Our cats love us, and we love them back. There are few things we do that show this more clearly than when we stoop down to clean up after them. Maintaining a litter box may be a labor of love, but it can be easy to put off, especially when a pet parent isn’t sure how to clean a litter box in a way that’s best for their feline friend. Keeping the litter box clean may be more important than you think. But how frequently should you scoop the litter box and how should you dispose of the used cat litter? We’re here to answer your most burning questions when it comes to keeping your litter box clean. Show
 Why It’s Important to Keep the Litter Box CleanKeeping the litter box clean has some obvious benefits, like helping keep your home from getting too stinky and reducing litter tracking. That being said, keeping the litter box routinely tidy can also help your cat be healthier and happier. If you’ve seen how much time your cat spends grooming herself, you know how much she values hygiene. Your cat will feel more comfortable using a clean litter box, meaning she’ll have healthier bathroom habits and will be less likely to go outside her box, which is better for everybody! How Often Should You Scoop the Litter BoxTo scoop or not to scoop? That’s a question many cat parents mull over when they see their cat leave the litter box. As we discussed, cats prefer a clean litter box and letting waste build up makes it less appealing for them to use. Let’s be real, though – no one’s camped out by the litter box, ready to scoop. So how often should you aim to scoop the litter box? It varies based on the size, age, and the number of cats in the household. Generally speaking, however, you should aim to scoop the litter box once or twice per day. And if you have more than one cat, you should plan to scoop even more frequently. How Often Should You Change Cat LitterNow that you know how frequently you should scoop, let’s talk about the litter changing cadence. Replacing cat litter is a task that varies a lot based on what type of litter you use. For traditional clumping clay litter, emptying out the box and refilling it twice a week is a good rule of thumb. Other types of litter, like crystal litter, can be replaced less often due to better moisture absorption and odor control. And when used in a self-cleaning litter box, crystal litter can stay fresh for several weeks! How to Dispose of Cat LitterLike any animal waste, cat litter should be handled minimally and disposed of carefully. When changing litter in a traditional litter box, wear gloves when possible and place used litter in a sealed plastic bag. When changing out the litter box, put used clay litter in a trash can; dumping outdoors or flushing litter down the toilet can cause problems in the environment (not to mention your plumbing.) Women who may be pregnant should never handle cat litter because of the risk of toxoplasmosis. And remember, always wash your hands after handling cat litter. How Often Should You Wash the Litter BoxWe’ve covered scooping and replacing litter. So what about the box itself? Traditional litter boxes should be cleaned with mild soap (or vinegar) and warm water. Litter boxes should be washed routinely to prevent odor and bacteria from building up on the surfaces. If you have the time, it’s good to give a typical litter box a quick scrub-down every time you replace the litter, so once or twice a week for clumping clay litter boxes. Cleaning the box itself regularly will help you get more life out of the litter box and keep it from getting crusty (gross!) Tips for Keeping Your Litter Box CleanWhew! Between scooping, replacing litter, and cleaning the box, a traditional litter box can be a lot of hassle. We don’t mind the work for our whiskered buddies, but don’t you wish there was an easier solution? Self-cleaning litter boxes are here to save the day. Depending on the type of self-cleaning litter box you choose, the chores of scooping, replacing litter and cleaning the box can be simplified, reduced or even eliminated completely! Less time spent maintaining the litter box translates to more time cuddling or playing with your cat, and that’s something we could all use more of every day. Out in the wild, cats will bury their eliminations to help prevent other predatory animals from finding them and to reduce the chances they’ll scare off potential prey. While they’re in your house, a litter box has to do. Contents
Cleaning your cat’s litter box helps encourage them to use it and not other areas of your house. It also cuts down on grime and odors. Ideally, you’d clean it out each time your cat goes to the bathroom, but in the real world, that isn’t quite realistic. Daily maintenanceOn average, healthy cats pee two to four times per day and poop once a day. This means that you can expect your adult cat to use the litter box three to five times a day. If you have a kitten, they’ll probably go more often. If your cat could speak, they’d ask you to clean their litter box twice a day. But many cat parents aren’t home most of the day. If that’s your case, a single daily scoop should do the trick for your kitty. Any less than that and you could start to see problems with your cat. An unclean litter box causes your cat to hold it in, which can lead to kidney and bladder issues. And when they can’t hold it any more, most cats find another spot to use