Anyone who has a cat knows that litter boxes can be, shall we say, less than fresh-smelling. Fortunately, there are some simple tips and tricks you can use to keep your cat's litter box clean and smelling great. Here are some of our favorites.
The first step to keeping your litter box clean is to scoop it out daily. It seems obvious, but this cannot be stressed enough - scooping daily is the key to preventing odors from building up. If you have multiple cats, you may need to scoop multiple times per day. Using a good clumping litter helps make scooping out the waste much easier.
In addition to scooping daily, you should also empty and wash the litter box completely every week or two. This will help remove any lingering odors and keep your cat(s) healthy and happy. Since most boxes are plastic, they can be easily scrubbed to remove stuck-on waste particles. Be sure to check in the corners too, as small bits of waste will tend to accumulate there also.
Once clean, add fresh new litter and everything will smell as good as new. You can help reduce odors by adding a small amount of baking soda to the bottom of the box before adding the fresh litter. If desired, a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil can be added for an extra freshness boost.
Last but not least, consider using an automatic litter box - these can be a bit more expensive upfront but can save you time (and your nose) in the long run. Automatic litter boxes work by scooping waste into a bag or receptacle after each use, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. They will typically run unattended until time to change. Some automatic litter boxes track uses, or you can just go by your nose.
Your author uses the PetSafe ScoopFree automatic litter box. It works well and keeps odor to a minimum. However, the cost of the litter refills is substantial, so that is something to consider if you are looking for an automated litter box.
To sum it up, dealing with a smelly litter box is just part of the territory when you have cats. You can keep your litter box clean and smelling great all year round. It does take some daily maintenance, but if you just follow our simple tips above, you'll be ahead of the game!
One Minute Pet Tip
Between cleanings, you can reduce the cat litter smell by using an air purifier. We reviewed some of the best air purifiers for this purpose - click the button below to learn more.
