Preventing Litter Box Odor

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RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Interesting comments. We keep a boarding kennel and cattery. The last thing we need when clients are coming through is a place that smells of cat pee. And you can take my word for it that both cats and dogs are way dirtier when they are boarding than when they are at home! Imagine up to 15 cats in a confined area (they have separate exercise areas but mostly prefer to do their ablutions in private).

We have cleaned and scrubbed, bleached, disinfected, sprayed and everything else we could think of many times a day and tried all manner of commercial products to control the smell. FINALLY we tried an old remedy that really works! Sprinkle a generous tablespoon of BAKING SODA in the bottom of the litter tray every time you change the litter.. No more smells, its cheap, its efficient and it not dangerous in any way to the animals. A sprinkle on the carpet over 'accidents' also works to remove the smell.

We also use recycled newspaper litter (called GoodNews - LOL), its kind to the environment and contributes to the reducing the smell problem.

Hope that helps and saves you from bankruptcy!

Post By Kaye (Guest Post)

RE: Litter Box Odor - URINATING LARGE AMOUNTS

If your cat seems to be urinating quite a large amount at one time, doing this numerous times over 24-hours, and is drinking a lot of water, have your vet check for diabetes. Drinking a lot (our cat slept by his water bowl), urinating a lot, and when the disease has had some time to progress, drastic weight loss and poor coat condition, are all signs that your cat may be diabetic. We learned that our cat is diabetic about a year ago -- and he has been doing great with a daily injection morning and evening.

Don't cringe and say you can't do that! The injection is given just under the skin -- and our cat doesn't even blink when we do it. I think it bothers him no more than a mosquito bite -- but has kept him alive for us to love and enjoy. Diabetes can cause blindness, non healing sores that might eventually need amputation, and can kill. Spend a few dollars to get your pet checked if you suspect a problem, and you'll never have to feel guilty about what you should have done. Enjoy your furry-faced companion! ;D

Post By Linda G. (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I use a product called Innofresh Pet odor absorber from a company called Innofresh Products. It is a small activated carbon odor absorber that just clips right onto the litter box. An animal shelter first recommended it to me and I've been using ever since. It's great and helps any litter that you use. I usually just buy on line at www.innofresh.com

Post by kengie

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I'm paranoid about my house smelling like the cats box. I've tried everything! We have two cats one of which has enormous wee's. This is good for the cat as it shows he's drinking lots of water. I've found that a good fine clumping litter works for me. Some say they clump but the don't-they actually crumble. Just experiment and see what works for you. I also have a covered litter box and the cats love the privacy too.

As for the tracking the litter everywhere, put a small piece of carpet in front of their box. I have an offcut of when we had new carpet laid. Even an old mat from the dime store will work. The higher the pile on the carpet or rug, the better.
Hope this helps.

Post By ~Kay~ (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I just bought a new Persian Himalayan kitten already have a two year old gray tabby. After one day can't stand the litter box smell. the kitten has it's own box separate from the older cat. What would be the best thing to get rid of the smell? The kitten has only been here a few hours.
Thank, Sandy

Post by angels4bobseger

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

What a beautiful and regal lady she is!

Post by Maryeileen

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Wow thanks so so soooo much every1 for your help and tips and advice.
i changed cluping litter again to a finer one and she walkin less around the flat AND it traps the smell alot better!!!! yaaayyyy!
i think the urine clumps may have seemed huge coz of the other litter i tried aswell, this one makes much smaller mountains of wee lol and it stays together when i scoop instead of crumbling. i am a much much happier mummy now.
Changing the food helped sooooooo much with the smell! i cant believe it!, tho the other half gave her treats from dinner the other night and boy that was Baaaadddd stinky!
All i really got to do now is conquer her forever shedding coat with the grooming brush and hope to god it stops b4 i start producing hareballs lol.

