HOW TO KEEP CAT POOP FROM SMELLING?
How to keep cat poop from smelling? Is it even possible? Let’s face it, when it comes to this subject, we go into an uncomfortable topic. In addition, we all know that poop is supposed to smell. Right? Yes and no.
Although cat poop has an unpleasant smell, it can worsen because of a poor diet, bacteria, medication, protein-rich food, parasite, and digestive disorders. It is possible to keep cat poop from smelling too much by resolving any of these problems with your cat.
Let’s analyze how to resolve each problem that can make cat poop smell really bad. There is no reason to suffer more than necessary.
WHAT MAKES CAT POOP SMELLING SO MUCH?
Maybe the worse thing about owning a cat is to take care of their bathroom needs. Fortunately, cats are already very clean animal, but still they have to go to the toilet and we have to clean it.
Poop smell on its own, and most cats try to cover their poop after doing it. It is an instinct for them. They want to make sure that the smell is not attracting unwanted attention from other predators. Even in a domestic situation, cats still do it instinctively, which helps cover part of the smell.
But, often, this is not enough. In a closed environment, the smell doesn’t disappear easily, and often it is too late.
But are the things that make cat poop smelling really bad?
1. POOR DIET
Cats are carnivores, they are used to eat raw proteins, or at least this would be the food they would eat after spending some time hunting. We have created dry food for them, often made with colorant, non-natural flavors, preservatives, and carbs. Such a diet can make a cat poop more and make the poop very smelly.
Some cat food contains additives like vitamins, grains, and other things that cats may have difficulty digesting. Low-quality cat food can create foul-smelling poop.
2. DIGESTIVE DISORDER IN CATS
A cat can develop digestive disorders for various reasons. The most common reasons are parasitic infections, bacteria, drugs, toxins, and possibly foreign bodies in the GI tract.
A digestive disorder reduces the ability of your cat to digest and abso`rb food, as well as altering the passage of the food through the digestive tract. Bad-smelling poop is only one of the signs. Cats can have other problems such as abdominal pain.
It is important to bring the cat to the vet for examination to figure out the problem’s cause. Here is an idea of what a cat can get:
- Gastroenteritis
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Pancreatitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
3. ANAL GLAND INFECTIONS
Anal glands are there to produce a scent-making liquid when cats are defecating. It serves to mark territory with its scent. The anal glands secrete the fluid each time a cat is pooping. Sometimes when cats are scared or when they are excited, they can accidentally express their glands. This is why you can smell poop when your cat is near you.
If there is an infection with the anal glands, cats can smell like poop, and their poop can smell foul, and the litter box area can be contaminated with poop smell.
4. PARASITES
Parasites like worms can create a problem with a cat digestive system and make your cat poop smell bad. The most common internal parasites are:
- Roundworms (intestinal parasite)
- Hookworms (intestinal parasite)
- Tapeworms (intestinal parasite)
But, these are not the only parasite that can create problems to a cat and make poop smelling a lot.
5. MEDICATIONS
Medications, hormones, and even vitamin supplements can create the condition of smelly poop. If your cat is taking medication or the cat food is filled with supplements (most cat foods have vitamin supplements in them), then their poop can smell bad.
If a cat is taking medication for a short period, you can expect some smell coming from the litter box. However, most of the time, cat owners do not realize the number of vitamin supplements in typical cat food. In doubt, read the labels.
HOW TO KEEP CAT POOP FROM SMELLING IN FEW SIMPLE STEPS
More often, the remedy is a simple as a diet change. When simple remedies are not working, and your cat keeps pooping a foul-smelling poop, it is the case to check with the vet what the cause is.
Here are some things you can do to remedy nasty smelling poop:
1.CHANGE DIET
You can try improving your cat diet with natural food without added supplements, colorants, and other artificial elements. And can try giving your cat more wet food while diminishing dry food.
