Petlife logo

How to Get Rid of Litter Box Smells

Litter box smells are something no one wants to deal with, but with the right strategies, it is possible for you and your feline friend to live odor free.

By Morgan E. WestlingPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
1

Litter box odor is not something you should simply put up with. Cat owners can have a difficult time keeping litter box smells at bay if they have multiple cats or cats with interesting diet habits. Fortunately, there are many different strategies to try and reduce these smells, including odor eliminators, covered boxes, and changing your cat’s food. While it may take some trial and error, and some extra effort on your part as a cat owner, reducing litter box odor can be achieved.

The first and most obvious tip to get rid of litter box smells is to make sure you’re cleaning your cat’s litter box daily. If you don’t clean the box, the obvious side effect is going to be a box that smells. Odor control takes cleanliness, so make sure you're scooping the box every day, if not twice daily, to keep it as clean as possible.

Keep it in a ventilated area.

Keeping your cat’s litter box in a ventilated area is a great way to prevent litter box smells because air circulation will allow those smells to flow out. It is best to keep your litter box near a window if possible, so that any odors will be able to go out the window. Odor control is possible with a litter box, however, this is your cat’s bathroom; so of course you won’t always be there to remove cat urine and feces right away. There will occasionally be odors, so having ventilation will help to aid in odor control.

Baking soda is a great way to reduce smells of any kind because baking soda absorbs odor. Every time you clean your cat’s litter box, you should also sprinkle baking soda into your cat litter. This will keep the litter box from smelling because any odor left behind will be absorbed by the baking soda. Cleaning litter boxes will do the majority of the work, but baking soda is that extra helping hand.

Choosing the right cat food for your cat can reduce litter box smells in the long run because it is possible that the food your cat is eating may be causing them to have more foul smelling bowel movements. While a litter box will always have some smell to it, your cat’s litter box should not smell particularly foul. If it does, something is probably wrong with your cat’s diet.

Picking from the best organic cat litter brands is important. Some people prefer using crystal litter because it absorbs the cat urine and the feces is dehydrated so the odor is effectively eliminated. Scooping the box becomes easier and less messy. However, with older cats that pee frequently, clumping litter is a better option. It depends on your preference and your specific cat’s needs. The smells coming from the litter box will change based on the cat’s use.

While most cat owners only replace the top portion of the cat litter whenever they are scooping the box, it’s important to replace the entire box of litter weekly. This is because when you scoop the box, you’re not necessarily getting all the dirty particles that sift through the cracks and leave odor behind. The litter that remains in the box is usually a mix of dirty and clean litter. Ever wonder how the best self-cleaning litter boxes for the cat lover got so popular in the first place?

Wash the box occasionally.

Washing the litter box itself is a good idea to do every now and then also. Cat urine and particles can shift to the bottom of the box, and soaked litter can stick to the sides. Also, many cats like to pee against the sides of the box, and the litter doesn’t grab it all. To keep odors at bay, washing the plastic box out is essential. You never know how much of that odor is coming from the box itself.

Using an air purifier near your litter box is good way to try and reduce litter box smells. Along with proper ventilation from a window nearby, an air purifier can help clear out bacteria and unwanted odors so that your home smells pleasant again. Even using all of these other tactics, you may still have some odors on occasion, and an air purifier is something you can keep running at all times to ensure those odors are eliminated when they do arise.

Vacuuming around the litter box area is necessary to reduce odors and litter box smells, as well as keep litter tracking under control. These go hand in hand because cats can track dirty litter around a room, which can cause odors around the room. By vacuuming regularly, you can help get rid of any smells that may be caused by your cat’s paws.

Don’t use scented litter.

While many people assume that using scented litter is a way to help reduce litter box smells, using scented litter can actually confuse a cat and cause them to dislike using the litter box. Cats prefer unscented litter because their litter box should be a clean territory that they can claim for themselves, which is why some people recommend, but also have trouble with, switching their cat to wood litter. Don’t use scented litter just to try and reduce odors, as it won’t make much of a difference either way.

cat
1

About the Creator

Morgan E. Westling

Avid Reader, Freelance Writer/Editor, and Lifestyle Blogger

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.