Here is a picture of little madam all happy in her new home having claimed our very new and expensive sofa for herself lol.
she's purring in what i'm sure are thankyou's for saving me from her yukky smells tee hee

Post by kirstiesparkle

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I use clumping litter and scoop 3 times every day...no smell problems from our 2 kitties either. However, miss ONE scooping and the smell will get overpowering! Yes...the urine clumps do seem to be rather large here, too! ;)

God Bless,
Sheila in Titusville, FL

Post by GrammySheila

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I use scoopable litter and clean it at least three times a day. No order whatsoever with my two kitties :-)

Jennifer
Northern Virginia

Post by ILuvDobes

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

We use the litter that are pellets made from pine, along with baking soda. I have heard nothing but bad things about clumping litter (if it gets on their paws/fur and they ingest it, it causes problems). Also, do not use any powder, baby or otherwise made with talc - it causes lung problems - talc is not good for people either! I am also leary of scented litter - they can be put off by or even allergice to the fragrance(s) used.

Post by Maryeileen

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I have four cats and my basement would stink, even though I cleaned the 4 over-sized litter boxes one to two time a day. Then the smell would work it's way upstairs. I bought an air cleaner. Not a cheap one. It cleans both particulate matter AND bacteria in the air. This has helped immensely.

Post by Lynn

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

For starters, vacuum many times until your vacuum bag is full. Toss it. If you have OxyClean, you can mix it according to directions, then rent a carpet steamer, or ask a professional to use the OxyClean, and hot water, rinsing twice. If you can manage moving most furniture off and get a really good cleaning, the chemical deodorizes quite well. I use two things for my wild kitty: thick layered newspaper on a tile floor about 4'x4', for the feces, and an old 5" deep dishpan on more layered newsprint about 3'x3' for the urine, lined with a section of newsprint to absorb the liquid and help prevent odors.

If you have excessive urine in many places, the padding may have to be replaced, but the carpet should still be o.k. My daughter had this very problem, even on her leather sofas, and had to toss it all and hard surface the condo. If the cat is male, is larger, yes, the amount excreted is greater . If a female, it should not be so much, I believe.

However, if a long-haired cat, you WANT lots of urine flow because they tend to have urine stoppage from
litter cleaning with their tongues. If short haired, it should be easier to reduce the problem with more cooked meats, tuna/boiled eggs, and canned salmon. NEVER feed your pet with canned cat foods becauee they are filled with the meat of diseased animals and will KILL your pets. Good luck and God bless you and your cat. : )

Post By Lynda (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Hi There,

I have a dozen cats (yes, all vaccinated and altered!) and unless they leave "steamers", their litterboxes don't smell. I scoop all their boxes twice a day.

It sounds to me like your cat likely has a urinary tract infection. The urine should not smell bad until it sits for a long while. The clumping litter should also trap the smell. I'd take him/ her to the vet right away. The huge pees also sound like cause to take him/ her to the vet. Urinary tract infections can harm cats quickly.

If the vet gives an all-clear (which I doubt) there is also a product "Nature's Miracle" makes that is very good. It is a litter additive that is made out of baking soda and dry enzymes. It is only activated when liquid hits it.

Good luck,

Janet

Post By Janet (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Somewhere on the net is a special spray that you use on floors and carpets, then you shine a blacklight on it and it is supposed to make old urine spots show up. I saw that a couple of times in the little booklets that come in the mail from places like Walter Drake. Seems like cleaning the carpets completely (to me this would call for professional cleaners), plus cleaning and rubbing the hard floors with dryer softener sheets, would help.

Post by kimhis

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Feed your cat quality dry cat food and very little
wet food. I had a friend who fed her cat very cheap
canned wet food and it was very stinky.
I never had that problem with feeding dry food.
Also baking soda sprinkled into box will help the
odor of urine. Good luck.

