Foul-Smelling Felines: What Causes Cat Odor And How To Combat It

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles December 12, 2019 - 12:52 pm 0 619 Views

One of the most frustrating issues of owning a cat, or multiple, is how your house can always smell like cat excrement. It’s surprising for new cat owners, especially since other cat owners usually swear by how clean cats are. And while this is true, there’s plenty you need to do on your part to keep them clean, and that doesn’t involve replacing litter every day, nor does it require chasing after cats with disinfecting spray. Removing foul odor in a home with cats is easier than you think.

Here’s what causes these smells and how you can combat it.

Spraying

If you have male cats, you likely come across a wafting foul smell every now and then in different parts of your home. It can be frustrating when you don’t know where it’s coming from, and have already swept your house clean multiple times. Male cats, which are not neutered, tend to mark their territory by spraying walls and surfaces that you may not usually clean regularly.

The easiest way you can fix this is to take your cat to the vet and neuter it. The procedure is very safe, and in many veterinary clinics, can be offered for free. It will also prevent your cat from developing testicular cancer. If you have adopted your cat from a shelter, this is likely not the problem. But if you’ve rescued a cat from the outdoors, it will likely need to be neutered.

Poor-quality Litter Boxes

Although, to you, litter boxes might all seem to do the job, some of them are better at it than others. It’s not the material that makes a good litter box, but design. Open boxes are not as good at trapping foul smells than those with lids, while the best kinds are self-cleaning! It may sound like something that would be completely over your budget, but a quick look at FelineLiving.net it will introduce you to a list of reviews that rank automatic litter boxes, which suit varying budgets. Automatic litter boxes are ideal for working individuals who may not have the time to scoop out cat poop two to three times a day.

Not Enough Litter Boxes

If you have more than one cat and just a single litter box, it can be saturated with cat excrement in very little time. A single litter box may also encourage the cats to fight, because felines are naturally territorial and enjoy having their own space to claim. Always have a litter box for each cat. Some cats may use more than one litter box, and that’s generally okay in most cases. What causes territorial behavior is constantly dirty litter, which may also drive cats to “going” outside of their box.

Clay Litter

Clay litter and other inexpensive kinds are a major cause of foul smells because they’re not as good at trapping smells as more expensive counterparts. It can be confusing to choose from the wide variety in the market, but if you want to opt for something that is both budget-friendly and efficient, a good choice is pellet litter. This kind is made of wood pellets that instantly absorbs urine by turning into powder form when saturated with liquid. You only need to replace the litter when it’s completely saturated, which you’ll notice when the powder turns into a dark yellow shade.

Scooping Frequency

If you don’t have a self-cleaning litter box, you need to scoop out your cat’s poop twice or more daily, depending on your cat’s bowel movements. What causes litter to smell is usually the feces rather than urine, typically because it can take time to harden. Always scoop out fresh cat poop frequently and throw it away in a garbage bag. Don’t flush it down the toilet, as this can clog it.

Illness

If your cat itself smells like its litter, then it may be because it’s making more frequent trips to the bathroom, and this can be caused by multiple illnesses. Keep an eye on the consistency of your cat’s poop, and how often it urinates. If it seems to be doing so more often, you may need to take your cat to the vet. Some causes can be cat flu, while others are more dangerous and require immediate attention, such as bladder stones or kidney stones.

Keeping your house smelling its best is possible if you have cats, as long as you make sure to remove the common causes of foul smells. Cats always make sure to dig deep and bury their excrement, so the only causes are usually our own faults. Invest in buying higher quality litter and a self-cleaning litter box if you don’t have extra time on your hands to scoop out poop often. On the other hand, if nothing seems to work, your cat may require veterinary attention.