I use two of the litter boxes that look like big plastic planters complete with artificial palm fronds on top (they’re in the top 10 boxes list). My cats are 18 and 20 lbs-BIG BOYS! So these boxes give them plenty of room! I then take Husky 42 Gallon Contractor Clean-Up 3-Mil Trash Bags to use as litter pan liners. This eliminates the need to wash the boxes out. They don’t tear like regular liners. I use Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal litter. Then, I scoop and done. When there are too many crumblies in the pan, I just pull the bags up and out. Replace bags & litter. It takes 5 minutes tops. It’s 0.70 per bag, but saves me two steps and having to get too hands-on with cleaning litter box, so and extra $1.40 per month.
I use clumping litter, what i do is after he uses it, i try to slowly seperate and tilt the clumps esp when the urine clumps that sticks to the bottom, i avoid shaking it or puntching it as it creates more tiny lumps,once its seperated i scoop them and those that sticks to the bottom i wipe with wet wipes to clean the bottom. I find this as a litter save for me as it makes the litter last longer.plus the litter genie is a helpful buddy on the side.
I have one cat and two litter boxes, one very big and one kind of medium sized. One lives in the bathroom and one lives in the second bedroom (but lived in the hallway while we were remodelling the second bedroom and the cat dealt with that really well, so would likely move it in there overnight if we had guests staying). I use wood pellets because my cat used them in the rescue and we like the smell and that it does track tiny crumbs into cracks (it does track a few big pellets around but those are so easy to pick up!). We sift the litter every day, give the litter trays a wipe-down every alternate week and top up the litter, and do a deep clean every other week, completely refreshing the litter. I would recommend not lifting the sifting tray so high from the other tray as that’s how we get sawdusty mess on the floor! My final tip is not very environmentally friendly but it was a lifesaver for us. We found the cat’s urine tended to seep straight through the pellets into the bottom tray. As a solution for this, we put a puppy pad in the bottom tray, and change it x2 a week. It helps control scent, absorb that additional urine and also makes it very easy to dispose of the sawdust!
@MURZBO Why? What does it matter which box(es) they use. Remember, if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. They will let you know the type of litter they prefer.
I used to put the entire litter box in a trash bag, push the air out it and lightly tie, then put the litter on top. When it was time to deep clean, I just pulled and turned the trash bag inside and out and viola. I don't know if I'd do it with our next cat. The crinkly noise may be too distracting for them and I worry cause all my cats seemed to like licking plastic bags for some reason. I'll probably go for the disposable litter boxes. But I'd like to try the litter Genie, too!
Doggie waste bags are great for daily scooping! They’re easy to store nearby and also help mask the scent. I use a corn based clumping litter, as the clay litters seem to get me sneezing. I currently have 3 boxes for my 2 cats, and it’s pretty interesting how they have designated different boxes for different bathroom types. For my deep clean: I use a mix of half alcohol & vinegar with some water. Kills everything I want it to without messing with their delicate kitty scent marking.
@@debraslagle7321, We had Tonkinese cats that passed away about a year ago. One had figured out how to unlock and open doors. There are strays in the neighborhood that he was friends with. We could not set the alarm system because he might decide to go out to play while we were not home. The police responded to several alarms before we added deadbolt locks that he was unable to open. Never underestimate the intelligence and determination of a cat.
Using a brillo pad or steel wool will only add scratches to the plastic which in turn will capture more urine odor and damage your litter box. There are non-scratch cleaning pads available. That's what I use when I do my deep cleaning of the box, when I dump it all. Usually I let the box soak first with just plain detergent or something like this. I never use bleach unless there's an infectious situation going on. 50/50 white vinegar and water solution works very well for daily cleaning the box behind scooping. This keeps odor down very well. (And keep your box topped off sufficiently.)Tilt the box to one side and scoop from there... tilt the other direction repeat, spraying with the solution and wiping dry with paper towels. Be sure use a very a good scooper and get all the little broken pieces, don't leave any behind and your litter box should stay fresh and clean until it's time to completely dump it all. I used to use the enzyme cleaners for years but they made it stink worse. This is best and doesn't react with the urine at all. Be sure to wipe your litter scooper and in front on the box where the cat steps out. You can use this solution on vomit, on the carpet, etc.
Can I ask if bleach is needed for a cat dealing with Giardia??? I'm cleaning the whole litter box every time he poops with antibacterial dish soap, I'm not sure if that's enough...I heard that you'd also have to disinfect the surroundings regularly like daily and I'm wondering if bleach is okay for floor surfaces???
Exactly my thought about the steel wool. I pretty much have the same method for cleaning except that I use baking soda rather than detergent and spray with 50/50 white vinegar before allowing to dry.
@@amozinshade484 I'm not sure about giardia but ammonia is effective for killing coccidia. I have dealt with coccidia a few times (I foster kittens) and soak my litter boxes with an ammonia water solution.
@@amozinshade484 try Rescue Disinfectant, I got mine at Tractor Supply. Safe to use around pets and very effective on a number of things. I had to get some when dealing with ringworm and love it. It's a bit pricey but it comes in a huge bottle that you dilute according to directions on the bottle, so will last a long time.
Litterbox maintenance has gotten a bit more challenging after our cat developed chronic kidney disease & IBD. Her output has increased significantly so I clean several times a day and do an overall change about once a week. I keep sheets all around the room & down the hallway because after she has a bowel movement she sprints down the hall until it detached and drops on the floor. She also wipes on the bed or floor so that’s when I need to wash her tail & bottom. It’s not easy getting older but we are thankful to still have our 18 year old Jazzy.
I foster kittens and sometimes they have really bad diarrhea from having worms or being dewormed. I just have additional clean litter boxes laying around so I can quickly give them a new/clean box and I can take my time to clean the dirty box. I do still clean multiple times a day, but it helps if you just don't have time that day. You can quickly swap it out for a clean one.
I've been cleaning my cats'litter boxes for years and years and for some reason it never occurred to me that using the hose and cleaning the boxes outside would be way easier than hauling them up and down the stairs to the bathroom tub 😅😅😅 So thank you for saving me some time!
Love your video, but I wanted to share some information about Toxoplasma Gondii. A lot of people who are pregnant are afraid of contracting toxoplasmosis from cleaning their cat's/cats' litter box. However, keep in mind that if you don't have mice in your house and your cat is indoor only then they almost definitely don't have toxoplasma gondi to begin with. Cats get the parasite from eating mice, birds, and etc that have the parasite. They shed the virus in their feces for up to two weeks. However, the CDC also says the infected feces aren't infectious until it has been out of the body for for over a day, so daily cleaning will also prevent transmission of the parasite. How does the parasite enter your body? You consume it. How can you prevent this? You can prevent that by washing your hands after cleaning the litter box. If you are worried about toxoplasmosis, I would worry less about your litter box and more about cleaning your produce properly, cooking meat all the through (pigs, lamb, wild game), washing your hands after gardening, and drinking clean water.
Thank you for this! I’m kind of shocked that this video perpetuates the myth that it is inherently dangerous for pregnant women to clean the box, especially because it’s so easy to fact check and see that it isn’t true
@@lischellejones Or they didn't wash their hands after gardening, aren't washing their produce properly, are drinking contaminated water, or aren't cooking their meat all the way.
beleive me this was VERY VERY HELPFUL TO ME! i adopted 2 adorable stray kitties (they are about 3 months old and growing! ) and i have two litter boxes. i got to get another one because one of them is too small. i keep these babies in my very large bathroom. i keep their litter boxes next to the toilet and they use it which is great for me. i make it a point to clean their litter boxes everyday when i clean the bathroom. i also want to get a better scooper too. but i like that procedure of how to tilt the litter box then scoop out the clumps! very good info!
Is that one unscented? I want to try a new litter but I hate clay litter. I'm currently doing pine litter but not sure if I will keep using it bc I have to scoop it at least twice a day, and if I go away for a few days in the future, the pet sitter will only come once a day to clean it
I use pine pellets in two boxes for my feline friend. I scoop out solids daily. Twice a week, I sift out the sawdust from remaining pellets into the second set of clean boxes. I deep clean by rinsing dust out, spray down with biological cleaner, let it sit, spray simple green, wipe with paper towel, rinse, and then air dry.
I have 3 cats and 5 litter boxes. I do notice that in the winter when everything is closed up, the boxes seem a bit stinkier. I clean with more frequency and also add baking soda to the litter to neutralize any foul odor. For deep cleaning, I take the boxes outside and use the hose along with a small amount of Simple Green and water. I let them soak to make getting off any hardened bits that can't be scooped. After scrubbing them clean, and a good rinse, I leave them to dry in the sun.
