How Often Should You Clean & Change Your Cat's Litter Box?

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 (faeces) 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

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. 

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

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. Got a new kitten and looking for more tips and advice? Read our guide to litter training cats and kittens, next.

FAQs