What Is The Difference Between Scoopable And Clumping Cat Litter
Many cat litter manufacturers use the terms scoopable and clumping interchangeably when discussing clay cat litters. Scoopable is the ability to remove cat waste, either urine or feces, with a cat litter scooper. Clumping refers to when cat urine is absorbed or dehydrated by clay or silica-based litter granules, and forms hard clumps that are easy to scoop. There are some types of cat litter that are only scoopable, not clumpable, like pine litters and recycled paper litters.
What Is The Best Place To Put A Cat Litter Box
Cats prefer a quiet, clean place to do their business, just like humans do. Its best to place the litter box in a quiet room with limited foot traffic, and against a wall so your cat will feel safe when they use it. If a litter box is too hard to reach or too far away , your cat may not be able or even willing to go there. And boxes that are near loud appliances can upset your pet.
Help Them To Understand That This Thing Is A Litter Box
Cats instinctively bury their waste and seek out soft, dig-able substrates. But after years of using one litter box, the introduction of another strange-looking litter box could leave your cat unsure of what to do.
Tell your cat that this is their litter box in no uncertain terms place a scoop of their old litter in the new litter box. Your cats ultra-sensitive sense of smell will help them to read the message.
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Great Automatic Litter Boxes Allow You To Monitor Your Cats Health Status
Your cats litter box activity is one of the best indicators of their health status, and when their box does the work for you, youre missing out on an opportunity to evaluate their wellbeing.
Some automatic litter boxes make up for this shortcoming by incorporating use counters or other means of monitoring your cats box usage.
Whats The Best Cat Litter Box For Odor Control
If your cats litter box has an odor problem, look at yourself first. Ensure that youve been cleaning out the box at least once a day. If a diligent cleaning routine leaves the litter box still smelling foul, choosing a new litter box could help.
Some litter boxes have non-stick and antimicrobial coatings that help to minimize the amount of waste that sticks to its inside surfaces. These coatings also help to minimize the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Others feature carbon filters that capture odors before they can enter the room.
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Transition Tips: How To Help Your Cat Start Using A New Automatic Litter Box
Between operational noises and unexpected movements, a self-cleaning unit is a little bit more disturbing than the standard inanimate plastic pan.
For cats who grew up using a traditional litter box, it might not even be clear that the new litter mixing machine is a litter box at all. Its important to gently acclimate your cat to the new litter box.
Ecoflex Litter Loo Our Favorite
This looks like an end table but is a litter box for those pet owners who have limited space or want to disguise the box.
It has a flip-down in the front so that you can access the litter box for easier cleanup. Cat urine can be rinsed off, and it doesnt soak into it because its resistant to warping, cracking, and moisture.
It has a sealed floor and comes in Espresso and Russet. The litter box isnt included. There is no real downside to this one, it does tick all the requirements of a good litter box.
Pros
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The Basics Of The Self
With a self-cleaning litter box, a waste compartment sifts, rakes, flushes or otherwise collects feline waste, allowing you minimal contact with cat urine and feces and eliminating the need to scoop the litter tray daily. Most of the automatic litter boxes detect when your cat has used it and will clean up so that the next time they go, they have fresh, clean cat litter.
Yody Blass of Companion Animal Behavior in Leesburg, Virginia, says the concept of a self-cleaning litter box is a great one, because no one likes to clean litter boxes. It goes along with owning a cat, similar to walking a dog or cleaning a ferret’s cage.
Blass says that for cat parents working long hours or overnight shifts, or for those with an illness or disability, a self-cleaning litter box can be very helpful. They are also a helpful option for cats who want a clean litter box each time.
To get our cats to be consistent in using a box, we need to clean it dailyeven multiple times a daya challenging task with long work days and plenty to do at home. If the box gets overlooked in some busy households, that can create inappropriate elimination issues, Blass says, adding that an automatic litter box can help to alleviate that problem.
Automatic Litter Boxes With Sweeping Function
If you prefer the hands-off approach, you can also try a sweeping option such as the ScoopFree original automatic litter box. The automatic raking system sweeps waste into a covered compartment 20 minutes after your cat has used the box. It also has safety sensors to detect if your cat returns to the box, and it will automatically reset.
This automatic litter box system uses ScoopFree premium blue crystal cat litter trays that are intended to last approximately 30 days. The trays use dye-free silicon crystal cat litter that absorbs urine and dries solid waste.
Blass likes the ScoopFree system because of its ability to keep litter scatter to a minimum. She calls this a good choice for a single-cat home but notes that the crystal litter does not clump, so its up to the pad underneath the litter to deodorize the urine. The litter tray must be changed often, or else the box may smell after less than a week, and cats may look for somewhere else to eliminate.
