Cleaning the litter tray

Written by Indy | July 29, 2025

Having a clean litter tray is essential for your cat’s wellbeing. Cats are naturally clean animals and highly sensitive to hygiene. A dirty litter tray may cause your cat to do its business elsewhere, which can lead to stress and behavioural problems. It’s therefore very important to establish a regular cleaning routine. Read on to find out how to keep the litter tray fresh and clean!

Cleaning the litter tray: Step by step

Regularly cleaning the litter tray is one of the most important tasks for any cat owner. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to keeping it clean:

Remove clumps daily: Use a litter scoop to remove clumps and waste every day. This helps prevent unpleasant odours and ensures your cat continues to use the litter tray.
Add fresh litter: After scooping, top up the tray with a small amount of fresh litter. This keeps the layer thick enough for your cat to dig comfortably.
Weekly clean: Empty the litter tray completely at least once a week. Wash the tray with warm water and a mild detergent — avoid strong-smelling chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as these can deter your cat. Make sure the tray is thoroughly dry before adding fresh litter.

Tip: Replace the tray: Replace the litter tray itself at least once a year. Over time, scratches and cracks can develop, creating places for bacteria to accumulate.

Cleaning the litter tray: Step by step Regularly cleaning the litter tray is one of the most important tasks for any cat owner. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to keeping it clean: Remove clumps daily: Use a litter scoop to remove clumps and waste every day. This helps prevent unpleasant odours and ensures your cat continues to use the litter tray. Add fresh litter: After scooping, top up the tray with a small amount of fresh litter. This keeps the layer thick enough for your cat to dig comfortably. Weekly clean: Empty the litter tray completely at least once a week. Wash the tray with warm water and a mild detergent — avoid strong-smelling chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as these can deter your cat. Make sure the tray is thoroughly dry before adding fresh litter. Tip: Replace the tray: Replace the litter tray itself at least once a year. Over time, scratches and cracks can develop, creating places for bacteria to accumulate.

Automatic Litter Boxes

Automatic litter boxes are becoming increasingly popular, especially among owners who have little time to clean the box daily. These litter boxes detect when your cat has used them and automatically remove the clumps. This means less work for you and a consistently clean box for your cat.

However, not all cats are equally enthusiastic about automatic systems, particularly because of the noise they may produce or the movements inside the box. It is important to introduce your cat to these systems gradually, so they become familiar with them.

Another advantage of automatic litter boxes is that they can control odours more effectively, as waste is removed immediately. Although they are somewhat more expensive to purchase, the time you save on cleaning can easily make up for it. In addition, they are often equipped with filters and odour control mechanisms, which is an added benefit for the smell in the home.

Automatic Litter Boxes

How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?

The number of litter boxes you need depends on how many cats you have. The general rule is: one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, it is ideal to have three litter boxes. This helps prevent stress in your cats, especially in multi-cat households where territorial behaviour may occur.

Cats can sometimes be territorial about their litter box, particularly if they have to share it with another cat. By placing extra boxes in the home, you give each cat the space to relieve themselves without worrying about the presence of other cats. It is also important to place the boxes in different quiet areas of the home, so that each cat has access to a clean and safe place.

Comfortable Litter Boxes

Maintaining the litter box is an essential part of caring for a healthy and happy cat. By following a daily routine, performing weekly cleanings, and investing in an automatic litter box if needed, you ensure that both you and your cat can enjoy a clean and odour-free environment. Having the right number of litter boxes per cat also helps prevent stress and behavioural issues, contributing to a harmonious household. A clean litter box is a small effort that makes a big difference to your cat’s well-being!