January 16, 2025, 9:36 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Daily, weekly, or less often? When it comes to litter in the litter tray, everyone has their own rhythm. But how often is a change recommended? There is no general answer to this question, as many factors play a role. PETBOOK presents the most important ones.
Let’s be honest: How often do you change the litter in your cat’s litter box? Daily, every week, once a month? Cat owners seem to have very different opinions and views on this. It is no wonder that there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. The manufacturer’s instructions are often not helpful either. For example: “Replace the litter when the granules no longer absorb properly.”
How often you should change the litter in the litter tray depends on various factors. Ultimately, it is also a personal preference. However, there are a few key points that you should follow to ensure that your cat feels comfortable when going to the toilet.
Type of Litter
How often you should change the litter in the litter tray depends mainly on the type of litter. Many cat owners prefer to use clumping litter. This allows for easy daily removal of urine and feces. Instead of changing all the litter, it is often sufficient to refill it. Nevertheless, crumbs of urine clumps accumulate over time, so the litter should be completely replaced at least once a month.
Non-clumping litter typically requires more frequent complete changes than clumping litter. This is because only the cat’s feces are removed, while the urine is absorbed by the litter. Although this helps prevent odor build-up, you cannot simply add fresh litter on top, so it’s advisable to change it every few days.
Litter Material
Depending on the material the litter is made of, it may need to be changed more or less frequently. This is mainly due to the odor-binding properties. Mineral litter generally binds the odor somewhat better than products made from wood fibers. However, there are now also major differences in the market here. One thing is certain: If we as humans already detect a distinct urine odor from the litter box, despite the removal of the cat’s waste, the smell is even more offensive to the animals. A complete change is needed here.
Number of Litter Trays
The more toilets the cat has available, the better the litter will be distributed, and the less often a complete change of litter will be necessary. The golden rule is one litter box per cat plus one extra. This means that two cats should have at least three litter trays available. If you have the space, you should provide even more toilets.
Cat Preferences
Even if you remove urine and feces regularly, urine odor can develop over time. Some cats react very sensitively. In this case, it may be necessary to change the litter in the litter tray more frequently. Especially if the cat sits in front of the litter box meowing despite it being recently cleaned, a change may be necessary. You should, therefore, keep a close eye on your pet. Some cats even become unclean if the toilet seems “too dirty” to them.
Filling Level of the Litter
The filling level of the litter is also a factor. There are different preferences here. Manufacturers generally recommend a filling height of about two inches. This prevents the cat’s paws from sinking into the litter, which means less litter sticks to the animal’s fur. This is particularly important for kittens, as they may ingest excessive amounts of litter during grooming, potentially causing health issues. However, some owners opt for a deeper layer of litter, as this can extend the time between refills, especially with clumping litter.
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The Right Way to Change the Litter in the Litter Tray
If you’re doing a complete litter change, you should also take the opportunity to thoroughly clean the litter box. Often, rinsing the container with very hot water is sufficient. Stubborn deposits of litter and urine can usually be removed easily after a brief soak.
Please do not use harsh cleaning agents. If hot water is not enough, choose an odorless neutral cleaner. Strong odors from cleaning agents can also be a reason why cats suddenly avoid the litter box.