It’s always an unpleasant task to clean the cat litter box. The smell, the effort, and the mess are all things that make it a less than desirable chore. But if you want your cats to have a happy home, then you will have to learn how to keep a cat litter box clean.
If a litter box is dirty, a cat may refuse to use it, and the last thing you want is for your cat to pee up your expensive sofa.
A cats smell is also 14 times stronger than that of a human. This means that although the litter box may appear clean to you, your cat could consider it dirty and smelly.
In this guide we will cover some of our favorite tips for keeping your cat’s litter box fresh and clean so that both you and they can be happier throughout the day!
Tips On How To Keep A Cat Litter Box Clean
1. Scoop Up Waste
Removing waste from the litter box as soon as possible is an extremely important step in keeping your cats litter box clean and odor free.
All feces and clumped urine should be removed using a plastic or metal scooper. Here are some tips you can follow.
- Firstly, if you are pregnant or just simply not keen on the cleaning process, make sure to wear gloves, and even a mask when scooping waste from the litter box.
- Scoop waste at least once a day. This will be at least twice a day for two cats, and more if you have more than two cats.
- An even better option is to just scoop the waste immediately, although this isn’t always possible for some people, especially for people who work all day.
- Place the waste into a garbage bag or dog poop bag, and tie a knot in the bag.
- The scooper should be cleaned to help prevent the spread of bacteria, and to also prevent further odor.
- Top up the litter if needed.
- Thoroughly wash your hands after the scooping and cleaning process.
2. Dispose The Waste
Oder can be an issue so it’s important to dispose any waste properly.
The litter genie is a great option for this as it is an airtight container that you can then dispose of. This will help to contain the smell and keep your home smelling fresh and clean!
Another way to deal with waste disposal is just by bagging up any feces in plastic bags, but if you’re not very fond of touching cat litter than we don’t recommend this method.
If you do decide on using plastic bags make sure they are tied securely so no odor escapes from them later on down the line!
3. Baking Soda
To help prevent control litter box odor, you can try this little hack using baking soda.
All you have to do is sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the box before adding your litter. This will help absorb any smells and keep your kitty’s litter box smelling fresh all day long!
It can help absorb some of the odors, but it won’t include any irritants that will aggravate your cat’s sensitive nose and lungs.
4. Thoroughly Wash the Litter Box Every Week
Every week it’s essential that that you empty the entire contents of the litter box and give it a full thorough wash.
Here’s the correct way to clean a litter box:
- Empty the litter into a garbage bag.
- Pre-soak the litter box for 10 minutes using a mild, non-scented detergent, baking soda, and a drop or two of vinegar in the detergent helps to kill microorganisms.
- Hose the entire box in the backyard, using either a rag, sponge, or paper towels to give the whole thing a good scrub.
- Also clean the area that the litter box is usually kept in, removing any litter, spray with disinfectant, and clean the cat litter mat if you have one.
- When the litter box is dry, refill with around 2 inches of litter. Before you do this, you can sprinkle a tiny amount of baking soda at the bottom of the litter box to help absorb any smells.
Safety Precautions When Cleaning a Litter Box
1. Wear Gloves And A Mask:
Litter boxes are full of bacteria and parasites which can be harmful to both you and your cat. It’s always safe practice to wear gloves and a mask to provide full protection.
2. Avoid Cleaning Products With Harsh Ingredients
When cleaning a cat litter box, make sure to avoid using harsh chemicals that could potentially irritate your cat’s paws and skin.
Avoid products that have ammonia, bleach, or any type of caustic ingredient.
Some products such as bleach can be especially harmful to cats if ingested, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions when cleaning their litter box.
There are a variety of safe and effective cleaning solutions available which will help get the job done without exposing your furry friend to any harmful chemicals.
When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian to see what they recommend for safely cleaning your cat’s litter box.
Preventing Problems With Litter Boxes
Replace the Boxes
As with anything else, the litter box over time will become scratched and worn due to daily use. The main problem here is that bacteria can hide and build up in the scratches which not only causes strong odor, but can also be bad for your cat health. You should replace cat litter box once per year.
Keep these features in mind before choosing a litter box:
- The litter box should be at least the same length of your cat (from the tip of the nose to the tail).
- The entrance should be low to allow easy access. This is especially important for older cats.
Add Multiple Litter Boxes
Adding multiple litter boxes in your home can help combat litter box odor.
You’re going to want at least one more litter box than you have cats in the house. So for example, if you have two cats, then three litter boxes are required.
It’s also recommended that each cat has their own personal space for the bathroom!
When they all use separate boxes, there will be less of a chance that any smells or irritants from other areas will end up in one place. This is especially important if you live with pets who are sensitive to certain chemicals like humans might be.
Adding multiple litter boxes also gives kitties more options when choosing where they would prefer doing their business so everyone gets along easier by having them spread out around the house instead of clumped together in just one room!
