How to prepare a litter box

Many people use scented litter or air freshener to mask litter box odors, but often times, these odors can be offputting to cats. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.

Washing a Litter Box

The best way to clean a litter box is to dump the entire box and soak it in hot water for a few minutes at least once a week. It is not necessary to use detergents or cleaning chemicals, as hot water will generally do the trick.

Litter Matters

Fill the box with about three inches of regular clay litter, or one to two inches of clumping litter. Keep the box filled to this level so your cat always has enough litter to dig and paw.

Why You Should Never Flush Cat Poop Or Litter

Even though it may seem like a good idea, you should not be flushing your cat’s litter or feces down the toilet. It can cause havoc on your plumbing, clog pipes, and damage your septic system.

Pour in the Cat Litter

Most cat litter manufacturers recommend using two to three inches of litter. You may want to use three to four inches if your cats are deep scratchers who will dig to the bottom of the litter box if you use less.

So, how often to wash a litter box? A litterbox for one cat should be changed and washed out every two to three weeks. A big cleaning job should be done every one to two weeks if you have multiple cats.

A great place to locate the litter box is your own bathroom, as long as you make sure to keep the door wide open when it’s not in use. Many people tuck the litter box next to the toilet, between the toilet and tub, or under the sink.

Cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. They also usually prefer unscented litter. To help your cat pick her preferred litter, put a few boxes side-by-side with different types of litter in them.

Felines prefer being safe in an uncovered box so that they can see potential threats and escape them. 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.

“You don’t want to make sudden changes with the litter box by moving it from a place where it was for a long time,” she says. “Cats are very sensitive to sudden changes to their environment. They may not take the time to look” for the box’s new location. Some cat owners find innovative solutions to litter box problems.

Best natural cat litter overall: World’s Best Multiple Cat Unscented Litter. Best wood cat litter: Ökocat Super Soft Clumping Litter. Best grass cat litter: Pioneer Pet Smart Cat Clumping Grass Litter. Best walnut cat litter: Littermaid Premium Walnut Litter.

Add baking soda to the litter.

Baking soda is non-toxic, and by mixing a little of it with the litter, you can help absorb pet urine odors. Note that scooping the litter, refreshing it, and washing the box are still necessary even if you sprinkle in baking soda.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.

Mix 4 cups of white vinegar with 4 cups of water and pour both into your spray bottle. The acidity of vinegar neutralizes the ammonia of cat urine and it is also antibacterial and kills any micro-organisms.

Vinegar. Mix some vinegar with liquid hand soap and water in equal parts. Spray, wipe or pour over areas of concern depending on whether its indoors or outdoors. Garlic, pepper, and lemon mixed with water is another deterrent.

Cat urine contains uric acid, which can last in carpets, fabrics and wood for years! Although baking soda, vinegar, soap, and hydrogen peroxide may neutralize the odors temporarily, a humid day can cause the uric acid to recrystallize, and the infamous “cat odor” will return.