Loving your cats comes naturally, but loving their litter box is another matter. Most cat owners will say there’s only one thing that they dislike about cat ownership: the litter box. It’s no wonder that there are a variety of ways to keep your house from smelling like a kitty pan. The Refined Feline, designer of modern furniture for cats, has put together a list of tips below so you can enjoy your clean smelling home.

Tip #1: Automatic Litter Boxes

Obviously the root of the problem with stinky odors is from the cat doing their business. Keeping the odor down can sometimes be accomplished through frequent scooping after your cat uses the box. This will avoid the odors from continuing into the rest of your home. You can scoop by yourself or invest in an automatic cycling litter box. These boxes sift through the litter with a mechanical arm, collecting solids in a separate area for later disposal. The separate compartment may be the entire bottom of the litter box or an area on one side. The boxes will usually be timed to keep the pan as fresh as possible. There are many different models and styles to choose from. Some will mainly collect solids while there are a few varieties for only collecting liquid waste. No matter which model you choose, be sure to get the appropriate litter for each one.

Tip #2: Change the Brand of Litter

Oftentimes, another reason smells circulate is due to the litter. If you have multiple boxes in your home, you can try different brands in each one. See which brands your cat gravitates towards, and which ones trap the smells best. The overall results may be skewed, as your cat likes one kind but it’s not the best at odor trapping. Combining litters can work as well as alternating brands each time you fill up. Some cats can be particular about different litters and their perfume qualities. If your cat seems picky, it’s recommended to do a transition into a new brand. A cat’s sense of smell is much higher than ours, thus they may not like the super perfumey brands either. There are unscented litters that still do a great job on eliminating odors, however. The level of perfume can be a factor, as well as the level of litter itself in the box. Making sure to keep the box nice and full everyday can help trap the odors. This will be very beneficial in decreasing smells before they travel into the rest of the house. Having a low or insufficient amount of litter in the box can decrease it’s odor trapping capabilities. Cats may dig more if they think they can’t completely cover their business, which may also lead to bigger messes.

Tip #3: Location, Location, Location!

Sometimes the location you find for your cat’s litter box isn’t ideal. If it’s in an open spot in the middle of the house, the odors can quickly permeate throughout your home. Your cat may also feel too exposed having to use the litter box in a frequently used room of your house. Placing the litter box in a more private location will give them a sense of security & reduce smell. Using a wooden litter box enclosure easily covers both factors. This cabinet offers your kitty a private place for doing business and also controls odors effortlessly! Made of solid wood, the litter box enclosure deluxe comes in two sizes, large and x-large. They can easily accommodate all feline body types, along with some automatic litter boxes. There are ventilation slots for charcoal filters to help absorb pesky odors, and a liner inside to help decrease messes. The exterior can even be customized to fit your home purrrfectly! You can select different feet for the base, as well as door styles, including farmhouse, modern, cottage and shaker. And with four color options, you will have a seamless furniture accessory that visitors won’t realize is for the cat!

Tip #4: Time for a New Litter Box

One often overlooked aspect of litter boxes is the box itself. When was the last time you changed the litter completely, or replaced the box? Despite frequent scooping, you won’t be able to gather every solid piece, and some will stay behind. Depending on how messy your furry felines can be, the litter should be dumped out at least monthly. Then, you can wash the litter box with warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and air or towel dry. Frequent cleaning of the box can help cut down on odors, but over time, the box itself will need replacing. Cats digging will slowly cut into the box, and the plastic will hang onto odors over a long period of time. Aim for getting a new litter box for your cats every year.

Tip #5: Purify Your Air

When the cat uses the box, your first reaction is to probably grab a can of air freshener, right? We’re all guilty of this trick as the perfume scent can usually cut back on the smell left behind. But to truly “clean” the air, you will need something much more powerful. An air purifier will work to continuously clean the air in your home, which also means tackling odors. They work great with improving the air quality in your home and can help cut down on allergens as well. If anyone in your household is allergic to the cats, this is another added benefit of using an air purifier.

Keeping your cat’s litter box full of fresh litter all day, every day, will always help combat odors. Scooping as much as possible can help eliminate odors from starting their travels as well. No matter what method you use, you’re bound to start smelling a fresher home each day you step through the door!