Cats have many wonderful qualities that have helped them earn special places in our hearts and homes. Of course, Fluffy’s litterbox also has a spot in your home. While litterboxes are definitely convenient for people owned by felines, kitty powder rooms aren’t exactly cute, and they can get, well, rather stinky. Read on as a London, ON vet offers advice on defeating litterbox odors.

Cleaning

The best way to keep Fluffy’s private bathroom from stinking is to keep it clean. We recommend scooping daily, and changing the litter every week.

Plants

Plants are great at cleaning air and keeping your home smelling fresh. Put some pet-safe plants near Fluffy’s litterbox. Boston ferns are a good option. You’ll find more nontoxic plants online at the ASPCA website.

Deodorizers

You can find a wide variety of products made specifically to deodorize litterboxes, including powders and liners. Feel free to try them out! You can also experiment with different types of litter. Just be sure to consider Fluffy’s opinion as well. Some cats can be quite finicky about their bathrooms! If your feline buddy doesn’t like the way her litterbox smells or feels, she may decide not to use it.

Air Fresheners

Since air fresheners are made specifically to keep your home smelling good, it’s probably no surprise to see them on this list. Timed-release sprays work very well near litterboxes. Just be sure to choose products that break down scent molecules, instead of just masking them with cloying perfumes.

Kitty Health

Good nutrition is crucial to your pet’s health and well-being. It will also have a huge effect on your pet’s waste. While it probably goes without saying that Fluffy’s powder room will never smell like roses, extremely foul odors can be indicative of poor nutrition and/or health problems. Make sure your kitty sees the vet regularly. (Note: if your cat is having trouble relieving herself, call your vet immediately: this can be a sign of a serious medical issue!)

Separate Facilities

If you have more than one furball, you’ll need more than one litterbox. We generally recommend one box per cat, plus at least one extra. Don’t put the litterboxes right next to each other. Your pets may just think of them as one big box.

Please contact us for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. As your London, ON vet hospital, we’re here to help!