People always say they’re surprised when they come to my house cause it never smells like cat or cat litter I scoop it all the time it takes nothing I use sustainably yours & found a method that barely causes any tracking & in super happy
Hard to hear u but we have the simplest set up. We have the breeze litterbox which is so easy to take care of. Doesn't smell & so easy to clean. We scoop her poo daily in a litter lock & throw away the pee pad once a week. I wipe it with a clorx cleanup once a week. I spray her pellets with peroxide daily to disinfect. I also spray the poo once its in the litter locker with vinegar. Tbis keeps the locker from smelling when cleaning it. Works great & she loves it
I have 3 cats. I use Worlds Best Cat litter scoopable litter and scoop every morning and night. If I’m home and they go throughout day I scoop that too. Because I do it often it doesn’t take long and there’s no odor. People are always surprised there are cats in the house. And I have never had a cat go outside the box in 20 plus years.
Really appreciate this! Have been surprised not to find a straight forward but thorough guide including maintenance beyond the daily (multi-daily) scooping. Thanks for this!
Thanks, Mallory! Great video. I'm happy with my system. I use Dr Elsey's Ultra in a large Iris top entry box. The combo almost eliminates litter scatter, so no need for a mat, but I have a little cordless vacuum nearby. My cat is only 14 months old and small, 9 pounds. If she were bigger, or less agile, i would probably use a traditional box, not top entry, but this works for her! I scoop 2 to 3 times a day with a metal scooper that is rather small and flat, almost like an egg turner. I keep a roll of plastic bags from Amazon nearby, and use a new one each time I scoop and tie it closed. It's a lot of bags to use, but at $13 for 350 of them , the cost is minimal. I put the plastic bag of waste into a Vittles Vault airtight container, and on trash pickup day, empty the vault into the garbage. I use the scoop to smooth out the surface of the litter so it is obvious when my cat has used it. A 40 pound bag of Elsey's is good for a month, keeping about 4 inches of it in the box. When it's time for a new bag, I dump the old litter into a garbage bag, hose out the box outdoors, and wash it with a bucket of hot water, unscented dish soap, and a sponge. Rinse, wipe dry, and refill with most of the 40 pound bag, leaving the remainder to top off a couple times before the end of the month. Every once in a while some poop will be stuck to the litter box wall , and I clean it off with a dry paper towel and then wipe with a wet paper towel. Oh, and no gloves. I wash my hands well after.
I use litter box liners that have elasticized sides. They make deep cleaning a snap, because gunk never sticks to the box itself. When ready to change the litter, you just pull off and pitch the liner (with the litter inside it) as you would a trash bag. I still wash out my box with soapy water and a scrub brush every 10 or so days, but I never ever deal with stuck- on messes. The liners I purchase are strong, and my cat’s nails rarely tear them. This is a great method of keeping the box fresh!!
@@AVspectre i was wondering that too bc my kitten destroys the bags i put in there every single time, my previous cats never had this issue but they were adults when i got them 😢
Husband is highly immune compromised so I am the only one that cleans the litter box. You mentioned if someone is pregnant they should not clean the box but I strongly suggest if immune compromised, they should not either.
@@AllAboutCatsYT Thank you. We recently adopted 2 rescue cats, not having a cat in about 30 years. All of your videos have been a big help to us as things have really changed! An example: we got the extra large stainless steel litter boxes. There were only plastic ones before. Love the stainless as it is so easy to keep clean. We also just got a Litter Genie. Love that, too. The biggest help has been in regards to cat food. I stood there at the store looking at all the different kinds and had not a clue what to get. All Abut Cats had great reviews on the subject.
I've been doing it this way for years but now that I have 4 boxes and a 2 story house it's crazy annoying and rough. Definitely going to start doing it outside with the hose! 😅
I use wood pellets and sifting litter box and it is so easy this way. Literally 5 minutes of cleaning and next to no tracing of litter outside. I know it's not the most cat friendly one but she doesn't mind and it works for us.
For those looking for a less expensive bags, dollar tree offers baby diaper bags that come in a blue box 100 in count. I love these, there great. By the Mallory, you are very supportive and friendly coming through for all of us that need extra help and ideas.
Thanks for the info! I didn't know they had those at the dollar tree. I used to buy the regular poop bags for dogs there but they don't seem to carry those anymore ☹️
Very informative vid. Thanks! My wife is down after surgery for the next 6 months recovering so that means I have to do the litter box for our cat. This really helps. Thanks again.
I use a sifting box with a mix of pine pellets and nonclumping clay litter. I do the dog peepad as a liner in bottom tray, a layer of pellets, then the sifter tray with a layer of pellets covered with clay litter. I scoop the poop and use a spoon to lift the large pee clay sections out then push the rest through the sifter. No odors so far and she buries things well. I'm new to pet ownership. So happy that my rehomed cat seems ok with the boxes and litter choice. Her previous owner used nonclumping clay litter. The pellets are new to her. A lot of clean clay litter falls through the sifter. After a week or so, I lift the sifter and set it aside on plastic painters sheet, spoon out used litter in bottom tray, pour remaining clean litter into second tray, change the puppy pad, put the box back together and reuse the clean litter. The Arm&Hammer sifting box has 2 bottom trays, so the swap out is easy. Take 25 minutes tops for 2 boxes.
Thanks for making this video! As a long time cat owner, I do have a few suggestions: 1) use a metal scooper. I used to use the plastic kind and they would break so often when I was scraping the waste off the litter box. Never again! 2) I wouldn’t recommend “scouring “ your plastic litter box. The more scratches you make in the surface, the more bacteria it’s going to harbor in those catches. Use a paper towel or soft cloth to gently clean the litter box. Kudos to you my fellow cat lover 😎
I’m going to be taking on a new pet-sitting job in a couple days and don’t have too much experience with cats, so the detail that you explained everything with in this video was very helpful :)
I use the litter scoop shown at the beginning of the video and have been very happy with it. I use Sustainably Yours clumping litter and a Modkat XL litter box and liners. I clean 2 x a day without gloves and empty the litter genie once a week. My cat eats a raw diet and his poop and urine doesn't smell. He poops a small amount daily and urinates several times a day. I've found between my cats diet and the tools I use keeping a clean non-smelly litter box has been very simple and doesn't take much time to clean. I've never had his waste stick to the liner and only do a deep clean once a quarter.
Thank you for this video. I had to clean out a litter box (1 pan shared by 4 cats) for the first time in my life and felt genuine anxiety. I skipped to the middle, tbh, just for the basics, but it was just what I needed. I did not use gloves.
What has worked brilliantly for our kitten 🐈 Litter Box and Litter - I have a stainless steel litter box with the soft oxocat wood pulp based litter for my kitten. Stainless Steel is an EASY more hygienic option that doesn't hold and harbor odors and bacteria like plastic models, and is super easy to scrub down and disinfect. This litter is very easy on little paws, doesn’t track all over, and clumps like a dream. Liner bags…Jury is out of these, some people love them and others insist don’t use them cause cats hate them. I use them because they make cleanup so much easier, and that’s the only reason. My cat doesn’t seem to notice either way, so there’s that too! Anyways, I put extra large unscented liner bags inside the the stainless steel box before filling with oxocat litter. Then I put the stainless steel, liner wrapped box with litter INSIDE another litter box...the plastic Litter Genie brand rounded plastic box...the one with the handles. (Research it, it's a little hard to find, but it's awesome. I use it to catch some spattered litter and it’s great, it just goes to the bottom, and it’s easy to empty and clean. Disposal...Amazon basic doggy poop bags, put inside of a litter pail. Instead of the litter genie brand kitty poop pail, (which had mixed reviews and very expensive refills) , I got the mini Dekor diaper/litter pail. Super easy to clean, and can use regular kitchen bags as refills if need be, BUT their own brand name mini refill bags were less $$$ than litter genie refills, so that’s great if you go that route. Baking soda in the pail mixed with the litter every time the box is changed Scoop once in the morning once in the evening, and sweep / vacuum litter box area once a day of any loose litter on the floor. Our results- No Odors, clean house, happy kitty and mama! Hope this helps anyone reading 👍🏻
I foster kittens and have had to deal with coccidia. A stainless steel litterbox would be ideal for keeping it sanitized. The plastic box has so many scratches and needs to be sanitized every other day. Unfortunately a stainless steel litterbox is too pricey for me. One day I will invest in one😊
@@tacocat-c a good thing to try is looking on Amazon for a restaurant size steel cooking pan….a lot of them are virtually identical to the ones marketed as cat boxes, and you can save quite a bit of money!
@@jenniferchristopherson I have half heartedly looked at stainless steel serving trays and found them to be the same price. I have full intentions on looking at the local restaurant supply store soon. I have tried many different kinds of litter but none of them have been a match for the amount of cats I have using it. With multiple boxes. I have found the cheapest clumping or straight clay litter ( for the young ones) is the best and empty it completely every day. I have tried to Crystal litter, corn cob litter, paper litter... they all might be good for one or two cats but they are not good for a home full of foster cats.
