7 clever tricks to reduce litter tray odour and clutter: baking soda can help, but only if you scoop regularly

No one likes the smell of a neglected litter tray. Neither the owners nor the cats. So that this won't be a problem from now on, we show you some tips and tricks with which you can achieve the greatest success with the smallest energy investment.

Here we already discussed in detail about the basic things to pay attention in relation to the litter tray, and here we reported on the types of litter you can choose from. Today we will talk specifically about what to pay attention to so that the cleaning of the litter tray is efficient, and the cat is satisfied.

1. Shovel daily

Our first and most important tip, if you want odor-free litter and a fresh-smelling apartment, is to shovel out the tray at least once a day. If your cat goes to the toilet several times a day, it may even be several times. If the tray is clean, peeing and pooping outside of it can be avoided. So you basically kill two birds with one stone. Plus, if you think about it, it’s much easier to deal with a smaller amount at once.

2. Wash the tray thoroughly

Take the time once a month to completely empty the litter tray and wash it thoroughly. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents, as their smell may deter the cat from using them. The best for this purpose is a simple, disinfecting dishwashing liquid or general cleaning agent. If the tray is clean, you can also add fresh litter.

3. Take care of accidents too

If for some reason the cat has missed the target and you discover the crime scene, you have no time to lose. Because the longer the excrement or urine sits on the floor or in any area, the stinkier it will be. And unfortunately the less likely it is to remove it without an odor or a trace. But you don’t have to panic even if you didn’t notice it in time! Here we wrote about how and with what you can effectively clean cat pee from different surfaces.

4. Baking soda is the ace of litter tray cleaning and cats will tolerate it

If, despite the above measures, it still isn’t the real thing, try sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the tray. And then put the litter on the top. If necessary, you can even wash the tray weekly and replace the entire amount of litter in it. It may seem like a lot of work, but if you include it in your house cleaning routine, you won’t even have to think about it twice. It will seem natural that it is also part of your routine.

Baking soda is a great odor neutralizer and won’t irritate your cat, while the same cannot be said for perfumes or other fragrances. Please, do not use such a thing under any circumstances, it will only achieve the opposite!

5. Location and ventilation

A bit of an underrated tip, but in our experience it counts for a lot. It is worth placing the litter tray in a place that is not busy, easily accessible and where ventilation is possible. Odors tend to be “trapped” in small and closed areas, so they can be felt much more intensely.

We repeated it to the point of boredom, but we’ll say it again anyway. The amount of litter trays can be calculated using the following simple formula: number of cats +1 = number of litter trays. It may seem unnecessary to buy another litter tray, but give it a try. You will definitely see the difference. Make sure not to place the trays next to each other!

6. Size matters

The less the cat can fit in the tray, the more uncomfortable it will be and the more likely it will be to do its business elsewhere. The tray should be at least as long as the cat from the tip of its nose to the end of its extended tail. And one side should be lower so that it is easier for it to step into it.

7. Change the tray regularly

And last but not least, it is worth noting that scratching also wears down the litter tray, so they must be changed regularly. After a point, these scratches and cracks become a breeding ground for bacteria, making thorough cleaning impossible.