Cats can make great friends, and provide a lot of fun. Although they don't need to be walked around like dogs, cats need a litter box that must be kept clean at all times. If the litter box isn't kept clean, there's a good chance it will pee on the carpet or other items. In fact, a dirty litter box is one of the main causes of cat littering. Daily grooming is needed to keep your cat comfortable using the litter box. In addition, you will need to do a thorough cleaning once a week (perhaps more often if you have more than one cat). By learning how to keep a cat litter box clean, you can ensure that your furniture is kept clean of cat litter and that your cat's happiness is maintained.
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Method 1 of 3: Doing Daily Maintenance
Step 1. Provide a trash can near the litter box
If you don't want to use the trash can, use an empty bucket or empty litter container to use as a cat litter bin. It's important to have a litter box near the litter box so that when you clean the litter box and want to throw the litter outside the house, the cat litter doesn't get scattered or litter the floor along the way to the exit.
Step 2. Wear disposable gloves and a mask (recommended)
Some experts recommend wearing disposable gloves and a dust-proof mask to prevent the spread of toxoplasma, a virus carried by cats and transmitted through their feces. Even if you don't handle the droppings directly, cleaning the litter box can spread the dust from the dirt so that if inhaled, it can cause lung irritation and, ultimately, transmission of toxoplasmosis.
Step 3. Remove solid waste using a shovel
Cat litter needs to be removed, at least, once a day. Some experts even suggest removing cat litter twice a day to keep the litter box cleaner. If litter is allowed to accumulate, your cat may be reluctant to use the litter box, even if the litter used was just replaced a few days ago.
Use a special shovel that is widely available in pet stores. The shovel is equipped with a kind of filter or holes in the bottom. This way, you can remove solid waste, while any loose litter can be separated from the dirt and returned to the litter box through the filter on the shovel
Step 4. Remove any lumps of litter mixed with urine
If you use a clumping type of litter, the cat's urine may mix with the litter and form a clump. These clumps should be removed daily, as should solid waste. Also, if you are using clumping litter, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the litter box before placing the litter in the box. The added baking soda helps absorb the smell of cat urine that may still remain when you remove the clumps of litter mixed with urine.
Step 5. Replace the wasted litter
If you do daily cleaning, there is a possibility that the litter in the litter box will be thrown away, either because it sticks to the dirt or it spills when the box is cleaned or used. Refilling the litter box every few days will keep it clean and comfortable for your cat.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning the Litter Box Every Week
Step 1. Dispose of the old litter
While daily picking up litter can keep the litter box clean, you still need to empty the box and brush it at least once a week. Some cat owners may even need to clean the litter box twice (or even more) a week if multiple cats use the same litter box. Keep a litter basket or trash bag near the litter box and empty the box before you clean it.
Step 2. Brush the inside of the litter box
After the litter is removed from the box, you need to brush the inside of the box. You can do this in the sink or use a hose outdoors. Some experts recommend brushing the box at least once a week, while others recommend brushing the box at least once a month. How often cleaning needs to be done will depend on how many cats are using the box, as well as the type of litter used.
- Use warm water and a mild detergent (eg dish soap) that doesn't leave residue or a strong chemical smell.
- You can make an effective cleaning agent by using baking soda and warm water and then brushing the mixture on the inside of the box.
- Make sure you rinse thoroughly so that no soap residue sticks to it. Your cat may be reluctant to use the litter box if it still smells like soap or detergent.
- Keep in mind that cleaning products or materials that smell like ammonia or citrus can keep cats away. When you use cleaning products with such a smell, your cat may be reluctant to reuse the litter box after it has been washed.
Step 3. Dry the box after cleaning
It is important that you make sure that the box is completely dry before you add new litter as litter can stick to the sides and bottom of the box that are still wet. If you use clumped litter while the box is not completely dry, there is a good chance that the entire litter in the box will not be usable. You can dry the box by aerating it, or wiping it with a paper towel or rag.
Step 4. Try adding baking soda to the box
Some experts recommend sprinkling baking soda (just a light) on the bottom or bottom of the box before adding fresh, clean litter to the box. Baking soda is helpful in absorbing odors and urine, especially if you don't use clumpy litter types.
