Cheap Hacks for a Cleaner Litter Box (and Happier Cat)

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Cat lovers know very well all the frustrating mess and smell that can come with their kitty’s litter box. There are several great products that can reduce litter scatter, tone down the smell or even make cleaning a breeze. Maybe you’ve tried some of these and your cat loves them! Or maybe you’ve tried them only to be crestfallen when your fussy kitty won’t use the expensive new litter box you bought them.

Instead of taking a chance on a product your cat might not like, you could try doing a test run with some things you probably already have around the house!

One easy way to see if your cat will use a top-entry litter box is to take an old storage bin with a lid and convert it. Using a utility knife, simply cut a hole in the lid large enough for your cat to comfortably hop through. You can fill the bin with litter, or put a disposable pan in the bin for easy clean up.

If your cat likes to use it, go ahead and get that nice top-entry litter box you’ve had your eye on!

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#Repost @pumpkinthebengal ・・・ Check out our new litter box from @modkat! It’s their new Modkat XL litter box. You can configure it to have two entry ways – top entry or front entry. We love this because Girly prefers the top entry and Pumpkin prefers the front! This is a very high quality litter box but we did notice a difference in the grey plastic material compared to the original modkat box we own. However, we do love this litter box overall because of how much it reduces litter track and because of its amazing modern look. The Modkat XL also comes with its own scoop and two different reusable tarps depending on which entry you use. This is a limited stock item so be sure to head on over to Modkat and order yours soon! Thank you @Modkat for this awesome litter box 😻💩 #modkatxl #modkat #litterbox #caturday

A post shared by Modkat® (@modkat) on Jul 28, 2018 at 6:25am PDT

As far as odor control goes, you have a ton of options – many of which are very affordable. But if your budget is tight, your cat has sensitive skin or if you just don’t have time to run to the store this week, you can use a few household products to control the smell. The easiest option is just to use good old baking soda. This versatile product can be used for cleaning toys, carpet and more, but also does a fantastic job of deodorizing your litter box in a pinch! It doesn’t last quite as long as some of the products specifically formulated for litter box odor control, but it should hold you over for a few days before it needs refreshing.

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We are very excited to join the #littergenie fam! 😼 . . . #littergeniuses #catlitter #scoopthelitterbox #litterbox #nomoremess #cleancats #catsdontsmell #petparent #beresponsible #nosmell #wheresthelitterbox

A post shared by Doppler & Company (@dop.and.co) on Nov 28, 2018 at 9:52am PST

Cats can be picky about their litter boxes and litter, so if you’re a new cat owner you may need to experiment a bit to find out what is most comfortable for your cat. When trying a new litter, start out by buying the smallest size available (in case your cat HATES it), then switch to the largest available size to get the best bang for your buck. Don’t skip the important step of slowly adjusting your cat’s litter bit by bit – any sudden changes can make kitty cranky no matter what. If you’re considering going green with recycled paper litter, try shredding some newspaper yourself to see how your cat responds before going out and buying the real thing.

Remember, there is no best litter or litter box – only what works best for your cat! Your neat, low-maintenance kitty might be cool with a simple litter pan and clay litter combo, but messier and fussier cats just need a little patience and sometimes, a little creativity.