Editorial Policy

Our Mission

CatLitterSmell.com exists to help cat owners solve litter box odor problems through accurate, science-backed information. Our editorial mission is to:

• Provide evidence-based advice on odor control solutions
• Test and review products honestly and thoroughly
• Maintain complete editorial independence from advertisers
• Correct errors promptly and transparently

Editorial Independence

This site is independently run. No advertiser or affiliate partner reviews or approves content before it is published. This means:

• No pay-for-play: We do not accept payment for positive coverage, product placements, or favorable reviews.
• No content approval: Partners and affiliates do not review or approve our content before publication.
• Full disclosure: All affiliate relationships and potential conflicts of interest are disclosed to readers.

Fact-Checking Standards

All content published on CatLitterSmell.com undergoes review for accuracy:

Health and Safety Claims

Statements about health risks (e.g., ammonia exposure, respiratory irritation) are:

• Reviewed against peer-reviewed veterinary literature
• Cited to authoritative sources (veterinary schools, EPA, ASPCA)
• Reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy

Important: While we strive for accuracy, our content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for pet health concerns.

Product Claims

Product effectiveness claims are based on:

• Manufacturer-provided specifications and ingredient disclosures
• Recurring themes in public customer reviews, treated as signals rather than proof
• Scientific literature on active ingredients and odor mechanisms

We do not run hands-on lab tests, and our comparison pages say so plainly.

Scientific Information

Scientific explanations (e.g., how activated carbon works) are:

• Based on established chemistry and physics principles
• Cited to peer-reviewed sources where applicable
• Reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team

Research Methodology

Our guides follow a consistent research process described in detail on our About page. Key principles:

• Comparisons are research-based and labeled as such, never disguised as hands-on reviews
• Mechanism claims (how carbon, clumping, or ventilation work) are grounded in public scientific sources
• Each comparison page lists the public references checked for that page
• Recommendations are organized by odor cause, and we say when the right answer is a routine change or a vet visit, not a product

Source Requirements

We cite sources for:

• All health and safety statistics
• Scientific claims about odor chemistry
• Product specifications and effectiveness data
• Industry statistics and market data

Preferred sources include:

• Peer-reviewed veterinary journals
• Government agencies (EPA, FDA)
• Established animal welfare organizations (ASPCA)
• University veterinary schools
• Reputable scientific publications

Affiliate Relationships

CatLitterSmell.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. Our primary affiliate relationship is with Purrify (purrify.ca), a Canadian activated-carbon litter additive. Most outbound commercial links on this site go to Purrify and we receive a commission on purchases made through those links. Our affiliate relationship does not influence our editorial content. Specifically:

• Affiliate partnerships are disclosed on every page
• All Purrify links are tagged with rel="sponsored"
• We recommend products based on merit, not commission rates
• Negative reviews are published regardless of affiliate status
• Other brands cited in comparisons are not currently affiliate partners
• See our Affiliate Disclosure for complete details

Content Updates and Corrections

We regularly review and update content to ensure accuracy. When we make significant corrections:

• The affected page is updated and its "Last Updated" date is changed
• See our Corrections Policy for details

Advertising Policy

We maintain strict separation between editorial content and advertising:

• Advertisements are clearly labeled as such
• Sponsored content is labeled "Sponsored" or "Advertisement"
• Advertisers do not influence editorial decisions
• We do not accept ads for products we have rated poorly

User-Generated Content

Comments and user submissions are:

• Moderated for spam, abuse, and misinformation
• Not edited for opinion, but may be removed for violations
• Not considered endorsements by CatLitterSmell.com

Health Content Standards

We are not veterinarians, and we don't claim to be. Articles touching health or safety are held to a stricter sourcing bar instead:

• Health claims are checked against CDC, OSHA, EPA, and ASPCA guidance, and those sources are linked on the page
• We avoid stating medical conclusions of our own; where evidence is mixed, we say so
• Whenever a smell pattern could indicate illness, our guidance is to call a veterinarian

Contact the Editorial Team

Questions about our editorial standards? Contact our Editor at editor@catlittersmell.com

To report an error or request a correction, see our Corrections Policy.