Cat owners would do anything for their cats, but dealing with the litter box is their least favorite part. Keeping our homes from stinking like the cat litter box is an endless fight. Not to mention, trying to keep the cat litter from getting everywhere is another battle. However, we can make the litter box process a little more manageable. These 6 tips will help improve the experience for both you and your cats!
It’s Best To Scoop The Litter Box Daily
There are definitely pros and cons to our beloved cats being able to relieve themselves inside of our homes. We love that we don’t have to take them outside every time they need to go but having their dirty litter box in our home isn’t the best. Plus, when a litter box gets dirty our cats tend to kick the litter around in an attempt to find a clean spot. This means that a dirty litter box ends up creating more mess than a recently cleaned litter box. So, the best way to prevent this is to clean the litter box every day. This will also help prevent odors and also allow us to monitor our cat’s health better. By cleaning it every day we will notice any changes in their bathroom habits sooner. Not a fan of scooping at all? Try investing in a self-cleaning cat litter box. If this is your first time owning a cat, check out these recommended supplies for new cat owners.
Clean The Entire Litter Box Out Monthly
Even if you are good about scooping the litter box daily you should still do a full cleaning of the litter box monthly. Many cats will end up peeing down the side of the box when they go. Also, we can’t get all of the small pieces out when we scoop. The creator of Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter, who is a veterinarian, recommends washing out the whole cat litter box each month with a mild detergent.
Get A Litter Box Cabinet Or A Covered Litter Box
Covering the cat litter box is a no-brainer. This will help keep odors as well as the litter inside of the box. Cats have a sense of smell that is more sensitive than humans so we don’t want to lock them in with the odors. So, if you plan to get a cabinet or a covered litter box, make sure it’s ventilated.
One good option for covering the cat litter box is the Refined Cat Litter Box Deluxe. This wooden litter box enclosure from The Refined Feline features a large opening on the side and ventilation slots in the back. You can even add carbon filters to these slots to absorb the odor. An internal plastic litter liner is also included to contain the litter. This cat litter box cabinet also happens to be very aesthetically pleasing and is even customizable to match your decor. Still worried about litter tracking? You can even get the matching adjoining Litter Catch to catch any remaining litter as your cat exits the litter box.
Stick With Unscented Cat Litter
Cat parents typically tend to buy scented litter without thinking twice since it controls odors so well. These scents though can be too strong for many cats. There are a ton of options available luckily when it comes to unscented litter. If you’re not sure that this will do the trick, you can buy a litter deodorizer to use as needed. There are many sprays and powders that can be used to reduce odors. That way, you can just add it to the litter as needed rather than dealing with an overpowering scented litter. All cats are different though so find out what works for you and your cat!
Get One Litter Box For Each Cat
Cats tend to like their privacy and so the location as well as the number of litter boxes is important. It’s important that every cat has a litter box of their own for when they have to go. It’s best to spread them out through the house as well. This is a good tip too for if any of the cats are territorial or get aggressive at times towards your other cats.
Replace The Litter Box Every Year
Everyone knows to clean and empty the litter box regularly but not many people know to replace the whole thing. Most cat litter boxes are constructed of plastic which ends up getting scratched one way or another. These little scratches can harbor bacteria so it is a good idea to replace the entire box once a year or so.
Hopefully, with these tips, the litter box experience will be better for all of the cats and humans involved.
