How to Control Litter Box Odour

Minimising cat litter smell can be a challenging task, especially if you have several feline companions and several litter boxes in your living space.

To ease this potentially daunting task, we give you several tips on how to eliminate this issue as swiftly and effectively as possible. Controlling litter box odour does require consistency, so you might have to change your routine.   

Clean the litter box as soon as your cat uses it 

This may be difficult, but it’s the ideal solution for removing cat litter smell. If you are lucky enough to work from home, you will hear your feline friend using the litter box.  

Keep in mind that the scoop can retain cat urine odour, too, so if you don’t clean it regularly, it’s going to smell worse than the litter box.  

Many plastic litter boxes tend to get damaged as time goes by and your cat scratches the bottom.  

The crevices can retain the odour, so we would recommend using some Elasticised Litter Tray Liners to slow down the process. Not only do the liners cover the bottom of the litter box, but they also have an apple scent and can be used to collect the litter when you want to throw it out.

Experiment with different types of litter 

Sky’s the limit when it comes to the variety of litters that are currently available, but you or your cat might prefer one or the other. So our advice is to try as many as possible until you find the one that best matches your cat’s needs and your own.  

Some of the most popular options these days are eco-friendly alternatives, such as the Wee Kitty Clumping Corn Litter or the Wee Kitty Eco Plant Clumping Litter. Both of these products are extra absorbent, earth-friendly, and even flushable and septic-safe.

Scented litters are usually worse than their regular counterparts, as they contain a variety of chemicals. The latter could make your cat develop respiratory issues -- not to mention that most cats hate perfumes and strong smells.  

Regularly replace the litter 

Some litter manufacturers like to market their products using unrealistic messages such as ‘just one bag can last for a month.’ While there might be cat guardians that pour the entire bag into the litter box and completely remove it two to three weeks later, the truth is that this routine is not just foul-smelling but also unhealthy for your cat.  

No matter what litter type you end up picking and regardless of how absorbent it is, it still retains a variable amount of ammonia. That’s why, ideally, you should completely replace the litter at least once a week or once every ten days.  

Use a litter deodoriser or baking soda 

Pouring baking soda into the litter box before you add the fresh batch of litter can be a way of preventing nasty smells. Although most cats don’t seem to have an issue with baking soda, some might not appreciate its smell. 

As such, you might want to use a product that cleans, sanitises, and also deodorises the litter box, such as our own Litter Tray Mate. This product is completely safe for cats, and it’s fully capable of neutralising odours.

Place the litter box in a well-ventilated area 

Litter boxes should always be placed in areas that get enough ventilation, but aren’t that drafty. If the scent gets too bad, your cat might refrain from using the litter box which can lead to a urinary tract infection (in a best-case scenario).  

If your cat prefers a covered litter box, you should still place it in a well-ventilated part of your home and ensure that you clean the box and replace the litter as often as possible.   

Change your cat’s diet 

You can talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s specific nutritional needs as they might vary from one pet to the next, especially depending on their health issues. If you start feeding your feline friend a high-quality diet, one that contains as few preservatives, artificial colours, or grains, you’ll definitely notice an improvement.  

Replace the litter box 

As we have previously mentioned, there comes a time in a cat’s life when her litter box needs to be replaced. Plastic litter boxes can easily get damaged by your cat’s scratching, and they can smell worse and worse as time goes by. Some boxes have to be replaced every 9 to 12 months.