September 3, 2018 |5 min read
How to Cut Down on Cat Odor in Your Home
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Having a cat makes any place feel like home. One of the most unpleasant parts of pet ownership occurs if your home has signs of cat odor. But with the right efforts and attention, you can eliminate the pet odors from your home.
Keep Up with Grooming Your Cat
You might think dogs are the only pets that need grooming, but that’s a common misconception. Cats need grooming, too (especially long-haired ones.) Cats need to have their claws trimmed, need to have their fur brushed and also need to get an occasional bath. Your cat may dislike being groomed, so you can pay a professional groomer to do it.
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Get an Air Filter
Having a home air filter, such as a HEPA filter, can help eliminate bad odors in your home. Running the air filter can keep the circulating air in your home smelling fresher. You’ll also want to regularly clean the air ducts in your home. Just make sure to replace the filters and maintain the system on the recommended schedule.
Choose the Right Furniture
There’s no way around the fact that animals have a natural odor. You can’t completely get rid of it. But you can cut down on the smells that linger by choosing the right type of furniture. Choose wooden chairs and flooring whenever possible. If you select fabric cushions or rugs, make sure they can be easily cleaned. Leather furniture is particularly resistant to absorbing pet odors.
Let in Some Fresh Air
No matter what the temperature is outdoors, it’s always good to open up the windows and let some fresh air circulate throughout your home. If it’s too hot or cold outside to leave the windows open for a long time, you can still benefit from having them open for just 15 to 20 minutes.
Scoop the Litter Boxes Frequently
Litter boxes need to be scooped every day, at the very least. The more often you scoop the litter box, the more you will cut down on the unpleasant odors. If your schedule or other factors don’t allow you to scoop the litter box that often, self-cleaning litter boxes are another possible solution.
In addition to regularly scooping the litter boxes, it’s important to clean the boxes themselves on a periodic basis. You’ll also want to have the right number of litter boxes to meet the needs of the cats in your household. If you have more than one cat, you should have at least one box per cat, if not more.
It’s also a good idea to have a few different styles of litter boxes to suit your cats’ preferences, including a completely open-top box and at least one that has a cover and a door for more privacy. Make sure to put the litter box(es) in remote, private areas of the house.
Choose the Right Type of Cat Litter
The type of cat litter you choose can make a big difference in the amount of cat odor. Here are the main types of cat litter and the amount of odor they produce:
- Clumping clay litter is the most common and popular type of litter. It has the advantages of being easily accessible, and you can scoop the litter to remove cat urine and feces. However, it also gets easily tracked throughout your home.
- Non-clumping clay litter, which is inexpensive but doesn't absorb odor very well. Even with frequent scooping, your home is more likely to smell like ammonia.
- Biodegradable, eco-friendly litter is made from materials like newspaper, corn, wheat or wood.
- Silica gel crystal litter absorbs odors very well and dehydrates feces. The advantage of this type of litter is that it doesn't need to be changed as often. Products like PrettyLitter are also subscription-based, so it doesn't require trips to the store. It also can alert you to changes in your cat's health.
Sources:
1. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-rid-of-pet-smells-200789
2. https://pets.webmd.com/cats/controlling-cat-litter-box-odor#1
3. https://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-Cat-Odors-Around-the-House