Post by meoowmom

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Hi i'm a cat lover and have 4 cats that stay inside and if you walked in to my house you would never know i have 4 cats.. I owe it all to the Litter Maid electronic cat box and Fresh step clumping litter is the best cat litter... I line the tray with a grocery plastic bag as the trays are expensive and this saves me from buying them, and all day long while i'm gone the box scoops itself in to the lined tray and when i come home i just remove the bag and tie it in a knot and throw it out and add some more Fresh Step cat litter ta da... I clean the whole box once a month... Love it and it's the best invention man has made lol.. You won't be sorry investing in the cat box.. littermaid.com to check it out.

Post by candleglows

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I have put baby powder in the litter box every time I scooped, about a teaspoon is all you really need. No odor whatsoever.

Post by BABBIE

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Hi, I only feed my cat a good quality dry cat food, Pro Plan, Extra Care formula. I think they have a special formula for urinary tract problems too. I use a multicat clumping litter in a covered litter box. I only clean the clumps out of the litter box once a week. It does not smell, so why do it more often? I don't actually change the litter left over in the box until it does start getting smelly before the next week. Then I dump out all the litter, clean the inside of the litter box, and start over fresh. If you have been feeding your cat only canned cat food, it may bulk for a few days at being changed over to dry cat food. Loretta

Post By Loretta (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

We use Fresh Step regular cat litter. We have two cats who use the one litter box. We take the poop out everyday. I have ALWAYS gotten compliments because I am told my house never smells like a litter box. I highly recommend this brand.

Post By Connie (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

well she def not pee's anywhere other that litter box, whole flat is laminate flooring lol i def would have FOUND it (trodden in it probably lol).
Ok well it seems to be 2 -3 wee's a day, and they do seem like they are big to be coming out of such a small cat, but maybe i'm just worrying coz she'd always gone outdoors b4 and so i'd never seen the ammount of wee b4? or should i be really worried?! arrggghhh lol

Thanks for the tips, ive now added some baking soda, will see how that one goes..... and vinegar????? eh??!?!?!

oh and yup i am scooping, maybe more than i should lol i been scooping at least twice a day, mostly more (every time i know she's gone). and hoovering about 3 times a day! why oh why must she walk it about everywhere?

And the smelly little madam is now rolling about purring and shedding fur all over my new sofa lol, i think she's returning every1's purrrr's x

Post by kirstiesparkle

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I would be concerned about the "huge wee's." If your cat is drinking and urinating excessively, it could be a sign of kidney problems.

Also, your cat may have urinated some place other than the litter box and you just haven't found it yet.

I use clumping litter in a COVERED litter box in a small utility room. I don't have any odor problems.
The cover makes a big difference.

Post By Jean (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I live in a trailer with two cats and one large dog. I think the dog smells worse than the cats!! Anyway...I really like Feline Pine cat litter. However, it's costs too much money for me. I use Tidy Cats for multiple cats and use Maximum cat food for indoor cats. That helps some. My litter boxes are the covered kind with a built-in spot for air freshener. Once a week I empty out all of the litter, put in about 1 inch of white vinegar and let sit for about 20 minutes. Then I rinse it out, dry it and put more litter in it. This helps alot! I have two litter boxes so I do one first, fill it and then do the other one. Sometimes I have to do it twice a week. It depends on the smell. With windows closed and no air circulation (winter) it can get pretty smelly.
Try different litters. I don't care much for the clumping kind. But, whatever it is you choose, be sure to clean the boxes well between emptying.
Hope it helps.
Purrrr to your cat.

Post By Darlene (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Hmmm well i tried the litter deoseriser stuff, just smelt like cat mixed with perfume lol YUK
Def not seen anything to put in the food! sounds like japan has the right idea.
My poor lil studio flat doesnt really have anywhere "seperate" i can put the litter box, but it is smelling less with the clumping litter. but it still Reeks to high heavan and i got windows open all day, burning scented oils etc etc.
I'll see if i can find some wooden stuff, does it turn into a big lump like the clumping stuff?
the food?!?!?! i never thought of that, thankyou! i have been feeding her the tesco own stuff purely coz it was cheapest, i'll buy felix or whiska's or something this weeek and see if that helps.
and thanks SOOOO much for puttin my mind at rest about the huge wee's lol.

