How To Keep Cat Litter From Smelling

stinky cat litter

Odor in a litter box is unavoidable, but there are some smells that don’t need to be so strong. If your cat’s litter box is constantly stinking, then there could be a solution to reduce the odor and make life more comfortable for you and your cat.

Here are some tips to keep cat litter from smelling.

5 Tips for Keeping Cat Litter from Smelling

1. Keep the litter box clean

This might seem like a no-brainer, but cleaning a litter box means more than cleaning up after your cat. These are effective tips for keeping your cat’s litter box clean.

  • Scoop your cat’s litter box once a day. Physically removing anything that causes odors can only help.
  • Empty the cat litter every 1-2 weeks. Cat litter — even clumping litter — gets gross over time. Make sure to replace the entire box of litter regularly.
  • Clean the empty litter box. If odors persist, try cleaning the box after you empty the litter. A quick scrub with soap should remove anything clinging to the litter box walls.

2. Get a self-cleaning litter box

Don’t have enough time to keep cleaning a litter box? Self cleaning litter boxes are an easy way to keep a litter box clean without any hassle.

Many self-cleaning litter boxes can sense when your cat has visited the box, leading to a quick cleanup after your cat is all done. Self-cleaning litter boxes can also be quiet and surprisingly stylish.

3. Add extra litter boxes

A good way to avoid a stinky litter box is by adding another option for your cat. With multiple boxes, anything building odors would be split up. While this doesn’t reduce anything causing odors, it does move it to multiple areas, effectively spreading the odor evenly across a home. 

If you have more than one cat, then you should definitely consider adding at least one more litter box. Generally speaking, you should have one litter box for each cat, and in most cases it’s worth having more litter boxes than cats.

4. Switch to a different cat litter

If you have a lingering odor at home, your cat’s litter could be the culprit. It’s always worth trying out different litters to see if you can get rid of any unwanted smells.

For a healthy and natural cat litter that traps odors, we recommend pine litter. Pine is naturally great at absorbing everything, including odors. Also, pine can come with a strong scent of its own, helping mask any lingering odors.

Pine litter comes in both clumping and non-clumping options, and this low-dust option is ideal for cats and humans with allergies.

While it may be tempting to choose a scented cat litter, we don’t recommend scented litters. Scents are unnatural, and it could deter your cat from using the litter box. This is only going to create more problems for you!

5. Ventilate the litter box

It can be tempting to hide a litter box out of sight, but tucking a litter box away won’t allow for any ventilation. Try moving the litter box to an open area to see if open air helps with odors.

If you have to keep the litter box tucked away, then consider getting a litter box that’s good for ventilation. There are tons of options available of varying shapes and sizes.

Also, there are ways to discreetly hide a litter box that keeps bad odors to a minimum. You always have options when it comes to getting rid of bad smells!

FAQs for Keeping Cat Litter from Smelling

What kills the smell of cat litter?

Odor neutralizing sprays are perfect for getting rid of the smell of cat litter. You can purchase these sprays at most pet or cat stores.

Why does my cat litter smell so bad?

Your cat litter probably smells bad because it needs to be replaced. Cat litter should be switched out entirely ever 1-2 weeks, depending on how many litter boxes you have, how many cats you have, and how frequently they use the box.

Thomas Short
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