How Often Should You Clean Your Cat's Litter Box?

How fun is it to clean the litter box? Unfortunately, if you own an indoor cat, it's a necessity to keep up with this chore otherwise, it will become an uncomfortable reminder that you do indeed own a cat and anyone that comes into your home will know it to. Cats make wonderful pets but you don't necessarily want the strong ammonia smell that stagnant urine brings to be clouding the air you breathe. Not only is it unpleasant but it can actually make you sick not to mention all the little rock formations that crowd your kitties sand box and leaves no room for more deposits. Some cats simply decide it's too dirty and go somewhere you don't want them to go.

Cat's are extremely clean and intelligent animals and somehow instinctively know what a litter box is and how to use it. When we first got our kitty, she was about 6 weeks old and the tiniest little thing. We went out and got her a small disposable box and larger hard plastic litter box. One to use while she was small and one to transition to as she grew. When we got home, we filled the disposable one with litter and decided to go ahead and put the rest of the litter in the big box and save it until later. Our little 6 week old kitty too a huge leap inside the big box, did her thing, covered it up, and jumped right out as if she's been doing it for years. We were all amazed just how intuitive she was.

So, how often should you "scoop" the litter box? Once a day, once a week, once a month? And, how often should you change the litter completely? I guess that all depends on how strong a smell you're willing to live with. Here's another consideration; when you don't clean the litter box on a regular basis, your cat is spreading feces and urine via his paws all over your house. Everything he touches with his feet; your bed, your couch, your chairs, everything is being contaminated by his paws. So, here's my advice, scoop your cats litter box daily, and change the litter completely weekly. This should ensure that the box and your kitties feet stay nice and clean.

There is one alternative that you could do if you really hate cleaning the litter box. Somebody invented a self-cleaning litter box that does the work for you so you don't have to. It's actually very ingenious and works with a sensor to detect when your cat has used his litter box. When the cat exists the litter box, the automatic self-cleaning mechanism kicks in and sweeps a rake-like device under and over the entire length of the box. When it gets to the end, it lifts up out of the litter and scoops the little rocks of urine and feces into a receptacle that you just pick up and dispose when it becomes full. Your cats box always stays clean and fresh instantly after using it.