Covered Litter Boxes… an Odor Trap?
Litter boxes, most people dread them, despite loving their feline family members.
We try everything; scented litter, unscented litter, clumping litter, crystals, pine, wheat, paper, walnut, you name it! We all have our preferences, but one thing remains consistent… they all go in a box, but which do you choose?
In my experience as a cat-mom, previous guinea pig herd mom (I’ll make this connection later), and Pro Companion Animal sitter, I’ve realized that even more importantly than the litter you use, is the type of box you choose.
When I was a guinea pig mom (my girls have all since passed of old age, the eldest being Blondie, our namesake, at 7.5 years old) to a herd of four, I learned that piggies go potty against walls, and under covered spaces (they require little”houses” to hide under). When I would lift these houses to clean under them, I realized their bedding would never air dry like the rest of their living space, because no air was getting in.
The same logic applies to any type of covered litter box. Yes, some litter will trap odor better than others (I prefer unscented clumping), but the biggest factor that I’ve found regarding odor control, and cleanliness other than daily cleaning, has been whether or not the box is covered.
Covered boxes seem like they’ll be convenient as they’ll give your kitty privacy, you don’t have to look at it, and they’ll cover odor (or so we’re told), but let’s be honest, cats use the bathroom in front of you while you’re cleaning the it, so that takes care of one concern. You don’t want to see it? I don’t have a great suggestion for this, but I bought cute shaped boxes for my girls (the shape almost looks like a car seat, but spacey), so at least they’re attractive? Plus they’re in the bathroom at my home, where going to the bathroom is expected. Search the net for something other than your traditional rectangle of a box! As far as odor goes, here’s the big suggestion…
Take the top off the box!
I’m telling you, get the air flowing! The urine will clump in the box if you have clumping litter, if you have non-clumping, no worries! Either way, it will dry! When you cover liquid (urine in this case), it stays wet indefinitely, causing a strong ammonia odor, which your cats have to inhale while using their box, and step in wet litter… pretty yuck once you think about it… plus tracking wet pee through the house (dry tracking isn’t great, but definitely preferred!). Also, eventually the ammonia odor will seep out into the home, and that’s not healthy for anyone. Poop will still smell, but only initially.
So try ditching the cover for a week, and see what you think of the difference! If you try it, leave a comment in the Blondie’s Buddies Facebook group (look for this post!), letting us know what your thoughts were afterward!
Thank you,
Ashley J. Hughes
