No one likes cleaning their cat’s litter box, but the fact is it’s an essential part of responsible cat parenthood. A well-maintained litter box provides a comfortable and hygienic environment for your furry pal, which in turn leads to fewer accidents and a happier feline-human relationship. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about cleaning your cat's litter box and address some common questions and concerns.
Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. The information in this article is based on consultation with a cat behaviorist, veterinarian, extensive online research, and our own experience as cat parents.
Jump to Daily Cleaning Guide
Jump to Deep Cleaning Guide
Set Yourself Up for Success
The key to establishing a healthy litter cleaning routine is to make it as easy as possible. If you can find a litter box and cat litter that are easy to clean, you’ve already won half the battle. Here’s what you need to do to set yourself up for success:
Choose the right litter box
A great litter box should be at least the length of your cat from nose to tail, solidly built, and easy to clean. Features like an anti-stick basin and open top design will help you stay on top of scooping. Cats typically prefer open top litter boxes that provide good airflow and visibility when they're using it. The most important thing is that your cat uses the litter box, so you want it to be as comfortable for them as possible.
Cove Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Choose the right cat litter
Every cat has different preferences when it comes to litter, but generally we recommend unscented, clumping cat litters made from natural plant-based materials. These litter types don't have the health concerns of clay and are usually easy to clean and cat-friendly. Some good options are corn, cassava, and tofu litters.
Pick a litter box location
Finding the right litter box location plays a large role in your cat's comfort. The ideal location is low-traffic, quiet, and accessible 24/7. Keep the litter box away from your cat's food, water, and sleeping areas. Crucially, it should also be somewhere you pass by regularly, rather than an obscure corner of the house. This will help you stay on top of daily cleaning.
Gather your cleaning tools
Here’s everything you’re going to need to effectively clean your cat’s litter box
- Quality litter scoop – any litter scoop will do the job, but we find that quality makes a difference. Look for a durable scoop made from high-quality plastic or metal. The holes in the scoop should be large enough for unused litter particles to fall through, but small enough to keep solid waste and clumps in the scoop.
- The best scoops have peaked tines so that litter particles slide out easily.
- Broom or vacuum – No matter your litter box setup, litter particles will inevitably end up outside the box. Keep a broom and dustpan or vacuum nearby to quickly clean up litter tracking.
- Covered trash can – Keep a designated trash receptacle close to the litter box for clumps and solid waste. It should have a tight lid to seal in odors.
- Note: If you have an indoor cat and flushable cat litter, you can theoretically flush waste down the toilet. However, double check your local regulations before doing so. For more information check out our list of the best flushable cat litters.
@tuftandpaw It’s common for cat parents to complain about their cat stinking up the litter box, how the litter box itself needs to be closed in to contain the smell, or fault the cat litter for not eliminating odor. the hard truth? they’re probably not cleaning the litter box often enough… cats are clean creatures and would be much happier doing their business in a clean environment. plus, cleaning daily means that odor is totally under control. how often do you clean your litter box? 👀🐈#catlitterbox #litterboxtips #litterboxfurniture #litterboxes #litterboxproblems #catcare #Later ♬ original sound - spedupsongsnlyrics
How to Clean the Litter Box Daily
Cat parents should scoop the litter box at least once everyday to keep the litter box clean and odor-free. Cats prefer a clean litter box, and neglecting to scoop regularly can discourage them from using it. Scooping daily also prevents nasty litter box smells from building up and wafting through your house, so it’s a win-win for cats and humans. Depending on what kind of litter you use, your scooping routine will be slightly different:
- For clumping cat litter, scoop out any solid waste and clumps. Scoop all the way to the bottom of the box to ensure you remove all waste. When scooping, gently shake the scoop so that all the unsoiled litter falls back into the litter box. This way you won't waste unused litter particles.
- For non-clumping cat litter, scoop out solid waste and stir the remaining litter. This helps the litter completely absorb any liquid waste.
- For non-clumping wood pellets with a sifting litter box, scoop out solid waste and stir the remaining pellets. This will help the wet pellets disintegrate into sawdust and fall into the litter pan below. Every few days, you may want to give the whole litter box a shake to sift out leftover sawdust.
After scooping, proper waste disposal is important. Seal the waste in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a designated trash bin. Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the litter box.
Cubby Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Who Shouldn’t Clean the Litter Box?
Pregnant and immunocompromised people should avoid cleaning the litter box due to the risk of toxoplasmosis. If you fall into one of these categories and no one else can clean the litter box, make sure to wear gloves and wash your hands super thoroughly afterwards.
Automatic Litter Boxes
If you’re a techy cat parent and have a self-cleaning litter box, then you probably don’t have to scoop very often (if at all). We still recommend keeping tabs on the litter box to make sure it’s functioning properly and to clean up any mess. Empty the waste compartment every few days so it doesn’t build up.
What About Flushable Cat Litter?
We make a flushable tofu cat litter, so we get lots of questions about whether it’s safe to flush litter waste. The answer is: it depends. This concern is valid and based on the potential risk of toxoplasmosis outbreak. Here’s how to know if you can flush your cat’s litter:
Yes, you can flush cat litter if:
- Your cat stays indoors and is fed a commercial food diet.
- You live in a region where flushing cat litter is legal. Check your municipal guidelines.
- Your cat litter explicitly states that it is flushable (e.g. tofu litter, NOT clay litter)
No, you shouldn't flush cat litter if:
- Your cat spends time outdoors.
- Your cat lives indoors and raw/undercooked meat is part of their diet. This includes table scraps like medium rare steaks or raw oysters.
- You live in California, or any region where flushing cat litter is illegal. Check your municipal guidelines.
