1.) Keep it Spotlessly Clean
This should go without saying but we’re going to say it anyway: keep the litter box clean! No one, especially your cats with their ultra-sensitive sense of smell want to go to the bathroom is a stinky, dirty box. Ideally, you should clean the litter box at least once or twice daily or even more. If at all possible, try to scoop the litter box right after your cat is finishing with their business.
2.) Change the Litter Very Often
While you should scoop out the litter box once, sometimes twice, daily, you’ll definitely want to change the entire litter box about once a week. Dump out all of the contents of the litter box and give the box a good, thorough cleaning. Be certain to stay away from harsh chemicals such as bleach or fragmented cleaners, though. To wash the litter box, simply use hot and very soapy water and rinse well. Voila! A clean litter box.
To help ease the task of changing the litter every week a bit, investing in litter box liners is a good idea. In order to cut back on your plastic waste, you can just as easily put used magazines or newspapers down at the bottom of the litter box. This will make clean up a lot easier!
3.) Keep it quiet, Please!
Cats especially like peace when going to the bathing. Keeping your cat’s litter box by the washer and dryer, for instance, is not a good idea. You should try to keep your cat’s litter box in a quiet room. Otherwise, your cat may get scared by the loud noises and go to the bathroom outside of the litter box.
4.) Lots of Cats = Loads of Litter Boxes
You’ll definitely want to adhere to the kitty rule of thumb which is to have at least once more litter box than the number of cats in the house (i.e. if you have three cats, you should actually have four litter boxes). It’s also important to spread out the litter boxes. If you have two litter boxes side by side, a cat sees just one big litter box.
5.) Brand New Year, Brand New Box
Even the most well-maintained litter boxes will definitely get dirty. Not only that, but your kitty’s nails can scrape the plastic, creating tiny grooves in the box where bacteria can form. Be sure to buy a new litter box every year, but don’t change things up too much. Definitely get a box that is similar in size and appearance to what your cat is already accustomed to using. If you don’t wish to buy a new litter box every single year, consider using a cardboard box or making a DIY litter box. Your cat will absolutely love it, plus you’ll be helping the planet!
6.) Only Use Unscented Litter
Using unscented litter might seem counter-intuitive to keeping the litter box odor down, however, it’s ideal for your cat’s health. Cats have 67 million scent receptors, while humans have merely five million, according to cat behavior consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett. So using scented litter may actually deter your cat from using the box. Putting baking soda at the very bottom of the litter box, under the litter can help cut down on the odor.
It’s also very important to remember that while litter box duties aren’t all that fun, it’s a great time to keep an eye on your cat’s health. You might notice constipation, diarrhea, a larger-than-normal urine clump, or no urine clump at all, are all things to pay attention to!
7.) FLEAS!!!!!
Be aware, a litter-box can actually become a breeding ground and ‘hang-out’ for fleas who seem to know that sooner or later, a new host for them to infest will be arriving at any time! Ever wondered why your cat goes bonkers after pooping or peeing and running out of the litter-box as if it were on fire? Check the box for fleas. The litter-box can actually become a playground for stray fleas!
