How to Keep Your Cat Litter Box Fresher, Longer

Cats can be wonderful pets to have, but not always fun to clean up after. The smell of a cat liter box alone is enough to make you cringe. But there are ways to keep your cat's litter box fresh and smelling like new by using a few tricks. This will also save you money in cat litter by prolonging the life of old litter.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scoopable, deodorizing cat litter
• Cat litter deodorizer
• Scooper
• Cat litter box liners

1. 

   Line the cat litter pan with a disposable cat liner. You can find these at Wal-Mart or any grocery store, Dollar Store...etc., for around $2 for a 10 pack of generic ones. Cat litter pan liners keep your litter pan free from messes and makes clean up of cat litter easier.

2. 

   After lining the litter box with a disposable liner, sprinkle a bit of cat litter deodorizer into pan and spread around. This helps to soak up any excess cat urine that may seep through the litter. Arm & Hammer makes a great cat litter deodorizer that keeps smells away longer.

3. 

   Pour a deodorized cat litter into the pan on top of the cat litter deodorizer. You don't need much, but make sure it's enough to cover 1/4 of the cat litter pan. Mix cat litter and deodorizer with a scooper to give the litter pan extra added protection from smells. A great cat litter to use is Arm & Hammer Super Scoop, fresh scent. Each time your cat paws over his waster, he will release the fresh scent baking soda crystals.

4. 

   To freshen your cat's litter box, scoop out the waste and dispose of properly (some cat litter is flushable, but check the box to make sure...Arm & Hammer is). Sprinkle a bit of cat litter deodorizer over the cat litter and mix with a scooper. This helps to keep your cat box fresh for up to 2 days in case you can't get to it sooner.

5. 

   Emptying your cat's litter box is a snap with the cat litter liners. Just pull the liner up and tie together in the middle. Place liner in another plastic bag, such as a garbage bag and toss into your garbage. Clean the litter box with an antibacterial cleaner such as Formula 409 for added protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Sprinkling a bit of cat litter deodorizer on cat litter after scooping up waste will prolong litter up to a week and a half before you have to throw it out.
• Purchasing a cover for your cat litter pan will also keep smells away.
• Make sure you do not touch cat litter if you are pregnant...it is unhealthy for you and dangerous for your unborn baby. Check out the resource list for more information.
• Be sure to wash hands thoroughly after eat encounter with cat litter to avoid the spread of germs and illnesses.

Resources

• Petco.com
• Petsmart.com
• Cat Pregnancy Report
• Toxoplasmosis: Cat litter and Pregnancy

[langleycornwell]

on 5/8/2009 This is helpful, I needed some advice on keeping our cat litter box fresher. Whew, I'm going to the store now. 5*s.

[codyryan0316]

on 2/28/2009 Thanks for more great tips!

[mflinn]

on 2/21/2009 Another good article! 5 *s.

[voliegurl]

on 2/21/2009 Using the electrical type helps even better because it clears the box every time... great investment...thanks for the tips and 5* with recommendation!

[Siouxmix]

on 2/20/2009 good article.