I use disposable cat boxes inside a larger plastic litter box. I scoop my 3 litterboxes daily for 1 cat. Once a month I lift out the disposable box litter and all and put it into a large double lined trash bag. I install a new disposable litterbox into the plastic litter box and refill. It saves me from having to scrub the permanent litter box once a month. I use a small shopvac to to vacuum the area. I also use litter mats under all 3 cat boxes. My little Nehemiah likes the routine a lot. I use doggie doo bags for daily scooping. I use Arm and Hammer Slide clumping litter which controls odor and clumps very well.
I have 2 extra large litter boxes for 6 cats. I keep and eye on them daily since I am home most all days. No problems with overflows or not going in the boxes. I use Scoop Away or Tidy Cats which are really one in the same. Both are clumping litter. I use a large metal food serving spoon so I can get the small pieces also. since I have only 2 litter boxes I try to keep them as clean as possible without emptying them. Lot of litter being deep. Money is an issue with emptying them. Between food and all else they cost more than me. I do not use gloves, but I do sweep just about every time around the 3 sides of the boxes. One side is against a wall. Love my kids (cats) and they are spoiled.
I use two trash bags placed inside the litter box before placing cat litter. This helps to create the same effect as tilting the litter box I also trim Kitty's Nails every two weeks to prevent tearing of bags.
New cat owner, and I want to know what the best way to care for our new fur baby by cleaning his litter box properly. Thank you for all of the wonderful information!
I use the Modkat Litter Box that comes with liners. So the actual box never gets dirty, and I clean the liner once every month then add fresh litter. Every 3 months I replace it with a fresh liner. I’ve used many many other litter boxes and I just found it such a chore. I love this litter box it’s just so easy. I use scented doggy bags to throw away the clumps everyday, so once it’s in the doggy bag you can no longer smell it when you throw it away into a regular trash can in your house.
May I suggest the Litter Champ cat litter disposal unit? What I love about it is the ease of use. I take the clumps from the litter box and put them in a dog poop bag. The ones I buy are the Earth Rated bags that come on a single roll--each bag just sticks up like a tissue from a Kleenex box. I tie off the used bag, step on the floor pedal of the Litter Champ, which opens the top. I then drop the used bag on the inside flap, which springs open to let the bag drop into the waiting liner below. Everything is tightly sealed until its time to change the liner, which with my two cats, is roughly once a week. The capacity on the unit is 4 gallons. Even changing the liner is easy. I like the Litter Champ because it is hands-free and smells are locked inside. I also much prefer a metal scoop. There is something about the weight of the metal scoop that makes it much easier than a plastic scoop to slide through the litter boxes. And PS. the Doctor Elsies litter is wonderful--eliminates odors, practically dustless and doesn't cling to the sides of the pan
I'm with you on the cleaning, I never put on gloves. grab the scoop, get the clumps, drop in the garbage. never even dawned on me to use gloves, it's not like I'm picking up the clumps with my hands. lately I could use you here to help clean the box out lol. I have a sickly cat that refuses to get her butt fully in the box and ends up going on the entrance wall of the box and on to the mat, rather gross really
I cant watch yet because im at work. But THIS very topic ive been wondering since i brought home my babies 3 months ago! Currently I'm using wipes and letting it dry for 30 min but I'm wondering how often to take the entire thing outside and scrub. Its a plastic sifting pan so I'm all types of confused. Cant wait to dive into this vid on my break. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for this information! I am a new cat mom and it’s been a week since we rescued her. I have an open pan litter box with non scented litter but I find there is an odor so I will go and get a deodorizer tomorrow to help with it. I decide to clean my litter box at night because I find it more therapeutic plus I am not rushing compared in the morning when I have to get up to go to work. I throw out the trash bag with the poop and pee outside because I’m afraid it will cause more odor in my apartment. I see the can you use and I will look into it since we are getting into the cold months and I don’t want to go outside when it’s really cold out. I keep the litter box in the kitchen behind my trash can and I just put a cat shaped mat underneath to prevent litter from going on the floor. It was originally in the living room but I didn’t like it over there and found by the trash made more sense. I’m glad I watched this video completely because I got overwhelmed and I want to make sure I am doing this right because I really love my kitty so much! ❤️
I gave up on plastic scoops years ago, I use a metal slotted spoon from the kitchen, it is sturdy, the pointy end gets into corners and it'd better on small bits.
I use a really fast clumping tofu kitty litter which you can flush down the toilet or put in the compost.. the great thing about it is that if the cat does something smelly you can just flush it straight away! ☺️
Kitties HATE a dirty litter box. I clean my cats litter box at least 4 times a day. I use a natural product that Jackson Galaxy recommends, Sustainably Yours. There is no odor. The litter box is in the bathroom, so easy to scoop out the potty bits placing them in a little garbage bag that you slightly knot. When there is a day or two collection, tie the knot tight and toss out. My cat was rehomed because she was having problems potting outside of their litter boxes, she was one of 8 cats using 2 boxes, she was fighting with the cats. I adopted her with a plan. Veterinarian to assess for illness or bladder infection, bought a large litter box, removed the lid, changed the litter material. It worked. She would yell out if the litter box had potty in it. So…..I clean it often and she is a happy cat that uses her litter box consistently.
I think that she was getting freaked out touching poop and pee with her paws, especially 7 other cats stuff. Keep the litter box clean and your cat will not develop phobias about a litter box full of pee and poo.😉
Very interesting! Thank you for all the information you so unselfishly share. We look forward to your channel each week and love all your tips and tricks of the trade!😻 Thank you!
@@Ang-yl6ob every other day. But I've stopped using the liners lol - a bit cumbersome for me and the cats. I'd recommend "skoon litter", it's been pretty high quality in terms of smell and absorbing pee
Another awesome video, Mallory. Listening to podcasts while cleaning the litterbox is a great suggestion. It made me wish you had a podcast I could listen to; you have such a soothing and calm voice - I could listen to you talk for hours, haha! And you're one of the most knowledgeable people out there on cats. People would flock to it! Has it ever crossed your mind...?
Thank you! At All About Cats, we have thought about adding a cat podcast to the mix, but that's an idea that we'll have to mull over a bit more. I appreciate your support!
Arm and hammer litter box deoderizer and throughly scrooping out with 2 different scrooper one with small holes to get the tiny parts that break off the big chunks when needed, 1 to 2 times a day works for me. 2 cats 3 different jumbo XL litter boxes helps alot too! By the way I saw your 10 best litter boxes and fell in love with the Tuft and Paw 😻 maybe someday at $199.00
I use ziplock sandwich bags for daily cleaning. I have a really large litter box for my one cat so it takes usually two every time I clean it out. You can buy a separate box of them just for daily cleaning so you don't have to worry about your P&J sandwiches being infected with kitty germs. It means I don't have to take out the trash everyday. I use a litter bucket of a litter I no longer use instead of a trash can; I keep this next to the litter box. For inside deep cleaning I just use the shower or tub with bleach or anti-bacterial dish soap after I empty the contents into a trash bag, and let it soak for a few hours when nobody is likely to use the shower or tub; like over the late night hours.
I have a litter locker that I put the waste in. It works perfect and it takes a few weeks for the bag to fill up. It’s also odour free since it traps the smell in.
Idid too. I would like to have an automatic litter box, but the litter robot is way to big. The Pura X would fit in my home, but I am in doubt whether it's good or not. Also compared with the litter robot.
I have a make shift box in the bathroom of my small apartment- his box is a huge tote that he has to, is able to, and is willing to, jump into (when he gets too old for this, I'll switch up) stored in the bathroom. My routine is, when I eliminate waste at home, I also eliminate his, into the regular trash (though the dog poop bags sounds like a better idea); and he's happy with me only cleaning the walls etc as often as I completely refresh. I use baking soda as a deodorizer instead of the charcoal mentioned, coating the bottom and putting some on top for him to mix in himself (he will push it toward the mess in his natural post-elimination exercise). Also, I keep the scoop in a bucket next to the box similar to keeping our toilet brush in a cup by our toilet so it's less likely I can't find it, step in it, etc. Also, I wanted to mention I was researching toilet traing my cat, and found it's illegal in my city, for the pregnancy reason- toilet water goes back to the city, and the parasite may survive the treatment process; cat urine and fecal matter is also bad for plants, so if your cat has used a potted plant as a temporary litter box, do not reuse the soil- throw it away; you may even still lose the plant if you rinse the soil off the roots and repot it.
The one thing I ask is, what could I offer him to "clean his paws" as he may spend long minutes trying to get powder out from under his claws? Maybe a carpet wall-hanging? It could make it quicker, quieter, and even more sanitary... could you test and video your cat's interest in this?
My only experience with clumping litter was over 20 years ago, and scared me away from it. My cat would get the litter stuck to her paws which she would then lick clean. I found significant amounts of it in her feces, clumped up. The thought of her getting a bowel blockage was really frightening. Do you have a comment on that?
