Cats are creatures of habit so it's highly unlikely you'll simply be able to swap your litter type. If they have been using the same type of litter for a long time, your cat may feel confused by the new litter and stop using it altogether, which isn't ideal.
Make a gradual changeover by mixing in a little of the new with the old. That way, your cat might not even detect there's something up and become accustomed to the new litter during the process. Fill the box with the new litter, topped off with the old, which will feel familiar to your cat when she steps in.
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.
On one hand, too much litter in your cat's litter box can cause overflow and spillage problems all over your bathroom floor. On the other hand, too little litter in the box can create smelly and messy poo problems when your cat isn't able to dig enough litter to hide their solid waste.
Whatever litter you use, to avoid spreading Toxoplasma and other dangerous organisms, never dump it outside. Place it in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and put it in your regular garbage.
If you need to change to another type of litter, do it gradually by adding a little more of the new product each time you change the litter, until your kitty is used to the new litter. Even if you haven't changed the brand or type of litter, some cats develop an aversion to a litter after many years.
After months of testing, our overall favorite is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter, which clumps well, absorbs scents even better, and won't spread dust everywhere. We've found it to be especially effective in multi-cat households.
If you can, you should aim to replace cat litter at least once per week. However, if you scoop the litter frequently, it is possible to stretch litter changes to once every two weeks. We find that the easiest way to stay on top of litter changes is to schedule it for the same day every week.
Gradual is good
Begin by mixing a small amount of the new cat litter in with the current brand every day for several days. Continue this method for three to five days.
Cats can develop various health problems from using a dirty litter box, such as painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. Going too long without cleaning the litter box also causes stress for your cat, which only exacerbates these issues.
Do I have to give up my cat if I'm pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant? No. You should follow these helpful tips to reduce your risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma: Avoid changing cat litter if possible.
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.
Sprinkle baking soda in your box.
Yes! Baking soda is 100% non toxic. Mixing a little baking soda with the litter can help absorb pet urine odors. Cats typically detest artificial scents, so we recommend you avoid any scented soda options.
Scrape off all residue with a litter scoop or abrasive cloth, then wipe out the remaining dust with a wet paper towel. Pour some hot water and a few pumps of a mild, unscented detergent into the litter box. Scrub clean with a cloth, sponge, or paper towel. Rinse clean and completely dry the litter box.
Most cats prefer an open litter box. Most cat owners prefer a covered litter box. Covered litter boxes may trap odors and make the human environment smell better but for those reasons they may not be as desirable for the cat. If boxes are not cleaned regularly, the odor may be aversive to them.
Vets often say that unscented clumping litter is best: “I always recommend unscented, clumping cat litter,” says Jim D. Carlson. “Scented litter is designed for humans, not cats. Felines have a strong sense of smell with 67 million scent receptors.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
Patience is Key
Remember that some cats may take longer to adapt to the change than others. Be patient and give your cat ample time to adjust to the new litter box location. Understand that every cat is different, and some may require additional time and support to feel comfortable with the change.
Behavioral Causes
Cats can be finicky, so the underlying cause may be something you wouldn't consider a big deal. Some of the reasons your cat may pee outside of the litter box include: Changing to a new and unfamiliar litter. Moving their litter box to a different spot.
Why does my cat use his litter box right after I've cleaned it? If your cat has more of a dominant personality, chances are they are re-marking their territory. The smell of fresh litter tells them that they need to re-stake their territorial claim.
Put it in the Trash
Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day. Use a litter scoop to sift out urine clumps and stool and place in a small trash bag. Once all the boxes in your house are scooped, tie off the garbage bag in a knot. To prevent odor and bacterial leakage, double bag your scooped litter.
Scoop out urine-soaked clumps and poop at least once or twice a day, or more if needed to keep the litter box fresh and to minimize odor. Each time you scoop the litter box, you'll be taking a fair amount of litter with you, so be sure to top off the box with extra litter afterwards.
Dump the clumps into a plastic bag and head into the box for another scoop. Continue this process of scoop, sieve, and dump until your scoop only finds litter and no more clumps. Seal the bag of litter and dispose outside. Clean the edge of your litter box scoop with soap and water and let dry.