Tired of dealing with a super stinky litter box?
Check out 10 of our favorite ways to eliminate litter box odors and for all so you and kitty can live in harmony without the smell!
We’ve all walked into someone else’s house and immediately knew there were cats there even if we didn’t see them.
Most of the time when that happens, we don’t say anything as to not embarrass the person’s home we are visiting.
So we just suffer through the smell, smile and bear it. But what happens when that house is YOUR house?
While you might get immune to the odor, you can bet your guests aren’t!
Don’t let your cat’s “business” become an embarrassment to you!
Check out 10 of our favorite ways to eliminate litter box odors
I bet some will surprise you!
Don’t forget to check this complete guide about Easyology litter mat
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10 Easy ways to eliminate litter box odors
1- Clean Twice A Day—
This may seem extreme to some pet owners, but cleaning the litter box once in the morning and once at night will help keep those pesky odors stay away for longer periods of time.
2- Consider Stainless Steel—
Most litter boxes are made out of plastic material which after a lot of use can absorb odors and you won’t be able to get rid of them.
You might not easily find a stainless steel litter box
at the pet store, but at a thrift store you could find a stainless steel buffet food pan.
➔➔Want to switch to stainless steel? Read our guide: Top 5 Cat Litter Box Stainless Steel
3- Baking Soda
Most households have baking soda on hand, and sprinkling some in the litter each time you clean it can help to keep odors away as well.
You can also sprinkle some at the bottom after you’ve cleaned and dried it once a month(or more with multiple cats).
4- Give it a good washing—
Dump out the old litter, take everything apart and take it outside to give it a good washing.
Use your hose and a pet-friendly soap
. One time a month is good if you have one cat.
If you have multiple cats, you might want to completely clean it a little more often.
5- Keep It Ventilated—
Be sure to keep your kitty’s potty in a well-ventilated area and not in a closed-up area.
The better the ventilation, the less odor will be apparent. You can hide the litter box under the bathroom sink but make sure you have enough ventilation.
Yes, I know, those fancy “hide the box in a side table” things look awesome, but they tend to trap odors.
When you open them up, you’re blasted with the stench. It kind of makes cleaning the litter boxes a nightmare! Consider using narrow litter box!
6- Completely Change Litter Weekly
-Be sure to completely change the kitty litter at least twice a week, replacing it with fresh litter.
Keeping it fresh is a great way to eliminate odors.
If you have multiple cats, you may need to change it more often.
7- Powdered Herbs—
Consider adding powdered herbs or mixed with cornstarch to the litter to help keep the odors down. Cat safe herbs include lemon and lavender.
8- Vinegar—
Just like baking soda, most households already have a bottle of vinegar in them. When cleaning the box once a month, wipe the litter box down with vinegar, the vinegar smell will fade once the box dries completely.
If the vinegar is too strong, consider adding some cat-safe essential oils to it to if you don’t like the vinegar smell Be sure to search what oils can be safely used around felines.
9- Make Some Spray—
Mix vinegar with water and add the essential oils
that are safe around felines into the mixture, and when you clean it or change it out, spritz the spray around the box and area.
Don’t spray it in the box though.
10- Choose The Right Litter—
No one ever said that cats were NOT finicky. Be sure to use a litter that your cat and you like.
If a cat doesn’t like the smell or texture of the litter, they are more prone to have potty time somewhere you really don’t want them to have potty time at!
We can’t really tell you what the right litter is for you, all cats have different preferences. These best litter boxes for odor control will help you.
There you have it, some of the best ways to eliminate litter box odor! You may need to try a few different ones to find the combination that works best for your needs.
If you just have one cat, you can get away with doing a lot less. The more cats you add to your family, the more on-top of the litter box situation you’ll need to be
Do you have other good ideas to help eliminate litter box odor? Let us know in the comments below!
Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS is a locum veterinary surgeon who has worked in London for the past 8 years. She graduated top of her class in small animal medicine from UCD, Dublin. She is currently a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Linda is the resident vet for Woman magazine and a frequent contributor to People’s Friend Magazine, the Dogzone website, Vet Help Direct and Wag! Linda also writes content for the CVS veterinary group, Vetwriter and a number of other establishments.
Last update on 2023-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
