Pets bring happiness. However, once they’ve settled in and eaten, they eventually will need a spot to do their business.
Being a pet owner is not all cuddles and snuggles. It comes with a lot of responsibility and demands continuous care. Owning a pet means having to take care of them like babies, which means feeding them on time, cleaning them regularly, and taking care of their hygiene.
These responsibilities become slightly more challenging when you live in an apartment. Cleaning litter boxes is one of the challenges and perhaps the least fun activity of owning a pet. Living in an apartment means that there is no front lawn or backyard where pets can roam around and do their business.
This calls for a definite need for a litter box! But, it’ll be up to you to clean and wash it on a regular basis. Washrooms and sinks are the only available options considering the unavailability of a hose in an apartment.
So, we have researched and sorted out some handy yet very practical tips that will make this process super convenient for you!
Option #1: Self-Cleaning Litter Box
This is perhaps the most convenient invention for pets. However, they can cost you a few hundred bucks and their installation can be a bit tricky.
You might even have to call a plumber or electrician to set this up for you. A self-cleaning litter box will automatically clean the solid waste before draining it out, and often uses dust-free litter.
These devices require access to cold water lines, electricity to operate, and a drainage pipe/toilet. But, if you are willing to invest in this and go through the time-taking installation process, you will not have to intervene in the cleaning process again.
You can look up several options available online andchoose a self-cleaning litter box that best fits within your price range.
Option #2: Slotted Scoops
Pets use litter boxes once or twice a day. Slotted spoons can be an inexpensive solution if you are willing to manually take the time to clean them every time they poop.
These scoops can be washed at your convenience, and they leave the unused litter behind in the box. You can scoop the dirty litter and throw it away in a biodegradable bag or any other container.
Option #3: Disposable Litter Box
Disposable litter boxes are a super convenient way when manual cleaning is not an option. Plastic litter boxes require thorough cleaning and washing for long-term use in order to avoid staining and developing a bad smell.
This option can be a bit pricey, but they are available at most places and are super convenient to use.
Disposable litter boxes are built as liners to be placed in the bottom of the litter box/plastic tray, so you can easily throw the whole thing away when your pet has used it.
There are a lot of options for you to choose from, depending on thebrand, price range, and material quality.
Option #4: Flushing
Regular litter that is made from synthetic material cannot be flushed down the toilet since it will clog the pipe. However, all different types of litter are available on the market now.
The flushable litter is made up of stuff, such as wheat or corn, which drains easily and doesn’t cause clogging issues.
Option #5: Use Baking Soda
Living in an apartment means a more confined space and not a lot of spots with better ventilation. This means the litter will probably smell unpleasant often after every fresh change.
But, you don’t need to worry if you cannot afford to buy a self-cleaning litter machine or disposable liners every week. There’s also a great DIY option!
You can always use baking soda to clean your litter box. Baking soda absorbs the urine odor and saves you from stinky, dirty litter. Several pet litter brands come with ingredients that make them “odor-free”; however, they can be rather costly. Instead, all you need to do is buy baking soda and mix it in with the litter.
Option #6: Use Wipes
Sanitizing a litter box without the availability of a hose can be a bit challenging. But, don’t you worry because disposable wipes are your savior!
Once you have emptied the used, dirty litter, make sure to clean it thoroughly with the wipes before filling it with litter again. These wipes are available in most supermarkets and medical stores. Not to mention, the price is also reasonable.
What Should I Know About Litter Boxes?
- Keep the litter box in a super ventilated spot in order to keep it from developing an odor
- If you use disposable litter sand, make sure you change it frequently
- Make sure to wash the plastic litter boxes with soap and water at least once a month
Why Should I Clean the Litter Box?
Pets, specifically cats, do not like their litter dirty. If they find their litter boxes stinky and filled, they might as well ignore the fact that humans live with them and poop elsewhere.
So, if you are not making any effort into cleaning the litter box of your pet, be prepared to find your doors, curtains, rugs, and personal washrooms messy and dirty.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of the horrors of a dirty litter box, we are certain that you’re probably not looking forward to it. We hope this article has helped you, and your pet, never have to deal with a dirty litter box ever again!
These simple yet useful tips have been listed for you in order to make cleaning litter boxes less of a burden. There is no reason you should leave out the happiness a pet brings just because you live in an apartment and there might be limited ways to clean the litter!
