How to Clean a Litter Box

Performing Daily Litter Box Maintenance

Set up a trash can close by. If you don't want to use a whole trash can, you can use an empty bucket or an empty cat litter container, and make it a designated cat waste can. It's important that you remember to set up the trash receptacle close to the litter box, so that you don't risk scattering waste or litter across the floor.

Wear disposable gloves and consider wearing a mask. Some experts recommend wearing disposable gloves and a dust mask to prevent the spread of toxoplasmosis, a coccidial organism that some cats carry and transmit through fecal matter. Even if you don't directly handle the feces, cleaning the litter box can cause dust to fly in the air, which can irritate the lungs and may lead to transmission of toxoplasmosis.

Scoop out solids. Cat feces should be scooped out at least once every day. Some experts even recommend scooping out solid wastes twice a day for a really clean box. If you let solid wastes build up in the litter box, your cat may refuse to use the litter box, even if the litter was only changed a few days ago. Use a special scooper, available at most pet stores. These scoopers have a grated bottom, so you can collect solid waste while the surrounding litter falls through the grates and back into the litter box.

Scoop out urine clumps. If you use clumping litter, your cat's urine should form solid clumps of litter. These should be scooped on a daily basis, just like feces. If you don't use clumping litter, sprinkle a layer of baking soda at the bottom of the litter box, before you pour in the litter. This can help absorb the odors from cat urine that might get missed during daily scooping. Use dish soap and water for a clean litter box. "I've been using bleach to clean the litter box, which I now know can repel cats! This article recommends using mild dish soap and water instead. Since switching to this method, my cat no longer avoids the litter box after I clean it." - Lynne H. Try clumping litter for easier cleaning. "I used to use non-clumping clay litter and hated cleaning up my cat's messes. The advice to switch to a clumping litter in this article has been a game changer. The urine clumps neatly so I can scoop it out, keeping the box cleaner between full changes." - Denise R. Add just 2 inches of litter. "I used to dump a whole bag of litter in the box, thinking more is better. But my cat started avoiding it! This article explains cats only need 2 inches of litter. I've started only adding a thin layer, and my cat is happily using his box again." - Kirstie B. Use unscented litter and litter boxes. "I tried using a scented litter, and my cat refused to use his box no matter how often I cleaned it. After reading this, I switched back to an unscented litter. Now, my cat consistently uses the litter box without any issues." - Norma K. Did you know that wikiHow has collected over 365,000 reader stories since it started in 2005? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here.

Replace any lost litter. If you're scooping the box out on a daily basis, there's a chance you might have lost some of the litter, either because it stuck to your cat's waste or because it simply spilled out during cleaning or use. Topping off your cat's litter every few days can help keep the box clean and appealing to your cat.

Cleaning Your Cat's Litter Box Weekly

Empty out the old litter. While scooping will do on a day-to-day basis, you'll need to completely empty the litter and scrub the box at least once every week. Some cat owners may have to clean the litter box 2 or more times each week if there are multiple cats using the same litter box. Keep a waste basket or trash bag close by, and dump everything out of the litter box before cleaning it.

Scrub the empty litter box. Once the litter is removed, you'll need to scrub the litter box, either in a sink or with a hose outside. Some experts recommend scrubbing the box at least once every week, while other experts recommend scrubbing at least once each month. How often you wash your cat's litter box will depend on how many cats use the box and what kind of litter you use. Use warm water and a mild detergent, like dish soap, that won't leave any harsh chemical smells or residue behind. You can make an effective cleaning agent by scrubbing baking soda and a little warm water on all inside surfaces of the litter box. Make sure that you rinse away all of the soap. Your cat may not use the box if it smells like soap or detergent. Note that any cleaning agents that smell like ammonia or citrus will repel cats. Using a cleaning agent with these smells may result in your cat being reluctant to use the litter box after you've cleaned it.

Dry the litter box thoroughly. It's important to ensure that the box is completely dry before you add new litter, as the litter will stick to the wet sides and bottom of the box. If you use clumping litter and fail to dry the box, it might even render the whole box full of litter unusable. You can let the box air dry, or use paper towels or napkins to wipe the box dry.

Consider adding baking soda. Some experts recommend sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box, before pouring on the clean litter. This can help absorb smells, and may help absorb some of the urine, if you don't use clumping litter.

Choose the right litter. Cats generally prefer clumping litter over non-clumping litter. Most cats find that it's more comfortable to walk on clumping litter because it's made of finer-grained material, and it's generally easier for your cat to bury his waste in. Plus, clumping litter will make it much easier for you to keep the litter box clean. However, some cats do prefer traditional, non-clumping clay litter. Take note of what your cat seems to prefer, and try to cater to his choice in litter. Do not use a clumping litter if you have a kitten. The curious kitten may investigate the litter with their mouth and accidentally swallow some. Clumping litter can cause a dangerous bowel obstruction in your kitten's intestines, requiring emergency care. The Humane Society cautions against using litter with perfume or deodorizer added to it, as this may irritate your cat or trigger an allergic reaction. If odor is a concern, adding baking soda to the litter box is a safe, odor-absorbing alternative to scented litter.

Pour in clean litter. Once the box is completely dry, you'll need to refill the litter. However, you'll want to be sure to add the correct amount of litter. Too much litter will make a mess when your cat steps in and out of the box, and some cats (especially long-haired cats) are actually reluctant to use a box that is too full of litter. But using too little litter can make your cat feel like he won't be able to bury his waste, which can lead to out-of-box elimination. Insufficient litter can also lead to odor problems in your home. Most cats only need about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of litter. Don't pour more than 4 inches (10 cm) of litter, or your cat may not use the box. Whatever depth you choose to use, be consistent. Your cat may become stressed or confused if he suddenly has a lot more or less litter than he's used to.

Addressing Elimination Problems

Learn your cat's preferences. If your cat is eliminating outside the box, he may not like something about his litter box situation. Whether it's the wrong kind of litter, the wrong depth of litter, an unclean litter box, or even a poorly placed litter box, your cat may be trying to send you a message. If your cat doesn't like traditional clay litter, try a clumping litter. If he doesn't like scented litter, try unscented litter. With a little trial and error, you'll be able to figure out your cat's preferences. Be sure your cat's litter box is in a quiet, low-traffic area. If there's a lot of noise, like in a laundry room, or a lot of traffic coming through, like your home's living room, your cat may become reluctant to use the litter box. Choose a place that's quiet and relatively undisturbed, but not so undisturbed that your cat has to make a long journey through the house to get there.

Clean out-of-box waste thoroughly. Use an enzyme-based cleaning product to treat any household furniture or carpeting that your cat has eliminated on. This will break down any residual odor on the furniture, ensuring that your cat won't come to see it as an acceptable place to relieve himself. If your cat leaves solid waste on the floor or on any furniture, use a paper towel to move the feces to his litter box, rather than throwing it in the trash. This will help remind him to use the litter box next time.

Keep track of your cat's bathroom habits. If your cat isn't using the litter box, it's important to check around the house to look for out-of-box elimination. If he isn't urinating anywhere, it's a sign that he may have a urinary tract infection, bladder/kidney stones, or a partially- or fully-blocked urethra. If you believe your cat is not eliminating, or if he is eliminating with blood in his urine or stool, take him to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately. This is another reason why it's a good idea to scoop the box on a daily basis. Scooping your cat's waste allows you to monitor his health, as you'll see signs of digestive or urinary problems right away and be able to act fast.