I know it’s self-evident that everybody does the cleaning of litter box regularly but still leaves with some odor and one thing that many of us don’t know is that you can not fix this issue by cleaning the box, it requires accumulative efforts by checking all the aspects.

In this article, we gonna talk about the untouched reasons and some tips that I used and came out as a lifesaver. Have you ever been embarrassed because of the cat litter smell? Do let us know in the comment section along with your story.

“For me, Yes! I have been embarrassed, once I threw a house party and one of my friends said in front of everyone that my house stinks like a cat poop and he will not come again.”

Now, Let’s start the blog post!

Why Does My Cat Litter and Box Smell So Bad?

Cat litter box smells because of cat litter and that’s obvious everybody knows but how? When a cat urinates, it contains urea, which releases ammonia when it breaks down, a major contributor to the pungent smell. Additionally, feces contain bacteria that produce sulfur-containing compounds, worsening the smell.

Here are some common mistakes that people do and that makes the smell more strong.

1. For Not Choosing the Right Litter Box – In case you don’t know, a litter box doesn’t seem to have a big impact in making the litter box smell bad. There are 2 things that you have to look at it.

• Firstly, check the litter box size. If the litter box size is small and the cat doesn’t fit to it then there is a high chance the little will stick out of the box and create a smell.
• Secondly, If you’re using a plastic litter box then let me tell you, plastic traps the bacteria even with regular washing, plus it absorbs the smell. But you can do one thing, spray white vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe or rinse out. It’s very good at neutralizing odors!

2. For Not Using the Correct Litter – Litter plays a major role in making the apartment smell worse. But how? In the market, you will find different types of litter beads: scented, unscented, clumping & non-clumping, pinewood and crystal litter.

Note: Do not use scented litter beads until your cats are not adults.

It is very important to choose the right cat litter. Every litter has its pros and cons and you have to use them personally plus, it also depends on the cat. Not all cats like the same litter; you have to do lots of trials and tests.

3. Cat Food & Diet – Stop giving kibbl to your cat all the time. Ready-to-eat dry cat food or jellies to your cat, this is the only reason where it all starts. Always remember to give your cat fresh water and homemade food. This will significantly reduce the smell of cat poop as it will take less time to digest.

Homemade Cat Food Recipe that Reduce the Poop Smell:

1. Take 1kg minced meat (75% Chicken and 25% Beef Liver). Cats do eat with great pleasure.
2. Put this mixture in the dish directly.
3. Add half a cup of water and boil it for 10-12 mins.
4. Strain the water afterward.
5. Now, take 1 potato cut then in round shape and rice less than half a pound. Boil it till it becomes thick or liquidate. Boiling both together will save time.
6. Add a little bit of water along with the boiled rice and potato.
7. Make a thick paste.
8. Mix the mince and paste all together, and your homemade cat food is ready.

This cat will last up to 1-2 days if you put it in the fridge; if you put it in the freezer, it will last up to 3-4 months easily.

4. Not Cleaning Regularly – I know every cat parent cleans the litter box regularly but everyone has their own meaning of “regularly” plus, cleaning has 3 different stages (Daily maintenance, weekly cleaning & monthly deep cleaning) that we have discussed below (must read).

5. Not Using Odor Control Solutions – In the market, you will find so many products that help in controlling odor like room fresheners, odor absorber litter, litter deodorizers and some DIYs.

Well, there is a certain way to use this fragranced product because not knowing how to apply this product can make the situation worse. I have shared the correct way to use it below.

“Removing Smell from the litter box and room is linked. Please read both paragraphs thoroughly without skipping them, as they will give you great ideas for controlling the odor.”

How to Remove the Smell from the Litter Box

If you consider all these points if you will see a drastic change in the smell of the litter box.

1. Cleaning

Cleaning is the only way to keep the odor away.

Daily Maintenance

• Scoop out the solid chunks 2 times a day (morning & evening).
• Fill the scooped amount with fresh litter to maintain the right depth (around 3–4 inches atleast).

Weekly Deep Cleaning

• Empty the entire litter box.
• Wash the box with warm, soapy water (avoid strong detergents that might repel cats).
• Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before refilling (Don’t forget to apply vinegar, baking soda & activated charcoal at an appropriate time).

Yearly change

• Replace the litter box every 12 months if you’re using plastic one, as scratches in plastic can harbor bacteria.

