Do you always find it a struggle to keep your cat’s litter box clean and odor-free? Proper litter box maintenance is key to warding off unwanted odors and also to keep your cat using it. One culprit of a smelly litter box is stuck litter clumps on the sides.
How to keep litter from sticking to the box?
Here are some helpful ways to ensure that litter will not stick to your cat’s litter box:
1. Apply anti-stick spray and baking soda.
One effective way to keep litter from sticking to the litter box is by applying an anti-stick spray along with baking soda. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the litter box. Next, put on your preferred cat litter. By doing this, litter clumps will not stick to the box. However, effectivity will only last for two to three days so you need to re-apply it for continuous results.
2. Use food-grade paraffin wax paste.
Another way to keep litter from sticking to the litter box is by applying paraffin wax paste which has anti-stick properties. Using a cloth, apply the wax to the surface of the litter box and repeat it for the second time. Let it dry completely and eventually add litter to the box. Its effectiveness may last up to two months.
3. Use litter liners.
The use of litter box liners is also effective in keeping litter from sticking to the box. All you have to do is to place it over to cover the box before pouring the litter. Once you notice foul odors just simply throw the litter and liner away and replace it with a new one. This looks like a mess-free and hassle-free way to avoid litter from sticking to the box but it can be quite expensive. Also, if your cat is an avid digger this will not work out because your cat’s claws will poke holes in the liner.
4. Scrape before scooping.
This measure is most useful if you are using premium clumping litter. Scrape stuck litter on the walls of the box with a wide plastic putty knife. Be sure not to break down and scatter the clumps. Next, scoop the clumps with a scooper. Make sure to scrape and scoop carefully to avoid breaking down the clumps.
5. Change the type of cat litter.
While clumping litter is effective in holding odors and removing urine clumps, it also tends to stick a lot. You may opt to use non-clumping litter as it sticks less to the box. However, it does not hold odor well so you need to sprinkle some baking soda before placing the litter.
6. Use a non-stick litter box.
Thanks to modern innovations, you can now have a spotless and easy-to-clean litter box with a non-stick feature similar to that found in Teflon frying pans. It is costly but ensures that no litter clumps will stick on the sides of the box.
7. Use a litter robot.
This modern and innovative litter box has the capacity to self-releasing stuck litter on the bottom. It has a rotating globe that drops down and releases litter that is stuck and clumps drop into a bottom waste drawer. It is convenient, hands-free, and mess-free but demands a high price.
How to keep cat litter from sticking to your cat’s paws?
Clumping cat litter is popular among cat owners because it effectively controls odor and traps urine. However, it tends to stick on the box and in your cat’s paws. The best solution is to opt for non-clumping cat litter, however, it does not hold odor well so you may have to use baking soda and maintain regular litter box clean-ups. Other measures that you can do is to scoop litter every day, make sure your litter box has high sides, use a hand vacuum, and place a cat litter mat for less tracking. You may also check our earlier article on the best cat litter mats for a more detailed discussion.
How to keep cat urine from sticking to the box?
Cat urine has a strong and pungent smell that can be offensive and unbearable. What you can do to keep urine from sticking is by using a self-cleaning automatic litter box. You may also opt for the non-stick type which may be costly but worth the price. The use of liners is also a possibility to avoid the build-up of foul urine odor.
Conclusion
Making sure that your cat’s litter box is clean and odor-free is every cat parent’s priority for the benefit of both humans and the cat itself. There are various ways to effectively keep litter from sticking to the box such as by using a non-stick litter box, placing litter liners and applying paraffin wax on the bottom. It is also ideal to scrape the litter before scooping and to apply anti-stick spray and baking soda to the box before placing litter.