How Often To Wash A Litter Box - A Cat Owner's Guide! – FAQcats.com (2023)

You love your kitty, but you don't love the messy litter box. Crates are not only a stinking nuisance, they can also harbor nasty pathogens. Keeping it clean is essential not only for your nostrils but also for the health of you and your cat. Shoveling out trash every day is one thing, but sometimes it takes more than that.

So how often should you wash a litter box?A litter box for a cat should be changed and washed out every two to three weeks. If you have multiple cats, a major cleaning should be done every week or two.

No one likes the aspect of tearing down and cleaning the litter box. But cats are finicky, and if you don't keep their box clean, they'll find somewhere else to do their business. It's easier to take this box apart for a major cleaning than trying to remove urine from your great-grandmother's Persian rug. Read on to discover the importance of a clean litter box for you and your cat.

Why bother washing it out?

There are several reasons to wash a litter box. they include

• Sanitary reasons
• cat wellness
• human well-being

1. Health reasons

With today's clumping cat litter, keeping a litter box clean is a lot easier. A simple scoop-and-go is all you really need...right? Not so fast, scooping these clumps won't remove everything. Yes, these clumps are pretty tough with dried urine and feces and easy to remove, but the truth is some of it stays in the box. Small pieces break off or sometimes just fall apart. This leaves the coarse, dark colored litter behind. You can't reach those corners with that little square plastic shovel either. Disgusting debris gets stuck there.

There's only one way to truly rid yourself of all this debris. And that's stripping it down and cleaning it.

2. Wellness for cats

A clean box is much healthier for your cat. A dirty box has one or two effects on a cat:

• You go somewhere else
• You hold it tight

They know what happens when they go somewhere else... They clean up a mess. But if they hold it back, you can make a visit to the vet. It's hard for a cat to hold onto, it can affect:

• Kidneys
• Blase
• Harntrakt

This can lead to lower urinary tract disorders. In addition to simple bacteria, a litter box can harbor a variety of parasites. Some of these parasites are:

• roundworms
• Hakenwürmer
• Ringwürmer

If the litter box is dirty, the parasites can more easily enter the cat's gastrointestinal tract. Some of the problems of these wormscause can be fatal.

3. Human Wellbeing

Cats aren't the only mammals that can pick up something nasty from a litter box or its debris. The remains of feces can end up being dragged around the house. If you don't wash the box regularly, you're not only risking your cat, you're also exposing yourself to harmful pathogens. Some of them are:

• Toxoplasmosis
• fungal infections
• Bordellosis (cat scratch fever)

With just a little soap and water, you can eliminate these risks.

How to wash a litter box step by step

It's not difficult, and it doesn't take much time to strip and scrub a litter box. No need to use fancy soap or special brushes. But you have to rinse well. Below are the steps:

1. Take your litter box outside (saves cleaning)
2. Replace the crate with a small shoe box or other small disposable crate and put some junk in it, you don't want accidents. If you think your cat doesn't need this, skip this step.
3. Line an old garbage can, bucket, or wastebasket with a garbage bag.
4. Empty the litter completely into the lined container. Use a stick or an old utensil to get into these corners.
5. Get a bottle of dish soap from the kitchen (Dawn is always a good choice with pets). Do not use bleach or ammonia. This could discourage your cat from using the box and in combination can be dangerous for you. Citrus-scented soaps will also deter a cat.
6. Use a garden hose (your kitchen sink or bathtub if you don't have one) to fill the box with some water. Do not fill the box with water; Pour in only about three or four inches. You can add more if needed.
7. Add the soap and let it sit for a few minutes.
8. Take a brush or thick cloth and scrub. Make sure you reach into the corners where dirt tends to collect.
9. Pour out the water if you have residue, repeat steps 6 and 7
10. Rinse the box thoroughly. You want to remove all residue.
11. Leave to dry completely
12. After drying, add about two to three inches of litter.
13. Throw in the makeshift cardboard litter box with the old litter
14. Since the dirty bedding and makeshift box are already in a bin liner, simply tie the liner shut and throw it away.
15. Repeat every two to three weeks

You now have a sparkling clean and sanitized litter box with no mess or clutter.

What if your cat uses the litter box right away?

You've just expended time and energy cleaning that box, and the moment you put it back, your kitty jumps in. If you have multiple cats, chances are they're all trying to jump in at the same time. Why is this?

Although there is no definitive answer as to why there are some hypotheses. Keep in mind that cats haven't been domesticated as long as some pets. They still retain some instincts, even your indoor cats.

One reason they jump in the box right away is because they don't want the clean scent they want theirs to have. It's her box, so it should be her scent. Well, that doesn't mean they want it dirty; they just want to know it's theirs.

A second possible explanation dates back a few years. You want to conquer new territory. In the wild (including the tomcat on the street), cats mark any new territory. And while it's not technically a new crate or location, it smells new to them.

And a third reason is...they are cats. And cats always do what they want, when they want. It doesn't matter what your wishes are.

types of waste to keep it clean

There are several types of litter that can be used to fill up this box and keep it a little cleaner for longer.

While you may think you're reducing odor (regular cleaning will help), don't be fooled into using scented litter. It turns off a kitten. There are several types of litter that will help keep your litter box odor low and much cleaner. They include:

• Ton
• Recyclingpapier
• walnut shells
• Gras

1. Ton

Clumping clay is very absorbent and will form clumps when your cat urinates. If the urine clumps, just scoop it out. Because it's easy to scoop, it reduces odor. But the downsides are that it's dusty and non-biodegradable. It's probably the most popular litter. An excellent choice isPurina Tidy Cat Free and Clean ohne Duft. It is odorless because it contains activated charcoal in the clay that absorbs odors.

2. Recyclingpapier

Made from recycled paper pellets, this dust-free litter is highly absorbent. Because it's made of paper, it's biodegradable. The downside is that it doesn't form clumps. An example of paper waste isNew Messages. Not only is it non-allergenic, but because it contains baking soda; reduces the smell.

3. Walnut shells

Crushed walnut shells make up this litter and hence it is dark. It keeps odor down with its excellent absorbency and is also biodegradable. From a cleaning standpoint, walnut shells are great because they clump.Naturally freshclaims that because their bedding is so good at neutralizing odors, a bag is like three bags of clay. It's also dust free.

4. Gras

USA cultivated; Grass litter is a relatively new product in the cat world. Made from grass fibers, it is not only biodegradable but also clumps very well. Best of all, it controls odors. A brand that is new on the scene isthe good earth. It is completely natural and fragrance-free. Since it absorbs so quickly, no waste will stick to the bottom of the box.

Final Thoughts

Don't let your litter box become unbearable for you and your kitty. Take fifteen minutes and scrub it well. Not only will it reduce the risk of feline and human infections, but it will also reduce those small feces and anything else that gets picked up while being carried around the house. A well-washed litter box equals a clean house and a happy kitten.