How Often Should You Change Cat Litter?

Cats are finicky creatures, and it is well known that they like their creature comforts and cleanliness, especially when it comes to their litter tray. We can’t really blame them though, wouldn’t you much rather a clean loo, after all?

Cleaning your cat’s litter tray is incredibly important for their well-being, hygiene and will help to prevent toileting problems. In this article, we'll explore recommended cleaning frequencies, the key factors that influence your routine (like litter type and number of cats), why proper litter tray hygiene is so crucial, and provide a step-by-step cleaning guide.

Quick Guide: Cat Litter Cleaning & Changing Frequency

Cat poo (feces) should be removed from the litter box regularly. Ideally take poo out immediately (once your cat has moved well away from the litter tray so they don’t feel you are swooping down on them!) but if you can’t, aim for at least twice a day (morning and evening). Urine should be cleaned out at least once a day too.

This is easier with clumping litter as removing urine especially can be tricky with non-clumping litter types, meaning that you may have to change the whole cat litter much more frequently. It is important to maintain good litter tray hygiene as if it becomes dirty, your cat will likely refuse to go in it and will find somewhere else in your house to go instead. Not only that, but it will have a negative impact on the smell in your home – and you might find your friends and family stop visiting!

Here's a quick overview of recommended frequencies:

Note: These are general guidelines. Always observe your cat's preferences and adjust as needed.

Factors Influencing Litter Box Cleaning & Changing Frequency

Some cats are far more particular when it comes to their toilet. Some will not go anywhere near a litter tray unless it is spotless whereas others are a little more relaxed. The same can be said for owners too – with some hating any hint of urine or poo.

Obviously if your cat has an upset stomach, urinary or digestive issues, and/or diarrhoea you will need to keep the litter tray far cleaner – and if you have children in the house, it is always good to be overly particular when it comes to litter tray hygiene. 

Number of cats

If you have a number of cats, always have one more litter tray than you have cats, and remove urine and feces frequently. Bear in mind that cats do not like sharing litter trays, and if you have multiple felines, you should provide one tray per cat plus at least one extra one.

Type of Litter

• Non-clumping cat litter: Non-clumping cat litter needs to be changed more regularly than clumping types. If just one cat is using the tray, aim for a full change at least twice a week, but if multiple cats are going to the toilet in there, the whole lot will need changing daily.

  Although many non-clumping litters are quite good at absorbing urine, once they are saturated, urine will pool in the bottom of the tray. If this is the type you prefer to use, the whole tray will need cleaning before this point. Smell tends to be a good indicator of when it needs to be changed too.

• Clumping cat litter: Clumping cat litter can be changed less frequently than non-clumping. As the litter absorbs urine, it forms a solid clump that can be easily removed. If you take poos and pees out of the tray each day and only one cat is using it, clumping litter may only need to be completely changed every week, but if more than one cat is using the tray, aim for more frequently. If you spot a lot of the litter becoming clumped or wet, this is a sign that it is time to change the whole lot and give the tray a thorough clean. Also be guided by your own cats’ preference. 

Non-clumping cat litter: Non-clumping cat litter needs to be changed more regularly than clumping types. If just one cat is using the tray, aim for a full change at least twice a week, but if multiple cats are going to the toilet in there, the whole lot will need changing daily.

Although many non-clumping litters are quite good at absorbing urine, once they are saturated, urine will pool in the bottom of the tray. If this is the type you prefer to use, the whole tray will need cleaning before this point. Smell tends to be a good indicator of when it needs to be changed too.

Why is regular litter tray hygiene so important?

There are many reasons why litter tray hygiene is important:

For your cat's well-being:

• Your cat may not want to use a litter tray if it is dirty, leading to breakdowns in toilet training and accidents around the house.
• Serious health issues can arise if a cat holds urine because they are avoiding using a dirty litter tray, including feline lower urinary tract disease, infections and even life-threatening blocked bladder.

For odour control and home hygiene: 

• A poorly maintained litter tray can harbour bacteria, parasites, produce unpleasant odours, and affect the overall hygiene in your home – not to mention the smell. 
• These don’t just stay in the litter tray, as your cat can then track waste particles around the house.

Choosing your cat litter

When it comes to choosing the best cat litter to use, you should be guided by your cat. Most felines have a preference of texture and type, and so to start with, try a variety and see which your cat seems to prefer and then stick to that. Your choice might also be guided by your own preference and how often you want to be cleaning litter trays.

If you have more than one cat, you might find yourself using more than one type of litter!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Cat's Litter Tray

Each time you change your cat’s litter, you should make sure you give the box a good scrub. Here is a simple guide to cleaning your cat’s litter tray:

1. Throw out all the existing cat litter.
2. Wash the tray in your garden with a hose or in your sink with mild soap or detergent – always avoid products with citrus or ammonia as these scents may put your cat off using the tray. If you are unsure about what cat-friendly cleaning solution to use, talk to one the vet nurses in your practice.
3. Allow the tray to dry completely – this step is very important as if you put litter into a damp tray it can get stuck to the bottom. You may want to use paper towels to speed up the process.
4. Add fresh litter – you should add enough so that your cat can comfortably dig around in it. Aim for around two to three inches for non-clumping and three to four inches deep for clumping.

That’s it! You should aim to completely wash out your litter tray whenever you change the litter.

Now you know how often to change cat litter.

FAQs

Can you put new litter on top of old litter?

Don’t put new litter on top of old – either lift out urine and feces or change the entire litter tray.

What should you not clean a litter box with?

Don’t clean the litter tray with anything that is strong smelling or ammonia based as this will linger and be unpleasant for your cat and deter usage.

Why is my cat suddenly not using the litter box?

Usually, a cat not using the litter tray when they have been doing is a sign that it isn’t clean enough – or the litter isn’t to their liking. Other times it could be because they don’t feel safe in the litter tray (other cats, dogs, busy environment, being disturbed etc). Cats need privacy and peace when they go to the toilet.

If you have a high sided litter tray and an older cat, they may be having problems or even finding it painful to get in and out.

How do you dispose of cat litter?

Cat litter can be easily thrown away in your normal household waste. There are some litters available which are biodegradable and can be put into communal bio waste, but you should never put cat litter in your own compost bin as it will not reach the temperatures necessary for killing the bacteria and parasites in the feces.

Can I flush cat litter down the toilet?

No - never flush cat litter down the toilet as household plumbing is not designed for cat litter!

How can you stop the litter tray from smelling?

It’s simple: keep it clean. If it’s starting to smell, you’re not cleaning it often enough and it may need to be changed.