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.
Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
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Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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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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If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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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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Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
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👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
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🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
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💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
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🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
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We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
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Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
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We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
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Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
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Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
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Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
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Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
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Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
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