Another raking-style box is the Pet Zone Smart Scoop automatic cat litter box, which rakes the litter, collecting clumps and depositing them into a waste compartment with a carbon filter that neutralizes odors. The system uses any clumping or crystal litter. Blass says that while the rake does not always grab all the litter clumps, it is sturdy and comes apart smoothly for cleaning. She also likes the units quieter motor.
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Fresh Step Cat Litter Box Deodorizing Crystals
- Water-soluble crystals
- 100% non-toxic
Fresh step odor eliminator is one of the unique solutions for your cat litter odor problems. The finished product is crystals that you can mix into your cats debris to deal with odor problems. We would rate this highly for its non-toxic nature and how it is safe for your pets. There is no need to worry about exposing your pets to toxic chemicals since it is 100% toxic and chemical free product. Moreover, every time your cat uses the litter, the crystals will ensure that no odors are left behind. Many buyers and our team have termed it as the best litter for kittens for its pet-friendly nature.
Another amazing aspect that we love about these odor eliminator crystals is that they dont leave even a bit of residue behind. The crystals will just disintegrate over time without any fuss or mess. They are water-soluble, which allows them to do so, something we were impressed by. Every time your cat will step into the litter, the crystals will get activated to do their bit. A constant presence of freshness and a slight fragrance will be there, highly pleasing to the senses.
Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats
Though not traditionally marketed as a litter box, the Sterilite 41-quart Storage Box offers expert-recommended size and simplicity at an affordable price.
Pros: Large size with plenty of room for natural toileting behaviors, made from durable plastic, snap-on lid for easy moving, low sides for easy entry by most cats, inexpensive
Cons: Shallow sides don’t prevent litter from being kicked or tracked out of box
Because many traditional litter boxes are too small for more than one cat to use several times a day, both Quagliozzi and Sung often recommend that their clients use a wide, flat plastic storage container instead. With their extra-large size and simple design, they make excellent, affordable stand-ins for the real thing.
Sterilite’s 41-quart Storage Box is made from durable, clear plastic and measures approximately 35 inches by 17 inches, providing a cat with tons of room to perform natural toileting behaviors like digging and covering their waste. Because the box is waterproof, it won’t leak any excess urine that goes uncaptured by litter.
While the included white plastic lid will need to be stored away most of the time, it can be pulled out and snapped in place to easily move the box to a different location without spillage. With sides that are approximately 6 inches high, this box is shallow enough for most cats to easily enter and exit.
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Best Cat Litter Box For Odor Control Summary
As weve seen, there are plenty of options for us to choose from when looking for the best litter box for smell.
Not only can we find odourless litter boxes, but also endless accessories and gadgets to help our homes stay fresh around the litter tray!
Choosing the best litter box for odor control will depend on how much youre willing to spend, and what type of litter box you prefer.
This article has given a general overview of the best cat litter box for odor control. Some may be better for you than others!
For instance, choosing a hooded litter box may not be right for you if you dont have the space required to give your cat enough room inside!
We hope you found our suggestions for keeping your home smelling sweet helpful.
If you have a favorite odor control litter box, let us know about it in the comments below.
Affiliate link disclosure:Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
Dr Elseys Ultra Premium Clumping Clay Litter
This all-natural clumping clay litter gets top ratings because it keeps things smelling fresh around your house. Its free of scents and perfumes, but the clay granules are formulated to trap waste odors. It works well with a variety of litter boxes including sifting and mechanical boxes.
What we like about it:
- No perfumes or deodorants
- Almost completely dust-free
- Effective clumping ingredients prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box so the box stays cleaner
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Best Cat Litter For Odor Control: The Verdict
The best way to eliminate litter box odor is with regular scooping and weekly cleaning. Cats prefer and deserve a clean litter box. A clean litter box will help prevent litter aversion, health issues, and inappropriate behaviors. Remember that plastic traps bacteria so plastic litter boxes should be replaced at least yearly.
The best litter for odor control is unscented, naturally clumps, and uses ingredients that lock in odors naturally. Artificial fragrances and scents are dangerous to cats. Cats prefer unscented litter because their sense of smell is extremely strong.
Clumping litter is a must. This allows you to remove waste easily, and this keeps the litter box clean. If you have multiple cats, you should have one box per cat, plus one extra. Cats are territorial creatures and prefer private bathrooms. The extra box comes in handy if you cannot scoop straight away.
The best option for litter odor control is Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Ultra Odor Control Multi-Cat Quick-Clumping Cat Litter. Walnuts are safe for cats, and this brand claims they use walnuts grown in the USA. This litter clumps naturally, and there are no fragrances added. It also boasts that it’s a great option for multi-cat households.
Your best line of defense against litter odor is to keep the box clean. This is what your cat prefers and deserves. A clean box will keep the smell out and keep your cat happy and healthy.
Using Your Cat Litter
Once you have found a litter that works for both you and your cat, you need to use it properly to make sure it does its job.
