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Five Tips To Reduce Cat Box Odors

Is your kitty's litter box a stinky problem that seems to have no solution? If so, you do have options to control and possibly even eliminate the smell. The following are a few strategies you can implement to make your home a more pleasant place to live.

1. Have enough boxes

A major issue that leads to odors is too many cats using too few boxes. This can also lead to your cats eliminating outside of the box, a whole new problem that also smells bad. As a general rule, plan to have one box per cat in the household. If your house has more than one level that the cats can access, you need to make sure there is at least one box per floor, as well. 

2. Scoop often

It makes sense that more odors build up the more waste there is in the box. At a bare minimum, the boxes should be scooped at least once daily, but twice daily scooping is preferred. If you can't keep up with regular scooping, consider investing in an automatic box that self-scoops after each usage. The used litter is held in a sealed tray that locks in odors, and that you only need to empty once daily.

3. Use a filter

Filtration systems are available for litter boxes. These filters can drastically cut down on odors, particularly with enclosed boxes or those in spaces with poor air circulation. The simplest boxes have a carbon filter to absorb odors, but there are also covered boxes equipped with ventilation fans that can further route odors into the filter so they are neutralized.

4. Wash the box

Most litter boxes are made from plastic, which can absorb odors over time. Wash the litter boxes with soapy water, and rinse well at least once a week to help minimize odors. You can also use a dilute bleach solution; just make sure it is rinsed off so it doesn't irritate your cat's paws. Sprinkling some baking soda into the cleaned box before adding litter can help minimize the smell more, since baking soda absorbs odors.

5. Upgrade your litter

The best litter for cat odor doesn't mask it with perfumes that could irritate your cat, but actually absorbs odors so they can't escape into the air. A clumping litter is one option, since waste is absorbed into clumps instead of pooling in the box. These litters are also easier to scoop, which makes cleaning easier. The best cat litter for odor can make a big difference.

With the right litter maintenance plan, your cat box issues can become a thing of the past.