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15 Ways to Reduce Cat Litter Box Smells (Simple and Fast)

15 Ways to Reduce Cat Litter Box Smells (Simple and Fast)

The cats are small, fuzzy, lovely little balls of fluff. And they are capable of giving some of the world’s most terrible scents. If you are at risk of being carpet bombed out of your own house by one of these adorable little garbage disposals, do not worry. There are things you can do to reduce the scents flowing from the litter box.

Some of these suggestions are quick and simple to apply. While others need a little more effort.

#1 Replace the Litter Regularly

empty cat litter box
Image Credit: Natalya Lys

A lot of owners simply pick up dirty trash and refill the trash can when it is running low. The problem is that, while it may contain a mess, it does little to prevent bacteria. And also other microbes from growing, and it can be the source of a lot of odors.

Throw out the entire litter box and wash it with soap and water about once a month. Then, completely refill it with new trash. Not only will your cat appreciate a clean bathroom, but it will also help to keep smells at bay. There are also subscription services that will send you a new box of litter every month. And with these, you also can start throwing the box away at the end of the month. It also saves you the trouble of having to clean it.

#2 Clean it regularly

Rummaging through cat litter
Image Credit: Ninotee

The best way to avoid bad smells is to end the cause as much as possible. If possible, pick up litter boxes every day and also clean them as soon as they arrive.

If you have a Garbage Locker at home. Then you can throw dirty trash in it, instead of carrying a new bag all the time. When using a flushable bin, it works even better. This may appear to be a more time-consuming solution. But scooping it out every day makes cleaning go more quickly and easily. It is well worth the time and effort to spend a few seconds with a spoon to avoid having to deal with bad smells for hours.

#3 Use Scent

Cat litter deodorizer

Litter deodorizers are available at your local pet store alongside cat litter. This is a good place to start if you want to know how to neutralize the ammonia smell in cat litter. Baking soda is commonly found in fragrance, and a little dust on the sand will go a long way toward masking the odor.

Yet, the key word here is a mask. These deodorizers will not get to the bottom of the problem. But they will keep you going for a few hours until you can thoroughly clean the box. Do not overdo it though, because adding too much fragrance to the litter box may cause your cat to stop using it.

#4 Get Rid of the Entire Box

cat litter box being filled up
Image Credit: Africa Studio

Washing can not always save a litter box, because sometimes the odors get too deeply rooted in the material. This can happen with any type of litter box. But plastic litter boxes are particularly vulnerable to this kind of problem.

The issue is that as your cat digs through the litter, small grooves form at the bottom of the box. These grooves serve as breeding grounds for odor-causing bacteria and fungi. And also they can also result in disease-causing microbes infecting your cat.

Once a year, throw out the entire box and start over. Another option is to use litter liners inside the box. This is the way, you can simply toss the liner every month and so rather than replacing the box itself.

#5 Change the Litter

dark grey cat looking up
Image Credit: Jennifer McCallum

When nothing you try seems to work, the litter itself could be the issue. Because not all litters are equally effective at absorbing odors. You may want to try something new to see if it performs any better.

Clumping clay and pine-based litters are excellent at odor neutralization. It also may be a good place to start with Unscented litter because it may be a better choice than perfumed litter. Because it reduces the risk that your cat will be overpowered by the smell, making them messier than usual.

#6 Mix with Tea Leaves

cat litter pallets with green leaves
Image Credit: StanislauV

Although it may appear to be an unusual solution. But green tea leaves have anti-bacterial properties and are excellent at absorbing odors. Simply dry a few leaves, grind them up, and add them to the litter. If you have any concerns about your cat eating the leaves, you can brew them first before drying them out and incorporating them. Simply brew and drink the tea before using it in the litter.

#7 Include More Boxes

two cats sitting in litter boxes
Image Credit: Leoniek-van-der-Vliet

If you are having trouble keeping your boxes clean. Then you should consider adding more boxes throughout the house. This gives your cat more options. While lowering the likelihood that they will abandon the litter box. If your cat does its business in several boxes. The feces are less likely to become concentrated and emit an unpleasant odor.

