Having a pet cat can be wonderful. These independent, sweet, sassy animals can bring plenty of joy to your life… until it’s time to clean the litter box. Our feline friends don’t take long to stink up a litter box and it’s our job to keep it clean. If you’re looking for ways to neutralize any odors creeping out from your cat’s litter box, you’re not alone. Here are our favorite methods to kick any stench to the curb.
1. Routinely Clean Litter Boxes
You can buy disposable litter boxes to make cleaning easy.
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The easiest thing you can do to keep any unwelcome scent at bay is to clean the litter box daily. If you have the time, it’s ideal to do it twice each day. using a litter that clumps and creates little to no dust is essential.
Regularly scooping the litter box will also make it so your cat doesn’t find other places around your home to go. If you hate this chore as much as the next cat owner, there are automatic scooping litter boxes available.
2. Deep Clean Litter Boxes
You should always wear gloves when deep cleaning a litter box to protect yourself from urine and fecal pathogens.
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Although having a routine scooping schedule is helpful, you’ll also want to make sure you deep clean your cat’s litter box regularly. At least once a month, completely empty the litter box. While wearing gloves to protect yourself from pathogens, thoroughly wash and scrub the box.
Avoid using any harsh chemicals such as bleach. Simply use hot soapy water and rinse well. Once the box is dry all you have to do is add fresh litter. Your cats will idly wait for you to be done to try their clean bathroom.
3. Add Baking Soda
Many cat litters are infused with baking soda.
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Baking soda has been used to neutralize smells for years. Many people have a box of baking soda in their fridge, While others will sprinkle it in their shoes to help with any unwanted funk.
You can also place it at the bottom of a litter box before adding any new litter. There’s also the option to simply keep an opened box of baking soda near your cat’s litter box. Thankfully, baking soda won’t irritate your cat’s nose or lungs unlike anything scented.
4. Proper Ventilation
Self-cleaning litter boxes can help to neutralize cat litter without you doing any work.
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We understand that you don’t want your cat’s litter box to be the centerpiece of your home. That being said, avoid tucking it away in a confined space. Doing so can not only cause unwanted smells, but cats don’t like going in places that are hidden away such as a closet.
Make sure you place the Box where there’s plenty of ventilation. If you have a litter box with a lid, check to see if it has slots for air to travel through. If not, you can DIY some holes yourself or buy a new cover.
5. Charcoal Filters
Use filters instead of sprinkling activated charcoal, as that can make a cat sick.
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Charcoal filters work in a similar way as baking soda. There are environmentally friendly versions that can help neutralize stubborn cat odors. This is a non-toxic way to keep your cat’s bathroom smelling free of any unpleasant scents.
You can choose from a variety of charcoal-infused products on the market. We suggest opting for bamboo charcoal because it lasts longer than other versions. Bamboo charcoal also seems to be more effective at neutralizing odors.