- Your cat litter does not explicitly state that it is flushable.
Assuming you follow these guidelines, veterinarian Dr. Megan Teiber says that "the risk from flushable litter is very low and unlikely to be a source of any toxoplasmosis outbreak."
Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw - Shop Here
How to Deep Clean the Litter Box
Every few weeks, the litter box will need to be emptied and refilled with fresh litter. At this time, we recommend deep cleaning the litter box to remove any built up odors, litter clumps, and waste. This will also reduce the chance of litter spoilage if you use a natural plant-based litter.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deep clean the litter box:
- Empty all remaining litter into a trash bag
- Scrape off all residue with a litter scoop or abrasive cloth, then wipe out the remaining dust with a wet paper towel
- Pour some hot water and a few pumps of a mild, unscented detergent into the litter box. Scrub clean with a cloth, sponge, or paper towel.
- Rinse clean and completely dry the litter box.
- Add 3-4 inches of clean litter and you’re good to go!
Other Deep Cleaning Tips
- Don’t use strong chemical or scented cleaners. They may leave residual odors that could deter your cat from using the box.
- For stubborn stains and odors, hot water with a bit of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed or wiped inside the litter box. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
- If odors persist, try a commercial odor remover specifically formulated for pet messes.
How Often Should I Deep Clean the Litter Box?
If you stay on top of scooping the litter box everyday but still notice an unpleasant litter box odor, that’s an unmistakable sign that it needs a deep clean. However, we don’t recommend letting things get to that stage. Proactively deep cleaning the litter box will keep your cat happy and your house smelling fresh. Here are the rules of thumb to follow:
- If you use a clumping or crystal cat litter, we recommend deep cleaning the litter box once a month.
- If you use a non-clumping cat litter, we recommend deep cleaning the litter box every 2-3 weeks.
What If My Cat Is Peeing Outside the Litter Box?
Unfortunately, no matter where your cat does their business, as a cat parent you’re responsible for cleaning it up. If your cat pees outside the litter box, the first order of business is to clean it up. Here’s our recommended method:
- Soak up the urine with paper towels. When they no longer pick up moisture, blot the area with a moist paper towel or cloth.
- Apply a cleaner of your choice. You have a couple options.
- baking soda – Sprinkle it on the wet spot or mix it with water to form a paste. Some members of our team have had success neutralizing urine odors this way.
- enzyme cleaner – these are commercially available and break down smelly compounds. You can get one specifically for pet accidents or more generic detergents.
- DON’T USE cleaners with ammonia. Cats may find the scent similar to urine and pee there again.
- Repeat the process as needed until the stain is removed and the odor is gone.
Litter Box Avoidance Troubleshooting
After you’ve cleaned up the mess it’s time to analyze the situation from your cat’s point of view. Try these tips to identify or solve the problem.
- Consider every aspect of the litter and litter box and identity possible issues. Is the box too small or in a noisy area? Is the litter scented? Try addressing these possible issues to see if that solves the problem.
- Put a litter box where your cat just peed. If they prefer that spot for a specific reason, they may take to the new litter box with no issue.
- Observe your cat’s litter habits and keep track of anything noteworthy. Are their pee spots small or bloody? Do they look uncomfortable when peeing? Information like this can help the vet diagnose potential health problems.
- If your cat continues to go outside the box, schedule a vet appointment.
Bonus: How to Stop Litter Tracking
The final aspect of cleaning up after your cat is managing the litter they bring outside the litter box. Cats can “track” litter by having granules stuck in their paws/fur and “scatter” litter by kicking it out of the litter box when they dig. Both produce the same result: a floor covered in cat litter. For more information you can read how to stop cat litter tracking, but here are the basic guidelines:
- Choose a low-tracking cat litter – pellet litters and low-dust litters are the best for this.
- Use a high-sided litter box – you can also use a top-entry or covered litter box but these types can be less comfortable for cats (though they are convenient for humans).
- Get a litter mat – these textured mats catch litter particles that end up outside the box and prevent them from being scattered any further.
- Keep a broom and dustpan nearby – even with low-tracking litter and high-sided litter box, you’ll still need to stay on top of sweeping or vacuuming to keep your floor 100% litter free.
Cubby Litter Box and Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw
FAQs
How can I control litter box odor on an everyday basis?
Assuming you already scoop daily, try adding a bit of baking soda to the litter box to help neutralize urine odors and dry out solid waste.
What should I do if my litter box smells bad even when I deep clean it?
In this case, you may have to replace the litter box. A stinky litter box will dissuade your cat from using it, which could lead to accidents and increased stress.
Why does my cat pee outside the litter box?
If your cat is avoiding the litter box, several factors may be contributing to this behavior. It could be due to a medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection, or a behavioral problem. Consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health concerns. If the issue is behavioral, consider factors such as litter box location, cleanliness, or stressors in your cat's environment. Making necessary adjustments and providing a calm and safe space for your cat can help resolve the issue.
For households with multiple cats, it's crucial to provide an adequate number of litter boxes. The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus an extra box. This ensures that each cat has access to their own litter box and minimizes potential conflicts or territorial issues.
Can I use scented litter to mask odors?
While scented litter may help mask odors for humans, cats can be very sensitive to strong fragrances. It's best to choose an unscented litter with odor-neutralizing properties instead, some of which you can find on our list of the best cat litters for odor-control.
Conclusion
If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this: scoop your cat’s litter box everyday! This is by far the most important part of litter box maintenance–everything else is just icing on the cake. Deep cleans and choosing the right litter are great too, but a well-maintained litter box is the foundation on which every happy cat’s lifestyle is built. We hope you found this article helpful and good luck on your litter cleaning endeavors!