My cat had a bowel obstruction and I believe it's due to clay litter (I also did find clay in his feces). After $4k later spent at the vet we're now using pine litter.
@@trunkb73625 Nope. They didn't know what it was because the object had already passed down to the colon and they did not want to surgically open his colon so we just had to wait what he pooped out. 🙂 Please don't assume that you know the whole story. I was cleaning my cat's litter box since he got home from the hospital and all I see him release are clay clumps.
I buy Tidy Cats lightweight litter in the 17 pound pails, and I use the empty pails for litter collection and just dump it in the dumpster when it gets full.
I use dog poop bags and also newspaper. I cut some of it, put everything inside it and throw it out. I don't use gloves during daily cleaning but when I clean the box itself once a month I wear gloves and scrab it with them
I use a storage container, like you might use for putting things in the attic. Cut a door slot in the end, leaving a 3-4 inch lip. Fill with litter. Boy kitty can’t pee outside that set up! Have litter catcher underneath, so on exit, almost all the litter is caught from feet. Honeycomb design is wonderful
I don't use gloves for my cleaning either, I as well wash my hands well afterwards. And I clean daily but I just chunk the clumps out in the woods. We don't put scraps & smelly stuff in our trash cuz we don't have trash p/u. My treat to me is, No Stink. Ha! Great video for a messy chore thanks for the tips.
I am a cat mom and lover. I was also a pet professional for about ten years. I must respectfully object to your suggestion of using a Brillo (steel wool) pad, or a wire brush for cleaning litter boxes. As most - or as far as I know, ALL - litter boxes are made of plastic, these items are way too abrasive, and will damage the plastic to such an extent as to making it virtually impossible to clean sufficiently. The trick is in the litter you choose. A good quality cat litter will rarely - if ever - stick to the sides of the box. To clean and sanitize, all that needs to be done is to remove the litter from the box after scooping, rinse the box under very hot water, spray it down with a 10 - 1 bleach/water solution, wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel, then allow the box to air dry completely before replacing the litter. BTW, I couldn’t help but notice that in the video, you used what I will call a great multitude of paper towels. This is really wasteful and does nothing but add to our landfills. I would suggest instead to keep one or two soft cloth rags for this purpose only. After wiping the box and rinsing the cloths under hot water, they can be tossed in the washer with your normal dirty laundry. 😽
I have 1 indoor cat. Tried clumping litter, but bits would get caught in her paws and I didn't want her ingesting it. I've been using non-clumping litter for years. I also don't have to wash the litter pan because I use a double thick giant trash bag to line the tray. I also us a long handled flexible garden leaf rake with close together tines to clean the litter of solid waste - saves my back. The litter pan is in the bathroom. Since there's very little litter clinging to the poo, I easily flush it down the toilet. The litter is changed about once a week or more often if needed. This routine has served me well for years and my cat has not complained so I guess she also approves.
The coolest thing I’ve ever heard on a cat video "We live in an area with bears…", to a Brit like myself that sounds awesome. I’d never be more than a couple of feet from my cameras.
Right? We have a trailcam a dozen yards or so (err...a dozen meters or so) from the house, and it captures so many creatures you'd never know had passed through, including one particularly huge grizzly and a variety of black and grizzly bears in a variety of shapes, sizes, and personalities. I'm not sure where you are, but I'm captivated by the idea of a few regions of England as well. :-)
@@AllAboutCatsYT I live in Lancashire which was the heart of the cotton industry when we had one. We also have some beautiful countryside with the north being on the edge of the Lake District. Manchester and Liverpool both used to be in Lancashire before they moved the boundaries around. I’m a boomer, 'yards' work for me.
This video is amazing! So much useful tips and information! Thanks a lot for posting it! Can we dispose of the litter flushing it through the toilet? I find that a lot cleaner/easier than to store it on a bin or else. Thanks again! Glad to have found this.
Hi Edith! If it's a biodegradable product that is approved for flushing with either a septic system or municipal water, then you technically CAN flush it. Remember, though, that not all plumbing holds up well when you send cat litter through it, so you'll want to think carefully before doing it!
Oh I think I have the best method! I have two extra large pans and scoop 1-2 times per day… i put the waste into the 35lb plastic pails that some litter comes in (with a tall kitchen drawstring trash bag inside)…when bag is full I take to dumpster (live in condo) and once a month do deep clean where I empty out the boxes and clean them in the bathtub… can’t imagine using a small bowl of water!! I do buy bags of clumping litter so I’m not always buying the plastic pails, just have enough of them to empty, clean, and store the new bagged litter in… they contain smells and are big enough to not struggle putting waste in or emptying the entire litter box… also have a metal scoopthat came with a self stick holder so it’s on the wall above the litter pans
I am so glad you shared this. I have been worried about using so many garbage bags to throw away poop and clumps in. I will start using an old powder laundry bin from Costco and do what you do. Thank you so much !!!!!!
Thank you for the information I appreciate it the problem I have is I'm disabled so I take my top off my hundred cat pan and I used the dawn with a scrubby tool and I have to clean mine in the bathtub and so I don't use the top to take a for myself any ideas
with daily wiping, do you think a lysol wipe is okay? that’s probably toxic right? i don’t use them often on the litter box, only when he leaves poop stains on the outside, like the walls (it’s the tidy cats litter box)
How do you clean your cat's litter box? Do you have any tips or tricks to share with the community? Please let us know about them in the comments!
I use two of the litter boxes that look like big plastic planters complete with artificial palm fronds on top (they’re in the top 10 boxes list). My cats are 18 and 20 lbs-BIG BOYS! So these boxes give them plenty of room!
I then take Husky 42 Gallon Contractor Clean-Up 3-Mil Trash Bags to use as litter pan liners. This eliminates the need to wash the boxes out. They don’t tear like regular liners. I use Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal litter. Then, I scoop and done.
When there are too many crumblies in the pan, I just pull the bags up and out. Replace bags & litter. It takes 5 minutes tops. It’s 0.70 per bag, but saves me two steps and having to get too hands-on with cleaning litter box, so and extra $1.40 per month.
I use clumping litter, what i do is after he uses it, i try to slowly seperate and tilt the clumps esp when the urine clumps that sticks to the bottom, i avoid shaking it or puntching it as it creates more tiny lumps,once its seperated i scoop them and those that sticks to the bottom i wipe with wet wipes to clean the bottom. I find this as a litter save for me as it makes the litter last longer.plus the litter genie is a helpful buddy on the side.
I have one cat and two litter boxes, one very big and one kind of medium sized. One lives in the bathroom and one lives in the second bedroom (but lived in the hallway while we were remodelling the second bedroom and the cat dealt with that really well, so would likely move it in there overnight if we had guests staying). I use wood pellets because my cat used them in the rescue and we like the smell and that it does track tiny crumbs into cracks (it does track a few big pellets around but those are so easy to pick up!). We sift the litter every day, give the litter trays a wipe-down every alternate week and top up the litter, and do a deep clean every other week, completely refreshing the litter. I would recommend not lifting the sifting tray so high from the other tray as that’s how we get sawdusty mess on the floor! My final tip is not very environmentally friendly but it was a lifesaver for us. We found the cat’s urine tended to seep straight through the pellets into the bottom tray. As a solution for this, we put a puppy pad in the bottom tray, and change it x2 a week. It helps control scent, absorb that additional urine and also makes it very easy to dispose of the sawdust!
@MURZBO Why? What does it matter which box(es) they use. Remember, if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. They will let you know the type of litter they prefer.
I used to put the entire litter box in a trash bag, push the air out it and lightly tie, then put the litter on top. When it was time to deep clean, I just pulled and turned the trash bag inside and out and viola. I don't know if I'd do it with our next cat. The crinkly noise may be too distracting for them and I worry cause all my cats seemed to like licking plastic bags for some reason. I'll probably go for the disposable litter boxes. But I'd like to try the litter Genie, too!
my cat watches over me as i do it and i swear she's like, "yea, you clean that nice and well. Heathen.."
😂😂😂
My cat also “supervises” while I clean out her throne.
🤣🤣🤣 mine jumps in as I'm scooping
Youre lucky, mines goes "hey, while you're at it, let me just squeeze in a quick poop or pee, *does this happy poop face* thanks sweety* ~~ thats him
LOL!!!!!!!! YEAH THEY DO THAT A LOT! LOL!
🤣🤣
Doggie waste bags are great for daily scooping! They’re easy to store nearby and also help mask the scent. I use a corn based clumping litter, as the clay litters seem to get me sneezing. I currently have 3 boxes for my 2 cats, and it’s pretty interesting how they have designated different boxes for different bathroom types. For my deep clean: I use a mix of half alcohol & vinegar with some water. Kills everything I want it to without messing with their delicate kitty scent marking.
We use these too - the ones that can’t biodegrade over time. Cheap is hand smell containing. :)
cool
never thought of the doggie bags. thanks for the idea!
