How to Prevent Litter Box Odors

Keeping a litter box spic and span is certainly not a job any of us look forward to. Unfortunately, this means many of us often procrastinate scooping out the litter box, and especially emptying all the litter, giving the box a good wash, and filling with new litter. I raise my hand in fellow guilt! However, this is hands down the best way to keep your house from reeking of a stinky litter box.

Even if you only have one cat, you should be sure to scoop the litter box at least once a day, and to keep smells at an absolute minimum, each time you notice your cat has used the box. If you have multiple cats or litter boxes on the smaller side, you will likely need to do this more often. Many people tend to keep litter boxes in or close to a bathroom so they can remember to scoop the box when they go by. Make sure you have a good quality scoop that won't break or bend incase you need to scrape the box of any waste. Remember when you scoop the box to add fresh cat litter. This aids in any odor issues and also keeps the litter amount appropriate for your cat's desires. According to the type of litter you use and how many cats you have, it is ideal to entirely empty out the used cat litter every few days and dispose of it, filling the box with fresh litter. Furthermore, once a week, especially if you have multiple cats, when you do a fresh litter swap, take the time to also wash the litter box. I generally do this with some hot water and mild detergent, sometimes using a diluted bleach just to make sure all germs are killed. Some people do not recommend using bleach on litter boxes, but I have never actually found out why this is and I have never had a cat react negatively, plus the bleach is diluted anyway. After washing, make sure to thoroughly dry the box so that you don't get caked-on litter on the bottom, nor use up any of the litter's absorbing properties. Then refill the box with fresh litter and all should be smelling new. To get rid of the waste itself, I use plastic shopping bags I get from various stores and toss it in the trashcan outside. If you only have one cat, you may instead wish to use a small trashcan and empty when it's full, just make sure it is covered to contain the smell.

Another way to really cut down on the stinky smell is to keep the area around the litter box itself tidy. Many cats tend to have an extreme urge to dig more than others now and then, and this commonly results in litter being thrown outside the box and onto the floor. One way to help stop this is to get a litter box that is either covered, or has a snap-on frame. Keep in mind that if you choose a covered litter box, some cats may not like them, and you may forget to clean the box as often as you should because it is out of sight and out of mind. I also find that keeping a cheap piece of carpet with a bit of overhang under the box helps a lot. I like using a large rectangular piece that is made for outdoor use so that it can be easily vacuumed, and if need be, taken outside and hosed down. The carpet will help contain any litter your cat knocks out, or tracks out that is stuck to their paws, and also keep any messes that don't quite make it in the litter box off of your floor.

Are you someone that places your litter boxes against the wall like most of us? Like all of us living things, cats can become subjected to upset digestive systems that can result in a bit of splatter. Make sure to wipe down the bordering walls now and then to keep things germ and odor-free.

One item I have started using the past couple years that I find helps quite a bit is an odor reducing air filter that has a carbon cartridge. While some are more expensive, I generally get the cheaper brands. They simply plug into an outlet. I constantly run mine, even though it means I have to replace the filter more often, but I find it to be worth it. From my experience, they are also very quiet and don't bother my cats or myself at all.

1. Use a good quality cat litter. Your first thought may be to buy a perfumed cat litter to mask any smells, but generally all this does is a create an odor that is a mix of perfume and waste. I don't know about you, but that is not something in particular I wish to experience. Also, your cat may be put off by the scent and not want to use the litter box at all. While there are many great cheap cat litters out there, I find it worth it to buy a litter designed for multiple cats that is scoopable. I recommend buying this type of litter even for single-cat households as it is made to combat smells better and is much easier to clean after. Also make sure you put in enough litter, generally 2-3 inches, depending on the type

2. Use the right type of litter box. While we often look for space-saving items to make our homes more efficient, a small litter box is not one most cats appreciate. Using a larger box will allow your cat more room, which means they will feel more comfortable covering their waste, which means less odors. Giving your cat more room also lessens the probability that your cat may have waste hit the sides of the litter box. A larger box is also easier to clean in my experience.

3. Baking soda is a smart, and frugal, extra step to take to make sure your cat's litter boxes stay smelling fresh. Simply sprinkle a short layer of baking soda in the litter box before you add cat litter, and you can also sprinkle another layer over the litter when you fill it. If you also put the baking soda on top of the litter, you should mix it in as your cat may get some on their nose or paws and ingest it, which can be harmful in large doses. Otherwise, it will naturally get mixed in as your cat digs in the box.

4. What your cat eats can also play a big part in how their waste smells. Every cat is different and just like humans, can be sensitive to some ingredients and more easily digest other ingredients. If you have problems over a prolonged period of time, you may want to look into changing the type or brand of food you are feeding your cat. Always discuss any changes like this with your veterinarian first.

6. Be careful with other forms of masking fragrances. I do often use products like Febreeze to freshen up rooms when I know company is coming over just to make sure I have all my bases covered. However, I don't use products with strong fragrances, nor do I use them constantly. Just as with perfumed litter, strong fragrances won't get rid of the odors already there, and will instead just mix and generally result in a smell that is even less pleasant. Also, if your cat does not approve of the scents you use, this can discourage litter box use. Cats are generally very sensitive to scents, more so than us humans, and especially dislike citrus scents, so much to the point that citrus is often used in deterrent products. Also, many of these products warn against use with children and pets as they contain hazardous chemicals.

7. Ventilation is important. For various reasons, we may need to keep our cats confined in a room with a litter box now and then, but when possible, make sure to leave any doors open to help air flow through so any odors don't linger over time. Opening windows when possible to let fresh air in also helps tremendously, and your cat is likely to enjoy getting a peak of the sights and sounds from outdoors.

8. Location can make a difference. If you have the luxury of space, be smart with your choice of location for litter boxes. Keep them in areas that aren't frequented and smells are less likely to be noticed, like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or the back rooms of a house, versus rooms like the kitchen or living room. Basements and unused closets are also good selections, just make sure it's not close to any appliances that may make loud noises when used such as water heaters or air conditioners, as this can startle a cat when they are using their litter box and result in them fearing using the box in the future. Especially if you have multiple cats, you may wish to put litter boxes in different rooms. This will give your cat variety, and also cuts down on the concentration of offensive odors in any given areas.