Owning a cat is truly a rewarding experience. Cats bring so much love and companionship into any family and are less demanding of your time compared to other pets. However, one very important aspect of owning a cat, and one that is not quite as attractive, is cleaning its litter box. Keeping your cats litter box clean is very important for many different reasons, and if you learn how to properly clean your cat litter box, you can avoid your cat developing behavior problems associated with a dirty litter box.
Cats are very clean animals and they want their belongings to be clean as well. This is especially true when it comes to your cats litter box. If you do not take the time to properly clean your cat litter box, you may find that your cat will prefer to go to the bathroom in other places of your home. There is nothing worse than cat urine smell, and if your cat decides to urinate on your flooring or carpet, it can do irreversible damage. One of the most preventable reasons your cat may decide to stop using its litter box is the box is not clean and appealing to the cat. Keep in mind, however, that if your cat suddenly stops using its litter box, there may be a medical reason behind it. The first step any cat owner should take if the cat suddenly stops using its litter box is to bring the cat to the vet for an exam. Cats often get urinary tract infections which are painful, and the cat will associate that discomfort with its litter box and stop using it. Strange behavioral problems in cats often are a sign of some kind of medical issue. Consider it your cats way of trying to tell you something is wrong. Once you have eliminated any illness as a possible cause, then you should consider whether or not you properly clean the cat litter box.
Any cat litter box should be cleaned out on a daily basis with a litter scoop, making sure you remove all urine and feces from the box, and doing this every single day is an absolute must. Make sure you are using enough cat litter for the cat to feel comfortable, which is usually two or three inches deep worth of cat litter. Then, as you clean the box, you will need to replace with clean cat litter to keep the level of litter appropriate. In addition to scooping the box out daily, you should completely empty the litter box on a weekly basis, or at the very least, every two weeks, and clean the box itself with soap and hot water, rinse and dry thoroughly and refill with new cat litter. This will help prevent any unwanted odors from occuring. You shouldn't need to use anything stronger than soap and hot water as this will effectively clean the litter box. These steps ensure you are properly cleaning your cat litter box, and while it may seem like a lot of work, it is well worth it to help prevent your cat from urinating or pooping outside the litter box.
If you properly clean your cat litter box, and you still smell unwanted odors coming from the box, consider the kind of cat litter you are using. All cat litter is not the same, and often, you get what you pay for. Try switching to a different brand of litter, the kind that clumps is often the most effective, as it clumps together the urine making it much easier to remove all the soiled litter. You can also try using a cat litter box deodorizer that contains baking soda, as it is also effective at reducing odor from the litter. It is simple to use, just sprinkle onto the cat litter and mix it up a bit. Make sure you follow the manufacturers directions to make sure you are using it safely and correctly.
If you properly clean your cat litter box, you can reduce the chances of your cat finding the litter box unappealing which may lead to urinating or pooping outside the litterbox. Prevention is key because removing cat urine smell from hardwood floors or carpet can be difficult and once the urine smell is there, the cat will likely continue to go in the same spot simply because it smells like urine. Help to avoid this altogether by properly cleaning your cat litter box. Your home will smell fresh and your cat will thank you for it as well
Cats are very clean animals and they want their belongings to be clean as well. This is especially true when it comes to your cats litter box. If you do not take the time to properly clean your cat litter box, you may find that your cat will prefer to go to the bathroom in other places of your home. There is nothing worse than cat urine smell, and if your cat decides to urinate on your flooring or carpet, it can do irreversible damage. One of the most preventable reasons your cat may decide to stop using its litter box is the box is not clean and appealing to the cat. Keep in mind, however, that if your cat suddenly stops using its litter box, there may be a medical reason behind it. The first step any cat owner should take if the cat suddenly stops using its litter box is to bring the cat to the vet for an exam. Cats often get urinary tract infections which are painful, and the cat will associate that discomfort with its litter box and stop using it. Strange behavioral problems in cats often are a sign of some kind of medical issue. Consider it your cats way of trying to tell you something is wrong. Once you have eliminated any illness as a possible cause, then you should consider whether or not you properly clean the cat litter box.
Any cat litter box should be cleaned out on a daily basis with a litter scoop, making sure you remove all urine and feces from the box, and doing this every single day is an absolute must. Make sure you are using enough cat litter for the cat to feel comfortable, which is usually two or three inches deep worth of cat litter. Then, as you clean the box, you will need to replace with clean cat litter to keep the level of litter appropriate. In addition to scooping the box out daily, you should completely empty the litter box on a weekly basis, or at the very least, every two weeks, and clean the box itself with soap and hot water, rinse and dry thoroughly and refill with new cat litter. This will help prevent any unwanted odors from occuring. You shouldn't need to use anything stronger than soap and hot water as this will effectively clean the litter box. These steps ensure you are properly cleaning your cat litter box, and while it may seem like a lot of work, it is well worth it to help prevent your cat from urinating or pooping outside the litter box.
If you properly clean your cat litter box, and you still smell unwanted odors coming from the box, consider the kind of cat litter you are using. All cat litter is not the same, and often, you get what you pay for. Try switching to a different brand of litter, the kind that clumps is often the most effective, as it clumps together the urine making it much easier to remove all the soiled litter. You can also try using a cat litter box deodorizer that contains baking soda, as it is also effective at reducing odor from the litter. It is simple to use, just sprinkle onto the cat litter and mix it up a bit. Make sure you follow the manufacturers directions to make sure you are using it safely and correctly.
If you properly clean your cat litter box, you can reduce the chances of your cat finding the litter box unappealing which may lead to urinating or pooping outside the litterbox. Prevention is key because removing cat urine smell from hardwood floors or carpet can be difficult and once the urine smell is there, the cat will likely continue to go in the same spot simply because it smells like urine. Help to avoid this altogether by properly cleaning your cat litter box. Your home will smell fresh and your cat will thank you for it as well