Advice on cat litter

Hi, I use wood pellets for litter too and it’s true that it can start to smell quite quickly.

Some people suggest putting some bicarbonate of soda (make sure you get 'food-grade' which is safe for cats, unlike the stuff used for cleaning) at the bottom of the litter tray and then covering it with the pellets. Apparently, it's a very good odour neutraliser... I haven't been able to try this hack yet as I’d run out of stock, so I can't personally vouch for it... but I've heard it mentioned quite a lot, so you never know, it might be worth a go!

Thanks for all the replies!

Yeah, we did suspect that their diet was linked to the smell!

And yes, we’ve gone for some grain-free dry food with a high protein content.

So, for the time being, we’re going to stick with the same litter, and I think in the future we’ll find a more suitable room for the litter tray!

Once he’s settled into your home, put his litter tray in a suitable spot like the toilet—if it fits—or the bathroom (without closing the door, of course).

It might be a good idea to move the tray bit by bit each day so as not to upset him too much; cats are very much creatures of habit.

In a typical home, these areas are usually better ventilated, which will help keep your place from "smelling" too much.

Kind regards

Shipy, my 4-month-old kitten, doesn't cover up her mess either. But... I've got 3-month-old Shwina who covers up for her: a perfect little "cleaning lady". 😁

Hi everyone, I’ve got a girl who doesn’t cover up her business either, but she comes and lets me know by meowing as soon as she’s finished (it’s definitely not a pain issue, as she only meows once she’s hopped out). Since she mostly goes in the evening, I can sort it out straight away. It has happened while I’ve been out, and interestingly it hardly smells at all compared to the pong when I clean it up immediately!

I’ve just bought the same litter tray as you. The old one was still in good nick, but apparently, after a few years, bacteria can get into the scratches and the plastic starts to hold the smell more, so I changed it just to be safe. I did have to take the rim off, though, because of how I’ve positioned the tray; she wouldn’t use the front exit with the little holes, so she was making a right mess by trying to climb out over the side.

Same here—the smell will fade once the poo dries out. Does your kitten not cover it up?

My cats are just the same; they rarely cover theirs, so I have to scoop it out right after they’ve been.

Covered litter trays aren’t good. Some cats won’t use them, but more importantly, they’re harmful because the cat breathes in too much dust.

I went for a hooded tray but took the door off and left the hole in the top open (the one for the filter).

Also, the more meat there is in the food, the more it smells. Meat definitely smells stronger than wheat or rice, but it’s a sign of a good quality diet.

Whether they’re clumping or non-clumping, mineral litters might be more absorbent and dry out faster, but they’re dustier and worse for them than plant-based litters.

Charcoal-based litters are better for absorbing odours.

Try a few different types of litter to see which one works best for you.

Or you could try an air purifier; I’ve never tried one myself, though.

Hi there,

Enclosed litter trays aren't recommended, and neither are scented litters. The smell of your cat's poo is down to their diet, and has very little to do with the litter itself. High-protein food tends to smell a bit stronger 'at the other end', but it’s not a sign of illness.

Also, bear in mind that as time goes on, the poo actually smells less—unlike wee, which starts to smell of ammonia after a few hours. So, when you're back at work, you won't be hit by the smell the moment you get home, unless the cat has only just been.