Unfortunately, cat foods are made with ingredients that are not edible by humans, and to cover this up, most brands add vitamins, supplements, and colorants to the mix. And the same is for cats treats.
Here is some high quality food for bad smelling poop:
About this product:
This raw food brand has only natural ingredients. It comes in many types, like chicken, beef, and more. It is sourced from free-range chickens raised on a family farm in the great state of Indiana! With a ratio of 80% meat, 10% organ, and 10% bone, your cat will receive a well-rounded, complete meal.
About this product:
- Only whole meat
- Halo says “NO” to factory farming, uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables and chooses to use cans that are BPA free. All Halo products are made in the USA, with quality ingredients sourced from US farms worldwide.
- This healthy and holistic wet cat food is highly digestible since there are no rendered meat meals, artificial ingredients, or artificial preservatives.
- It comes with a super tasty variety pack of chicken, salmon, and turkey stews that have a smooth texture with tender bits of colorful vegetables plus the benefit of added hydration, with an aroma and taste that cats love. Even picky eaters can’t help but dig in.
About this product:
- Instinct Original is made with 95% chicken, turkey & chicken liver, 5% vegetables, fruits & wholesome ingredients.
- Instinct Original wet cat food is high-protein cat food. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives – ingredients known to trigger food sensitivities.
- It is made from real meat & whole food ingredients. It is grain-free wet cat food packed with animal protein for strong, lean muscles. Served as a meal or topper.
About this product:
- Dry cat food recipe includes real U.S. farm-raised chicken as the No.1 ingredient.
- Real salmon, wholesome lentils, and unique Superfood Blend help support the dietary needs of indoor cats.
- Natural prebiotics from pumpkin for a healthy digestive tract
- Antioxidant-rich berries help support a healthy immune system
- Natural food for adult cats includes added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
About this product:
- Instinct Original dry cat food is made with 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils, 19% vegetables, fruits, and other wholesome ingredients. Responsibly sourced cage-free chicken is the #1 ingredient.
- Instinct Original dry cat food is a high-protein cat food made with probiotics to support healthy digestion and omegas for skin & coat. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives.
- It is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein-packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
About this product:
- Complete, Balanced Dry Food For Adult Cats Of All Breeds
- Plant-Based Ingredients Provide Fiber To Support Healthy Digestion
- Made With Essential Vitamins And Minerals To Provide Complete And Balanced Nutrition
- No Grains, Potatoes, Fillers, Or Artificial Flavors Or Colors
- Simple Formula With Chicken Is #1 Ingredient
2. VISIT TO THE VET
If a better diet with high-quality food and low grains doesn’t fully resolve the issue, it is time to see the vet to figure out if there are parasites or other health problems. After all, it is better to be safe and rule out any problem that can become more serious.
A vet can run exams and figure if there is an infection, parasite, or again if your cat has digestive issues. The vet can suggest the right type of food if you haven’t found it yet. The vet can also tell you if your cat has any problem with the anal glands or if the problem can derive from medications.
3. CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT
Sometimes, it is possible to reduce odors by keeping the litter box cleaned, choosing a good litter that helps hold odors, and keeping the room ventilated.
Typically, cats already try to make an effort by covering their poop. Still, a ventilated room can be of help, or maybe the possibility to keep a window opened to make sure that odors are going away.
Routine cleaning of the litter box can help remove odors, and high-quality litter can help absorb odors as soon as cats are covering their poop. Here are some litter ideas that can help reduce poop smell:
About this product:
- Fresh Step Advanced Cat Litter starts fighting odors on contact to control odor longer.
- Recommended by vets, this Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Cat Litter is 99.9% dust-free and is free from added fragrances and dyes.
- It is high-quality clumping clay is designed to stay off your kitty’s paws and help keep floors clean.
- This Fresh Step Cat Litter uses an advanced formula to neutralize odors with activated charcoal and no added fragrance. Ten days of odor control guaranteed.
