When deep cleaning a litter box, you should soak it in hot, soapy water for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or use a vinegar/water mix for stuck-on messes, allowing it to sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing with a pet-safe cleaner and rinsing thoroughly, as it's about removing grime and bacteria rather than just the litter.
Remove all litter from the box into a trash bag. Wash the litter box with hot water and a mild, unscented dish soap. Avoid strong ammonia-based cleaners or scented products that can repel cats. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely--moisture shortens litter life and encourages bacterial growth.
The golden rules for litter boxes are: provide one box per cat plus one extra (N+1), place them in quiet, accessible spots on each floor, scoop daily, offer unscented litter, ensure 2-3 inches of depth for digging, keep them away from food/water, and avoid covered boxes if cats dislike them. Cleanliness, placement, and adequate quantity prevent stress and accidents, promoting good feline hygiene and behavior.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural and affordable way to neutralize odors in the cat litter box. After scooping, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the bottom of the box before refilling it with fresh litter. Baking soda absorbs odors, helping to keep the litter box smelling fresh.
Vets often discourage closed litter boxes because they trap odors, creating a stressful and unpleasant environment for cats with sensitive noses, and they make cats feel vulnerable by limiting their escape and ability to see potential threats, which can lead to anxiety or litter box avoidance and inappropriate urination/defecation, even though some studies show no universal preference if kept spotless.
How to Tell Your Cat's Litter Box Isn't Clean Enough
Several products can help neutralize cat pee odor, including vinegar, baking soda, or store-bought cleaners. Here are some options to help you get rid of the cat pee smell. Enzyme-based cleaners: The enzymes in these products actually break down the acid in cat urine and get rid of the smell.
Baking soda is a safe and natural deodorizer for litter boxes and is non-toxic for cats. Mixing baking soda with the litter can help absorb pet urine odors.
Heat will set the smell, so never use hot water to clean cat pee. Wash all affected laundry on cold and do not put it in the dryer, unless using a no-heat cycle. Don't use a steam cleaner on carpet. Don't use bleach or any ammonia-based cleaner.
The 3:3:3 Rule: Help Your New Cat Adjust to Their Home The 3:3:3 rule explains some general expectations for the transition process and some tips on how to support your cat through each stage: 3 days for initial acclimatization, 3 weeks for settling in, and by 3 months, they should be comfortable and at ease in their ...
Litterboxes boxes should be placed in quiet private places that are easily accessible to the cat. Litter boxes should not be located in high traffic areas where the cat may be disturbed by children or ambushed by other pets.
Providing multiple litter boxes reduces competition and the potential for one cat to guard the litter box, which can lead to stress or inappropriate elimination behaviors. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), cats perceive litter boxes as key territorial resources.
Best Places to Put a Cat Litter Box
Stay Away From Harsh Cleaning Products
Avoid products that have ammonia, bleach, or any type of caustic ingredient. Many cats dislike the smell of bleach and other disinfectants, so this can discourage them from using the litter box.
The safest cat litter disposal method is to seal used litter in a bag and put it in the trash. Cat feces can carry germs like Toxoplasma gondii, so always wash your hands after scooping. Flushing cat litter or cat poop is not recommended and may even be illegal where you live.
After scooping, I add the lightest sprinkling of Arm & Hammer baking soda litter deodorizer. Not only does this stuff smell amazing on its own, it's incredibly powerful. A box will last us easily more than a month, and we use it on every litter box, every time.
Avoid clay-based litter
Clay-based litters aren't just prone to giving off dust, they contain two substances that are harmful when inhaled: sodium bentonite and crystalline silica. Most clay-based clumping litters use a clumping agent called sodium bentonite.
Cats like their litter boxes clean, so it's best to scoop their boxes at least once a day. Some cats will prefer an even cleaner box, so scooping more than once a day may be best. Deep clean the litter box once every 1 to 4 weeks.
When you breathe in these ammonia fumes, not only does it smell bad, but it can cause some severe problems as well. If your pet has urinated in a place with reduced ventilation such as a room or even in the house, it could trigger issues like asthma, pneumonia, and in some cases, even suffocation.
Sodium bicarbonate is the substance baking soda is made of, and it's amazing at soaking up odors. You can sprinkle it on the carpet or furniture after you've cleaned your cat's urine, make sure the area is dry before doing so. Leave the baking soda in for about 15-30 minutes and then vacuum up the area thoroughly.
What are your BEST (maybe less-obvious) tips for avoiding cat smell in the house?
Cats get most annoyed by loud, sudden noises (vacuums, thunder), strong smells (citrus, vinegar), changes in routine, dirty litter boxes, and unwanted handling like being picked up or stared at, as these disrupt their sense of security and sensory balance, triggering their sensitive hearing and instincts for control and safety. Unexpected movements, unfamiliar scents, and being forced into costumes also cause significant stress and annoyance for felines.
Cat behavior red flags signal potential medical or emotional issues, including sudden changes in eating/drinking, litter box problems, excessive vocalization, increased hiding, aggression, lethargy, or changes in grooming (like overgrooming or stopping). Because cats hide illness well, any significant deviation from their normal routine, such as increased thirst, appetite changes, or unusual hiding, warrants an urgent vet visit to rule out serious underlying conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or pain.
Ammonia: Litter boxes are a perfect place for harmful bacteria and parasites to grow. Cat waste leads to ammonia. This colorless but odorful gas can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, vision, and skin issues for both cats and humans.