Clumping Clay / Behavioral
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Herbal attractant actually works for litter-box-avoidant cats, with the same low-dust multi-cat clay performance as Ultra.
Overall score
9.5/10
Cost per day
$0.56
Reviewed Mar 5, 2026
Head-to-head comparison
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs Fresh Step Scented: Which Should You Buy?
Fresh Step is the supermarket default. Cat Attract is a targeted fix for a cat that has started going on the floor. Fresh Step is cheaper and easy to grab with the groceries. Cat Attract is unscented, far cleaner in the air, and worth the money only for that behavior problem.
ReviewCatLitter editorial teamUpdated Mar 5, 2026
This comparison page is maintained by the ReviewCatLitter editorial team and grounded in the same scoring framework used across the published review catalog.
Scented Clay
Fresh Step Scented
A dependable grocery-store clay option with decent clumping, a noticeable fragrance profile, and fair everyday value.
Overall score
8.1/10
Cost per day
$0.40
Reviewed Mar 3, 2026
Overall winner
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract is the strongest all-around pick in this comparison for cats avoiding the litter box.
Lowest daily cost
Fresh Step Scented at $0.40/day
Budget is often the deciding factor in this tier.
Best odor control
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract at Strong unscented control
Odor control often decides whether a litter feels tolerable long term.
Tracks less outside the box
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract at Moderate
Tracking can be more important than overall score in small spaces.
What we actually measured
Every figure below is a reading from our own test runs, not a rating. Where a run never took a reading it says so.
| Reading | Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract | Fresh Step Scented | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust weighed per pourParticulates caught in the air while the bag goes into the box. Lower is better. | 0.04 mgbetter | 0.42 mg | 0.38 mg |
| Clumps that survived the drop testShare of clumps still whole after a three-foot drop. Higher is better. | 98%better | 66% | 32 points |
| Bag priceWhat the tested bag cost. Bag sizes differ, so read it next to cost per pound. | $26.99 | $18.99 | $8.00 |
| Cost per poundBag price divided by what is in the bag. Lower is better. | $0.67 | $0.45better | $0.22 |
| Cost per dayWhat the box costs to keep running each day. Lower is better. | $0.56 | $0.40better | $0.16 |
| Cost across a yearThat daily cost carried over a full year of use. Lower is better. | $204 | $146better | $58 |
Neither run recorded granules outside the box, ammonia after one day and ammonia after three days, so those rows are left out rather than filled in from a similar bag. The full test data shows every reading we have.
Why Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract wins this matchup
Primary tradeoff: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract's weakest area here is tracking.
Best dust control here at 0.04mg per pour.
Strongest odor control in this set with strong unscented control.
Clumping is a real edge: rock-solid.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.5 | 8.1 |
| Pricing | ||
| Price | $26.99 | $18.99 |
| Weight | 40 lbs | 42 lbs |
| Cost / Day | $0.56 | $0.40 |
| Performance | ||
| Dust Control | 9.2 0.04mg per pour | 6.2 0.42mg per pour |
| Clumping | 9.8 Rock-solid | 7.9 Decent |
| Odor Control | 8.8 Strong unscented control | 8 Strong fragrance masking |
| Tracking Outside the Box | 7.3 Moderate | 6.2 Moderate |
| Value for Cost | 8.6 $0.56/day · $26.99 | 7.9 $0.40/day · $18.99 |
| Features | ||
| Type | Clumping Clay | Scented Clumping Clay |
| Flushable | ||
| Scented | No | Yes |
| Our Verdict | ||
| Best For | Cats avoiding the litter box | Convenient store-bought clay |
| Read ReviewCheck Price | Read ReviewCheck Price | |
Best fit
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract makes the most sense for cats avoiding the litter box.
Worth it if
You want herbal attractant actually works for litter-box-avoidant cats, with the same low-dust multi-cat clay performance as ultra.
Skip it if
You need a formula that solves cats avoiding the litter box better.
Best fit
Fresh Step Scented
Fresh Step Scented makes the most sense for convenient store-bought clay.
Worth it if
You want a dependable grocery-store clay option with decent clumping, a noticeable fragrance profile, and fair everyday value.
Skip it if
You need a formula that solves cats avoiding the litter box better.
If neither option is quite right
The closest litters we have tested to this matchup, on score and on price.
Clumping Clay
Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Weighed 0.03mg per pour and runs at $0.51 a day.
Best for dust-sensitive homes
Premium Clumping Clay
Boxiecat Premium
Weighed 0.04mg per pour and runs at $0.55 a day.
Best for lowest-maintenance scooping
Natural Corn + Cassava
Sustainably Yours
Weighed 0.11mg per pour and runs at $0.63 a day.
Best for best-performing natural litter shoppers
Read the full reviews
Use this page to choose a winner quickly, then open the full product reviews if you want the long-form test notes.
Keep comparing nearby options
Related matchups that share one of the same products and answer the next likely decision.
Related matchup
Fresh Step Scented vs Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Two perfumed supermarket clays. Clump & Seal holds smell down longer and clumps harder. Fresh Step is the cheaper bag and pours a little less dust.
Winner: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Buy Ultra unless your cat has stopped using the box, which is the one job Cat Attract does better.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Related matchup
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal vs Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Cat Attract is what you try when your cat is missing the box. Clump & Seal is what you buy when the bag price decides it.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Fresh Step Scented
Ultra if you want the box to stop smelling of perfume and stop clouding when you pour. Fresh Step if you want it in the cart tonight.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs Sustainably Yours
Cat Attract is a behavior fix. Sustainably Yours is an everyday natural litter.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs World's Best Cat Litter
If the cat is going on the rug, start with Cat Attract. If the cat is fine and you want to flush the waste, World's Best is the better everyday buy.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Quick Answers
Which is better: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Fresh Step Scented?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract comes out ahead on the balance of dust, clumping, odor control, tracking and daily cost. Fresh Step Scented is still the one to buy for convenient store-bought clay.
Which is cheaper per day: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Fresh Step Scented?
Fresh Step Scented runs at $0.40 a day against $0.56 for Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract.
Which controls smell better: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Fresh Step Scented?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract scored higher: strong unscented control, against strong fragrance masking for Fresh Step Scented.
Which tracks less outside the litter box: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract or Fresh Step Scented?
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract keeps more litter in the box: moderate, against moderate for Fresh Step Scented.