Step 5. Use the appropriate type of litter
Cats usually prefer clumped litter to non-clumping litter. Many cats feel more comfortable stepping on clumped litter because this type of litter is made of a very fine material that makes it easier for the cat to bury the litter. Plus, this type of litter makes it easier for you to keep your cat's litter box clean. However, there are also cats who prefer regular, non-clumping clay litter. Therefore, find out what type of litter your cat prefers and try to provide one that suits her preferences.
The Humane Society organization advises against using litter that contains perfume or deodorizing agents because they can irritate or trigger an allergic reaction in cats. If the smell of dirt coming from the litter box is making you uncomfortable, try adding baking soda to the box as a safe alternative to getting rid of bad odors
Step 6. Pour clean litter into the box
Once the litter box is completely dry, you will need to refill the litter box. However, make sure you add the right amount of litter. If there is too much litter, the area around the box will become dirty as your cat steps in and out of the box. In addition, some cats (especially long-haired ones) are generally reluctant to use boxes that are filled with too much litter. On the other hand, filling the box with litter too little can make the cat feel like it can't bury its litter, potentially encouraging the cat to urinate outside the box. In addition, the lack of litter added to the box can also trigger the emergence of bad odor problems in the house.
- Usually cats only need litter with a depth of about five centimeters. Don't add the litter to a depth of more than 10 centimeters or your cat won't want to use the litter box.
- Whatever the depth of the litter in the box, make sure you consistently refill the litter to the same depth. Your cat may feel stressed or confused if suddenly there is more or less litter than usual.
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Cat Urination Problems
Step 1. Get to know what your cat likes
If your cat often urinates outside its litter box, there may be something she doesn't like about the box. Regardless of whether it's the wrong type of litter, improper depth, dirty box conditions, or improper placement of the box, your cat may be trying to tell you about it by throwing the litter outside the crate.
- If your cat doesn't like regular clay litter, try using one that can clump together. If he doesn't like smelly litter, use an odorless product. With experiments like these, you can find out what your cat likes.
- Make sure the litter box is placed in a quiet area away from people. When the litter box is placed in a noisy room (e.g. laundry area) or an area with lots of people (e.g. living room), your cat may be reluctant to use the box. Therefore, choose a quiet area where there are relatively few people, but not too far away so your cat doesn't have to walk far to use the box.
Step 2. Clean the area outside the box that is affected by dirt thoroughly
Use an enzymatic cleaning product to clean dirty furniture or carpet. These products can destroy odor-producing chemicals in furniture so your cat won't think of the furniture as a place to go to the bathroom. If your cat dumps solid waste on the floor or furniture, use a paper towel to transfer it to its litter box (not the trash). This is done to 'remind' your cat the next time she uses the box.
Step 3. Pay attention to your cat's bowel habits
If your cat doesn't use the litter box, it's important that you check for litter around the house. If he urinates anywhere, it may be a sign of a urinary tract infection, bladder/kidney stones, or obstruction of the urinary tract (either partially or completely). If you feel that this behavior is not being shown as a habit, or if there is blood in the urine or solid waste, take your cat to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
This is also the reason why it's a good idea to remove the dirt from the litter box every day. By removing the waste, you can monitor your cat's health because you can immediately see if there are any signs of digestive or urinary problems and act quickly
Tips
- If you are afraid that the dust in the litter will irritate your lungs, try wearing a dust mask. These masks are sold at relatively low prices and can be purchased at hardware stores.
- If your cat is a frequent mess, you can purchase a litter box with protection or place a tray under the litter box.
- Pay attention to what your cat likes and wants from the litter box, and make sure you provide the most comfortable product for your cat.
Warning
- Do not allow pregnant women to handle cat litter or clean the cat litter box.
- Do not use harsh chemicals (eg ammonia, bleach, or strong-smelling chemicals) when cleaning the litter box. Doing so can harm your cat and discourage him from using the litter box.
- Cats can transmit the Toxoplasma virus to humans. Therefore, try wearing gloves and a face mask when you clean the litter box.
