When it comes to determining how often to change cat litter, several factors come into play including the number of cats you have, the type of litter used, and your cat's preferences. Here are some general guidelines:
It is recommended to clean the litter box once a day and remove waste frequently to keep it clean for your cat
The frequency of changing the entire litter in the box depends on your unique cat, their bathroom habits, and the type of litter you use. Clumping cat litter usually requires changing every 2-4 weeks while non-clumping litter like pellets may need more frequent changes.
Besides daily scooping and regular litter changes, it's essential to give the litter box a more thorough cleaning. This is especially important with plastic litter boxes as the urine may seep through over time. Cleaning the litter box with an
enzyme cleaner for cat urine
or mild dish detergent once weekly is best practice.
Keep reading to learn more about how often to change cat litter and other details you should know when it comes to the cleanliness of your litter box.
Have you ever wondered what cat litter is made of? Today's litter market offers a wide variety of materials to choose from, but the most commonly used type is made from bentonite clay. This clumping cat litter type traps odors effectively, simplifying litter maintenance. The most important aspect in choosing the type of litter is choosing one that your cat prefers and will regularly use.
Bentonite clay is considered clumping cat litter, meaning it clumps when wet. A high-quality bentonite clay litter like GreatLitter® will effectively trap odors, resulting in the least smelly cat litter option. Since it clumps so easily, the bentonite clay makes it simple for you to remove the soiled areas of litter only—rather than having to switch out all of the litter frequently.
Alternatively, regular (non-clumping) clay litter is another popular type of litter. Unfortunately, this type of litter doesn’t clump when wet and generally isn’t great at keeping odors at bay. It usually includes ingredients like baking soda and charcoal, which can help trap odor, but not incredibly well. Regular clay litter will require you to change the litter out more often—because although it soaks up urine, it doesn’t clump when wet.
Yet another option available to you is silica cat litter, which forms an absorbent gel that helps to provide odor control. Silica litter is a great option for people who prefer litter that is not clay-based. Not only are silica litters not dusty, they also clump when wet and help reduce odor.
Last but not least, another common type of litter is known as biodegradable cat litter. It’s ideal for anyone who prefers a more environmentally friendly product. Biodegradable cat litter is usually made from recycled paper products or plant-derived materials. These litters don’t clump, but they absorb urine well—despite not being the best option for trapping odors.
While many pet parents are intrigued by the idea of good-smelling cat litter, many cats are put off by strong odors of any kind, good or bad. Unscented litter is recommended by most veterinarians, but if your cat tolerates or prefers a scented litter and is otherwise healthy, then that is okay, too. At the end of the day, it is all about what your cat will use.
As mentioned earlier, scooping the cat litter daily is the ideal litter cleaning frequency. In addition, changing the entire cat litter box every 2-4 weeks is a safe bet.
However, a few factors come into play—namely, how many cats use the box and the type of litter you choose. Clumping litter is a fan favorite because it makes it possible to scoop out unwanted litter, meaning you won’t have to change the entire litter box as often. Here’s what else you should consider when it comes to how often you should be changing kitty litter!
If you have multiple cats using the same litter box, you’ll need to replace the dirty litter with fresh litter more often. However, there are some types of litter that are designed for multiple cat households. As such, they have stronger odor-fighting capabilities, and those types of litter also clump more readily.
Some cats are more particular about the frequency of cleaning out the cat box than others. When it comes to their litter box cleanliness preferences, some cats will start acting out if it's not as tidy as they’d like. You’ll know if you need to change litter more frequently if your cat starts going to the bathroom in unwanted places around the house.
Getting the right types of cat litter will allow you more time between changes. Non-clumping litter doesn’t offer the same odor control as clumping cat litter or make it easy to spot where your cat has gone to the bathroom. Clumping litter helps you scoop out the dirty litter and nothing more.
Many factors will influence how often your cat uses the litter box daily. These factors include average fluid intake, the temperature in your home, and the age of your cat, among many other details. However, most cats generally urinate 2 to 4 times per day and defecate every 24 to 36 hours.
Cats like their own space, and it can be stressful for them to have to share litter boxes with other cats. Even if they don’t mind sharing, you’ll have to change the litter frequently if more than one cat uses the same litter box.
If you live in a multiple-cat household, you should have a traditional litter box for each cat plus one additional litter box, according to vets. For example, you should have 4 litter boxes if you have 3 cats. Homes with more than one level should have at least one litter box per level to ensure that your cat doesn’t have to go too far to go to the bathroom.
Your nose will tell you if the litter box is overdue for a cleaning! This could result from your cat going to the bathroom more frequently, or maybe you missed a day and forgot to scoop the litter. If there's an odor coming from the litter box, it's definitely time to scoop — or change the litter altogether.
Self-cleaning litter boxes like Litter-Robot simplify the cleaning process, making the overall maintenance of your litter box a breeze! These innovative devices often come equipped with features such as carbon filters or OdorTrap® Packs that are designed to reduce or even eliminate unpleasant odors.
Higher tech models such as Litter-Robot 4 can also feature real-time waste and litter level monitoring using a native app. This means you’ll receive a notification letting you know when it’s time to empty the waste drawer.
By automating the cleaning process, self-cleaning litter boxes not only save you time and effort but also take the stress and guesswork out of maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule… all of which contribute to the hygiene of your furry friend’s bathroom routine.
Not sure when to change your cat litter? Look out for these signs:
Your cat is avoiding the litter box
: Cats are incredibly clean animals and might stop using their litter box if it's too dirty.
Strong odors
: If there's a persistent smell even after removing the soiled sections, it's time to replace the litter.
Visible clumps and waste: If you can see waste or large clumps of litter, a change is definitely due.
Wet litter: If the litter is damp to the touch, it's time to replace it.
Even if the box looks fine and your cat is using it without issue, regular maintenance is important, and the litter should be changed every 2-4 weeks, depending on your household.
Yes, both non-clumping and clumping cat litter will absorb pee. Clumping cat litter allows you to easily scoop urine clumps from the box.
Typically, you will empty the waste drawer once per week if you have one cat. If you have more than one cat using Litter-Robot, you will typically empty the waste drawer twice every seven to ten days. Perform a full cleaning and litter change every one to three months.
When you neglect to change the litter in a timely fashion, your cat will either go to the bathroom somewhere else or avoid going altogether. The latter option can result in serious health issues, most notably feline idiopathic cystitis, feline urethral obstruction, or UTIs. Not changing the litter will also cause bacteria to build up inside the litter box and foul odors to develop.
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