I plan to make the cats watch this video as often as it takes until they do a proper cleaning job!
The cats?
Lol
@@debraslagle7321, We had Tonkinese cats that passed away about a year ago. One had figured out how to unlock and open doors. There are strays in the neighborhood that he was friends with. We could not set the alarm system because he might decide to go out to play while we were not home. The police responded to several alarms before we added deadbolt locks that he was unable to open.
Never underestimate the intelligence and determination of a cat.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hahaha
Using a brillo pad or steel wool will only add scratches to the plastic which in turn will capture more urine odor and damage your litter box. There are non-scratch cleaning pads available. That's what I use when I do my deep cleaning of the box, when I dump it all. Usually I let the box soak first with just plain detergent or something like this. I never use bleach unless there's an infectious situation going on. 50/50 white vinegar and water solution works very well for daily cleaning the box behind scooping. This keeps odor down very well. (And keep your box topped off sufficiently.)Tilt the box to one side and scoop from there... tilt the other direction repeat, spraying with the solution and wiping dry with paper towels. Be sure use a very a good scooper and get all the little broken pieces, don't leave any behind and your litter box should stay fresh and clean until it's time to completely dump it all. I used to use the enzyme cleaners for years but they made it stink worse. This is best and doesn't react with the urine at all. Be sure to wipe your litter scooper and in front on the box where the cat steps out. You can use this solution on vomit, on the carpet, etc.
Fabulous tips. Thank you.
Can I ask if bleach is needed for a cat dealing with Giardia??? I'm cleaning the whole litter box every time he poops with antibacterial dish soap, I'm not sure if that's enough...I heard that you'd also have to disinfect the surroundings regularly like daily and I'm wondering if bleach is okay for floor surfaces???
Exactly my thought about the steel wool. I pretty much have the same method for cleaning except that I use baking soda rather than detergent and spray with 50/50 white vinegar before allowing to dry.
@@amozinshade484 I'm not sure about giardia but ammonia is effective for killing coccidia. I have dealt with coccidia a few times (I foster kittens) and soak my litter boxes with an ammonia water solution.
@@amozinshade484 try Rescue Disinfectant, I got mine at Tractor Supply. Safe to use around pets and very effective on a number of things. I had to get some when dealing with ringworm and love it. It's a bit pricey but it comes in a huge bottle that you dilute according to directions on the bottle, so will last a long time.
Litterbox maintenance has gotten a bit more challenging after our cat developed chronic kidney disease & IBD. Her output has increased significantly so I clean several times a day and do an overall change about once a week. I keep sheets all around the room & down the hallway because after she has a bowel movement she sprints down the hall until it detached and drops on the floor. She also wipes on the bed or floor so that’s when I need to wash her tail & bottom. It’s not easy getting older but we are thankful to still have our 18 year old Jazzy.
Aww, you are good to your kitty
Wishing good things to you and Jazzy
Have u tried grain free food
🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
I foster kittens and sometimes they have really bad diarrhea from having worms or being dewormed. I just have additional clean litter boxes laying around so I can quickly give them a new/clean box and I can take my time to clean the dirty box. I do still clean multiple times a day, but it helps if you just don't have time that day. You can quickly swap it out for a clean one.
I've been cleaning my cats'litter boxes for years and years and for some reason it never occurred to me that using the hose and cleaning the boxes outside would be way easier than hauling them up and down the stairs to the bathroom tub 😅😅😅 So thank you for saving me some time!
Love your video, but I wanted to share some information about Toxoplasma Gondii.
A lot of people who are pregnant are afraid of contracting toxoplasmosis from cleaning their cat's/cats' litter box. However, keep in mind that if you don't have mice in your house and your cat is indoor only then they almost definitely don't have toxoplasma gondi to begin with. Cats get the parasite from eating mice, birds, and etc that have the parasite. They shed the virus in their feces for up to two weeks. However, the CDC also says the infected feces aren't infectious until it has been out of the body for for over a day, so daily cleaning will also prevent transmission of the parasite.
How does the parasite enter your body? You consume it. How can you prevent this? You can prevent that by washing your hands after cleaning the litter box.
If you are worried about toxoplasmosis, I would worry less about your litter box and more about cleaning your produce properly, cooking meat all the through (pigs, lamb, wild game), washing your hands after gardening, and drinking clean water.
Thank you for this! I’m kind of shocked that this video perpetuates the myth that it is inherently dangerous for pregnant women to clean the box, especially because it’s so easy to fact check and see that it isn’t true
Sooo the people that get this, weren’t washing their hands after cleaning litter box? 🤭
@@lischellejones Or they didn't wash their hands after gardening, aren't washing their produce properly, are drinking contaminated water, or aren't cooking their meat all the way.
Another point of clarity;
Only women get pregnant
@@scottdunn2178 lol be careful. Here come the SJW lol
beleive me this was VERY VERY HELPFUL TO ME! i adopted 2 adorable stray kitties (they are about 3 months old and growing! ) and i have two litter boxes. i got to get another one because one of them is too small. i keep these babies in my very large bathroom. i keep their litter boxes next to the toilet and they use it which is great for me. i make it a point to clean their litter boxes everyday when i clean the bathroom. i also want to get a better scooper too. but i like that procedure of how to tilt the litter box then scoop out the clumps! very good info!
Amazing! I'm so glad to hear that you found it helpful.
Arm & Hammer Slide litter is great, finally a litter that delivers its promise. Nothing sticks to the bottom of my kitties litter boxes.
But it’s odor control doesn’t work as well as their Clump & Seal.
Is that one unscented? I want to try a new litter but I hate clay litter. I'm currently doing pine litter but not sure if I will keep using it bc I have to scoop it at least twice a day, and if I go away for a few days in the future, the pet sitter will only come once a day to clean it
I use pine pellets in two boxes for my feline friend. I scoop out solids daily. Twice a week, I sift out the sawdust from remaining pellets into the second set of clean boxes. I deep clean by rinsing dust out, spray down with biological cleaner, let it sit, spray simple green, wipe with paper towel, rinse, and then air dry.
I have 3 cats and 5 litter boxes. I do notice that in the winter when everything is closed up, the boxes seem a bit stinkier. I clean with more frequency and also add baking soda to the litter to neutralize any foul odor. For deep cleaning, I take the boxes outside and use the hose along with a small amount of Simple Green and water. I let them soak to make getting off any hardened bits that can't be scooped. After scrubbing them clean, and a good rinse, I leave them to dry in the sun.
People always say they’re surprised when they come to my house cause it never smells like cat or cat litter
I scoop it all the time it takes nothing
I use sustainably yours & found a method that barely causes any tracking & in super happy
Hard to hear u but we have the simplest set up. We have the breeze litterbox which is so easy to take care of. Doesn't smell & so easy to clean. We scoop her poo daily in a litter lock & throw away the pee pad once a week. I wipe it with a clorx cleanup once a week. I spray her pellets with peroxide daily to disinfect. I also spray the poo once its in the litter locker with vinegar. Tbis keeps the locker from smelling when cleaning it. Works great & she loves it
I have 3 cats. I use Worlds Best Cat litter scoopable litter and scoop every morning and night. If I’m home and they go throughout day I scoop that too. Because I do it often it doesn’t take long and there’s no odor. People are always surprised there are cats in the house. And I have never had a cat go outside the box in 20 plus years.
Do you flush or bag?
@@beresfsd - I flush. That’s the best thing about World’s Best.
Really appreciate this! Have been surprised not to find a straight forward but thorough guide including maintenance beyond the daily (multi-daily) scooping. Thanks for this!
You are so awesome for providing such thorough and informative content for cat owners. Keep up the great work!
Yup, as I clean I have my two cats supervising 🐱🐱 the quality I do it too.. And go in the moment it is refreshed to show me thier approval...
Thanks, Mallory! Great video.
I'm happy with my system. I use Dr Elsey's Ultra in a large Iris top entry box. The combo almost eliminates litter scatter, so no need for a mat, but I have a little cordless vacuum nearby. My cat is only 14 months old and small, 9 pounds. If she were bigger, or less agile, i would probably use a traditional box, not top entry, but this works for her!
I scoop 2 to 3 times a day with a metal scooper that is rather small and flat, almost like an egg turner. I keep a roll of plastic bags from Amazon nearby, and use a new one each time I scoop and tie it closed. It's a lot of bags to use, but at $13 for 350 of them , the cost is minimal. I put the plastic bag of waste into a Vittles Vault airtight container, and on trash pickup day, empty the vault into the garbage. I use the scoop to smooth out the surface of the litter so it is obvious when my cat has used it.
A 40 pound bag of Elsey's is good for a month, keeping about 4 inches of it in the box. When it's time for a new bag, I dump the old litter into a garbage bag, hose out the box outdoors, and wash it with a bucket of hot water, unscented dish soap, and a sponge. Rinse, wipe dry, and refill with most of the 40 pound bag, leaving the remainder to top off a couple times before the end of the month.