- ClumpLock technology forms tight clumps to reduce stinky crumbles, making kitty litter easy to scoop.
About this product:
- Maximum odor control
- Eliminates odors instantly
- An odor free-free home starts here
- Helps lift away unwanted hairs when you vacuum.
About this product:
- GreenCat is A Natural Supplement That Completely Eliminates Cat Litter Odors. Natural. Innovative. 100% Effective.
- Get Fresh with GreenCat Even the most effective cat litter doesn’t eliminate all the foul odors from your cat’s litter box. At best, they mask the smell with perfumes, which your cats don’t like and aren’t entirely adequate – especially over time.
- Safe and effective – 100% natural plant-based ingredients. Scientifically proven to absorb odors on contact. Eco-Friendly.
- It will keep your home smelling fresh and odor-free for up to 10 days and even longer.
- It extends the life of your litter, so you’ll use less of it because you won’t need to change it as often. Economy Pack.
Those are just some ideas. If it is not enough, you may consider an automatic litter box that cleans right after your cat has visited the toilet. Some of those automatic litter boxes have a sensor that activates the cleaning after a specific time a cat has left the box. In this way, odors are kept under control.
Here are some ideas of litter boxes that automatically remove poop and are activated by sensors:
About this product:
- Automatically removes waste
- Unbeatable odor control
- No more messy floors: Low-tracking crystals are 99% dust free and don’t stick to your cat’s paws
- Leak protection: Disposable trays have plastic lining to help protect against leaking and keep your floors clean
- Easy cleanup
About this product:
- Bowl rotates and sifts clumps from the litter, making a full rotation every hour and a half.
- The waste bin is covered to help contain the odor, and a replaceable carbon filter acts as a second layer of odor defense.
- The motor is quiet, making it easy to forget about your cat’s litter box; the LED light ensures that the system is running.
HOW TO KEEP THE HOUSE FROM SMELLING LIKE CAT POOP?
One thing is to figure out how to keep cat poop from smelling too much. The other is to keep your house from smelling like cat poop. But, the two things are related. If you resolve all points (listed above) that make your cat poop smelling too much, you are at a good point.
The house needs cleaning as well, and sometimes your cat may need a bath. Cats can get dirty when they are in the litter box, and if they have a bit of poop on them, they can carry the odor ( and the poop ) to the rest of the house.
If you have cats, you have to clean a bit more, use products that can help you remove poop, urine, and odors. But, more than anything, a cat owner has to clean more than usual. Here are some tips to keep the house from smelling like cat poop:
- Vacuum clean often
- Open windows and have air circulating every day for as long as you can
- Clean the litter box once or twice a week
- Scoop the litter box every day
- Clean the room where you keep the litter box daily ( wash and with cleaning products )
- Wash bedsheets and couch cover often.
- Keep your cat clean by bathing him once in a while or wiping him if he gets into litter box accidents.
- Use room deodorizers as needed with care to not harm your pets
- Use automatic litter boxes or covered litter boxes
It doesn’t harm to brush your cat often and make sure that his fur is cleaned. The best way to keep the house odor-free, is to do the cleaning often.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I use to make my cat’s litter box smell better?
Many things can be done to make the litter box smell better, such as daily scooping, weekly cleaning, removable bags on top of the litter box to remove old litter and keep the try clean and high-quality litter. It is a good idea to keep the litter box room cleaned and ventilated.
Why is my cat not covering his poop?
Cats are not covering their poop when they think they are dominant cats when they are not being educated in the first place, or maybe they were afraid and had to leave the litter box fast. Sometimes it can be an indicator that something is wrong with the litter or the cat, especially if your cat has been covering his poop before.
Does wet cat food make poop smell worse?
Wet food doesn’t make cat poop smell worse. Typically dry food, with high carb content and fillers can make cat poop smell worse. However, some wet cat food may be low quality and be full of additives, colorants, and low-quality food that can make cat poop smell bad.
