As much as I love my cat, owning one comes with a fairly distinct set of pros and cons. On the one hand, he loves to cuddle, he’s soft and sweet (most of the time), he always cheers me up (even on my worst days) and he’s extremely easy to care for.
The one major downfall? His litter box. For years, I struggled to find the best way to eliminate (or, at least, reduce) the odors that come from his litter box. And I think I’ve finally figured out the trick. Here’s the ultimate guide to odor-free litter boxes!
Why Do Litter Boxes Smell So Bad?
Let’s face it: litter boxes are bound to smell bad. But, sometimes, the smell can get so bad that you start to ask yourself, “Is something wrong with my cat?” or “Am I not doing something right?” — both of which are very legitimate questions.
The bad news is there are a variety of factors contributing to litter box odor. The good news is most of these factors can be controlled by you or your cat.
In fact, two of the biggest factors include the type of litter and litter box you provide, with stainless steel litter boxes and plant or silica-based litter trumping plastic boxes and clay-based, non-clumping litter.
Even your cat’s daily diet could affect litter box odors.
Not only is cat pee more concentrated than other animals (and humans), but it contains higher levels of ammonia (primarily caused by protein intake) and, therefore, comes with a much worse odor.
How to Get Rid of Litter Box Odor
For me and my cat, learning how to reduce and precent litter box odors required a bit of trial and error.
As much as I loved the idea of an enclosed litter box (since it could trap odors until cleaned), it didn’t take long for my cat to express his disapproval of the change. So, I had to rule that idea out.
I also tried switching to plant-based, pellet-like litter, but that was a big “no” from my cat, as well.
While those are two great ideas that could help reduce litter box odors, your cat (like mine) might not respond well to them. And when this happens, you’ll need to get creative with your solutions.
But don’t worry. I’m going to share with you seven of my best tips to prevent or reduce litter box odors.
1. Daily Scooping
Consistency is key when it comes to litter box maintenance. I learned this the hard way after a few particularly busy weeks where I let scooping slide to every other day (or several times per week). The resulting smell? Absolutely unbearable.
As a general rule of thumb, try scooping your cat’s poop and pee at least once per day (if not more).
For me, that means scooping twice per day. Morning and evening scoops keep the smell manageable, and it only takes about two minutes each time. Cat waste starts producing that notorious ammonia smell almost immediately — and the longer it sits in the litter box, the stronger the smell gets. Plus, not scooping the litter daily incentivizes your cat to go to the bathroom in other areas of the home.
2. Monthly Deep Cleanings
Even with daily scooping, litter boxes need a thorough monthly reset. Over time, tiny particles of waste get embedded in the litter and even stick to the sides of the box, creating a buildup that regular scooping just can’t address. And, yes, these smells will linger.
That’s why I choose to give my cat’s litter box a monthly deep cleaning.
For me, that means dumping all the litter in a trash bag, washing the entire box (every nook and cranny) with warm water and pet-friendly, unscented soap, and filling the box with new litter once dry. The process might seem like a hassle, but it makes a dramatic difference in odor control — and your cat will appreciate it.
3. Yearly Replacements
Buying a new litter box every year might seem excessive, but it was a game-changer for me and my cat.
Plastic litter boxes, especially, develop microscopic scratches over time from daily scooping and burying. And these tiny grooves become perfect hiding spots for bacteria and odor-causing compounds. Even after a thorough scrubbing, these embedded odors can resurface.
To ensure I never go more than a year with the same litter box, I choose to replace it (completely) on my cat’s birthday — as a special treat to him, and a relief to me.
And if you don’t want to replace it every year, I suggest investing in a ceramic, metal or stainless-steel litter box (and scooper). They’re easier to clean, don’t scratch as easily and can last years (if not more).
4. Invest In a Diaper Pail
This tip came from a fellow cat parent who also has kids in the home. Regular trash cans with loose-fitting lids do almost nothing to contain litter box odors, which means that scooped waste continues to stink up your space until trash day.
At first, I would scoop my cat’s clumps into a grocery bag before taking it straight to the dumpster. This helped remove the waste (and resulting smell) from my home immediately but was a hassle to maintain.
But then I switched to a diaper pail. Diaper pails are designed to lock in odors using special refill bags and tight-sealing mechanisms. I always say — if it’s good enough to mask the smell from a human diaper, then it’ll work for smelly litter clumps.
The diaper pail can be placed next to the litter box and should be emptied every other day, if not daily.
5. Ventilated Room
Location matters more than you might think when it comes to litter box odors. I used to place my cat’s box in a small, enclosed closet with a kitty door — thinking it would hide the smell from the main living areas.
Instead, it created a concentrated pocket of stench that hit you like a wall whenever you opened the door. So, I moved the litter box to a larger room with better airflow and found a balance between giving my cat the privacy he needed, while also ensuring that odors didn’t build up in-between deep cleanings.
And if your only option is a smaller space, I suggest adding a small fan to keep air moving, or keeping the door slightly ajar for better airflow.
Trust me, good ventilation and better airflow benefits both you and your feline friend.
6. Baking Soda
This old-school trick really works, though there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. To help mask litter box odors, I sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of my cat’s litter box before adding fresh litter, and an even thinner layer on top before mixing it in with the scoop.
The baking soda acts as a natural, safe and effective deodorizer that absorbs unpleasant smells, such as cat urine odors, and makes them less noticeable to the human nose.
But the key is using just enough and nothing more — about two tablespoons for a standard-sized box. Too much baking soda can create a dusty environment that’s unpleasant for your cat (and hard for you to keep clean), and some cats are sensitive to the texture change.
7. Pet Odor Eliminator
Even the most careful cat can occasionally miss the mark or track litter outside the box. Regular household cleaners often mask pet odors rather than eliminate them. While it might appear to work at first, the smell almost always comes back — sometimes even stronger than before.
That’s why I recommend investing in a pet odor eliminator for use in and around the litter box.
Pet-specific odor eliminators contain enzymes that actually break down the compounds that cause pet odors, such as ammonia, rather than just covering them up. I like to keep a spray bottle of enzyme-based pet odor eliminator near the litter box and use it to clean the surrounding area weekly, even when there are no visible accidents.
After all, a proactive approach goes a long way in reducing or eliminating litter box odors.