Every once in a while some poop will be stuck to the litter box wall , and I clean it off with a dry paper towel and then wipe with a wet paper towel. Oh, and no gloves. I wash my hands well after.
I’m hoping to adopt some cats soon but don’t really know what I’m doing with all this stuff! This was really helpful! Thank you for making this!
I use litter box liners that have elasticized sides. They make deep cleaning a snap, because gunk never sticks to the box itself. When ready to change the litter, you just pull off and pitch the liner (with the litter inside it) as you would a trash bag. I still wash out my box with soapy water and a scrub brush every 10 or so days, but I never ever deal with stuck- on messes. The liners I purchase are strong, and my cat’s nails rarely tear them. This is a great method of keeping the box fresh!!
What type/brand do you use? We haven’t been using liners out of concern of claws catching but it is an appealing (to we humans at least) option. :)
I also use a liner, often the bags tear a bit but it still prevents the urine from sticking and makes disposal a lot easier.
@@AVspectre i was wondering that too bc my kitten destroys the bags i put in there every single time, my previous cats never had this issue but they were adults when i got them 😢
Husband is highly immune compromised so I am the only one that cleans the litter box. You mentioned if someone is pregnant they should not clean the box but I strongly suggest if immune compromised, they should not either.
Thank you, Karen. I'd not thought of that, and it's an excellent point.
@@AllAboutCatsYT Thank you. We recently adopted 2 rescue cats, not having a cat in about 30 years. All of your videos have been a big help to us as things have really changed! An example: we got the extra large stainless steel litter boxes. There were only plastic ones before. Love the stainless as it is so easy to keep clean. We also just got a Litter Genie. Love that, too. The biggest help has been in regards to cat food. I stood there at the store looking at all the different kinds and had not a clue what to get. All Abut Cats had great reviews on the subject.
I wash and sanitize my litter boxes in the bathtub. I scoop twice a day. And I couldn’t live without the litter genie.
You sound like me! That’s exactly what I do.
YES
Me too
I've been doing it this way for years but now that I have 4 boxes and a 2 story house it's crazy annoying and rough. Definitely going to start doing it outside with the hose! 😅
That's too much. Of course if you have nothing better to do. Some of us actually work
I use wood pellets and sifting litter box and it is so easy this way. Literally 5 minutes of cleaning and next to no tracing of litter outside. I know it's not the most cat friendly one but she doesn't mind and it works for us.
For those looking for a less expensive bags, dollar tree offers baby diaper bags that come in a blue box 100 in count. I love these, there great. By the Mallory, you are very supportive and friendly coming through for all of us that need extra help and ideas.
Thanks for the info! I didn't know they had those at the dollar tree. I used to buy the regular poop bags for dogs there but they don't seem to carry those anymore ☹️
@@snowchips9596 yes they do have the poop bags for dogs as well..
Very informative vid. Thanks! My wife is down after surgery for the next 6 months recovering so that means I have to do the litter box for our cat. This really helps. Thanks again.
I use a sifting box with a mix of pine pellets and nonclumping clay litter. I do the dog peepad as a liner in bottom tray, a layer of pellets, then the sifter tray with a layer of pellets covered with clay litter. I scoop the poop and use a spoon to lift the large pee clay sections out then push the rest through the sifter. No odors so far and she buries things well.
I'm new to pet ownership. So happy that my rehomed cat seems ok with the boxes and litter choice. Her previous owner used nonclumping clay litter. The pellets are new to her.
A lot of clean clay litter falls through the sifter. After a week or so, I lift the sifter and set it aside on plastic painters sheet, spoon out used litter in bottom tray, pour remaining clean litter into second tray, change the puppy pad, put the box back together and reuse the clean litter. The Arm&Hammer sifting box has 2 bottom trays, so the swap out is easy. Take 25 minutes tops for 2 boxes.
Thanks for making this video! As a long time cat owner, I do have a few suggestions: 1) use a metal scooper. I used to use the plastic kind and they would break so often when I was scraping the waste off the litter box. Never again! 2) I wouldn’t recommend “scouring “ your plastic litter box. The more scratches you make in the surface, the more bacteria it’s going to harbor in those catches. Use a paper towel or soft cloth to gently clean the litter box. Kudos to you my fellow cat lover 😎
Litter scoops make a difference. Quite often the scoops have slots on them that are too wide.
On point 💯👌 all cat parent should watch this video
thank you so much! i'm a new cat owner and needed to know how often i should deep clean the litter box. turns out, i overestimated! awesome! :)
I’m going to be taking on a new pet-sitting job in a couple days and don’t have too much experience with cats, so the detail that you explained everything with in this video was very helpful :)
I use the litter scoop shown at the beginning of the video and have been very happy with it. I use Sustainably Yours clumping litter and a Modkat XL litter box and liners. I clean 2 x a day without gloves and empty the litter genie once a week. My cat eats a raw diet and his poop and urine doesn't smell. He poops a small amount daily and urinates several times a day. I've found between my cats diet and the tools I use keeping a clean non-smelly litter box has been very simple and doesn't take much time to clean. I've never had his waste stick to the liner and only do a deep clean once a quarter.
Thank you for this video.
I had to clean out a litter box (1 pan shared by 4 cats) for the first time in my life and felt genuine anxiety.
I skipped to the middle, tbh, just for the basics, but it was just what I needed.
I did not use gloves.
What has worked brilliantly for our kitten 🐈
Litter Box and Litter -
I have a stainless steel litter box with the soft oxocat wood pulp based litter for my kitten. Stainless Steel is an EASY more hygienic option that doesn't hold and harbor odors and bacteria like plastic models, and is super easy to scrub down and disinfect. This litter is very easy on little paws, doesn’t track all over, and clumps like a dream.
Liner bags…Jury is out of these, some people love them and others insist don’t use them cause cats hate them. I use them because they make cleanup so much easier, and that’s the only reason. My cat doesn’t seem to notice either way, so there’s that too! Anyways, I put extra large unscented liner bags inside the the stainless steel box before filling with oxocat litter.
Then I put the stainless steel, liner wrapped box with litter INSIDE another litter box...the plastic Litter Genie brand rounded plastic box...the one with the handles. (Research it, it's a little hard to find, but it's awesome. I use it to catch some spattered litter and it’s great, it just goes to the bottom, and it’s easy to empty and clean.
Disposal...Amazon basic doggy poop bags, put inside of a litter pail. Instead of the litter genie brand kitty poop pail, (which had mixed reviews and very expensive refills) , I got the mini Dekor diaper/litter pail. Super easy to clean, and can use regular kitchen bags as refills if need be, BUT their own brand name mini refill bags were less $$$ than litter genie refills, so that’s great if you go that route.
Baking soda in the pail mixed with the litter every time the box is changed
Scoop once in the morning once in the evening, and sweep / vacuum litter box area once a day of any loose litter on the floor.
Our results-
No Odors, clean house, happy kitty and mama! Hope this helps anyone reading 👍🏻
I foster kittens and have had to deal with coccidia. A stainless steel litterbox would be ideal for keeping it sanitized. The plastic box has so many scratches and needs to be sanitized every other day. Unfortunately a stainless steel litterbox is too pricey for me. One day I will invest in one😊
@@tacocat-c a good thing to try is looking on Amazon for a restaurant size steel cooking pan….a lot of them are virtually identical to the ones marketed as cat boxes, and you can save quite a bit of money!
@@jenniferchristopherson I have half heartedly looked at stainless steel serving trays and found them to be the same price. I have full intentions on looking at the local restaurant supply store soon. I have tried many different kinds of litter but none of them have been a match for the amount of cats I have using it. With multiple boxes. I have found the cheapest clumping or straight clay litter ( for the young ones) is the best and empty it completely every day. I have tried to Crystal litter, corn cob litter, paper litter... they all might be good for one or two cats but they are not good for a home full of foster cats.
I'm here to step up my litter box cleaning game👍🏻 😆
I brought a Litter Robot and never scoop again, and I have three cats. Expensive but worth every penny.
I use disposable cat boxes inside a larger plastic litter box. I scoop my 3 litterboxes daily for 1 cat. Once a month I lift out the disposable box litter and all and put it into a large double lined trash bag. I install a new disposable litterbox into the plastic litter box and refill. It saves me from having to scrub the permanent litter box once a month. I use a small shopvac to to vacuum the area. I also use litter mats under all 3 cat boxes. My little Nehemiah likes the routine a lot. I use doggie doo bags for daily scooping. I use Arm and Hammer Slide clumping litter which controls odor and clumps very well.
ty im new to having a cat and i am 10 yrs old and this was very helpful ty
Ty this helped me a lot! Its my first time cleaning the litter box 😅😅
It's an honor!