#8 Moving Litter Box

brown cat sitting in blue box
Image Credit: Africa Studio

This solution will not help the smell coming from the litter box. But it will keep it from spreading throughout the house. Place it in a well-ventilated area so the smell does not gather inside.
You should look for a well-ventilated area that is also bright and has plenty of room for your cat to move around. Again this option will not relieve the bad smell emerging from the litter box. But it may prevent the bad smell from spreading all through the residence.

#9 Switch the Scoop

Image Credit: Zoran

There are as many kinds of litter scoops as there are kinds of litter. Look for one with the smallest slits possible. While still being large enough to let loose litter through. The goal is to remove as much waste as possible. It is including any tiny bits that did not clump with the rest of it. So when enough of those tiny bits accumulate, they can produce a strong bad smell.

#10 Use Any Different Type Of Litter

cat looking out of metal litter box
Image credit: Nils Jacobi

Litter boxes are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some featuring doors or hoods. These are usually better for bad smell control because they keep bad smells inside rather than allowing them to seep in. Whatever type of box you use, make sure it is large enough for your cat. They should have enough space to turn around and sit down. Because it is easier for them to do their business on the side of the box, they are more likely to litter.

#11 Consult Your Vet

two female vets petting a white cat
Image Credit: Stock-Asso

If it is unusually foul-smelling waste that could state a health problem with your cat. So have it checked out by your vet. There could be something more serious going on, so it’s good to rule that out as soon as possible.

Some problems are simple to solve, while others are far more serious. Regardless of the cause, it is critical to identify the problem as soon as possible. This is to give your cat the best chance of recovery.

#12 Change Cat Food

two cats eating out of the bowls
Image Credit: Sharaf Maksumov

If your cat’s waste smells bad, it could be due to a dietary issue. There could be something in their food that disagrees with their digestive tract. And also by removing the source of the problem. You may be able to reduce the number of bad smells they produce when they go.
Always choose a food that is meat-based and high in protein. And also avoid problematic ingredients such as wheat, corn, soy, or animal by-products.

#13 Every day, scoop the poop

scoop in a box

We know cleaning out a litter box is not fun. But you are going to have to step up to the plate here. The best way to keep the litter smell under control is to scoop out poop and clumped up litter every day. A clean toilet area is also beneficial to your cat’s health. If you despise cleaning it. We recommend the best self-cleaning litter boxes on the market right now. Otherwise, make it a habit to do it every morning.

#14 Use a deodorizing agent

cat sitting in front of litter tray

There are many commercial deodorizers on the market. But you can do the same thing with items you already have in your kitchen. That is very simple and easy.

Here are a couple of examples:

Baking soda: This is another simple hack is to apply a thin layer of baking soda to the bottom of the box after cleaning it. The litter should then be placed as usual. Baking soda will aid in the intake of smells.

Green tea: Buy a box of loose-leaf green tea if possible. If you can not find it, tea bags will suffice. Simply sprinkle a few tablespoons of tea leaves over the litter and mix it in. The tea absorbs smells and is also anti-bacterial, which is an extra benefit.

#15 Weekly litter changes and box cleaning

You must develop a weekly routine to replace the litter and clean out the box in addition to scooping the poop. The first step is to remove the litter. If any has gotten stuck at the bottom, use the scoop to get it out.

If this is not appealing, you can purchase tray liners, which will make things easier. You’ll lift the liner’s edges and throw everything away at once, after that it’s just a matter of washing the box every now and then. This step reduces the number of bacteria while also preventing bad smells from gathering.

You Won’t Live With a Bad Smelling Litter Box

The most important thing to remember is that you do not have to tolerate a bad-smelling litter box, there are ways to reduce or even end the problem. And while it may need some effort, the end result will be well worth it. It is likely that at least one of these solutions will solve your problem. And also many of them are simply good ways to keep your cat happy, healthy and it’s hygienic in check. Just do not give up and whatever you do, do not fight fire with fire.

You genuinely love your cat. She’s a wonderful friend to you. It really does not take much effort to keep her litter clean, and it is good for your health. This will keep away the smell from driving you insane.

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