How To Clean a Cat Litter Box?

Cleaning the litter box, Cats hate dirty and smelly litter boxes, which can lead them to look for substitutes, whether it’s a corner of the rug, on the bed, or in a basket of clean laundry. Your cat’s smell is 14 times stronger than yours, so a litter box that seems clean enough for you may not be suitable for your cat’s sensitive muzzle.

And while we’re tempted to ignore the chore of cleaning the litter box and focus on our cat’s adorable antics, it’s crucial to think about cleaning the litter box regularly. Here are some tips and tricks for maintaining and cleaning a cat litter to avoid unpleasant odors.

1. Tips for maintaining the cat litter

To make your task easier and ensure the comfort of your cat, here are some tips for choosing the tray and litter sand:

• Choose the right litter box: it will be essential to select a litter box large enough and deep enough for your cat to be comfortable in it. He must be able to turn around quickly and not have to twist to find the right position to do his business. Besides, the litter box must be deep enough to be able to put enough sand in it so that your cat can bury his needs.
• Choose the right litter sand: in front of the litter sands stand, it can be easy to feel confused because of the broad choice available to us. You will have to choose from clumping litter boxes or not, scented or not, made of clay, paper or silica crystals, to name a few. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages, so you will have to test a few before making your final choice.
• Have the right number of litter boxes: A cat should ideally have two litter boxes, on different floors or different rooms in the house. If you have more than one cat, calculate one litter per cat, plus one. So if you have two cats, you will need three litter boxes.
• Add enough sand to the tank: as cats have the instinct to bury their needs, they must have access to enough sand to do so. Remember to put at least 10 centimeters of sand. Also, this will limit the proliferation of urine odors.
• Equip yourself with the right tools: make sure you choose a sturdy shovel, easy to wash and that has slots at the bottom to let the sand that is not stained fall. Most are made of plastic, but the most durable ones are made of metal. Besides, these will help you scrape the bottom of the litter box to remove debris. In addition to a good shovel, you may want to purchase a bin specifically designed for the disposal of soiled litter, such as the Litter Locker’s hygienic litter bin. Otherwise, choose a container that closes tightly to limit the spread of odors.

2. How do I clean a cat litter box?

Every day, solid waste must be collected in the litter box, including the urine pellets, if you are using clumping litter. Using your shovel, go fishing and scrape to the bottom of the tank to remove all the excrement and urine. Every two or three days, consider adding sand to maintain the level.

3. When and how do you clean the litter box thoroughly?

The litter box is cleaned at least once a month, but it is recommended to do it more often, every week if possible.

To do this, empty the contents of the tank, and using your shovel, scrape the bottom well to remove the dirt. Then wash the container well using boiling water, liquid soap and a soft brush. Rub everywhere, then rinse with plenty of water. Dry the litter box thoroughly before adding sand to it.

Exciting tip, add a few sheets of newspaper to the bottom of the litter box, or a sheet of plastic. This will prevent urine and feces from sticking to the bottom and make cleaning up easier when the time comes to empty the litter box.

4. How to disinfect a litter box?

Particularly if your cat goes outside, and therefore more in contact with parasites than an indoor cat, it will be necessary to think of disinfecting the litter box with each major cleaning. Just soak it whole in a mixture of hot water and bleach for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, then dry well before putting sand back on.

5. How to deodorize a litter box?

To deodorize a container in which bad odors are embedded, fill it with hot water and fresh lemon juice, and leave to act for a few minutes. This will also help remove the white lime-like streaks that may appear at the bottom of the tank.

6. How to prevent odors from the litter box?

In addition to the tips mentioned earlier, after cleaning the litter box thoroughly and before filling it with sand, consider adding a layer of baking soda to the bottom of the box. You can also take advantage of your daily cleaning to sprinkle it on the surface of the litter sand.

If you prefer a scented version, it is sold in pet stores products based on baking soda to which a lavender or other scent has been added. However, your cat may not appreciate this addition of odor, which could be too strong for its small nose.