I have 2 extra large litter boxes for 6 cats. I keep and eye on them daily since I am home most all days. No problems with overflows or not going in the boxes. I use Scoop Away or Tidy Cats which are really one in the same. Both are clumping litter. I use a large metal food serving spoon so I can get the small pieces also. since I have only 2 litter boxes I try to keep them as clean as possible without emptying them. Lot of litter being deep. Money is an issue with emptying them. Between food and all else they cost more than me. I do not use gloves, but I do sweep just about every time around the 3 sides of the boxes. One side is against a wall. Love my kids (cats) and they are spoiled.
I use two trash bags placed inside the litter box before placing cat litter. This helps to create the same effect as tilting the litter box I also trim Kitty's Nails every two weeks to prevent tearing of bags.
New cat owner, and I want to know what the best way to care for our new fur baby by cleaning his litter box properly. Thank you for all of the wonderful information!
Glad it was helpful, Chelsea!
How enlightening I was using alot alot of water indoors I'll do it like you do which I resonate with from now onwards thanks 😊
❤❤❤❤❤❤. Thanks for the love to teach us
Very excited to see the Petkit Pura X in the background! I can’t wait for the review 😸
I use the Modkat Litter Box that comes with liners. So the actual box never gets dirty, and I clean the liner once every month then add fresh litter. Every 3 months I replace it with a fresh liner. I’ve used many many other litter boxes and I just found it such a chore. I love this litter box it’s just so easy. I use scented doggy bags to throw away the clumps everyday, so once it’s in the doggy bag you can no longer smell it when you throw it away into a regular trash can in your house.
I am glad I found this video, I was wondering if I clean litter box in right way. I found very useful information here ❤❤❤
Glad it was helpful!
I clean my cat’s litter box 3 to 4 times a day and I empty it out once a week! I always make sure my cat’s litter box is clean
You sound like a great cat parent 🥹
@@C.C-e4n thank you!
I’m pet sitting this week and this really helped a lot
Multi cat Slide is the best litter u can get!! Never gone back to anything else 🙂
May I suggest the Litter Champ cat litter disposal unit? What I love about it is the ease of use. I take the clumps from the litter box and put them in a dog poop bag. The ones I buy are the Earth Rated bags that come on a single roll--each bag just sticks up like a tissue from a Kleenex box. I tie off the used bag, step on the floor pedal of the Litter Champ, which opens the top. I then drop the used bag on the inside flap, which springs open to let the bag drop into the waiting liner below. Everything is tightly sealed until its time to change the liner, which with my two cats, is roughly once a week. The capacity on the unit is 4 gallons. Even changing the liner is easy. I like the Litter Champ because it is hands-free and smells are locked inside. I also much prefer a metal scoop. There is something about the weight of the metal scoop that makes it much easier than a plastic scoop to slide through the litter boxes. And PS. the Doctor Elsies litter is wonderful--eliminates odors, practically dustless and doesn't cling to the sides of the pan
I'm with you on the cleaning, I never put on gloves. grab the scoop, get the clumps, drop in the garbage. never even dawned on me to use gloves, it's not like I'm picking up the clumps with my hands. lately I could use you here to help clean the box out lol. I have a sickly cat that refuses to get her butt fully in the box and ends up going on the entrance wall of the box and on to the mat, rather gross really
i'm surprised about the uproar about wearing gloves... i thought it was pretty normal not to
To be fair, some of these comments were probably referring to touching "clumps" (clean litter and water) with bare hands.
I just got cats.. I haven't used gloves. Should I?
No way! How can you reason putting your bare hands straight into doodoo??
No! Please use gloves! It’s a germy world!
I cant watch yet because im at work. But THIS very topic ive been wondering since i brought home my babies 3 months ago! Currently I'm using wipes and letting it dry for 30 min but I'm wondering how often to take the entire thing outside and scrub. Its a plastic sifting pan so I'm all types of confused. Cant wait to dive into this vid on my break. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for this information! I am a new cat mom and it’s been a week since we rescued her. I have an open pan litter box with non scented litter but I find there is an odor so I will go and get a deodorizer tomorrow to help with it. I decide to clean my litter box at night because I find it more therapeutic plus I am not rushing compared in the morning when I have to get up to go to work. I throw out the trash bag with the poop and pee outside because I’m afraid it will cause more odor in my apartment. I see the can you use and I will look into it since we are getting into the cold months and I don’t want to go outside when it’s really cold out.
I keep the litter box in the kitchen behind my trash can and I just put a cat shaped mat underneath to prevent litter from going on the floor. It was originally in the living room but I didn’t like it over there and found by the trash made more sense. I’m glad I watched this video completely because I got overwhelmed and I want to make sure I am doing this right because I really love my kitty so much! ❤️
I gave up on plastic scoops years ago, I use a metal slotted spoon from the kitchen, it is sturdy, the pointy end gets into corners and it'd better on small bits.
Awesome!
I use a really fast clumping tofu kitty litter which you can flush down the toilet or put in the compost.. the great thing about it is that if the cat does something smelly you can just flush it straight away! ☺️
what’s the name of it? do you have a link? ♡♡♡
I'm new to cats. This helped a lot! Thanks for the information.
I'm so glad!
I don’t get why anyone in their right mind would THUMB a video like this “down”.
Thank you this is going to be very useful. Also can wait till the next live stream with the Veterinarian they are very informative.
Thanks for this video! As a new cat mom and waking up this morning to a very stinky downstairs, some very helpful tips in here!
Kitties HATE a dirty litter box. I clean my cats litter box at least 4 times a day. I use a natural product that Jackson Galaxy recommends, Sustainably Yours. There is no odor. The litter box is in the bathroom, so easy to scoop out the potty bits placing them in a little garbage bag that you slightly knot. When there is a day or two collection, tie the knot tight and toss out. My cat was rehomed because she was having problems potting outside of their litter boxes, she was one of 8 cats using 2 boxes, she was fighting with the cats. I adopted her with a plan. Veterinarian to assess for illness or bladder infection, bought a large litter box, removed the lid, changed the litter material. It worked. She would yell out if the litter box had potty in it. So…..I clean it often and she is a happy cat that uses her litter box consistently.
I think that she was getting freaked out touching poop and pee with her paws, especially 7 other cats stuff. Keep the litter box clean and your cat will not develop phobias about a litter box full of pee and poo.😉
Very helpful as I am a new kitten parent, thank you!
Very interesting! Thank you for all the information you so unselfishly share. We look forward to your channel each week and love all your tips and tricks of the trade!😻 Thank you!
Always enjoy watching Mallory's videos - even when she is cleaning a cat box :)
Thanks for the detailed discussion you put forward with parctical demonstrations. Really needed that.
I've been using litterbox liners I found on Amazon. Scratch-resistent. Greatly reduce the amount of times the litterbox itself has to be cleaned.
How often do you clean
@@Ang-yl6ob every other day. But I've stopped using the liners lol - a bit cumbersome for me and the cats.
I'd recommend "skoon litter", it's been pretty high quality in terms of smell and absorbing pee
Another awesome video, Mallory. Listening to podcasts while cleaning the litterbox is a great suggestion. It made me wish you had a podcast I could listen to; you have such a soothing and calm voice - I could listen to you talk for hours, haha! And you're one of the most knowledgeable people out there on cats. People would flock to it! Has it ever crossed your mind...?
Thank you! At All About Cats, we have thought about adding a cat podcast to the mix, but that's an idea that we'll have to mull over a bit more. I appreciate your support!
Arm and hammer litter box deoderizer and throughly scrooping out with 2 different scrooper one with small holes to get the tiny parts that break off the big chunks when needed, 1 to 2 times a day works for me. 2 cats 3 different jumbo XL litter boxes helps alot too! By the way I saw your 10 best litter boxes and fell in love with the Tuft and Paw 😻 maybe someday at $199.00
After the cleaning process, I spray PAM in the empty litterbox to minimize the sticking/gunk accumulation. It really helps !
That’s so clever. The sticking to the bottom of the box is one of my pet peeves of litter. I think I’ll spray the scoop too and see if it helps.
iT DID /DOES HELP WITH PLASTIC AND METAL SCOOPS.
May I ask what is PAM? 😅
@@imxalaa It's a non-stick cooking spray 😂. This is genius!
I use ziplock sandwich bags for daily cleaning. I have a really large litter box for my one cat so it takes usually two every time I clean it out. You can buy a separate box of them just for daily cleaning so you don't have to worry about your P&J sandwiches being infected with kitty germs. It means I don't have to take out the trash everyday. I use a litter bucket of a litter I no longer use instead of a trash can; I keep this next to the litter box.
For inside deep cleaning I just use the shower or tub with bleach or anti-bacterial dish soap after I empty the contents into a trash bag, and let it soak for a few hours when nobody is likely to use the shower or tub; like over the late night hours.
I have a litter locker that I put the waste in. It works perfect and it takes a few weeks for the bag to fill up. It’s also odour free since it traps the smell in.
