Washing a Litter Box The best way to clean a litter box is to dump the entire box and soak it in hot water for a few minutes at least once a week. It is not necessary to use detergents or cleaning chemicals, as hot water will generally do the trick.
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.
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.
Rinse the empty litter box in the bathtub or shower with soap and water. Use a mildly scented or scent-free soap if you can so your cat isn't adverse to the odor. If the weather is nice outside, you can also take the litter box out there to hose it off instead of using the bathroom.
If you're looking for the best way to clean and disinfect a litter box, OdoBan Disinfectant and Odor Eliminator is one of the best litter box cleaners and cat litter deodorizers.
Don't use chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Cats are very sensitive to smell and a lingering chemical odor may cause your cat to avoid the box. Never use chlorine bleach because it can combine with the ammonia in cat pee to produce a toxic gas.
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.
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.
Maintain the litter box
Now that your kitty has a sparkling clean litter box, it's best to keep it that way with a regular daily routine. 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.
Not only does a clean litter box allow for a more appealing ambiance within the home, but it is much healthier for your feline companion as well. Vet visits will likely be reduced, your cat will be happier and you will enjoy your cat a lot more when it is clean and content.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that you wear gloves while cleaning your healthy cat's litter box, and to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.
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.
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.
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.
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. Place in an outside trash can with a tight fitting lid.
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.
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.
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.
Then you know how your cat feels when he steps inside an unclean litter box. 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.
Stainless steel is non-porous, which means it doesn't absorb moisture or odors like some other materials. This makes it easier to clean and more hygienic for your cat. Stainless steel litter boxes are easy to clean and sanitize, which is important for maintaining good hygiene in your home.
The litter tray must be kept clean and emptied regularly. Some disinfectants (like Dettol) which go cloudy in water are toxic to cats, so use only hot water and biological detergent when cleaning out the tray.
Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP): This non-toxic, pet-safe disinfectant contains surfactants, compounds that acts as detergents and foaming agents. AHP is a more stable than the traditional hydrogen peroxide. Dish Soap: This tried-and-true cleaner disinfects without causing harm to pets.