You should remove waste and clumps every day, and change the litter at least once a week, depending on the volume of soiling. To clean daily waste, invest in a slotted scoop so you can remove the solids from the litter and dispose of this waste as mentioned above.
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. Dr.
Litter boxes should be washed routinely to prevent odor and bacteria from building up on the surfaces. If you have the time, it's good to give a typical litter box a quick scrub-down every time you replace the litter, so once or twice a week for clumping clay litter boxes.
Use warm water and a mild detergent, like dish soap, that won't leave any harsh chemical smells or residue behind. You can make an effective cleaning agent by scrubbing baking soda and a little warm water on all inside surfaces of the litter box. Make sure that you rinse away all of the soap.
Remove the litter from the box. Wash the litter box with soap and water. Mix 3/4 cup Clorox® Regular Bleach2 per gallon of water and fill the litter box with the bleach solution, let stand for 5 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the litter box and air dry.
The entire contents of the litter tray should be replaced once a week, at which point you should wash the litter tray with hot water and mild detergent. Compound disinfectants, such as Phenol and Chloroxylenol, are toxic to cats so should not be used.
Dump the entire box into the trash can. Squirt a small amount of unscented liquid dish soap in the box and fill with hot water. Soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it's time for a change. Scrub the box every time you change the litter. Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia or citrus oils can turn a cat off, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats.
If you're wondering whether it's safe to clean a litter box with bleach, vinegar or other pet care cleaning supplies, the answer is yes—as long as you rinse them properly.
Most cat owners are familiar with clay and clumping litter. Remember: it's recommended that you ALWAYS wear a mask when scooping litter. As it's likely that dust will float around in the air. That's not something you want to inhale.
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.
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.
After removing the poop, the area is ready to be treated. For this step, you can use a mixture of 2 cups of cool water, a tablespoon of dish detergent, and a tablespoon of vinegar. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and water or baking soda and water and use as your cleaning solution.
How Should I Maintain the Litter Box? The litter box needs to be maintained daily which includes removing any waste a minimum of once per day and adding litter as needed. Wash the litter box every 1-4 weeks using soap and hot water only. Avoid using strong chemicals or any ammonia-based products.
Determine How Much Litter to Put in the Litter Box
Always check the package for specifics, but about two to three inches for non-clumping and three to four inches of clumping litter will do the trick.
A stainless steel litter box is the most sanitary option to keep the litter box clean.
Dirty litter boxes can cause your cat health problems! Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean. Leaving a litter box too long before cleaning can also lead to stress in cats, which can exacerbate these issues.
Just make sure you avoid letting clumps sit for more than 24 hours, as that can be very off-putting for your cat. Plus, regular litter box scooping helps you know that your cat is eliminating properly.
Your cat could be just trying to maintain her scent in the box, even though you're cleaning it. Animals usually go to the bathroom to give us a message. If it's outside the litter box, they could be stressed or in need of a clean place to go.
Place it in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and put it in your regular garbage. A biodegradable bag will give it a better chance to break down in the dump. Your cat should never be allowed outdoors without scrupulous supervision.
If you want to line the box, use newspaper or tinfoil (they won't feel it under all the litter) and change it each week. Apparently, cats don't really like liners. The bottom line: clean your litter box out and you won't have to worry about a liner.
Aside from bacteria, cat waste is also home to parasites, which can cause hookworms, roundworms, and ring worms in your cat. When you have a dirty litter box, it's even easier for a parasite to enter your cat's body and land in its gastrointestinal tract.