Cats are naturally cute and fun to live with, but a landmine in their litter box is capable of sending you out of your house without your shoes on. That’s funny, right? But you already know how bad it can be if you’ve ever had to deal with the odor from your kitty’s litter box.
But here are some natural measures you can take to control litter box odor and tame the smell:
1. Scoop Everyday
The smell from the litter box is very unpleasant from the first drop. Now imagine, leaving it in without scooping for days; that’s going to be worse enough to send villagers running for the hills.
So it is better to get rid of the stuff that’s smelly every day. You can clean the boxes at least once daily (preferably twice). This keeps your cat happy but preserves your health more.
For ease of cleaning, you can clump litters and keep a low-dust litter. This is especially important if your cat is asthmatic (or you yourself).
Besides, you need to understand that apart from you not liking the odor from the litter box, your cat is also not happy about it. So you tend to see your cat poo or pee outside the box if there are too many landmines to navigate around.
You may want to opt for the automatic scooping box, but your cat might be scared of the noise from this device. So don’t be in a hurry to get rid of your old litter box, even if you have to try the automatic one to see if it works for your cat.
2. Replace the box
Your cat may scratch the litter box frequently as she tries to bury her waste. These scratches can create rooms to hold bacteria, which often leads to the build-up of a smelly residence. So it is advisable to replace the litter boxes at least once every year.
However, when looking for the best option of boxes for your cat, keep the following features in mind:
- The length of the box should at least extend from the tip of your cat’s nose to the end of her tail.
- The box should have at least a part low enough to permit your cat to comfortably move in and out.
The low-side feature is important for older cats and cats suffering from arthritis. And the size maters too for enough space and comfort.
3. Wash thoroughly
You need to wash the litter box at least once per month and scrub thoroughly. And to ease this process, you should keep up with the daily scooping.
However, when washing or scrubbing, ensure you wear gloves to protect yourself against fecal pathogens that can be deadly to your health.
You can simply use soap and water to clean your cat’s litter box. Don’t use harsh chemicals and bleach that can leave strong odors in the box. Your cats may avoid her box if this happens, and this can be hard to correct. So use a mild soap to wash, and to finish up, dry the box, and add new litter.
4. Ventilate
Many cat owners make the mistake of keeping their kitty’s litter box in a small, confined space that is far from the livable space of their home. This is not bad, but it can concentrate odors in a single spot, which can become unbearable for both you and your cat after some time.
So it is good to keep the litter boxes in places that are well-ventilated. The same applies to covered boxes) — Yea, you may have a potent, concentrated stink under that roof, but you won’t have to see or smell what’s going on. More so, your cat isn’t going to be thrilled about stepping in.
5. Add more well-sized boxes
If you get more cats without having enough boxes, your cat might leave the box entirely. Yea, cats don’t really like to use what other cats have used. And it’s even worse if the box is of the wrong size.
This means if the space in the box is not enough, your cat will be more likely to let her business fall anywhere, whether inside the box or right next to it. Besides, she will not have enough space to move around, leaving it with a harder time to bury her waste.
Hence, add more well-sized boxes and make sure at least one side of the box is low enough to allow easy entry and exit. If your cat has to climb high just to get into the little box, she may not even bother trying to go in.
6. Clean messes quickly
Sometimes, your cat may miss the box and make potty accidents, but it good to use products like an enzymatic cleaner to quickly take care of that. When you clean thoroughly, it helps to eliminate the bad smell fast and prevents odor from developing over time. The good part is that you’ll be reducing the chance of your cat going outside of her box in the future.
Also, if your cat is going outside her box, like staying on your living room carpet, it is good to quickly get the smell out to prevent them from sniffing it out and choosing to use the same potty spot again.
7. Use Baking Soda
If you experience a persistent smell or odor, you can sprinkle a little baking soda on the bottom part of the box before adding fresh litter every week. You can also place an open box of baking soda around the spot of the little box. This helps to absorb some of the odor, without producing any irritant that will upset the nose and lungs of your kitty. Activated charcoal also works for absorbing odors from litter boxes.
Whatever method you choose, ensure you don’t use sprays or perfumes near the box. This could mask a smell temporarily but will irritate your cat’s nostrils and lungs. Besides, it can even discourage your cat from using her box again.
8. Ask your feline nutritionist or vet about your cat’s diet
It is normal for your cat’s dropping to smell bad, but if you notice a particularly foul smell over time, you need to consult your vet to know whether you need a healthy dietary change to reduce the litter box smells.
Usually, you can gradually switch to a higher quality diet to observe a possible change in odor, but if it doesn’t work, your vet will help you decide the best dietary changes to make.
That being said, it is also important to keep your home clean to support your cat’s health and preserve your peace of mind.
Conclusion
When you effectively control litter box odor, your cat will find it easy and comfortable to eliminate in the appropriate place. This helps a great deal to keep your cat happy and healthy. And indirectly, you are also enjoying the company of your cat and protecting your health. Try out the fresh, effective, and natural ways listed above and you don’t have to worry about the odor from your cat’s litter box. Stay clean and happy always!
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