Stinky Cat Litter: Where the Smell Comes From and How to Avoid It
As a cat mom or dad, the cat litter box in the apartment is usually indispensable. To avoid unpleasant odors, regular cleanings and changing of the cat litter are essential. However, even then, it can happen that upon entering the apartment, the typical smell of the cat litter box cannot be ignored.
You should quickly investigate possible causes of strong odor, as a clean and odor-free cat litter box is not only very important for your happiness but also for that of your kitty. Because it also depends on whether the cat litter box is used and your cat does not go in the corners of your apartment.
3 Possible Causes of a Stinky Cat Litter Box:
1. Diet: The urine and feces of your cat have a particularly strong odor mainly due to your cat's diet, as it is a carnivore. Through the urine, your indoor tiger excretes ammonia and other substances that cause the intense smell due to the high meat content of the food.
Thus, your kitty's excretions will not be completely odorless, as the →species-appropriate cat nutrition always includes a high meat content. However, with high-quality food, intestinal problems, such as excessive flatulence and →diarrhea, can be counteracted. This way, the feces usually smell less pungent. Our Pets Deli cat food shines with protein-rich meat as well as the right amount of fresh vegetables and vitamins. You won't find grains and an excessive amount of carbohydrates, which are hard for cats to digest and can cause intestinal problems, in our treats!
Kennst du schon unser gesundes Sortiment für Katzen?
2. Overloading the Cat Litter Box: An overload of the cat litter box can occur when multiple cats use it, but cleaning is done too irregularly. Then it can happen that deposits of urine or feces attack the plastic of the cat litter box and the odor becomes entrenched. These signs of wear and tear will occur sooner or later. A general rule of thumb for the number of cat litter boxes is: two boxes for one cat and one additional box for each additional cat.
3. Quality of Cat Litter: Cat litter is not just cat litter. There can be significant qualitative differences, so that odor development can be minimal or even impossible to prevent**. For example, clay-based cat litter binds odors poorly. Additionally, chemical fragrances for odor neutralization can be unpleasant for your cat.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Auch eine saubere Katzentoilette trägt dazu bei, dass deine Miez sich rundum wohl bei dir fühlt.
Our 5 Tips Against a Stinky Cat Litter Box
To counteract the development of odors in the cat litter box, we have listed our five most important tips and tricks for you.
1. High-Quality, Sustainable Cat Litter
Cat litter made from plant fibers binds unpleasant odors particularly well. A positive and important side effect is the sustainability of plant-based cat litter. This is different for mineral cat litter, which can bind odors well but is difficult to dispose of and burdens the environment as a product of mining. We have thought about this and developed →our ecological cat litter - a clean, odor-neutral solution. This is a byproduct of flour production, is biodegradable, and is therefore particularly gentle on the environment and your cat's paws. Our natural litter clumps optimally and is extremely absorbent - unpleasant odors are thus bound by the grain protein.
Katzenstreu neu definiert - 'ne saubere Sache!
2. Regularly Changing the Cat Litter
When your kitty uses the cat litter box, the clumping of the cat litter ensures that moisture is bound and odors are neutralized. However, you should regularly remove the clumps and refill new cat litter to prevent odors.
3. Regular Deep Cleaning of the Cat Litter Box
Even with high-quality and very good clumping cat litter, you should not rest on your laurels and pay less attention to cleanliness. With at least one deep cleaning per week, you can prevent bad odors. Because deposits of urine or feces that can lead to a stinky cat litter box in the long run are removed early this way.
4. Lining with a Trash Bag
In addition to regular cleaning of the cat litter box, lining it with a trash bag is useful to prevent odor formation. Because this prevents overloading of the cat litter box and prevents signs of wear. As a protective layer between the cat litter and the wall of the cat litter box, this method prevents urine or feces from penetrating the material. This way, the entrenchment of odors is avoided.
5. Appropriate Size of the Cat Litter Box
So that your cat can turn around adequately while doing its business, the cat litter box should not be too small. Depending on the size of your indoor tiger, you should preferably buy a larger cat litter box before it becomes too small. This way, your cat will feel comfortable and will be happy to use the cat litter box.
Is Special Cat Litter Against Odor Harmful?
Cat litter comes in various materials and with differently good absorbency and odor reduction. Chemical fragrances that are supposed to mask unpleasant odors with citrus, lavender, or apricot scents are also particularly popular for odor reduction.
Cats have a much finer sense of smell than humans and perceive these fragrances much more intensely. Strong scents can therefore be quite overwhelming for your indoor tiger and deter it from going to the cat litter box. Chemical fragrances can also irritate your cat's sensitive nose to the point that allergies can develop. Therefore, avoid cat litter that contains chemical fragrances and prefer to use natural materials.
