Putting an end to cat litter odor

On average, a domestic cat uses her litter box three to five times a day. If left to sit, the urine produces ammonia as it gets broken down by bacteria. Not only does ammonia give off an unpleasant smell, it is an unhealthy gas for both animals and humans to inhale.

Of course, no one likes a smelly litter box - especially not your naturally fastidious feline. Some particularly finicky pets will refuse to use a box that hasn't been cleaned - and simply decide to take their business elsewhere. Other cats may wait to use the box until it has been cleaned. This can result in constipation and increases the risk of urinary tract infection.

If your cat decides to urinate outside the litter box, it is important to clean it up right away. The most effective product to use is one that extracts your cat's unique body scent, 'pheromone', so he is not attracted back to soil outside the box again (see spraying/territorial marking).

The solution to the problem of litter box odor is simple - keep the box as clean as possible. You'll need to change the litter and wash the box out regularly, although the frequency will depend on the number of cats in your household and the type of litter used. Consider a safe pheremone extractor when washing out between litter changes. Just saturate a dry washcloth and apply it to the inside of the box on all 4 sides and the bottom using circular motions. Rinse quickly in water and towel it dry before adding the new fresh litter. Many pet owners have also had great success by adding carbon to their litter. Simply sprinkled on top of the litter, the non-toxic carbon crystals are dust-free and absorb odor naturally in between litter changes.

To make clean-up even easier, you may want to stock up on disposable rubber gloves. Yes, it does take some extra effort to maintain a clean litter box - but you'll be rewarded with an odor-free home and a happy, healthy animal companion.