How Often Should You Clean Your Cat's Litter Box?

Cats are fastidious creatures, keeping themselves clean and well groomed and they'll expect nothing less from you when its time to take care of the litter box.

When it comes to cat littler, the cheapest option is clay litter. Unfortunately, the price is about all it has to recommend it. It can be dusty, and it doesn't do a good job of absorbing orders. Youll need to change the litter frequently expect to scoop out any solids on a daily basis. Youll also need to change out all the litter and wash the litter box every three to seven days, depending on the number and size of cats you have.

Clumping litter, on the other hand, is a good choice for households with multiple cats. Every day, you should scoop out any clumped bits of litter, including solid waste. As long as you scoop and replace every day, you may be able to go as long as a month before you have to change out all of the litter and wash the litter box.

Odor control is crucial. You can buy special baking soda based deodorizers, as well as activated charcoal filters, to help minimize unpleasant smells. The charcoal filters fit into the top of a litter box system and work pretty well. You can recharge the charcoal filter by placing it in the sunlight for several hours every six months or so. Do be aware, however, that in an enclosed container, smells can be trapped and stronger. If you use a litter box with a cover, keep scooping daily and plan to wash the litter box at least once every two weeks.

If this all sounds like too much work, consider a motorized litter box. A sensor lets the box know when it has been used and the litter is automatically raked, with any solid bits being swept into a container for disposal. These boxes are pricey, but terribly convenient if you have one of those cats that insist on having a clean box to go in. Of course, youll have the same enclosure problem as above, with the potential for odors to build up. In addition, your cat may be skittish when the litter box does its raking, though usually enough time elapses that your cat will be long gone and playing in another room before that happens. A lot will depend on your cat and how it feels about the box. And dont think youre entirely off the hook you'll still need to empty the waste containers regularly.

If you want to avoid the litter problem all together, you can always train your cat to use the toilet. This takes a little time and patience, but never changing a litter box again just might be worth it. For best results, start when your cat is still young. Some older cats can be taught, while others will just be too stubborn.

In addition, any changes in cat litter should be made slowly and gradually. Cats don't like change, and they may find a number of unpleasant ways to express their displeasure if you change their toilet situation too abruptly.

Finally, the most important thing you can do is let your nose be your guide. The fresher you keep your cat litter, the happier you and your cats and your entire household will be.