FAQ: Litter & Accessories for cats

Common causes are too thin a litter layer, an old scratched box, too few boxes for several cats or changing the whole litter too rarely. If the urine smell has suddenly become much stronger, it is worth asking a vet.

Scoop clumps daily, keep a sufficient litter layer, regularly replace all the litter and wash the box. A well-ventilated spot rather than a closed, cramped corner also helps.

Odour-absorbing additives, such as activated charcoal or baking soda, can reduce smell between cleans. They do not replace daily scooping, and strongly scented additives can put a cat off the box.

A small amount of baking soda at the bottom of the box can help absorb odour and does not bother most cats. It is better to avoid strongly scented powders or essential oils, as they can put the cat off or irritate it.

Strong air fresheners or diffusers next to the box can be unpleasant for a cat and push it to look for another spot. Some essential oils are harmful to cats, so it is better to focus on cleanliness and ventilation.

Unneutered toms' urine contains more odorous compounds, so the box smells stronger and the cat may mark territory. Neutering often reduces this smell and the marking, which is worth discussing with a vet.

Empty all the litter, wash the box with warm water and a mild, unscented detergent, rinse well and dry. Only then add fresh litter.

Avoid strongly scented cleaners, ammonia, whose smell resembles urine, and products containing phenols, which are harmful to cats. If you use a chlorine cleaner, rinse and dry the box very thoroughly.

Wash the box every time you change all the litter, usually every few weeks, and more often with non-clumping litter. That way odour and bacteria do not build up in the plastic.

A plastic box should be replaced when it is scratched, cracked or no longer washes free of odour, often after a year or a few. Bacteria and odour build up in the scratches, and washing alone no longer removes them.

Yes, gloves and washing your hands afterwards are a simple hygiene habit, because cat faeces can contain parasites or bacteria. This is especially important for pregnant women and people with weakened immunity.

Because of the risk of toxoplasmosis, pregnant women are advised to have another family member clean the box. If that is not possible, clean it daily wearing gloves and wash your hands well afterwards, and ask a doctor if you have questions.

Many cats avoid a dirty box and may start going elsewhere. Daily scooping also makes it easier to notice changes in the amount of urine or faeces, which can be an important health sign.

If the cat has an infectious illness or diarrhoea, change the litter and wash the box more often, following the vet's instructions. When there are several cats, the sick one is sometimes given a separate box.

It is often advised that the box be at least one and a half times the length of the cat without its tail, so it can turn around and dig freely. A box that is too small is a common reason a cat goes next to it.

The usual recommendation is one box per cat plus one extra, placed in different spots. That way the cats compete less and are less likely to go in the wrong place.

For many cats one clean box is enough, but in a two-storey home or a larger flat a second box can be handy. Some cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in another.

An open box is easier to clean, does not trap odour, and many cats prefer it. A covered box scatters less litter and hides it from view, but the smell inside is stronger, so some cats avoid it.

Not all: some cats are scared of the swinging flap or feel trapped. At first the flap can be removed or propped up until the cat gets used to it, and if it still avoids the box, choose an open one.

Covered boxes often have a charcoal filter in the lid that reduces odour escaping from the box into the room. The filter must be replaced as often as the manufacturer states, because it stops working over time.