Plastic litter boxes absorb smells and hold in odors. Get rid of the plastic and opt for aluminum or metal instead. There are options that contain filters for a higher price tag of course - and they are worth the money if your space is not well ventilated.
In our review, the best cat litter box for odor control is the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan. It is big enough to work for one or two cats, keeps the litter inside where it is meant to be, and has a carbon filter to trap odors before they escape into your home.
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda to the bottom of the litter box to absorb odor. You can also buy clay cat litter containing baking soda for a similar effect. Sprinkle a cat-specific deodorizer on top of the litter to mask any unwanted smells.
Smelly kitty litter is one of the most annoying parts of being a cat owner. Not only does cat pee smell noxious, but the stench can spread all over your house, making it hard or embarrassing to invite guests over. That's why we all want to make sure that our cat litter boxes smell as little as possible.
Make sure the litter box is in a well ventilated area. Keeping the box in a small closet or cupboard will cause the smell to build up and may cause your feline to find a new bathroom.
Best Overall
Stainless steel is a great environmentally smart choice. It's durable, so it may never need to be replaced. Plus, it doesn't absorb smells and our tester found it's very easy to clean. We chose an open design for our Best Overall, because many cats prefer not be enclosed while using the litter box.
Use Lots of Baking Soda
Just a little bit of baking soda in the bottom of your cat box absorbs odors and can help to keep the area smelling clean. You can also just place an open box of baking soda near the box to absorb the smell.
When urea, the main component of urine, decomposes, the highly volatile ammonia is released, and as cats have higher levels of urea than dogs, or even humans, this is multiplied in the litter tray. Humans can detect ammonia at very small concentrations, and it has a particularly fishy smell.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
Overall, there was no significant difference between use of the two box styles. Eight individual cats did exhibit a preference (four for covered, four for uncovered), but individual preference results are not evenly distributed, with more cats than expected showing no preference between litter box types.
We recommend totally changing the litter out in the cat box every three to four weeks depending on use. Wash your cat boxes with hot water and a mild detergent like Ivory dish soap and then replace with about 3 inches of new litter.
There's no definitive answer here. Some cats prefer an uncovered box; others don't. Of course, there's no telling which “camp” your cat will fall into. So feel free to go either way here or to test it out by giving your cat a selection of boxes to choose from.
Most cats like a shallow bed of litter. Provide one to two inches of litter rather than three to four inches. Most cats prefer clumping, unscented litter.
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
Multiple things can cause your house to smell like cat urine, even if you don't have a cat. Investigate if there is mold, leaking Freon, sewer gases, smelly plants, spoiled food, or even stains from previous pet owners.
How often should you scoop a litter box? For best odor control, you should scoop the box twice a day. If you're busy or you just forget, you can probably go with a daily single scoop. You don't want clumps and lumps to sit undisturbed for longer than a day though.
For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr. Stephanie Janeczko in this featured post on Petfinder.
The best places for litter boxes are usually quiet, easy-to-reach corners that offer privacy, de Jong says. “Check out where your cat spends the most time,” de Jong says. “If your cat never goes up to that weird attic room, don't put the litter box up there.”
Keep Cat Bowls Away from the Litter Box
You don't like to eat in the bathroom and neither do cats! Food and litter boxes should be kept a considerable distance apart. The main reason is to avoid cross contamination that may occur when cats cover up after themselves.
By nature, cats are fastidious animals who obsess about keeping their fur and paws clean. So the idea of using a filthy restroom is just as repulsive to them as it is to us.
Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.
The smell can last 3-5 days. Cats can smell over a mile depending on wind conditions. Then make the scent strip and “Cat Chum” (Described below) trails back in the most direct and safe way to your house and/or traps.