Mary Allen
If the litter box stinks, it is unpleasant for humans and animals. We have five tips against unpleasant odors from the litter box.
As sweet as a comfortably purring cat is, its litter box can stink. But it doesn’t have to come to that.
We have five effective tips for you that will make unpleasant smells from the litter box a thing of the past.
Regular deep cleaning
No matter how well the litter clumps, simply changing the litter is not enough to clean the litter box. So don’t make the mistake of just relying on the suction power of the cat litter.
In order to have a truly hygienic litter box that doesn’t give off bad odors or even stink, the pan needs to be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week.
Regular cleaning of the litter box counteracts urine and fecal deposits, which in the long term are responsible for the stench.
The following agents support optimal hygiene when cleaning and prevent the litter box from smelling:
- Cleaner for litter boxes
- Vinegar
- Non-toxic soap made from natural fats and fragrances
The cat litter box cleaner is specially designed for the intended purpose. These remedies usually work particularly well. But vinegar can also be used to combat odors in cats’ toilets. The household remedy binds odors, vanishes quickly, and leaves no odor in the litter box after thorough rinsing.
It’s different with soaps. Despite a natural base, it can happen that the cat does not like the scent. Just try out what works for your cat and what doesn’t.
Garbage bag
A bin liner isn’t just useful when you want to change your velvet paw’s cat litter. Laid out on the bottom of the litter box, it works real (smell) wonders! Due to the plastic layer between the litter and the litter box, urine no longer collects on the bottom of the litter box, but on the garbage bag.
This trick has several advantages: It ensures that the very aggressive urine from cats does not soak into the plastic and settle there. This is important because otherwise, the litter box will stink even after a thorough cleaning, as the smell has penetrated deep into the material. In addition, the litter can absorb the liquid better and clumps – and when changing the cat litter you can simply lift the garbage bag out of the toilet and you’re done. No scraping, no cumbersome emptying with a shovel, no litter all over the bathroom. Handy, right? We think so and consider this tip to be one of the best tips against odors in the litter box.
Cats hardly notice this trick because the garbage bag is covered by litter. The cat can therefore continue to dig carefree, do its business and enjoy a fragrant quiet place. However, if your cat is one of the “deep diggers”, it may happen that it hits the garbage bag while digging and may tear it up. If this is the case, you should do without this plastic insert.
Good cat litter
As with almost everything in life, there are products of good and bad quality when it comes to cat litter. It’s worth taking a closer look at the packaging because there are products that clump much better and bind odors better than others. Therefore, reach for a higher quality product that specifically counteracts stench. It’s not worth saving at this point.
Your cats will also be happy about the investment. A litter box that smells good absorbs liquids well and is clean is clearly what clean animals prefer to use. We humans also like going to a hygienic toilet.
It is also great that a higher quality litter often also has a better texture. That means more digging fun for your darling!
Odor removing litter boxes
Sounds too good to be true? But they really do exist litter boxes that prevent odors by themselves. These modern models consist of a closed toilet, which usually has a fan. This transports the odors out of the litter box and prevents the stench from building up. Some have additional filters that filter the odor out of the air and thus ensure pleasant room air even better.
An odor-removing litter box is worthwhile for humans and cats alike. You will feel comfortable at home and your cat will thank you for finding a clean and odorless toilet.
Cats are extremely clean animals that avoid dirty or smelly places. A fresh litter box, therefore, supports the cat’s housebreaking considerably.
Deodorizer for litter boxes
If all else fails, a special odor binder for litter boxes can be the ideal solution. This is usually an additional litter that you put in the litter box after cleaning. There are variants made of activated charcoal, which are particularly good at eliminating the odors left by cats and are completely harmless to cats. Charcoal odor binders are available from pet stores.
Another option is to use a common and versatile home remedy: baking soda. Baking soda also binds odors in a very short time and prevents the litter box from smelling. It is completely safe for cats.
However, you should slowly approach the use of baking soda as an odor killer. Not every velvet paw likes the powder in the toilet. Suddenly flushing a lot of it down the toilet can irritate your cat and cause them to avoid the toilet. In the worst case, uncleanliness is the result.
Therefore, add a little more baking soda to the litter after each cleaning. With a bit of luck, the cat will hardly or not at all notice.
By the way: if the velvet paw is going outside, just teach her to go to the toilet outside. Odors don’t even get into the house and you never have to worry about the smell.
We wish you and your cat all the best!