I have 4 cats so I have 4 litter boxes, I clean them out every week, I use mild cleaner that is safe, I scoop every other day and use clumping
Thank you for that, ♥️💕💕💕I always scoop litter box four Times per day🙈stay safe 💖
Wow, you're a diligent pooper scooper! Good work!
Yay! Dr. Elsey's ultra cat litter! I take my kitties to his All Cat Clinic in southern Denver Colorado.
I use a plastic pale from ice cream put bag in and close lid for litter waste put in front while scooping less mess and cuts smell with lid on
Good idea! Thanks for sharing.
I spotted the petkit pura X, I can’t wait to see how Wessie fits in it and your thoughts on it when compared to the litter robot!
Yes, I’d love to know how they compare. We use the Litter Robot but would like to add a 2nd box for our 2 cats. Thanks!
Idid too. I would like to have an automatic litter box, but the litter robot is way to big. The Pura X would fit in my home, but I am in doubt whether it's good or not. Also compared with the litter robot.
Thanks! We will be reviewing it very soon.
Litter Genie is the BEST.
I have a make shift box in the bathroom of my small apartment- his box is a huge tote that he has to, is able to, and is willing to, jump into (when he gets too old for this, I'll switch up) stored in the bathroom. My routine is, when I eliminate waste at home, I also eliminate his, into the regular trash (though the dog poop bags sounds like a better idea); and he's happy with me only cleaning the walls etc as often as I completely refresh. I use baking soda as a deodorizer instead of the charcoal mentioned, coating the bottom and putting some on top for him to mix in himself (he will push it toward the mess in his natural post-elimination exercise). Also, I keep the scoop in a bucket next to the box similar to keeping our toilet brush in a cup by our toilet so it's less likely I can't find it, step in it, etc.
Also, I wanted to mention I was researching toilet traing my cat, and found it's illegal in my city, for the pregnancy reason- toilet water goes back to the city, and the parasite may survive the treatment process; cat urine and fecal matter is also bad for plants, so if your cat has used a potted plant as a temporary litter box, do not reuse the soil- throw it away; you may even still lose the plant if you rinse the soil off the roots and repot it.
The one thing I ask is, what could I offer him to "clean his paws" as he may spend long minutes trying to get powder out from under his claws? Maybe a carpet wall-hanging? It could make it quicker, quieter, and even more sanitary... could you test and video your cat's interest in this?
My only experience with clumping litter was over 20 years ago, and scared me away from it. My cat would get the litter stuck to her paws which she would then lick clean. I found significant amounts of it in her feces, clumped up. The thought of her getting a bowel blockage was really frightening. Do you have a comment on that?
@MURZBO eventually pine.
My cat had a bowel obstruction and I believe it's due to clay litter (I also did find clay in his feces). After $4k later spent at the vet we're now using pine litter.
@@renda4806 I’m glad he’s okay. 🙂
@@renda4806 pretty sure if there was a giant clump of clay litter obstructing your cats bowel the vet would have told you that
@@trunkb73625 Nope. They didn't know what it was because the object had already passed down to the colon and they did not want to surgically open his colon so we just had to wait what he pooped out. 🙂
Please don't assume that you know the whole story.
I was cleaning my cat's litter box since he got home from the hospital and all I see him release are clay clumps.
I buy Tidy Cats lightweight litter in the 17 pound pails, and I use the empty pails for litter collection and just dump it in the dumpster when it gets full.
I had two litter boxes for my cat in one bedroom apartment but quickly switched back to one as it's way less hassle and she doesn't seem to mind
Great video, thanks for showing me the right way to clean up after my pair…you are the cats pajamas!
Aww, thank you, Christine! 😸😸
I use dog poop bags and also newspaper. I cut some of it, put everything inside it and throw it out. I don't use gloves during daily cleaning but when I clean the box itself once a month I wear gloves and scrab it with them
I use a storage container, like you might use for putting things in the attic. Cut a door slot in the end, leaving a 3-4 inch lip. Fill with litter. Boy kitty can’t pee outside that set up! Have litter catcher underneath, so on exit, almost all the litter is caught from feet. Honeycomb design is wonderful
I don't use gloves for my cleaning either, I as well wash my hands well afterwards. And I clean daily but I just chunk the clumps out in the woods. We don't put scraps & smelly stuff in our trash cuz we don't have trash p/u. My treat to me is, No Stink. Ha! Great video for a messy chore thanks for the tips.
I am a cat mom and lover. I was also a pet professional for about ten years.
I must respectfully object to your suggestion of using a Brillo (steel wool) pad, or a wire brush for cleaning litter boxes. As most - or as far as I know, ALL - litter boxes are made of plastic, these items are way too abrasive, and will damage the plastic to such an extent as to making it virtually impossible to clean sufficiently.
The trick is in the litter you choose. A good quality cat litter will rarely - if ever - stick to the sides of the box. To clean and sanitize, all that needs to be done is to remove the litter from the box after scooping, rinse the box under very hot water, spray it down with a 10 - 1 bleach/water solution, wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel, then allow the box to air dry completely before replacing the litter.
BTW, I couldn’t help but notice that in the video, you used what I will call a great multitude of paper towels. This is really wasteful and does nothing but add to our landfills. I would suggest instead to keep one or two soft cloth rags for this purpose only. After wiping the box and rinsing the cloths under hot water, they can be tossed in the washer with your normal dirty laundry. 😽
What litter do you recommend
Great video. Very helpful Thanks. 🐈🐾
I have 1 indoor cat. Tried clumping litter, but bits would get caught in her paws and I didn't want her ingesting it. I've been using non-clumping litter for years. I also don't have to wash the litter pan because I use a double thick giant trash bag to line the tray. I also us a long handled flexible garden leaf rake with close together tines to clean the litter of solid waste - saves my back. The litter pan is in the bathroom. Since there's very little litter clinging to the poo, I easily flush it down the toilet. The litter is changed about once a week or more often if needed. This routine has served me well for years and my cat has not complained so I guess she also approves.
I love the litter lifter. Have been using it for years.
The coolest thing I’ve ever heard on a cat video "We live in an area with bears…", to a Brit like myself that sounds awesome. I’d never be more than a couple of feet from my cameras.
Right? We have a trailcam a dozen yards or so (err...a dozen meters or so) from the house, and it captures so many creatures you'd never know had passed through, including one particularly huge grizzly and a variety of black and grizzly bears in a variety of shapes, sizes, and personalities. I'm not sure where you are, but I'm captivated by the idea of a few regions of England as well. :-)
@@AllAboutCatsYT I live in Lancashire which was the heart of the cotton industry when we had one. We also have some beautiful countryside with the north being on the edge of the Lake District. Manchester and Liverpool both used to be in Lancashire before they moved the boundaries around.
I’m a boomer, 'yards' work for me.
Wooden litter + sifting box = the best thing that happened to me as a tired cat mom.
Happy to hear that you've found something that works so well!
Oh! I was getting rid of all the litter every two days. I was like, dang this is getting expensive 😂
This video is amazing! So much useful tips and information! Thanks a lot for posting it!
Can we dispose of the litter flushing it through the toilet? I find that a lot cleaner/easier than to store it on a bin or else.
Thanks again! Glad to have found this.
Hi Edith! If it's a biodegradable product that is approved for flushing with either a septic system or municipal water, then you technically CAN flush it. Remember, though, that not all plumbing holds up well when you send cat litter through it, so you'll want to think carefully before doing it!
this was so helpful, thankyou!!
Oh I think I have the best method! I have two extra large pans and scoop 1-2 times per day… i put the waste into the 35lb plastic pails that some litter comes in (with a tall kitchen drawstring trash bag inside)…when bag is full I take to dumpster (live in condo) and once a month do deep clean where I empty out the boxes and clean them in the bathtub… can’t imagine using a small bowl of water!! I do buy bags of clumping litter so I’m not always buying the plastic pails, just have enough of them to empty, clean, and store the new bagged litter in… they contain smells and are big enough to not struggle putting waste in or emptying the entire litter box… also have a metal scoopthat came with a self stick holder so it’s on the wall above the litter pans
I am so glad you shared this. I have been worried about using so many garbage bags to throw away poop and clumps in. I will start using an old powder laundry bin from Costco and do what you do. Thank you so much !!!!!!
@@sonflower1118 so glad to help!
Would you consider doing a review on cat backpacks?
Soon!
Thank you for the information I appreciate it the problem I have is I'm disabled so I take my top off my hundred cat pan and I used the dawn with a scrubby tool and I have to clean mine in the bathtub and so I don't use the top to take a for myself any ideas
Thank you for the information
with daily wiping, do you think a lysol wipe is okay? that’s probably toxic right? i don’t use them often on the litter box, only when he leaves poop stains on the outside, like the walls (it’s the tidy cats litter box)
I wouldn't recommend a Lysol wipe. A baby wipe would actually be the best option!