What's the best way to clean a cat box?

Question

I know you're supposed to scoop it out daily, but then how often do you empty it of cat litter and refill it with fresh litter? How often do you wash the box itself?

Answer 1

For me, it's about every 2 weeks. I dump the old litter, spray the inside of the box down with Simple Green, rinse with hot water, dry thoroughly, and put in fresh litter.

I used to use litter box liners, but have since determined it's easier not to. Some cats don't like the feel of them, by the way. Anyways, our cat didn't mind, but he has all of his claws....so he kept ripping holes in it. Every time I'd go to lift one out, litter would come pouring out of the holes....so I just quit using 'em....and found it's easier to scoop and empty the boxes without one in there.

Answer 2

I line the cat box with the plastic cat litter liners. They fit over the entire box and make it really easy to remove all of the litter when the need to refill arises. They invert into a bag and there is not a dusty mess. Also, with the liners, the wet litter doesn't stick to the cat box like cement. Before I put a new liner on, I wash the box itself with those Clorox wipes which both kill the germs and make it smell a bit better. My cat is pretty finicky about the box, so I usually scoop out the p&p about 3 times a day, and I clean and refill the litter box once a week. Remember, this is your cat's toilet! I know I wouldn't want to use a toilet that was only cleaned once a month and that no one ever flushed!

Answer 3

I have 2 cats and I bought a plastic storage container that's about 7 inches high and 20 inches wide and 3 feet long. I just threw the cover away. I keep about 2 inches of litter in the bottom.

Every morning I lift it onto a a small cart that I keep next to the litter box. (I use Tidy Cats because it actually does eliminate the odors. I've had my cats for 15 years so I know about litter). I then tilt the box to one side so that the unused litter moves leaving the clumps. Then I put my hand into a used bread bag, newspaper bag, any kind of small plastic bag, and pick up the clumps putting them into 2 plastic grocery bags - one inside the other.

Then using a small spray bottle filled with water, I spray where I just picked up the clumps and using toilet paper that I keep underneath on the cart with the plastic bags, I wipe up the water with any of the clumps of residue that stuck to the box.

I turn the box and repeat the procedure.

I keep a large garbage bag under the box on the floor just in case. When I sit the box back down I refill it with litter to the 2 inch depth.

It sounds like a long process, but actually it only takes a few minutes. I've never taken more than 5 minutes to clean their box.

The reason I don't fill it more is because then their butt is over the edge of the box. 2 inches is plenty of litter in that size box if it's cleaned daily.

The reason I bought a larger lower box is that the cats have an easier time getting over the sides now that they are older.

If you keep the litter box clean your cats will always use it unless they are sick or there's something wrong.

Answer 4

You've already got the most important part.Clean it daily!
Use the clumping litter.It costs more,but it's well worth it.Try a bag of it if you don't already know.You'll never go back to regular litter.
Also get one of those scoopers with a long handle that are slotted like a sifter.They pick up clumps,and let unspoiled litter fall back into the box.
And don't just pick up the turds on the top.Dig deep to the bottom.That's where the pee ends up.If you use clumping litter it'll come out as a nice dry chunk.Very handy! If you do this every day all you'll have to do is add more litter every few days.
If you use a cat box liner (it's a piece of plastic that the litter sits in) you won't have to scrub the box as often,if at all.
Spend the extra money,take care of it every day,and cleaning up after your cat won't be such a messy and hateful chore!

Answer 5

Make sure you buy the scoopable litter. I like Scoop Away myself, it clumps really well.
You will be able to tell when it is time to empty the whole thing... usually 1 to 4 weeks depending on how many cats you have using it. When you scoop it, you can tell if the litter is damp and grainy looking, and if it smells bad even after scooping. When In Doubt, Throw It Out!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

I use World's Best Cat Litter for my five cats. I just scoop it and added a cup or so to a box when I do. If my boxes get poop stains on the sides then I usually empty them out, wash with soap and water and stick them out in the sun to dry. I'm in CA and we do have sunshine here!

Answer 7

i empty it and put new sand every friday... but i think it's not enough. there's a product called "premium choice" which supposedly you never have to change but only scoop.

"Premium Choice Scoopable Cat Litter : It's scoop, scoop and away with Premium Choice Scoopable Cat Litter! Litter particles bond together so that only the unused litter stays in the box and the clumps get thrown away--eliminating odors, constant changing and extra dust. "

Answer 8

I have 2 cats and I change the litter box every 3-4 days . You can get plastic litter bags to put into the box . Which make cleanup easier. The box I wash every time I change the Litter ! Then I spray it with Lysol and air out for a moment after that you can fill the box with your sand of preference.

Answer 9

Scoop every day. Change the litter when it smells, or before! We do ours - we have one cat - every three weeks, and wash the box before putting new litter in.

Answer 10

Depends on how many cats you have but if just one you will probably want to change it every two weeks or so or until you can't stand the smell depending on your budget. Wash the box with detergent and water using a bristle scrub brush. (recommend wearing rubber gloves). Rinse it with some water with bleach to disinfect it and set in the sun to dry.

Also helps if cats have access to outdoors to do their thing during the day. In that case clean the box with the scoop and let it sit in the sun. This tends to disinfect and eliminate odors. Move the box back in for the night so it doesn't absorb moisture in the air.