Is there a way to remove cat litter smell? Can something be added to the litter box? We have tried different foods for our two male cats and even different litter and their poop just stinks up the place. I wasn't sure if perhaps we were using the wrong food or litter brand. Does anyone have any suggestions?
These are great suggestions but I'd have to say I agree with an earlier post that activated carbon is by far, the very best. The absolutely best product that I've used (and I've used many) is called INNOFRESH Pet odor absorber. It was originally recommended by a worker at a large cat shelter that seemed to really know the difference. It is a fragrance free (better for you and cats) activated carbon odor absorber that just clips right on the side of most litter boxes. Really is the answer for anyone with cats regardless of what litter you use. In fact, I've switched to a cheaper litter and rely more on the Innofresh odor absorber to do the job and I'm very happy with results. I easily get these on line at www.innofresh.com They ship incredibly fast and service is great. If you have cats, you've got to try this.
I have tried baking soda, which works well, but I have also used carpet deodorizer (the one that comes in powder form). I sprinkle it in the litter and no smells. It is also a bonus that you can choose the scent!
I used to sprinkle baking soda on the bottom liner before adding cat sand/clay. I only fed my cat crunchy food as the watery stuff would make her have loose stinky stools. She loved green beans (warm), cheese puffs and she got treats. Good luck
I use the fragrance free clumping litter by PetSmart - I think its Exquisite brand its their brand. The FF multiple cat formula in the green box. It works well, clumps great. Arm & Hammer is also a good litter. Sometimes I sprinkle baking soda on the litter if I'm running low and its smelly. I also scoop 2x a day; once a month clean the box with soap & water but also put a drop of bleach with water in the box to let it soak a few minutes before I rinse well, dry, refill. The bleach deodorizes the plastic box.
I also find that with the scratching, I replace the box itself once a year.
We have 2 cats, female neutered, and find that cleaning the box morning and evening, and adding liter weekly as level goes down works for us. Once a month we empty the box completely and scrub with dish soap and a toilet brush, dry with paper towels and fill it up again. I say cleaning it twice a day is least we can do for them, because no one likes to use a toilet that isnt flushed, even cats! We dont use any fancy stuff just clumping cat litter and never have an odor problem.
I add baking soda to the bottom of box then add cat liter. I also have a slot on top of the litter box and I buy deodrizers to put in slot. The deodrizers can be found at Wal-marts and pet shops. Angie
You also need to use a good brand of cat litter. I can't remember the name of it, but it is for multiple cats and has a picture of a cat holding his paw over his nose or something silly like that. Anyway, you may not have the same brand in the US that we have in Canada.
Some people have had good result using things like organic litter rather than the clay based products, but I think they are more expensive, and I can't vouch for that.
The litter for multiple cat households is worth the money, and I use baking soda as well. I expect the charcoal would also work, but I have just used baking soda.
I would also advise scooping the poop daily. And I hope you have your cats neutered. If they are not neutered, they will have smellier litter boxes.
When we had a cat, we used clay based litter and at times sprinkled baking soda under the new litter when we changed it out. We made a practice of changing out the litter at least weekly, lot of hassle, but the smell went away.
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Request: Litter Box Odor
Archived on 10/23/2008
Any tips for limiting and controlling litter box odor? Post your ideas.
Answers:
Pet Doors
Install a pet door going out to your garage and put your litter box out there. Gets the smell out of your house.
By Tara (02/23/2005)
I use scoopable litter. Scoop the litter box daily. Use a deodorizer like Tidy Cat, or Arm and Hammer for litter boxes, or plain baking soda once a week to freshen up the box. Be sure to add fresh litter when the litter level gets low from scooping. I also burn candles to freshen up the litter box area. (02/23/2005)
RE: Litter Box Odor
We bought the automatic litter boxes. They aren't cheap. But they are frugal in the end.
Our litter lasts longer and so do our backs! Very easy to clean. Plus we line the canister with a bag to catch the waste so that we can keep reusing the same canister. And at $15 for 12 of them and having to change them about once a week, that adds up quick! But with lining them, we have been using the same canister for about 4 months now. A big difference!
We have 4 cats and 2 of the large sized boxes and no problems.
Heather (02/24/2005)
Charcoal is your answer. Put regular barbecue charcoal (not with fluid on it) in the cat box, and you'll flip. This works for anywhere they decide they feel like going, like carpets, couches, etc., and don't worry about the black, it cleans up with soap and water. I change the charcoal about once a week but it will last longer than that. (02/28/2005)
By Sherry
RE: Litter Box Odor
I have used Odor Free for years with my cat. Mojave Yucca, the active ingredient, works naturally to prevent odors from forming. You might want to check that out. It eliminates all cat odors such as urine, fecal, etc. So no more litter box odors. Also, it prevents hair balls. The website for more information is http://www.catsodorfree.com (06/15/2005)
By Sharon
RE: Litter Box Odor
I have discovered ZeroOdor. It works, period. (08/13/2005)
Being a Biochemist, I have often wondered WHY in the world one is told to use Bicarbonate of Soda (Arm & Hammer Soda) in the cat litter.
I have used it myself and my cat litter box reeks of Ammonia.
Chemically speaking, Bicarbonate would KEEP the Ammonia as a gas ( :NH3 ) due to Acid/Base reaction. Ammonia is a BASE!
It would make more sense to use Citric Acid Crystals which one can buy in all grocery stores (used for canning and for keeping Fruit & Vegetables from turning brown).
Citric Acid (being a non-harmful, biodegradable solid acid) should protonate the Ammonia, forming Ammonium ION (Ammonium Citrate) which cannot be volatile ( NH4+ ). Thus the Ammonia should be trapped.
Most "goodies" in cat urine, etc. would be basic in nature and Citric Acid should neutralize them making them Ionic in nature and thus not volatile.
I am going to try this since I nearly upchuck every time I have to change the litter box.
By the way, I use "Yesterday's News" cat litter. It is made from recycled newspaper and seems to absorb nicely
DoctorBill (12/26/2007)
Have any of you checked out the Innofresh Pet Odor Absorber? It uses activated carbon to eliminate the odor. I've found some of the other activated carbon products useful too.
http://www.innofresh.com/innofresh-products/pet-odor-absorber/
So far, it's worked pretty well and says it lasts up to 4 months. We shall see! (09/17/2008)
By bigA
RE: Litter Box Odor
I recommend a product called Innofresh Pet Odor Absorber, it's an activated carbon odor absorber that just clips right onto your litter box. I've been using it for years, as I never found a litter that really works that great. I've got a couple of these clipped onto my litter box and it really helps a lot. I usually just buy it online at www.innofresh.com (10/21/2008)