If you are worried about smell, you probably already have a closed litter tray, which also affords your cat privacy, which most cats prefer when doing their business. This should not be tucked away in a corner of your home but placed in a well-ventilated area so that the odors that are created are dispersed quickly.
You should also clean your cats litter tray as often as is practical, just scooping out solids and clumps. Sometimes you might only be able to do this once or twice a day, other times you might be able to do this five times a day, depending on your schedule. But if it is not sitting there, its smell is not penetrating your home.
Some people recommend changing the litter completely twice a week, though I only change mine once a week, as twice a week is just too expensive. But dont just take out the old litter and fill it up with fresh stuff. Take the time to clean the box with soap and warm water.
When putting litter back in the tray, make sure you use enough. Cats like to bury their business, and they need enough depth to do that. Ideally, the litter should be 2-3 inches deep, though you may need to experiment with what your cat prefers.
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Tidy Cats Scoop Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clumping Cat Litter
Glade has come together with Tidy Cats to bring you this odor-fighting cat litter solution. This clumping cat litter works hard to neutralize and eliminate odors through TidyLock technology. The litter is formulated for households with multiple cats via the clumping properties and odor control defenses. Tidy Cats Glad Tough Odor Solutions cat litter is cost-effective, easy to cleanup and will bring a hint of Glade freshness to your litter box area.
How Do You Keep Cat Litter From Smelling
Use naturally clumping litter and remove waste matter more often using a scoop. Regular scooping and cleaning is the best way to keep the litter box from smelling. Scoop daily and clean out the box completely weekly. Use hot water and gentle soap without harsh fragrances.
Keep in mind, the cat’s sense of smell is much stronger than ours. So, they are more sensitive to fragrances and scents.
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The 12 Best Automatic Litter Boxes Of 2022
Do you agree that cleaning the litter box is your least favorite part of cat parenting? Are you looking for scoop-free solutions to clean your cats litter box?
Yes, we are gonna talk about the best automatic litter boxes which claim to help with dirty work of cleaning regularly.
As we know, Automatic litter boxes come with premium prices and they are prone to malfunction, and sometimes harder to clean than a traditional litter box.
But Wait! Theres More!
Do you know, a right choice of Self-Cleaning Cat Litter wont be troublesome?
Yeah, you heard right.
We tested several options including The Litter-Robot III, PetSafe ScoopFree, Omega Paw, CatGenie, LitterMaid, and Natures Miracle litter box along with several other popular options.
Whats the best automatic cat litter boxes in 2022?
Arm & Hammer Slide Platinum Multi
- 14-DAY ODOR CONTROL, GUARANTEED. SLIDE Platinum cat litter is an easy clean-up odor control cat litter with powerful odor eliminators plus Baking Soda. Guaranteed odor control for 14 days. An odor-free home starts with ARM & HAMMER.
- EASY CLEAN-UP LITTER with its patented EZ Clean technology to give you clumping cat litter that slides right out of the cat litter box with no scraping and no scrubbing required.
- DESTROYS SEALED-IN ODORS ON CONTACT. Complete odor-sealing clumping cat litter with powerful odor eliminators plus ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda. Its a revolutionary non-stick clumping litter that takes the dread out of litter box cleanup.
- 10% MORE ODOR ELIMINATORS than SLIDE Non-Stop Odor Control Cat Litter. The SLIDE Platinum Clumping Cat Litter formula delivers powerful odor eliminators plus ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda.
- ROCK HARD CLUMPS FOR EASY SCOOPING with Clump & Seal technology. SLIDE cat litters moisture-activated micro-granules form a tight odor control seal around waste, and plant-derived particles help form rock-hard clumps. Theres no scraping required with this easy-scoop clumping cat litter.
Features:
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How To Solve Common Litter Box Problems
If youre unhappy with your current cat litter setupits hard having a small animal crapping where you live!there are a couple of other solutions that you might try before or in addition to swapping litters.
Scoop your litter at least once a day. When we went to the Brooklyn Cat Cafe to test litters, we were braced for the place to smell like a farm. It didnt. Thats because the cafes volunteers were always scooping, often within minutes of a cat doing its business. Though Church & Dwights Brown told us that litter formulas are tested for their clump integrity and odor control for up to three days , you still need to try to scoop every day.
If youre having trouble with your cat scattering litter, you could try a partially enclosed litter box instead. Or try a mat that catches litter, like the Easyology Premium Cat Litter Mat, which traps litter scatter better than any mat weve tested.
Several Wirecutter staffers have also found personal litter box happiness with a Litter Genie Plus Cat Litter Disposal System close-by. Its a trash can, of sorts, that allows you to scoop litter into a small vestibule and close the lid, and then send the litter into a larger compartment that way, your nose isnt bombarded with a weeks worth of dirty litter every time you go to add newly soiled litter.