fresh step light weight or the heavy duty. I got the advance heavy duty thinking it would have more odor control especially since it’s 3 bucks more expensive and a smaller box. Nope. I usually clean out the entire box once a week. I needed to clear out all of this out within just 3 days.” – Tea ki on Amazon.com, September 30, 2025

“This clumping cat litter, it’s like cement on the bottom of my cat feet and in between his toes. The clumps are very moist and they stick to the bottom of the litter box. I have to dig down really hard. And scrape, to get the clumps out and then they are very moist even after changing the litter box two times per week.” – Zena on Chewy.com, June 27, 2025

Overall, Is Fresh Step Heavy Duty Cat Litter a Good Choice?

If you’re tired of dealing with lingering litter box odor, Fresh Step Heavy Duty could be worth trying. It’s not super pricey and does what it says it’s going to do. The added fragrance might be a concern for people and cats with sensitive noses or respiratory issues but many users have commented that it’s not overwhelming.