Choosing The Correct Cat Litter
With so many different types of cat litter available on the market, it’s important to choose the correct one.
Clumping litters help to keep boxes smelling more fresh because they allow for the easy removal of both solids and liquids and makes the cleaning process become easier.
Non-clumping litter also helps reduce odor, but doesn’t capture liquids as well as clumping litter does.
It will generally saturate the litter which means you will have to make full litter changes more frequently.
To learn more about litter, check out our buyers guide on the best litter for cats.
Optional Extras To Make The Cleaning Process Easier
These are optional extras, but every cat owner hates cleaning a litter box and these options will make the whole process 10 times easier!
Kitty Litter Matt
Cat litter matts are placed under your cats litter box. They work by capturing any stray litter that will be stuck to your cats paws as they exit the litter box. Our recommendation is the Gorilla Grip Original Premium Durable Cat Litter Mat.
Litter Box Liners
Litter box liners are a great way to make cleaning your litter box a breeze.
They can be easily disposed of once they’re dirty, and will help keep the litter box clean and free of any unsightly messes.
There are a variety of different liners available on the market, so it’s important to find one that is best suited for your needs.
Some popular options include disposable plastic liners and fabric liners which can be machine-washed and reused.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to avoid using harsh chemicals that could potentially irritate your cat’s paws and skin.
Litter Genie
The Litter Genie is a cat waste disposal system with a seven-layer refill to lock away odors. They come in different sizes with the standard and plus holding soiled cat litter for up to two weeks, and the XL up to three weeks.
Check out the demo video below of the Litter Genie in action.
Self Cleaning Litter Box
Although a little more expensive than conventional litter boxes, self-cleaning litter boxes are an excellent choice that provide more automation and convenience when it comes to cleaning litter boxes.
A great example of this is the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box.
Check out our full PetSafe ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box Review.
To learn more about self cleaning litter boxes, check out our post on the Best self cleaning litter box, Review and Buyers Guide.
Try Using a Closed Litter Box
Closed litter do a better job at holding in odor than an open litter box, but they are not for every cat. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a closed litter box.
Closed Litter Box Pros:
- Very effective odor control.
- Help reduce litter tracking.
- Some cats love the privacy of a closed litter box.
- More aesthetically pleasing as it hides what is inside of the litter box.
- A lot of models have the option to remove the hood, which transforms it into an open litter box if needed.
Closed Litter Box Cons:
- The smell of feces and urine can build up inside, as the closed design will lock in the smell. Although this is good for us cat owners, it is not so good for your cat. More frequent cleaning is required.
- Take more time to clean.
- You cannot see if your cat has used the litter box unless you physically keep looking inside.
- May not be suitable for large cats.
To help you choose the best litter box, check out our buyers guide on the best litter box for cats.
Pet Odor And Stain Remover
If you cat is going to the toilet outside of their litter boxes, you’ll find that they will keep going back to the same place. To prevent this you can get a product like this Unique Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator which will neutralize the odor.
Common Questions And Answers
How often does a cat litter box need to be cleaned?
Any clumps of urine and feces should be scooped at least once on a daily basis, and immediately if possible to prevent build up of odor. A complete litter box clean and change of litter should be conducted once per week.
What is the best way to keep cat litter from smelling?
As scooping waste at least once on a daily basis, you can also try sprinkling a small amount of baking soda on the bottom of the litter box. The baking soda will help to absorb and lock in any bad odor. You can also purchase litter spray that be sprayed directly onto the litter to eliminate the smell of cat urine.
Why does my cat watch me clean her litter box?
Cats are extremely curious creatures who love to follow you around the home and watch everything that you do. This is perfectly normal behavior, so just allow your cat to do what cats do.
Why does my cat lay in the litter box after I clean it?
According to veterinarians and cat behaviourist’s, hiding and sleeping in a litter box is a sign that a cat is feeling highly stressed. The reason they retreat to the litter box when feeling stressed is because they seek out a familiar environment that enables them to feel safe.
This behavior is common if you have either just moved home, or bought a new cat into your home where they are unfamiliar with their new environment.
Do cats get mad when their litter box is dirty?
Cats are known to be very clean creatures, and can become unhappy if their litter box is dirty. A dirty litter box may cause them to eliminate outside of the box, and onto your sofa, carpet, or anywhere else necessary when they have to go. This is why cleanliness is extremely important when it comes to a cat litter box.
How To Keep A Cat Litter Box Clean Conclusion
If you’re considering getting a cat, but are afraid of the litter box maintenance, don’t be. With these tips and tricks for keeping your kitty’s litter area clean, there will never be any more excuses!
Cats can provide companionship with minimal effort on your part (they groom themselves!), so if it turns out they aren’t quite right for you after all, no harm done.
You’ll find that most cats are very easy to train in this department; just make sure you keep their living space tidy by scooping every day, and conducting a full clean and replacement of litter once per week.
A few simple additions like an automatic litter box may also help save time during the week when life gets busy.
