help with stinky litter box?

Question

Ok so I have one indoor cat. I have an automatic litter box but have quit using it because it doesnt really work, so now I just scoop it. I scoop it at least once daily and put that powder stuff you can buy to "freshen" the smell. However, everytime I come home... my room stinks to high heavens. I dont get it, I scoop it all the time! Are there anythings I can do??

Answer 1

With plastic litterboxes, any scratches create tiny cracks where small particles of litter, waste, and odor pack into and stay, no matter how often the actual litter is scooped. What I do is completely empty out the box around once a month, and just scrub with soap and hot water. You could try a mild bleach-water solution as well.

Answer 2

No matter what litter you use there will be some smell right after the cat uses the box. I have multiple cats in my house and use crystal litter. Target has a good brand that isn't as expensive as some others. Get rid of the automatic litter box because there are other parts of the box that could be making it stink. Get a jumbo size box with a hood over it. (Might be a good idea to get two, one to use, one to use when washing the other one). The hood keeps the crystals from scattering. A litterbox is better than a storage tub because the bottom is flat and easier to clean. I put a small, cleap rug in front of the box to keep the cats from tracking so much. Keep in mind that if you use too many "fresheners" the cat might object, so any litter that has a fragrance to it, or near it, may not encourage the cat to use the box.

What you're feeding the cat has a direct relationship with the smell. I've found that IAMS dry gives less stinky poos. My husband bought another brand when I was out of town and when I got home the whole house smelled like cat poo. We slept with the windows open in November. The next day I bought more IAMS and fed my cats and within 24 hours the house did not smell. Dry food is better for their teeth anyway.

You can get a deodorizer/cleaner called X-O from janitorial supply stores. It's a concentrate you mix with water, so it isn't as expensive as it seems. When I replace the litter, I spray a lot of X-O in the box before I put in the clean litter. Then I spray some into the air. This is supposed to be an organic product and the cats don't object to it. It does not have a strong odor. So if you scoop frequently and change the litter when necessary, you can spray the X-O whenever you detect a new stink. Might be a recent deposit.

Answer 3

For eliminating the odor without fragrances, here's an inexpensive and fragrance free product that is FANTASTIC.. - I know so many other people that use it including pet shelters. It is a natural and SAFE fragrance free carbon product called FRIDGE IT odor absorbers -little purple cube with an incredible activated carbon filter inside that is great and eliminates odors for a long time. It works so much better than all those sprays, gels and fragrances that just cover up smells and doesn't get rid of them. Alot better than baking soda too. Just clip one or two on litter box and forget about it. No spills or chemicals or powder to worry about. Each only costs a couple of dollars. I use this product everywhere including car(smoke and pet smells), storage, closets, my fridge and 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 linens and things. I also think camping world sells it. I also know you can buy direct [e-mail]...
Definitely worth trying

Answer 4

After years of fighting with kitty litter odor I finally tried (at my son's insistance) the kind of litter that is "crystals". It's really amazing - almost too good to be true but I won't use anything else now. You can get it fairly cheaply at WalMart (any brand will do as it's just silica crystals) and it lasts at least 4 weeks. The only thing to do is scoop the poo out every couple of days. There is little to no odor. I am not kidding. Good luck.

Answer 5

I use the clumping litter for multiple cats. Scoop everyday. But the best advice is put that stinky thing as far away from you as possible!!!! I put a pet door leading to my garage and keep the litter stink out there....oh what a difference it made!!!!

Answer 6

Try a brand called Worlds Best Cat Litter. It is made from corn and I have found it smells better than clay litter. Scoop twice a day. Every two weeks dump it out, hose out the litter box, and refill with fresh litter.
Even if you stick with clay litter, follow the same protocol: Every two weeks dump it out, hose out the litter box, and refill with fresh litter.

Answer 7

Im not sure which automatic litter box you used but go buy a sccopfree.com. I have one and the box is highly recommended on retail websites such as walmart.com and petco.com. I tried EVERYTHING when using an ordinary litter box and my bathroom still stunk. Automatic litter cleaners just keep the smell away.

Answer 8

My friend told me this idea and it worked with my cat... DONT spend money on expensive litter boxes....buy one of those plastic tubs you use for storage for like 4 dollars at target, cut a square in the top of the tub just big enough for your cat to jump through. And buy one of those automatic air freshners that you plug into your wall...

Answer 9

i have two cats and the best solution that i have found is organic kitty liter.this was purely by accident becouse im allergic to the commercial brands.my neighbors who visit frequently are always impressed that my house dosent smell like cats and i rarely clean their litter box.however if your in a small enclosed area i would recommend cleaning it ouften and dont change all at once gradually change from old to new.and a bonus the organic stuff is flushable

Answer 10

If you have to have the littler box in your room you could try an automatic air freshener. Theres more common ones but I can't think of the name right now sorry.