Taking care of a cat’s litter box can be an unpleasant task for most pet parents. There are many things that can make this difficult, including not knowing what kind of litter to buy or how much cat litter to use.
However, figuring out the right amount of litter doesn’t have to be difficult. Many times, your cat will point you in the right direction to help you understand what works best for them!
What is the right amount of litter?
Understanding how much cat litter to use is a great place to start when setting up your cat’s litter box. Keep in mind that the amount of litter that you will need to use depends on several different factors.
The type and size of your cat’s litter box is one factor that can help you determine how much cat litter to use. But the amount of litter may also depend on how many cats you have and what kind of litter you are using. So, how do you know how much litter to use? Let’s review what can happen if you are using either too little or too much litter.
Too little litter
Using too little litter can cause your cat to be uncomfortable. Many cats will use the surrounding litter to cover their messes, and if there is not enough litter in the cat box, your cat may be less willing to use their litter box. It’s also possible that using less litter than necessary will cause stronger litter box odors to permeate throughout your house.
Too much litter
Using too much litter can also cause issues. If you have an automatic litter box, it’s possible that too much cat litter can cause your litter box to not function properly. If you do not have an automatic litter box, using too much litter can make it difficult for your cat to have a stable enough foundation to feel comfortable using the box. It is also wasteful to use too much litter, which can lead to additional costs because of the need to purchase litter more frequently.
How much cat litter to use in a traditional scooping litter box
Typically, cats prefer 2-3 inches of litter when using a standard litter box. If you know that your cat likes to dig around for a while to find the right spot, you may want to add 3-4 inches of cat litter in the box instead.
How much cat litter to use in a Litter-Robot
The automatic, self-cleaning Litter-Robot requires you to fill the globe with standard-weight litter to the raised fill line. This equates to approximately 8-10 pounds of litter. Do not overfill the globe or allow the litter level to drop much below the raised fill line, as this can affect the weight-sensitive switch that senses your cat’s presence in the globe.
How often should I add litter?
Knowing how often to change your cat's litter is an important detail to consider. A good rule of thumb is to change your cat’s litter box roughly every 2 to 4 weeks. Of course, this will all depend on your cat. It’s good to know your cat’s bathroom habits because this will help you better understand how often you should change out their litter. It’s also going to depend on the number of cats you have in your household, as well as the type of litter you are using.
With a Litter-Robot, you only need to add litter when you notice the litter level has dropped below the raised fill line. Empty the old litter completely every month or two.
Will adding more litter control odor?
It’s easy to think that simply adding more litter will help control any odors coming from the litter box. However, this is not the case. Adding more litter can just end up being wasteful without solving the odor problems. The best thing you can do to control odor is to change out your cat’s litter when it starts to smell.
So, what is the best kind of litter box to use? The Litter-Robot 3 Connect is a great alternative to controlling the odor from your cat’s litter. That’s because this self-cleaning litter box automatically sifts your cat’s waste into a fully enclosed, carbon-filtered drawer below the unit. The Litter-Robot can help you monitor your cat’s bathroom habits and notify you when the waste drawer is full. It can also help you save money by using up to 50% less litter than a traditional scooping litter box.
What kind of issues can occur with improper use of cat litter?
Many issues can occur if you are not using cat litter properly, from behavioral to medical. Plus, these issues might not only affect your cat, but you, too. Potential issues include the following:
- Urinary disease or kidney and bladder infections from a dirty litter box
- Increased accidents outside of the litter box
- Increased spending on wasted litter or overusing litter
How do you maintain the litter box?
So, what can you do as a cat parent to maintain your cat’s litter box properly? There are several steps you can take to make sure your cat continues to use their litter box appropriately. Let’s review some of these steps below.
Clean regularly
One of the easiest ways to maintain your cat’s litter box is to make sure you are cleaning it regularly. Be sure to scoop daily if you have a regular litter box. As mentioned above, you may want to change your cat’s litter every 2 to 4 weeks. When you change your cat’s litter, make sure you are cleaning out the litter box before replacing the litter. Try adding the Litter-Robot cleaner spray to your routine to help keep the litter box clean with enzymes that fight organic stains and odors!
Monitor waste behavior
Knowing your cat’s waste behavior can be a huge help in maintaining their litter box. Using the Litter-Robot 3 Connect along with the app can make this easier for you. The app will allow you to monitor your cat’s waste-related behaviors and let you know when you need to empty the waste drawer. The Litter-Robot also self-cleans, which can save you time and money on litter.
Use liners
Another option you can try is litter box liners, such as the Litter-Robot waste drawer liners. These waste drawer liners are customized to fit the Litter-Robot waste drawer, making cleaning even easier for you. They can also help you keep your waste drawer clean and free of lingering scents, adding another level of convenience to your Litter-Robot lifestyle.
Filter
Another major convenience provided by the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is the carbon filters that come with it. The carbon filters assist by absorbing odors, which can contribute to both your cat’s well-being and overall household health. The filters are easy to remove and replace. For best results, change the filter every month. Of course, the effectiveness of these filters will depend on your cat's waste patterns.
Use a high-quality litter
Using a high-quality litter can also make it easier to maintain your cat’s litter box. A non-toxic litter that doesn’t cause excess dust or litter tracking throughout your house can improve the litter box situation for both you and your cat. There are many quality options that you can try until you find the right fit for you and your cat.
Why is clumping litter the ideal choice?
Clumping litter tends to be the ideal choice when choosing the right litter for your cat. It forms easy-to-scoop, solidified clumps, making the clean-up process quick. Litter-Robot also offers a premium clumping cat litter that is all-natural and made of sun-dried clay. This litter is a great choice due to its low-dust, low-tracking material, as well as its ability to lock in odors. It also happens to be the best option to pair with your Litter-Robot 3 Connect.
How much litter is the right amount?
While it may seem overwhelming to choose the right litter and know how much cat litter to use, it doesn’t have to be. There are many litter options to choose from, and it can be completely normal to go through several different brands before settling on what works best.
Litter-Robot offers a Clean Bundle that contains not only a great automatic litter box, but also a Litter Trap™ Mat and pet-friendly cleaning wipes. Adding premium cat litter to the mix can make this bundle an even better option when you’re trying to decide how much cat litter to use with your litter box.