2. Use Stainless Steel Litter Box

When I switched to a stainless steel box and it helped tremendously because plastic absorbs the smell and requires washing after every 2-3 days. Do consider changing that and let me know in the comment section.

Tip: Purchase it from a restaurant depot or restaurant supply store and just buy a baking tray, I paid around $14 for mine. They are exactly the same thing, which you get online for almost double the price.

3. Correct Litter 

There are more than 13 types of litter out there in the market but finding one for yourself is very hard. And the only solution to this is to try and test because not all cats are the same. But I can give you some recommendations that you can try at first:

• Corn litter
• Silica gel crystal litter
• Pinewood Litter
• Natural Clumping Litter

Note: Non-clumping litter doesn’t help in controlling odor except for the litter mentioned above but silica is known for its absorption power.

4. Litter Deodorizer

If you have a non-scented clumping litter and are very bad at controlling odor, don’t worry. You can use a litter deodorizer that will control the odor that comes from the litter box.

DIY Tip: If you don’t have litter deodorizer at your home or feel it’s expensive, you can make your own deoxidizer by adding a mixture of baking soda & activated charcoal in the litter box if you’re using clumping litter. As charcoal absorbs moisture and baking soda is good in neutralizing the acid that forms through cat urine and stool.

Best Ways to Get Litter Box Smell Out of Room/Apartment

I know how it feels when your room or apartment stinks like cat poop. Well, now you don’t need to worry. Here are my tips on what I used to do in that situation. Check out all the points you lack, follow and fix it.

1. Use Odor Control Solution

If you have established the foundation like you have a good litter box, good cat litter, scooper, you’re cleaning it on a regular basis and still having issues with smell then it’s time to use litter deodorizer.

Some people have sensitive noses, or if your cat litter has some pungent smell for any reason in that case you need to use a cat litter deodorizer. Deodorizers are available in both liquid and granular form. It’s up to you which you gonna prefer.

Remember, the majority of the deodorizers are not cat-friendly but you can use activated charcoal and the baking soda mixture, which tends to work pretty well. Even silica gel works best in absorbing the odor, you can have market-ready products for the rest, too.

2. Air Purifier

An air purifier works great, and many people don’t know about this. Just put the air purifier right by the litter box, they totally neutralized the smell of our house. Even if you don’t have an air purifier, AC does the same job, or you can turn on the fan in the low settings and open the ventilation window.

3. Litter Genie

Maybe it’s not the litter box, it’s where you’re putting the litter. So, if you have a regular trash can where you put the litter and it’s not being empty every single day, then that starts to accumulate some odors.

And here comes the litter genie. I have been using this for several years, it seals of the litter waste bag and then you just empty it out. It’s a must have product for every cat owner, a lifesaver for them. Do not underestimate the importance of using a litter genie.

If you have multiple litter geine at your home, don’t forget to put the label on the top of it “Only for Cat” or something like that.

4. Air Freshener

If you spray without cleaning the litter box, air fresheners will not cover the odor and will probably worsen the smell by mixing up with the smell.

5. Placement of the Litter Box

Choose a well-ventilated area to prevent smells from concentrating. Avoid placing the litter box in damp or confined spaces like bathrooms or closets.

FAQs

Q1. Do plastic litter boxes absorb smell?

Ans. Yes, plastic absorbed too many odors into the scratches.

Q2. What is the Best DIY Litter Box Odor Control?

Ans. My personal favourite litter box odor control is a mixture of baking soda and activated charcoal.

Q3. Can I use essential oils to deodorize the litter box?

Ans. No. Essential oils can be toxic to cats, even in small amounts.

Q4. What can you put in cat litter to make it smell better?

Ans. You can add a litter deodorizer if you use clumping litter or mix silica gel with other litter pellets. It works fantastically.

Q5. Do enclosed litter boxes help with smell?

Ans. Covered boxes can trap smells, making it worse if not cleaned regularly. They are best paired with daily cleaning routines.

My Verdict

On my final verdict, I just want to remind you some of the important and less talked-about points of eliminating cat litter smell. Firstly, everything is available in the market for your ease, but every product has its alternatives in the household. Clean the litter box after every 7 to 10 days, plus start using a stainless steel litter box because that doesn’t absorb the smell. Vinegar works best to settle down the smell also lasts ages and it costs $2. Check with the litter that you’re using.

By following these actionable tips and insights, you can make litter box odor a thing of the past. What’s your go-to strategy for keeping the litter box fresh? Share in the comments!