5 Simple Ways To Get Rid Of That Litterbox Smell

Written by: Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is a writer for iHeartCats, and she’s passionate about helping animals in need. She volunteers for Bailing Out Benji and a local dog rescue.Read more
| Published on March 24, 2020

With so many people spending time at home, litter box odor is likely more noticeable than ever. You shouldn’t have to smell your cat’s stinky litter all day, especially when you’re inside for the majority of the time. However, a litter box is a part of your cat’s life that just can’t be avoided. So, what are some ways that you can help your home smell less like your cat’s stinky litter? We have partnered with PrettyLitter, and they wanted to share these great tips on how to better manage litter box odor.

Choose the Perfect Location

Many cat parents assume that the best place to keep the litter box is in the most secluded room possible, but that’s not always the case. If the room you choose isn’t well-ventilated, then it could actually make the litter box stench even worse. So, instead of just settling on the least-visited room, consider all your options and find out which room has the best ventilation. That way, the odor will leave the room quickly instead of sticking around.

Also, the type of litter you use actually has an impact on where you should keep the litter box. For example, many cat parents prefer to keep the litter box in the bathroom. However, super-absorbent litters don’t do as well in a bathroom due to the humidity. Baths and showers would get absorbed by the litter, causing it not to last as long. If you only want to keep your litter in the bathroom, that’s okay, but you just need to keep in mind that your litter might not last as long. For crystal litter, it would likely last only 3 weeks as opposed to 4.

Use the Right Amount of Litter

Oftentimes, people don’t fill their cat’s litter box enough. They assume that using minimal litter will stop them from wasting litter, but it actually causes the odor control to not be as effective. For most litters, the litter box should be filled with a minimum of 2-3 inches for best odor control. If the litter box isn’t full enough, all the urine could sink to the bottom, causing it to get smelly faster.

The type of litter box can also have an effect on the smell. Open litter pans are the most common types of litter boxes because they’re easy to find and easy for your cat to access. However, there’s nothing standing between you and the litter, so they are the worst when it comes to odor control. A covered litter box can reduce the smell a bit, but all other things should be considered too. A new litter box alone can’t fix your odor problems.

 

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Consider Your Cat’s Diet

What many cat parents don’t realize is that certain types of cat food can have a significant effect on the smell of the litter box. In general, dry food tends to be a bit less stinky than wet food, which makes sense because the food itself is usually smellier in wet forms. Also, fish-flavored food is typically the smelliest protein to choose. 

However, every cat food brand has different formulas and different ingredients, so these suggestions are not the case for every brand. After all, food is typically not the only cause of a smelly litter box, but if you think it might be a concern, you should consider making changes to your cat’s diet.

Keep up with Litter Maintenance

Of course, cleaning the litter box is an essential part of controlling the odor. How you clean your litter box greatly depends on what type of litter you use though. Certain types of litter require less maintenance than others. For example, clay litters will need to be replaced more often than crystal litter. So, follow cleaning instructions based on the type of litter you use.

If you don’t clean your litter box thoroughly on a regular basis, then the litter box odor will get worse much faster. For low maintenance litters like crystal litter, all you have to do is scoop the poop and then replace the litter after 3 to 4 weeks. How you clean your litter all depends on the type of litter, so it’s best to choose one that’s great for odor control.

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Consider Using Crystal Litter

Crystal litter is one of the best types of litter when it comes to odor control. So, if your house often smells like the litter box, you should consider switching to a brand of crystal litter like PrettyLitter. One bag of PrettyLitter can have excellent odor control for up to 4 weeks, and it’s all thanks to the crystal litter that it’s made of.

Crystal litter is made with silica gel beads, which are solid particles of sodium silicate. These small beads have microscopic pores, which allow them to absorb many times their own weight in moisture. The porous granules that make up crystal litter are the key to perfect odor control.

PrettyLitter and other crystal litters are the best at odor control because the litter is made of porous silica gel beads that trap all the odor at its source. Then, they eliminate the moisture to keep your cat’s litter long-lasting. Unlike many other litter brands, crystal litter is scentless, so it actually controls the odor instead of just masking it.

You won’t have to worry about the terrible litter box smell anymore if you use crystal litter. Choosing a crystal litter like PrettyLitter is the best way to handle a stinky litter box in your home.

If you’re sick of your home constantly smelling like the litter box no matter what you try, then it might be time to make the switch. With PrettyLitter, you’re choosing the best in odor control. You’ll never have to smell your cat’s business again! We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our sponsor, so you can now get 20% off your first month with the code BESTPET20!

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