Despite their lovable fluffiness and adorable personalities, let’s face it, cats can cause quite the stinky situation in your home. We pride our ancestors on constructing sophisticated waste removal systems for humans ages and ages ago when people still believed in magic, yet we allow our furry friends to poop in the laundry room, then we shovel it into plastic bags and only toss it away when the bags get too full. The result is usually a home that tells your visitors’ noses you have a cat before they even hear a single “meow”.
Cats are the single most popular pet in the United States. Although the world has been split into “dog people” versus “cat people” for generations, if we are going by sheer numbers, cats are the uncontested winners. Around 80 million people nationwide own domesticated cats, versus roughly 70 million dog owners across America.
With numbers like that, it’s a wonder how so many people put up with having the odor of kitty litter boxes permeate their homes on a regular basis. Lucky for the crazy cat lady in all of us, controlling litter box odor is now easier than ever.
Making Litter Odor a Thing of the Past
There are many factors that contribute to litter odor. Some people believe that odor is the price you pay for having a pet. This simply isn’t true. Controlling litter box odor is possible, and even easy, if you know how.
The Right Litter
The actual litter you use can play a huge role in controlling odor and how much of it leaks into your home. When shopping for the perfect kitty litter, consider the following points.
– Opt for clumping over non-clumping. With non-clumping litter, you can only scoop out the poop while the urine seeps to the bottom. Removing all waste will decrease the odor that remains in the box.
– Stay away from scented litters. They typically only mask the odor with some other flowery smell. This fragrance can irritate cats and will make it harder for you to determine when the litter box truly needs to be cleaned out.
– Look for products with added baking soda. Baking soda has been used for generations to absorb moisture and odor and it works for kitty litter as well. Plus, it’s natural so it’s safe for your kitties.
– Consider trying litter made of alternate substances other than clay, like recycled newspaper, corn or pine. They tend to be naturally absorbent and clump easily.
The Right Diet
Just like with humans, your cats’ diet may affect how smelly their droppings are. Of course it’s natural for poop not to smell great, but your cat may be eating something that is causing an usually strong odor.
Some vitamin supplements can cause overly smelly poop. Often times, grain based diets cause a stronger smell. All cats are different; a good test is to eliminate one kind of ingredient at a time for a week or so to help you narrow down the cause. If you notice your pet’s waste has recently and significantly increased in odor, you’ll want to make sure this isn’t a results of parasites or excess bacteria, in which case, it is definitely time for a visit to the V-E-T.
The Right Container
Even with the perfect kitty litter and a balanced diet, odor can still escape into your home. Luckily, there is a singular product that can help. Using the Litter Champ eliminates the need for stinky plastic bags and regular trips to the dumpster. And the easier it is to clean up after your cat, the less often things will get out of hand.
Simply scoop the clumps out of the litter using the included scoop that hangs right on the side of the unit. The foot pedal allows you to open the lid with ease and the double-seal traps any and all odors in, until you’re ready to empty the unit. The canister is large enough to prevent you from having to run out to the dumpster every time you empty the litter box. The result: a happy cat, clean litter box and a home free of unpleasant odors with a minimal amount of work on your part.