My cat's litter box smells even though I clean it every day...any suggestions??

Answer 1

The litter box should be dumped and washed well with mild soap and hot water once every week or two. Refill to 1 1/2 to 2 inches of fresh litter.

Don't use strong-smelling cleaners as the scent may linger in the plastic and act as a discouragement for your cat to use the box.

If you feel you must use bleach for disinfecting, dilute it drastically before using and then rinse, rinse, and rinse some more.

Plastic does retain odors and needs to be replaced when the box smells even after cleaning. Some recommendations say every 6 months, others say yearly.

Answer 2

All of the answers thus far are good!

I would certainly start by trashing the old litter box - plastic has a tendency to hold bacteria from the urine, making it smell. Actually, litter boxes should be replaced every 6 months (every 3 months with 2 or more cats). They also have disposable, corrugated fiber litter boxes that are good for 2 scoopings, then throw them out (I use these because I have 5 cats - a little more costly, but much more healthier for the kitties, and a lot easier than cleaning!)

I like the suggestion of using baking soda, but cats have very good senses of smell, and may refuse to go with the baking soda present. Instead, you might want to try using shredded newspaper on the bottom and then filling the litter box. The paper will absorb the bacteria, instead of the plastic litter box.

I DO NOT suggest buying scented cat litter - the scent is a chemical and has been known to cause urinary tract problems. I never use this.

Hope this helps a little!

Answer 3

When my kittens' litter box started to reek, I gave it a good scrubbing with white vinegar and rinsed it well. I have a mature female rabbit (a doe) and use that method to clean her litter pan and cage.

All I did was fill the pan with 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 HOT water. The vinegar foamed at first (a good thing) and as it stopped, I added the hot water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and scrubbed with a hard brush. No more smell.

To keep the box odor free, I switched to the "Multiple Cat" formula of litter. My house no longer smells like I live with a cat. It's worth a try.

Answer 4

Better idea than all these powders and sprays. - I found the perfect product for this and know dozens of other people that use it. It is a natural carbon product called FRIDGE IT carbon odor absorbers. It is a little purple cube with an incredible activated carbon filter inside that is really, really, great and eliminates the odors and for a long time. It works so much better than baking soda . Also, alot of sprays have warning statements about being eye irritant. and gels and oils that say keep away from fabric, pets,etc. and just don't eliminate odors. Just clip a couple of these to the litter box and maybe in general area. . Each only costs a couple of dollars. I use this product everywhere including car(smoke and pet smells), storage, closets, my fridge and also under sinks, near trash and have friends that use it on cat litter box and also diaper pails - it's that good. I really recommend it. You can buy it in kitchen gadget sections in stores like walmart and linens and things. I also think camping world sells it and Internet direct. Definitely worth trying

Answer 5

Its time to purchase a new litter box. The odor is ahdering to the pourous plastic litter box or it can mean that it is needs a deeper cleaning. After you empty it this time try cleaning it with bleach and water let it dry before adding the litter to it. Place it where there is ventilation also so that air will aide in keeping the box smelling fresher.

Answer 6

A little baking soda on the bottom of the box can help a *lot.* Most catbox odor eliminators are pretty much just that. Nature's Miracle also makes a dry product for catbox odor; I haven't tried it yet, but I know people who swear by it and I've been meaning to pick it up.

Careful switching kitty litter that you don't make a drastic change too fast- a stinky box is better than freaking out your cat with something new and having him or her poop in your house somewhere instead.

Answer 7

What type of litter are you using?

I find clay litters to smell after only a few hours. Try other types until you find one that works for you. Clumping litters or pine pellet litters are great for keeping the box oder free.

Purrs,
The Cat Lady

Answer 8

Besides scooping, once a week 2 at the most, the pan should be emptied and thoroughly washed and scrubbed. Then either buy litter with baking soda added or add your own. Alot of people just scoop and add litter and never wash the box out.

Answer 9

I suggest you purchase a new one. The smell of cat urine can be very hard to remove, even from plastic. When you get a new tray, put more litter than you normally would down so the urine does not go through to the bottom of the tray.

Also, use an absorbent brand of litter. They are more expensive but they are MUCH more effective than the cheap stuff.

Answer 10

Clean it more thoroughly or get a new cat box. Try putting deodorising powder in with the cat litter. If all else fails, put the cat box outside and it will freshen up.