How Often Should You Replace Your Cat’s Litter Box?

Life is a whirlwind and comes at us fast. Nowadays certain tasks may slip from our minds and fall through the cracks. As humans, we may be living fast-paced lifestyles and sometimes forget to take out the trash or throw out expired bags of salad from our fridge. But after a while, these situations will become smelly ones and eventually will have to be dealt with.

As cat owners, we care for our little ones as best as we can, but sometimes we can forget to do certain things that need to be done on a regular basis. Sure, you change your cat’s litter as often as you do, but how often do you replace their litter box? Don’t worry; this is a judgment-free zone, and we’ve all been there.

In order to keep your cat happy and healthy, maintaining a regularly cleaned-out litter box is essential. Imagine how upset you’d be if you came home to a backed-up toilet that had difficulty flushing every day. Now think about how your cat might feel if they have to deal with an overcrowded litter box that hasn’t been changed out, cleaned, or replaced.

Cats who become uncomfortable using their own litter box will quickly begin using other not-so-cat-feces-friendly places to go to the bathroom, such as your closet or beside your bed. Soon, they won’t be the only ones uncomfortable with the situation.

How often should you change out their litter?

A happy and healthy cat will generally pee anywhere from two to five times a day. Many factors like age, fluid intake, and home temperature come into play when taking this into consideration. They usually expel solid waste about once a day, maybe even more. A cat’s pooping habits are affected by their diet, medications, exercise habits, and overall health. If your cat’s using the litter box three to five times a day, then you should be changing out the kitty litter for fresh litter quite regularly as well.

How do you scoop and clean your cat’s litter box properly?

In a perfect world, cat owners should scoop out the box about twice a day and try to maintain a regular cleaning schedule, but it's okay if it's just once a day, depending on you and your cat’s lifestyles and habits. Just don’t let it sit there for more than a day, as the kitty litter can get really gross and uninhabitable for your cat… remember the backed-up toilet analogy!

To properly dispose of the soiled litter and poop, use a litter scoop sifting tool to scoop out the leftovers of your cat’s bathroom visit. Drop all items into a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw it out in an outdoor trash can. Avoid flushing it, as cat waste can damage plumbing and harm local ecosystems. Wash the scoop thoroughly with water and baking soda.

How often should you wash the litter box?

When doing so, it’s important to wash the box and litter tray itself with warm water and soap, or water and vinegar. This will help remove any potential odor and maintain freshness.

Never use bleach to wash the box and cat litter tray because it can interact with the ammonia in your cat’s pee and that can be hazardous. Also, you should never dispose of your cat’s litter by flushing it down the toilet. If you are pregnant, you should never be the one changing out the litter, as you can risk contracting toxoplasmosis. Always ensure the clean litter box is dry before adding new litter.

Consider investing in a stainless steel litter box for your cat. Litter boxes come in many materials, but most are plastic. Plastic and wood-based litter boxes are more porous and can absorb bacteria from urine and cat feces. So even though you may regularly clean out and wash your cat’s litter box, it's never fully clean.

A stainless steel litter box won’t be porous and will be easier to wash thoroughly when the time comes. Plus, it will have to be replaced less than a wood or plastic litter box, which is recommended to be replaced every few months.

Cats are very territorial animals, and sometimes they’ll react strangely and assertively when you move their litter box for cleaning. Keep an eye on this cat behavior, and just remember that they’ll be happier and healthier cats once their litter box has been properly taken care of!

How does litter type affect your cleaning routine?

The types of cat litter matter, too. Sometimes clumping litter gets dried up when you’re changing out the litter, so washing and scrubbing the box out thoroughly is important. Silica-based litters, like PrettyLitter, offer a low-maintenance solution by absorbing moisture without clumping, making daily scooping quick and easy.

Tips for managing litter boxes in multi-cat households

If you have more than one cat, managing litter boxes can become a bit more complex. The general recommendation is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. This helps reduce crowding and competition, which can lead to litter box avoidance or accidents elsewhere in the house. Multiple cats mean more frequent litter changes and cleaning — urine and feces accumulate faster, so scooping daily and changing litter more often is key to keeping the boxes fresh.

Using different types of litter boxes or litter in different areas can also help if one cat prefers a particular setup. Keep the boxes in quiet, easily accessible locations to reduce stress and territorial behavior. Regularly monitor each box for signs of wear and replace as needed to maintain cleanliness and comfort for all your cats.

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Sources:

1. Armand Hammer. How and How Often to Scoop or Change the Litter Box. https://www.armandhammer.com/articles/how-often-change-cat-litter
2. Human world for animals. How to Litter Train a Kitten or Cat: Tips for Litter Boxes, Placement & Common Issues. https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/how-litter-train-kitten-or-cat-tips-litter-boxes-placement-common-issue
3. Modcat. How often do I really need to clean my cat's litter box?https://modkat.com/blogs/modkat-purrr/how-often-do-i-really-need-to-clean-my-cats-litter-box
4. Pets Radar. Do you know how (and how often) to clean litter boxes? https://www.petsradar.com/advice/do-you-know-how-and-how-often-to-clean-litter-boxes