• When changing litter use a mix of warm water, vinegar and lime juice to naturally clean your cat’s litter box.   Warning: with a scoopable (clumping) litter it is extremely important to make sure the litter box is completely clean and wipe out all residues with a moist paper towel before washing; even small amounts of scoopable litter can cause a plugged drain.  Washing the litter box when changing litter will remove odor causing bacteria, which will naturally reduce odors.  Make sure to rinse and dry the box.  This will ensure a neutral smell.

Automatic Litter Boxes

• The first priority with any automatic litter box is to ensure that it can sense the cat's presence.  This is important not only for the safety of the feline, but to ensure that a fear of the litter box is not developed that could result in poor habits.
• Make sure that the litter box is compatible with the litter the cat wants to use.  Typically automatic litter boxes use one of three types of litter: scoopable clay litter, corn-based litter, or artificial granules.  Some cats either absolutely refuse to use the granular or corn litter or will begrudgingly use it if there are no other options including potted plants.  The most important point is to find something your cat likes.  If you are considering an automatic box that uses granular or corn litter, buy some and try it in a regular box before you spend $300 on something your cat may never use.

Outside vs. Inside only issue

• Depending on where you live it may be possible for your cat to venture into the wild outdoors.  Aside from the safety issues (dogs, children, diseases...) this will also affect your cat's litter preferences.  Cats typically prefer a clay based litter as it is what they would naturally use.  This is especially true of cats that venture inside and out.   While outside they will normally use one specific dirt patch as a litter box.  Therefore it is best to provide them something that is as similar to that as possible, typically an unscented clay litter.  This is expecialy important for cats in climates that sometimes do not allow them to go outside.  All cats are different and before making any drastic changes you should consult your cat by allowing them to test litters.

Odor control

A good clay litter with timely scooping will typically control the odor very well without any additives.  Yet some are either unable or choose not to scoop often.  Below we have compiled some tips to help make your cat a little more comfortable and to help avoid using a litter saturated with chemicals.

• Make more litter boxes available to your cat or cats.  The cat may alternate between boxes, which will decrease the mixing of solid and liquid waste.
• Purchase an automatic litter box so your cat can enjoy a clean box and dispose of the collected waste as often as possible.
• If an automatic litter box is outside of your budget or is not compatible with your cats preferred litter a much less expensive enclosed litter box can be purchased with a carbon filter that will quietly eliminate odor.  You can also place a deodorizer like an open box of baking soda next to the litter box or a similar carpet or refrigerator deodorizer.
• Some also lightly mist the air in the room with natural oils, juices or other substances to eliminate the odor.   Something else we have heard that works particularly well is the scent kill that hunters use.  Be very careful when testing these options as they could adversely effect the cat's litter box habits and or health, you should consult a holistic veterinarian before using any alternative odor control option.  As your cat's safety is the first concern.
• The best option is frequent scooping if you want to maintain a natural, healthy and pleasant litter box for your cat.