Hi, I am a first time cat owner, initially cat-sitting for a friend until they can find a new owner. My place is small and unfortunately I have to keep the litter box in my room. In a way, it is convenient for me to incorporate it in my routine because I always see it when I wake up and before I go to bed.
It is an enclosed litter box and I scoop it once in the morning and once in the evening every day. For the first week I did not mind it; it was never in my way and it did not smell. But I am nearing the second week and I am not sure if my room is starting to smell since my nose is used to it. Even if it doesnt smell so bad, it kind of smells inside the box and I am not sure if I should clean it all out yet or if it is still bearable for the cat.
I clean my room every day and throw the poop in the garbage outside right away. My windows are open and I occasionally have a fan on to circulate the air. After every time I scoop the poop and urine from the box, I mix it a bit so the litter on the sides can mask the smell. But sometimes I clean it too early and the urine clumps have little clumps around it and it is harder to scoop. I am worried these tiny clumps will cause make it smell more. The cat also only eats dry food.
I have been following my friend's routine of using about 3 inches of kitty litter (she says the cat likes to really bury the stuff) and sticking to the same brand (Special Kitty clumping litter with odour control). She said if it starts to smell I can add a scoop of fresh litter to mask the odour. And to change the whole thing every three weeks. She would also sometimes not clean the box for three to four days (max). But being the neat-freak that I am I don't think I can let it slip that easily.
Does this sound like a good routine? I don't want to change it drastically in case the cat won't like it. What are some ways I can control the odour even if I can't notice it in my room and in the box? Am I missing something here? I am hoping the litter will last for another week (in keeping with my friend's previous routine.)
Thanks.
It is an enclosed litter box and I scoop it once in the morning and once in the evening every day. For the first week I did not mind it; it was never in my way and it did not smell. But I am nearing the second week and I am not sure if my room is starting to smell since my nose is used to it. Even if it doesnt smell so bad, it kind of smells inside the box and I am not sure if I should clean it all out yet or if it is still bearable for the cat.
I clean my room every day and throw the poop in the garbage outside right away. My windows are open and I occasionally have a fan on to circulate the air. After every time I scoop the poop and urine from the box, I mix it a bit so the litter on the sides can mask the smell. But sometimes I clean it too early and the urine clumps have little clumps around it and it is harder to scoop. I am worried these tiny clumps will cause make it smell more. The cat also only eats dry food.
I have been following my friend's routine of using about 3 inches of kitty litter (she says the cat likes to really bury the stuff) and sticking to the same brand (Special Kitty clumping litter with odour control). She said if it starts to smell I can add a scoop of fresh litter to mask the odour. And to change the whole thing every three weeks. She would also sometimes not clean the box for three to four days (max). But being the neat-freak that I am I don't think I can let it slip that easily.
Does this sound like a good routine? I don't want to change it drastically in case the cat won't like it. What are some ways I can control the odour even if I can't notice it in my room and in the box? Am I missing something here? I am hoping the litter will last for another week (in keeping with my friend's previous routine.)
Thanks.
. Clumping litters do a fine job of keeping odor away.
