Bringing home a new feline friend is memorable and exciting for any pet owner. Make sure you provide your furry feline cat with a happy and healthy lifestyle. Similarly, getting your adorable pet litter-trained is another way to keep her fit; for this, you will need to keep your cat’s litter box cleaned.
Cleaning a litter box is not a delightful task for any cat owner; still, it needs to be done for your furry cat’s health. This article will help you learn some tips on keeping your litter box safe and clean. So let’s get started!
Tools Required for Litter Box Cleaning
Before you start cleaning your cat’s litter box, make sure you have all the supplies for cleaning the litter box.
● Get a Sturdy Box
The first step is choosing a sturdy plastic litter box with square corners to easily get a scooper into the box. A large flat box can also work as a litter box.
● Get a Litter Scooper
Invest in a great and durable scooper if you want to make your cleaning task easier. Scoops that are not durable will rust over time and break easily under the weight of clomped litter. Moreover, it may cause strain in your wrist, hand, and forearm.
● A Litter Mat
Save your cleaning time and get a litter mat to place under the litter box. It will decrease your burden for keeping the mess contained.
● Trash Can
Get a trash can or trash bag for disposing of cat’s waste properly. Make sure to have a disposal that contains the roll of plastic bagging material inside as it will make it easy to drop all the scooping.
Steps to Clean the Litter Box
Step 1: Remove and Scoop
When cleaning the cat’s litter, you need to scoop out all the solid from a litter box. Trace any waste from the bottom of the box and make sure you don’t need to walk across the room with each scoopful. Therefore keep the trash can ready within your reach to dump the scoop.
Step 2: Tap the Litter Box
Tapping techniques help remove urine clots hidden in the corners of the litter box. You can clean up most of the litter and tap the box a little by simply tilting the box sideways at an angle of about 45 °. Scrape, scoop off anything that comes off and repeat this process on the other three sides.
Step 3: Wash and Wipe
After tapping the litter box, if you still see anything stuck to the sides or bottom, use the water in those areas, then wipe to clean it off properly. Remember to use wipes that are non-toxic for your cat.
Step 4: Dump the Rubbish
Cleaning any stray cat litter from the mat on which your litter box sits is a good idea. While doing this part of the job, make sure you have a clean space to put the litter box. Dump the mat into your trash can, clean it with the litter box broom if necessary and wipe it down with pet wipes if there is anything caught on it. As needed, scrubbing the mat with mild dish soap and water is recommended.
Tips for Keeping Litter Box Clean and Smell Free
Getting your cat litter-trained is only half of the job, but maintaining and cleaning that litter box is another task that should be done as soon as possible to prevent it from the foul odor. Below are some tips that will help you keep your cat’s litter box cleaned and smell-free.
● Clean the Litter Box Daily
Regular cleaning is time-consuming, but it effectively prevents terrible smells and the builds up of cat waste. Daily cleaning also keeps you updated about your pet’s health. Try to empty the litter at least once a week, clean the box and then refill it with fresh litter.
● Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent way to keep the litter box odor-free. Put some baking soda on the litter box, combine cat litter with another layer of baking soda, and then add some more litter. This combination will serve as a powerful odor-destroying team.
● Use an Air Freshener
Many air fresheners are available in the market to trap airborne odors particles and reduce them on contact. Make sure to use an odor freshener after each litter box.
● Cover the Box with a Lid
Consider buying the litter box that has a lid with a built-in air filter as it taps most of the odors that discharge with open-air models.
● Place the Litter Box in the Bathroom or Laundry Room
Always keep the litter box away from carpet, pillows, curtains, and furniture as these things are more likely to absorb the smells. Consider placing it in a bathroom or a laundry room. If you place your clothes in the laundry room, be careful as your clothes might absorb cat odors.
Things to Avoid While Cleaning Litter Box
As a pet owner, while cleaning your cat’s litter box, there are some things that you should avoid; read them below!
● Never Use Ammonia
Never use ammonia for cleaning the litter box; always use mild soap. Ammonia will cause your cat to stop using her litter box; moreover, punitive cleaning products are toxic to cats.
● Don’t Place the Litter Box in an Area that is Inaccessible to Your Cat
Like humans, cats also love their privacy. Keeping the litter box in an area that is quiet and accessible to your cat will be a good option. Cats are more likely to stay away from noisy areas as it makes them nervous, leading them to stay away from the litter box.
● Switching to New Litter Rapidly
Changing the litter suddenly can be a big change for cats, as some cats are very specific to toilet habits. When switching to a new cat litter box, be sure to switch gradually. Start with the old 2/3 and new 1/3 littermates and increase the number of new littermates over time so that the cat can get used to it.
In Summary
If you want to establish a daily cleaning schedule and a happy bond with your cat, then follow these helpful guidelines for keeping your cat’s litter box clean.
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