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. Most commercial open litter boxes are too small for the average cat.
Most cats prefer a clear view of their surroundings, so it's best to opt for an open-style litter box. And since closed lids can trap smells, it may also make for an unpleasant environment for your pet.
Most cats don't like box liners or lids on their boxes. Cats like their litter boxes located in a quiet but not “cornered” location. They like to be able to see people or other animals approaching, and they like to have multiple escape routes in case they want to leave their boxes quickly.
Covers or hoods trap odors. That's good for you, but less so for the cat who may not enjoy being trapped inside with the smell. Some litter-box hoods have a space to hold a charcoal filter, which may help keep odors down for both cat and human.
Many cats, especially larger ones, don't like lids on their litter boxes because it can make them feel nervous or trapped. Try removing the lid to see if that clears up the issue. Conversely, some cats feel too exposed using an open litter box. Try a lidded box and see if that helps.
Covered litter boxes do their job of containing odors. Although this works for people who don't scoop often enough, it doesn't work for cats. They have highly developed sense of smell — much more acute then humans. Felines need clean litter boxes and will generally avoid using ones that smell.
Cats almost always prefer an open litter box without a hood, so try removing the hood if you have one on the box. Enclosed litter boxes trap the smells that cats dislike. Some cats feel the need to stand up straight and tall when they urinate and will not feel comfortable ducking down to fit in a covered box.
Litter Box Design
The cheapest option is usually an open litter box, which doesn't usually have a filter. Open litter boxes are also easier to clean. Hooded litter boxes keep the smell contained inside better, however, which makes it easier to clean around.
Covered litter boxes can also help with litter tracking and residue, particularly if you use dusty cat litter. Instead of wafting up and out of the litter box, that cloud of dust stays contained. (Even better, go with a low-dust, low-tracking cat litter.)
If there's a door flap and the flap can come off, remove it for now. Target your cat into the litter box. Click and treat. If applicable, after a few times of going in and out without the flap, add the flap in and target your cat in and out of the box while clicking and rewarding with a treat.
Basements and laundry rooms are popular choices but not actually recommended. Instead, Geller suggests the bedroom. "Your bedroom is a good location for a cat litter box since it's usually a quiet place," she says.
Cats crave a clean place to eliminate. If it's not to their liking they will often hold their waste and that can lead to kidney or bladder damage. Daily cleanings also keep odors down and decrease the risk of cat to human disease transmission. This is especially true if someone in the household is pregnant.
If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
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.
Keeping a litter box in a bedroom is only an appropriate option when the bedroom's extremely large and the litter box is set up far away from your bed. But we'd recommend avoiding this placement whenever possible for these five crucial issues: Pungent Odor. Health Risks for Pregnant Women and Children.
Use scent deterrents
Try orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. You can either sprinkle drops directly onto your flower beds or soak a cotton wool around it and place at entry points.
Many times when cat owners are complaining about their home smelling like a litter box, it's because they are not scooping the litter box regularly. Your cat will use the little box several times per day. As you know if you own a cat, if you let all of those remains build up over a few days, you're going to smell it.
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.
If you have other cats in the household or neighboring cats, your cat may be laying or sitting in a litter box to keep others from using it. Equally, your cat may just be after a bit of privacy, wanting to feel safe and comfortable because they are feeling threatened or overwhelmed.
If your cat has diarrhea she can't control, she may start pooping outside the litter box because she can't help it. On the other hand, if she's constipated, she might associate the litter box with pain and may try pooping elsewhere.
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.