I forgot to say in the main post.... she's walking the bloomin litter all over the beedin flat! am i just going to have to put up with hoovering and sweeping twice a day?

Post By Kirstie (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I don't know what you have in the UK but in Japan we have pellets made of sawdust. They gradually fall apart as they get wet and all you have to remove is the dust. They last for a long time. A lot of the wood-shaving based products here also have green tea extract added as an odor remover. I should think you could use sawdust or wood shavings (and if you have a nice lumberyard near you, you can get them free!)

They also sell drops you can put on cat's food that makes their urine not smell-- as far as I can make out from the package it also has green tea extract and mushroom extract. No idea if any other countries have anything similar, but you could ask. The sawdust/wood chip litter and drops have made my life in a small Japanese house with 4 cats much easier!

Purrs from my cats to yours,
Cantate in Japan

Post by Cantate

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

There are also litter deodorizers you put right in the box. Arm and Hammer makes ones that smells pretty good, but it can be expensive and overpowering (the smell) so here is what I do. I make up a batch of half litter scent and half baking soda straight. I use an old spice bottle from Costco, the ones with the sprinkle section on top. Just sprinkle some on.

Also, some litters "smell" better than others, I like the clumping because the smell is less. I used to use regular litter and I shudder to think what my hosue used to smell like (it's harder to smell when you've lived with it). Helps to scoop each day, use a paper lunch bag to put the litter in (a plastic bag works but then take 1,000 years to break down in the land fill).

FOOD makes a big difference! CHEAP grocery store food, is not only BAD for your cat but makes some nasty stinkies! I've even had some high quality food make stinks but then it's the individual cat. But by far feeding your cat a high quality food helps.

Post by michawnpita

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

There is no way around this: you MUST empty the box EVERY day. I use clumping litter and pour it through a screen (you can line one of those mesh drawers that go with closet organizers, or just make a frame and staple screen to it). I make sure to have one more box than I have cats PLUS one that's always in "clean mode": empty and just hosed out, giving it time to dry before repeating the process the next day. Seriously.

Post By Guest (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

My cousin said that her daughter uses Eukanuba cat food and it helps with cat litter odors.
NaLee

Post by NaLee

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

We use the *unscented* clumping litter with "Tidy Lock" and it works well. However, we also placed the litter box in a rarely-used bathroom that is currently awaiting renovation with the window open and a fan blowing out. It's like they have their own little exhaust system. If you do have a fan in the window, make sure your a/c vents are closed, though. You don't want to blow out all of your cold air! You could also try dumping in a box of baking soda.

Oh, and the ginormous pees seem to be normal. At least, I hope so, because my cats are amazing. I didn't know their little bladders could hold that much!

Post by Beth - MA

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I personally don't care for the clumping litter. I use regular Kroger brand litter or any of the clay litters that are dust free and just change the whole thing twice a week.It's actually cheaper in the long run too cause clumping litters are so expensive.I live in a very small apartment too and this seems to work for me.

Post by topaz

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

I like to use the litter crystals that absorb moisture better than regular litter. You do need to scoop out the solids every few days but they get dried out so that isn't such a hardship. I also use a covered litter box to corral the odor.

Good luck, I love my cats.

Jess

Post by jess

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Frequent changes, good quality deodorant litter, adding baking soda may help if cheaper litter doesn't work well. If you use newspaper (torn in small pieces) change it daily.

Post By aardvark (Guest Post)

RE: Preventing Litter Box Odor

Try Filter Breeze( www.scentco.net ) on your air filter and/or in the trash can around your litter box. It is a long lasting scent technology. Unlike any other air freshener you will find. Good luck!

Post By kevin (Guest Post)

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