Tips for Cleaning Your Cat's Litter Box
Healthy Cats | December 12, 2018
When you upgrade to a natural litter, you may find that your current scoop doesn’t do the job you need. Natural litters break down differently and are shaped differently than clay litters, so a regularly slotted scoop may not be your best option.
To help you on your quest to make cleaning your litter box as painless as possible, we talked to Greenway Store Lead Katie McMahon. As a cat owner herself, Katie is full of tips to make clean up easy and find the right scoop and litter box for your chosen litter.
KM: When I’m considering litter scoops, I look for one with holes to fit that litter type. Some of our litter is more spherical, so that works better with a scoop with circular holes. For smaller particle litters, the slatted litter scoops work really well. You don’t have to shake a ton, you just dump the litter directly into the waste receptacle. So, I think about how the slats interact with the litter and how easy it is to quickly remove waste.
One thing that I do with pelleted litter is I look for a big scoop with a lot of space for litter to fall through. And when scooping wet litter that doesn’t clump, sometimes you can use a scoop with very narrow slats.
KM: There a few main things I ask when people are looking for a new litter box. First, I want to know where the litter box is going to go. Most people have a place in mind, so we need to find a litter box to fit that spot.
Next is the size of the cat. A big cat needs a bigger litter box. I also consider the age of the cat. Kittens can use a smaller box. And for cats with arthritis, I’m normally concerned with the height of the litter box because that affects the boxes accessibility. I also think about each cat’s temperament. Are they shy? Do they like enclosed spaces? Are they a little more outgoing? The answers to those questions help me determine if they’re more likely to want a closed box or an open one.
I also sometimes ask about the gender of the cat, because male cats are notorious for peeing very high. So, I need a covered box that allows him to pee how he likes to. And I’ll also ask about the health of the kitty. I have a very arthritic cat, so she needs something that’s very easy to get in and out. That means finding a litter box with a lower lip that accommodates her.
Top-loading litter boxes are also really great for people who are in smaller spaces and who want to prevent litter tracking. They work really well for agile cats, who find it easy to hop in and out. It’s also a great solution for younger cats especially because they tend to figure out how to use the box quickly. And it’s a great solution if you have dogs that like to try to snack from the litter box.
KM: Ideally, you’d be scooping out the litter boxes at least once a day and preferably twice a day. It’s easy to miss a day due to crazy work schedules, which is why it’s crucial that you have more than one litter box. And yet, some cats won’t use a litter box that has any waste in there, so staying on top of that can prevent any issues.
Changing out the litter monthly would also be awesome. Sometimes in practice, it can be a little bit difficult. And some heavily used litter boxes may need to be changed every three weeks instead. It’s important that you establish a routine because litter in the box loses its effectiveness over time.
If your cat tolerates them, litter liners can be a great way to make the monthly litter change a little easier. My cats didn’t like them, but if your cat does, they can be a great option.
KM: While a lot of people really like to use enzymatic cleaners, I don’t use them. When you use an enzymatic cleaner, you have to let it sit on the litter box for a while for it to be really effective. But there are a lot of people who love them.
I use a cleaner made with a mineral-based deodorizer or I create my own cleaner with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. These cleaners don’t require that you allow it to sit on the plastic; you just spray on the cleaner, wipe down the litter box, and then refill it. Using this type of cleaner allows me to clean all the boxes very quickly and put them back in place.
KM: I usually recommend between two and four inches depending on the cat. With clumping litter, closer to two inches works because some kitties really love to dig and flick their litter out of the box. But if you use four inches of clumping litter, it’s very easy to scoop out. But with pelleted litter, cats are less likely to move litter out of the box, so it’s safer to go to three or four inches.
I also consider how often the cat urinates in there. If it’s your cat’s favorite box, you’ll want more litter. Heavier cats need more litter in the box to give them more support, whereas lighter kitties probably won’t need as much depth.
Greenway Store Lead Katie McMahon has been a Muddy for four years and loves helping cat owners find the items that make their cats happy. When she’s not at Mud Bay, she’s hanging out with her two cats and watching Netflix, or hiking and taking photos outdoors.
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These broad-spectrum topicals kill and repel fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes, while also targeting all stages of the flea life cycle. It also helps repel biting flies and kill lice. Available in four weight ranges and a four-month supply for continued protection.
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We have all the treats, toys, and zoomie-inducing catnip options for your cat, both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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So whether you have a cat who likes to bite, rabbit-kick, or lie back and relax with a nice treat and some catnip, we have what your feline friend needs to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.🐈
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Oven-fresh meals straight to your dog’s bowl.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest is a high-protein, oven-baked dog food, basted in bone broth to support your dog’s digestion and joint health.
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Did you know that Mud Bay now has sushi 🍣 for cats?
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Thanks to our friends at Fabcat, your cat can now enjoy a 5-piece sushi combo platter at Mud Bay. Each piece is not only fun to play with, but also filled with North American-grown catnip that will get your cat excited to bite, swat, and zoom around.
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The Walkabout from Woof is a multi-purpose enrichment toy that can hold up to 2 cups of food or treats. Just twist it open, fill it up, and rotate the inner dial to adjust how quickly food is released.
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You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂
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We want to know your dog’s favorite woof Pupsicle recipe. Let us know what your pup loves most in their Pupsicle. We’d love to share your recipes with our followers, too.
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Send us a DM, leave a comment, share photos, or tag us in your favorite woof recipe. We might even make your recipe in-store and give you a shout-out! We can’t wait to hear from you.
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Stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing some of your recipes 🧑🍳 in the coming weeks!
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Nulo Culinary Harvest coming soon at Mud Bay!
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This new option from Nulo is an oven-baked, high-protein dog food basted in bone broth. And because it’s oven-baked, that means it’s cooked at a lower temperature, so your dog can absorb more nutrients and get the most out of each meal. The bone broth also adds extra flavor, perfect for dogs who appreciate something extra at mealtime that also has functional benefits to their overall health.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest for Adult and Small Breed dogs, will soon be available both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
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TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
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TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
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TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
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You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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