The litterbox is one of those things that every pet owner wishes wouldn’t have to be done. While many cats are tidy in their litterbox, it can become quite tough to clean the box if you forget to take care of it for a day or two. Some cats are also messy, which can make the process of litterbox maintenance really annoying for owners.
If you have ever wished that there was a better way to clean your cat’s litterbox, you are in luck! These tips will help you to take better care of your cat’s litterbox, and they will help you save time and frustration too. Cleaning out the litterbox every day doesn’t have to be a struggle or a nuisance that you hate.
1. Use a Quality Litter
It can seem like saving money on cat litter is an obvious choice. After all, the litter is just used for your cat’s toilet, so it might seem like you don’t need to spend much on this part of your cat care plan. However, the reality is that better-quality litter will clump more effectively, smell better, and be more comfortable for your cats. Some cats won’t even get into a litter box with dusty litter or litter with a strong smell.
In addition to the benefits related to easier cleaning of the box, your cat’s urine will be trapped more effectively by better quality litter. Keeping your house smelling good is much easier if you have quality cat litter in your litterbox.
2. Wash the Box At Least Once a Week
One of the best suggestions that you can use to make your cat litterbox maintenance process easier is to dump out all the litter and wash the box and the lid with soap and water once a week. This will help keep the plastic from absorbing bad smells, and it will make the box easier to clean during the rest of the week. Since cats can be sensitive to bad smells, this will also help encourage even picky cats to use the box reliably.
Make sure not to clean the box with anything that will leave a strong smell behind. Cats tend to hate strong smells, and this might make your cat refuse to enter the litterbox.
3. Consider Box Location
If your cat is very messy in the litterbox, this might be because they feel pressured to get in and out of the box quickly. Placing your litterbox in an area that is busy or noisy can lead to this. You will also want to be sure that your dogs or other pets cannot get into the litter and make a mess or get sick from eating the litter and having it clump up in their stomach or intestines.
A quiet place that is away from the busy part of the house is an ideal spot for your cat’s litterbox. Cats like to feel safe and private when they use the box, so changing the box’s location can make a big impact on your cat’s litterbox usage behavior.
4. Use a Well-Made Scoop
Many litterboxes come with small, poorly made scoops. This can lead to a lot of struggles with cleaning that can be avoided by getting a better-made scoop that will handle litter clumps and sifting with ease. There are lots of different kinds of scoops out there too, so you can find the right scoop for your preference without issues at most pet stores.
Using the right tools can make a big impact on the frustrations that you might be experiencing as you are cleaning the box. It will also help you to get all the dirty bits out of the box so that your cat will be happier to use the box, and there will be less dust and remaining odor to deal with.
5. Make Sure to Clean Daily
Your cat’s litterbox will need to be cleaned daily to maintain a sanitary and fresh-smelling litterbox. You will also have less of a struggle with cleaning the box if you keep up with the cleaning process. Your cat will thank you for making their box clean and fresh, and your home will smell better as well.
This is one of the things that many people do not do, but even cleaning the box every couple of days can have a negative impact on your cat’s willingness to use it, and it can make it harder for the litter to clump. Being able to just sift and throw out dirty litter quickly is nice too.
6. Make Sure the Box is Big Enough
It can be tempting to get a small litter box for your single cat, but this can lead to issues with your cat being unwilling to get in the box and problems with the litter clumping. The box needs to be big enough for your cat to get into it and turn around without hanging out over the edges of the box. A box that is the right size will also prevent accidents or issues with litter being spilled out due to your cat digging as they try to figure out a place to do their business.
Cleaning Your Cat’s Litterbox Doesn’t Have to be a Struggle
Litterbox cleaning can be a simple task if you just use the tips in this guide. There are so many reasons that cats can be hard to clean up after, and a lot of the solutions have to do with getting a big enough box and using a quality litter product. If you are having issues with your cat being extra messy, try moving the box to a new location that is more peaceful.
Managing your cat’s litterbox use can make everything about your litterbox cleaning process much easier. You and your cat should not have to stress about the litterbox cleaning process, and these tips can help!
Do you have questions about your cat’s wellness and care? Give Gray Animal Hospital a call at (224) 304-0668 or book an appointment online!