How to Limit Cat Litter Box Odors in Small Spaces

If you live in a smaller apartment or keep your cat litter box in a closed room, you probably experience annoying issues with cat litter box odors. While you can't get rid of the smell completely, without getting rid of the cat, there are a number of ways to limit litter box odors in your home.

Limit Cat Litter Box Odors: Choosing the Right Box and Litter

The easiest first step would be to invest in a self-cleaning cat litter box, which scoops the litter each time your cat uses the litter box. However, self-cleaning litter boxes cost upwards of $100, and you will spend at least $200 to get one of the models that work well and have good consumer reviews. If this is not an option for you, the second best place to start is to purchase an enclosed cat litter box with a swinging door and filter. There are several models available that have openings in the front without doors, but these are not nearly as effective at containing and limiting odors, so the best bet is to purchase one with a door.

Once you have purchased an enclosed cat litter box, you will next need to select a cat litter that will limit odor as much as possible. Clumping litters are not always the best for the environment, but they are great for quick, easy cleaning, which is key to limiting cat box odors. Even if you only have one cat, a cat litter that is designed for multiple cats will help to limit the cat box smell, as will baking soda, deodorizing powders or deodorizing crystals that you can mix with the cat litter or sprinkle on top each time you clean the box.

Limit Cat Litter Box Odors: The Litter Box Area and Cleaning

Once you have purchased a cat litter box, appropriate litter and a deodorizer, you will want to find a small mat or piece of carpet to place in front of the box. This will keep your cat from tracking cat litter and other debris to other areas of the house and will assist you in keeping the area around the litter box clean. Regularly shake out or vacuum the mat and, depending on the type of flooring, mop or vacuum the cat box area regularly.

Also, if possible, select a location for your litter box that is out of the way, but is convenient for daily cleaning and airing out.

Frequent cleaning is an absolute must and should be done daily, if not more. Scooping the used litter out of the box after each time your cat uses it is the most effective way to limit odor; however, this is not an option for folks that work away from home and don't have the extra income to purchase a self-cleaning box. So, if this is the case, make it part of your routine to clean the box each morning before leaving for work and each evening when you return. Making it part of your routine is particularly important if you might forget to clean the litter box since an enclosed litter box does not allow you to see the soiled litter as a reminder.

You will also need to empty and clean the entire litter box with soap and water on a regular basis. This will ensure that soiled litter is not caking on the bottom or sides of the box and will limit odor-causing germs.

Limit Cat Litter Box Odors: Clearing the Air

Air fresheners that mask odors are not your best option for limiting cat litter box odors. In fact, these artificially perfumed sprays and deodorizers might mix with existing litter box smells to create an even more annoying odor.

If the cat litter box is in a room that has a window, one of the best options is to regularly air out the room. I accomplish this by opening the window and placing a fan facing outside in front of it. This will work to draw the air out of the room and send it outdoors where it can join with clean, fresh air and the smell can dissipate. After leaving the fan facing out for a couple of hours, I then turn the fan around to bring fresh air into the room.

I then use a natural air freshening spray made with essential oils to lightly spritz the room and to spray in front of the fan to be dispersed with the incoming fresh air. I also keep a reed scent diffuser in the room that allows for the regular diffusion of clean, natural scents into the air. It is important to note that reed scent diffusers are not always the best option if you have a cat who likes to jump on top of furniture and knock things over. If that is the case, you may want to consider a scent diffuser that is enclosed to avoid cleaning up a big oily mess.

By following these tips, you, your cat and your guests will be able to live in harmony without holding your noses every time you enter the room. By taking these simple steps, even the smallest of apartments can be free of litter box odors.