Does clumping litter ever have to be completely renewed or do I just keep adding new litter to the box.?

Question

I just started using clumping litter about 6 weeks ago. I have completely changed the box only once. I just have been adding new litter as it is used up. There is no odor with the clumping litter like the old clay type that I changed once a week. Does bacteria build up dangerously or am I o.k. to continue as I have been doing? The "sand" mess is a constant clean-up job on the floor, but the absence of odor is a blessing!

Answer 1

The clumping litter will get saturated after a while and your cat will not want to use it anymore. This is when cats will start going on piles of laundry or in corners on the carpet.



If you only have one cat and you do a good job cleaning it, it can last for a month or so. However, you should definitely do a complete change and wash the litter box after this point.



I also got a big fluffy shower mat that I put right outside of the litter box area. This catches all the sand and I empty that once every couple days right over a trash can and it really helped the sand tracking problem. Good luck! :)

Answer 2

There is probably not a real good answer to how often. Cats are very fastidious, and if they detect an odor, they may avoid it. But my cats seem to concentrate on one or two litter boxes and leave the others alone, so I have to wonder what their 'standards' are. With multiple cats, that can really pile up in just one or two litter boxes.



Usually, even clumping litter doesn't come out totally, as little pieces break off. They are usually too fine to be gathered by the wire scoop. When those start to add up, I change the litter by allowing the level to go down, then discard and clean the litter box, and add new litter.



I have also dumped the litter out, cleaned the box, and returned the litter and added more fresh litter. They seem to accept that very well. I do that when they seem to soil the litter box about the litter level. And no, cats do not always sit perfectly in the center of the litter box.



When you do decide to clean the litter box, avoid strong scented cleaners as they may leave a scent that your cats may not like. If you use bleach, make sure the bleach smell is gone before adding litter.

Answer 3

I suggest besides adding litter in place of what you have removed, changing the entire box at least 2x a month. If you get a viral or bacterial bug going on in there you could be in for big problems. Remember cats do a lot of licking..including their paws, which could easily transfer a germ from literally "foot to mouth."

Answer 4

We change ours out every couple of weeks, but we have a lot of cats. If you only have a couple cats I would recommend changing it out about once a month, start letting it get lower a few days before you plan on doing it. It's a good idea just for the bacteria issue to do a complete change out and wash the pan.

Answer 5

every few months 3-4 throw away the old, disinfect the box with a little bleach diluted with water add new. If you have more then 2 cats and one box do it more often like every other month unless one goes on the sides or has really loose stools then do it every few weeks lol Its all relative

Answer 6

I don't add litter to mine just clean the deposits out daily. When it is low, when you should add, I dump it, disinfect the box ( wash and spray with diluted bleach) It's about every 10 days or so.

Answer 7

What I do is that I scoop out the stuff that my cat left in her box and then in the middle of the month I will put in a fresh container after I have emptied the whole box in the trash bag.

Answer 8

i use the clumping litter, and i completely change the box about every few months....sometimes longer, as long as it isn't starting to smell bad.

Answer 9

i change it about every week just so it will smell fresher