How to Get Rid of Cat Litter Box Smell (7 Fixes That Actually Work)

You can smell it before you see it. A litter box that announces itself is one of the most common — and most fixable — cat-parent headaches. Here are seven fixes that actually work, roughly in order of impact.

Quick science: that sharp, eye-watering smell is ammonia, released as bacteria break down the urea in your cat's pee. Beat the smell and you're really doing one of two things — removing waste faster, or stopping the ammonia from building up in the first place.

1. Scoop every day (yes, every day)

This is the single biggest lever. Waste left in the box is the smell, so scoop at least once a day — twice in a multi-cat home. The faster the urine and stool leave the box, the less time bacteria have to turn them into that ammonia punch.

2. Use a litter that fights odor at the source

Most litters mask smell with fragrance. That's a cover-up, not a fix — and strong perfume is a leading reason cats start boycotting the box. A plant-based litter like Furrly Kind Litter uses soybean fiber and pea powder to trap ammonia at the source, fragrance-free, so the room smells like nothing at all. (Curious how that stacks up against clay? See tofu vs. clay.)

3. Get the litter depth right

Too shallow and urine pools on the bottom; too deep and your cat may avoid it. Aim for about 2–3 inches of litter — enough to absorb and form a proper clump, not so much that it spills and tracks.

4. Wash the box monthly — and replace it yearly

Plastic scratches over time, and those micro-grooves trap odor that no amount of scooping will fix. Empty and wash the box with mild soap and warm water about once a month (skip harsh bleach or ammonia cleaners), and replace the box itself roughly once a year.

5. Have enough boxes (the n+1 rule)

The classic guideline: one box per cat, plus one extra. Two cats means three boxes. Spread them out rather than lining them up — more capacity means less concentrated odor and fewer territorial standoffs.

6. Mind placement and airflow

A box crammed into a sealed closet or cabinet just concentrates the smell. Put it somewhere with a little natural airflow (but still private and low-traffic). And know that fully covered boxes can trap odor and humidity inside — great for hiding the view, not always for the smell.

7. Don't ignore a sudden change in smell

If the box suddenly smells far stronger than usual — or noticeably different — treat it as information. A sharp spike in urine odor can signal dehydration, a urinary tract infection, or kidney issues. When in doubt, a quick vet visit is worth it.

The fastest win

If you only change two things, make them these: scoop daily, and use a litter that neutralizes odor at the source instead of perfuming over it. If you're moving to a lower-odor litter, switch gradually so your cat barely notices.

Frequently asked questions

Does baking soda help with litter box smell?

A thin layer under the litter can absorb some moisture and odor short-term, but it's a band-aid. Daily scooping and an odor-trapping litter do far more, and many cats dislike a heavy baking-soda layer.

Why does my cat's urine smell so strong?

Concentrated urine smells stronger, so it can point to dehydration — or, if the change is sudden, a urinary or kidney issue. An abrupt, dramatic change is worth a vet check.

Do covered litter boxes reduce smell?

They hide the view, not the smell — and can actually trap odor and humidity inside, which some cats avoid. Good litter and daily scooping matter far more than a lid.