How to Reduce Litter Box Odor

House cats are safest when they are kept in the house. This means cleaning a litter box on a regular basis. Part of controlling kitty litter odor is selecting the proper litter. You can choose from clay, scooping, crystals or plant-derived litter. No matter how absorbent the litter, keeping the litter box clean is your most important weapon against offensive litter box odors.

Things You'll Need

  • A litter box
  • Clumping litter
  • A newspaper
  • A box of Arm & Hammer Litter Deodorizer
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Instructions

  1. Keeping the Litter Box Clean

    • 1

      Line the bottom of the litter box before filling the box with litter. Line the bottom with old newspaper. The newspaper will absorb the moisture from the litter and reduce the smell of cat urine. It can be easily discarded when the litter is changed out completely between scoopings.

    • 2

      Fill the box with a high-quality litter. Clumping litter is particularly effective at absorbing moisture and controlling odor because it solidifies the waste and is easy to scoop. Other types of litter have ingredients in them that when mixed with urine releases a chemical that neutralizes the odor.

    • 3

      Pour the contents of a box of Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer into the litter box. Use a litter scoop or spatula to mix the deodorizer thoroughly with the litter. If you don't have a box of litter deodorizer handy, you can substitute a box of baking soda.

    • 4

      Clean the litter box on a regular basis. A soap and water cleansing once every two weeks, with regular scooping, will keep the litter box clean and odor-free. The best way to reduce litter box odor is regular cleaning. For best results, remove clumps from the litter box frequently, at least once a day, and replace the litter entirely two weeks, more if you have more than one cat.

    • 5

      Change the carbon filter that cam with your litter box. Some boxes, particularly hooded boxes, come with small areas where filters and carbon packs are fitted. Keep the carbon packs fresh by changing them out regularly.

    Using External Odor Neutralizers

    • 6

      Burn deodorizing candles in the environment. Make sure to blow them out before you leave the house as cats tend to knock candles over. Do not allow candles to burn near curtains. Febreze and Glade make candles that work very well to scent the air and mask foul odors.

    • 7

      Spray the air with air fresheners. There are several on the market that are made especially for pet odors. Oust is one such spray that binds to the bacteria in the odors and neutralizes them. Spray the air liberally near the litter box.

    • 8

      Sprinkle carpet freshening powder on the carpet prior to vacuuming. There are also foam products you can use to spray on furniture, stairs and carpet. The foam evaporates leaving a fresh fragrance.