How to Change a Cat Litter Box

Changing the cat litter box may be one of the less pleasant tasks required of cat owners, but it must be done and the more frequently it's done, the easier the job. It's important for the box to be scrupulously clean, as cats are fastidious animals and will refuse to use a dirty box. For young kittens or multiple cats, use multiple boxes. Young kittens sometimes have trouble making it to the litter box in time, if the one box is too far away. For multiple cats, the rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra box.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber or vinyl gloves
  • Litter scoop
  • Trash bag
  • Fresh litter
  • Mild detergent
  • Sponge, scrub brush or paper towels
  • Paper towels or clean dry towel
  • Protective goggles (optional)
  • Dust mask (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1
      Dust masks, gloves and eye protection are all available at home improvement or discount stores.

      Pour the dirty litter into a trash bag. Used litter can be heavy so the bag must be doubled or heavy duty to prevent tearing. If you are sensitive to dust or to odors, use a dust mask and eye goggles. Protective gloves always should be worn, especially if your cat goes outside frequently.

    • 2
      Choose cleaners that will be used around cats carefully.

      Wash the litter box in the bathtub, utility sink or outside with a hose. Use a mild detergent sparingly as many chemicals can sicken or kill a cat, and cats also do not like strong odors. An enzyme cleaner works well, as does a mild dish detergent. A product that is made specifically for cleaning a litter box also is good, though it probably will cost a good bit more. If you clean the box regularly, use good quality litter and scoop the litter daily, you'll find plain water may work fine in most cases. Rinse thoroughly until there is no soap film at all.

    • 3

      Dry the litter box thoroughly. It's preferable to have two boxes so that you can use one while the other is air drying, because any moisture left in the box will cause the litter to stick and become ineffective. If there is only box, dry it with paper towels or a clean, dry, absorbent cloth.

    • 4
      Disposable litter box can be used and thrown away.

      Pour clean litter into the litter box, making sure to follow the manufacturer's directions regarding the depth of litter to use. Different kinds of litter require different depths to work properly, and one of the common litter box problems is failure to use enough litter or using too much. For example, clumping litter requires a depth of around three inches to work properly.

    • 5
      Any slotted scoop will work, but litter scoops usually are inexpensive.

      Scoop all solid waste out of the box at least twice daily. Solid waste includes urine if you are using a clumping litter. A dirty litter box or one that hasn't been scooped regularly is one of the biggest causes of inappropriate elimination in cats. Remember, your cat has to step in the box to use it. No cat wants to wade through its own waste; behind your sofa will be more appealing.

    • 6

      Change to a different kind of litter gradually, as many cats will refuse to use unfamiliar litter. Start by putting a small amount of the new litter on the bottom, and then cover with the usual amount of your regular litter. Don't mix them. Each time you change the box add a little more of the new litter, and after a few changes, begin to decrease the amount of the old litter at each change.