The #1 way to encourage cats to "go" in their litter boxes is a clean litter box!
Cats are naturally clean animals. They prefer to go to the bathroom in a clean, odor-free environment. If a litter box is too dirty, cats will find alternative places to pee or poop in your home. You don't want that to happen, right?
A dirty litter box can also harbor bacteria and parasites, which can cause infections in cats AND their humans.
Keeping the litter box clean provides a comfortable, sanitary, and stress-free environment for your cats. Check out these tips for maintaining clean cat litter boxes to keep your cats happy and healthy.
Daily Maintenance
1. Scoop the Litter
Scoop your cats’ litter boxes daily to maintain a clean environment for your cats and to prevent odors in your home. In this previous article, we shared best practices and tips for scooping cat litter.
Did you know that you can monitor your cats' health as you scoop? Changes in the frequency, consistency, or appearance of your cats' pee and poop can indicate health issues. If you notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian.
We use these cat litter bags for disposing of waste. They are much stronger and contain odor better than grocery bags or other litter bags.
2. Check the Litter Level
After scooping, check the litter level to ensure that it's deep enough for your cats to comfortably cover their pee and poop. The ideal depth is around 2 to 3 inches.
If the litter level is low, add fresh litter. Maintaining an adequate level of litter helps control odors and keeps your cats from scratching the bottom of the box.
Weekly Maintenance
1. Tidy the Floor Around the Litter Box
We use a litter mat under the box to prevent litter from tracking throughout the home. This litter mat with absorbent fabric and a waterproof backing protects the floor in case our cats are ill or accidently miss the box. We appreciate that this litter mat is machine washable, so it's easy to clean!
2. Check Your Supplies
Check that you have unopened boxes of cat litter and cat litter bags for when supplies run low. These cat litter bags have a "subscribe and save" option, so new bags are sent to your door before you run out.
Monthly Maintenance:
1. Clean the Litter Box
Thoroughly clean the litter box at least monthly. Here are the steps that we recommend:
Remove the Old Litter
Begin by dumping all the old litter into a trash bag. You may want to do this outside or in the garage to avoid spilling litter or creating dust in your home.
Rinse the Litter Box
Rinse the box with warm water to remove any loose debris and dust. This will make the scrubbing process more effective. I do this outside with a hose in the driveway, but it can also be done in a bathtub.
Apply Cleaning Solution
Apply a gentle cleaning solution (dish soap mixed with water, vinegar mixed with water, or Simple Green Cleaner) and let it sit for a couple minutes.
Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia. Cats are very sensitive to smells. A chemical odor may cause your pet to avoid the box.
Also, mixing bleach with ammonia (which is in cat urine) produces a toxic gas. So, avoid harsh, chemical cleaners!
Scrub the Litter Box
Use a sponge, scrubbing brush, or towel to clean all surfaces of the litter box. Pay extra attention to the corners and any crevices where pee or poop might get stuck.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the litter box thoroughly with warm water to ensure no cleaning product remains.
Dry Completely
Wipe the clean cat litter box dry with paper towels or a cloth. Let it dry completely before adding new litter. Moisture can cause litter to clump prematurely.
Refill with Fresh Litter
Add new litter to the clean cat litter box. Aim for the litter to be 2 to 3 inches deep.
Using fresh litter helps keep the box smelling clean and encourages your cats to use it regularly.
2. Clean the Scoop
Rinse the scoop with warm, soapy water or the cleaning solution you used to clean your cat litter box. Dry the scoop thoroughly before placing it back in its holder. A clean scoop helps prevent the spread of bacteria.
Additional Tips for Maintaining a Clean Litter Box
Consider Multiple Boxes
If you have multiple cats, provide one litter box per cat plus one extra. This ensures each cat has access to a clean litter box and can help prevent territorial issues and accidents. For example, if you have two cats, aim to have three litter boxes.
Use Quality Litter
High-quality litter can make a big difference in controlling odors and making the cleaning process easier. Clumping litter is popular because it's easy to remove waste. Some non-clumping litter also offers excellent odor control.
Regularly Replace Litter
Even with daily scooping, the litter itself can become saturated with odors and bacteria. Replacing the litter completely every 3-4 weeks ensures a fresh and clean environment for your cats.
Use Litter Box Liners
Litter box liners can make cleaning easier by preventing waste from sticking to the box. However, not all cats like liners, so observe your cats' behavior to see if they’re comfortable with this addition. If your cats dislike liners, skip them to avoid any litter box aversion.
Replace the Litter Box
Over time, plastic litter boxes can develop scratches and wear that harbor bacteria and odors. Use your judgement to decide whether you should replace the litter box entirely.
Conclusion
We hope these daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance steps help! Maintaining clean litter boxes is crucial for your cats’ health and comfort, as well as for keeping your home odor-free.
Shop the cat litter supplies featured in this article here.
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
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This is not medical advice. If you are concerned about the health of your cat, contact your veterinarian.