as a toilet. To avoid stinky messes and health problems, get in the habit of cleaning your cat’s litter box one to two times per day. A quick pickup is all it takes for you and your kitten to enjoy a clean and fresh home. Full litter changeThe ideal frequency to change cat litter depends on your pet’s needs, your personal preferences, and the type of litter you use: Clumping clay litter: Once every 2-3 weeks. Non-clumping clay litter: Twice a week. Pellet or other natural litter: The cleaning requirements of natural litter vary greatly. For best results, keep an eye out for odors and peek in the box to see if it’s wet or clumped. While a litter box liner is not required, many cat parents find them convenient. You can just pick up all the litter and toss it. But if your cat likes to scratch the bottom of their box, the liner will most likely shred. After removing the old litter, give the box a good wipe with soap and water. This removes any feces residue and keeps the box clean for your tidy friend. Regular washing of your cat’s litter box also keeps the plastic from absorbing odors, so you don’t have to replace it as often. Once the box is all cleaned up and dry, add 2-3 inches of fresh litter. This is just enough for your cat to be able to dig a little, but not so much that they dislike it. If you have a long-haired cat, consider adding less litter to keep it from getting stuck in their hair. How many cats do you have?Ideally, you’d have at least one litter box per cat in your household and an extra one to be on the safe side. If you can manage that, you’ll have the best chance of ensuring that your cats always have a litter box to use that’s clean and fresh. With today’s busy lifestyles, that may not be possible. If you have a single cat, your life is a bit easier, but once you introduce multiple cats, you’ll need to stay on top of your litter. Most cats won’t use the litter box if they feel it’s “full.” Your cat’s tolerance will depend on its unique preferences. For many cats, you should scoop at least every other day to keep the box clean. Multiple cats could require cleaning more often. Some cats won’t have the tolerance for using a box at all if another cat has already used it. Some cats will tolerate other cats using the box once or twice. If you have only one litter box for multiple cats, this could have you scooping multiple times a day to keep fresh. If that isn’t realistic for you, investing in more than one litter box could help or purchasing a litter box that rakes through litter automatically. What do your cats want?This is one of the most essential pieces to figuring out how often to scoop. If your cats aren’t using the litter box, scoop more often (even after each time they go) to find out the threshold for their preference. You can experiment with the timing and the litter to find the ideal combination of litter and cleaning. Your cat or cats will give you valuable clues for how to treat their litter boxes to help you stay on top of cleaning without following your cats around 24/7. If you decide to change litters, don’t do it all at once. Mix a bit of old litter with the new litter to help the transition go more smoothly. Your cat may accept the new litter if the change isn’t sudden. If your cat still hates it, it’s best to continue with your cat’s preferences. Handy tips and tricks
Managing your cat’s litter boxHow often should a litter box be cleaned? The answer depends on a variety of factors that start with your cat’s own preferences. It’s always best to allow your cat to take the lead because a grumpy cat is more likely to go in the wrong places of your house, leading to more problems than just a smelly litter box. Once you’ve figured out your cat’s preferences, stay consistent to ensure your cat continues to use the litter box properly. This is not an area to experiment unless you’re willing to accept the consequences or you have a naturally easygoing cat. You can balance your cat’s needs with your own and still have a house that smells fresh. Choose the right litter and give multiple cats the space they need. You could find that your litter box efforts are rewarded. Keep those boxes clean and get back to enjoying your cat! Editors' Recommendations
How many times a day should you clean your cats litter box?For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr. Stephanie Janeczko in this featured post on Petfinder.
Is one litterbox enough for 2 cats?Ideally, a multi-cat household should have the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats, plus one extra box; in other words, for two cats, there should be three litter boxes.
How often should you scoop a cat's litter box?Cleaning. To meet the needs of the most discriminating cat, you should scoop feces out of the litter box daily. How often you actually replace the litter depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes and the type of litter you use.
Why do you need 2 litter boxes for 2 cats?Having two cats urinate and defecate in the same litter box will lead to a litter box full of bacterias. If you work away from home and don't have time to clean it every time they use the litter box, this is not ideal. The accumulation of their feces can lead to health issues.
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How often to clean litter box 2 cats
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