catlovesbest main retina logo

How to Neutralize the Ammonia in Cat Litter?

Photo of author

The information mentioned here has been fact checked and reviewed by experts to provide you original and accurate content. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Is litter box odor like ammonia creeping away from the litter box into the rest of the house?

Are you finding the perfect answer to how to neutralize ammonia in cat litter?

If you have answered yes to the above questions, then you have clicked on the right page.

We have researched neutralizing ammonia in cat litter boxes and got a total of eight tricks and tips to eradicate the pungent smell of ammonia.

how to neutralize the ammonia in cat litter

How to Neutralize the Ammonia in Cat Litter?

To neutralize the ammonia in the cat litter box, you can mix a little baking soda with the cat litter or you can sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the litter box. It helps in eliminating the residing odors. Regular scooping and washing are mandatory even if you use baking soda.

Have you ever tried hard and still failed to remove the ammonia smell?

Then you should read the below list on how to neutralize the ammonia in the cat litter box!

Read more

Try and experiment with all the tricks. I hope this works for you!

get rid of ammonia in litter

1. Start With the Cleaning Part

To get rid of the ammonia smell, you should regularly scoop out the clumps. It helps to neutralize ammonia odor. Removing dirty litter can reduce the pungent smell!

You can also check out the best clumping cat litter available on the market.

Or you can also replace the cat litter box regularly once a year. As the plastic material is porous and the smell can reside there for a long. You should replace the entire box to get rid of the ammonia smell, plus it is also good for your cat’s health too!

2. Try Vinegar and Baking Soda

You can try vinegar to get rid of the ammonia smell. It neutralizes the bad odor from your cat’s litter box.

Completely empty the box and keep stuff away. Gently wipe off the extra layer of litter from the bottom then rinse with water and tissue papers.

Add one spoon of vinegar with two spoons of warm water in a container. Now, dip the cloth and wash the box and let it dry. Once done, now add 2-3″ inches of fresh litter in a sparkling clean litter box, and it is ready to use!

Wait, what still can’t get rid of the ammonia smell?

Then it’s time to use magical baking soda! Simply spread baking soda into the litter box and let it sit to absorb the odor for a while. Then wipe off the soda, and it is ready! One tip for you, you can also sprinkle baking soda on the carpet if it stinks!

Just do it, no need to thank me!

3. Use a Hood to Cover the Box

If you want to know how to get rid of the ammonia smell in a litter box?

You can either use a hood to cover the litter box or simply get a plastic cover hood litter box.

A hood will keep the ammonia smell stick inside the box only!

You should get a litter box made of plastic because it is unbreakable, long-lasting, cheap, and easy to maintain.

There many self-cleaning boxes, too, which are widely sold in pet stores. A disposable bag is already attached to it. But, it is expensive if your budget allows you can get it!

4. Change Her Diet and Make Her Drink Enough Water

Do you know why does cat urine smell like ammonia?

give her enough water

Cat pee smells like ammonia because your cat uses the litter box more than 4 to 5 times in a single day. Due to this, litter in the ammonia stays with your cat too! Although it is normal and natural. But if the odor is strong, that means she might be affected by a urinary tract infection.

But, in general, to remove the ammonia smell, you can try feeding her various proteins. Ammonia smell in the cat’s urine can be because of the portion of protein she intakes as it is the by-product of protein.

You can give her seafood it works! Also, less intake of water can also be one more reason. Therefore, make her drink enough water so that she can dilute the concentration of urine on its own.

6. Switch to Highly Absorbent Cat Litter

To neutralize the ammonia smell from the box, you should consider switching to good absorbent cat litter!

You can either buy clay-based litter, or silica litter, or plant-based cat litter (if your budget allows).

Tradition clay cat litter contains fair enough absorbent to control urine smell. Whereas silica crystals have higher absorbent properties. And, natural litter is pet-friendly; made of walnut shells, corn, recycled newspaper, or pinewoods also neutralizes ammonia odor. They are nice in odor but high in cost as compared to the other two cat litters.

However, you have to change all those three litters regularly once a week.

7. Use Good Cleansing Products

Thinking about how to remove the ammonia smell?

You can use a good cleanser with live bacteria and enzymes that can help you to remove bacteria that produce odor.

The best thing about these cleansers they are unstoppable! Works to remove entire odor. You can get this easily in the market! There are effective.

Specialized litter box odor control cleansers also available in the market!

8. Avoid Dark Places

Some cat owners keep their kitty litter boxes in dark places. But, if you don’t know, let me tell you that it is the worst place to choose or a litter location!

Why, because there it will stink plus cat’s don’t prefer doing their business in shady places. They look for comfort.

So, to neutralize the ammonia in a litter box, you must place it in a good air circulated area where air can pass to take away the moisture and unpleasant odor much easily.

You can also give a glance look at

Well, That’s a Wrap!

If you have a stinky litter box at home and can find the right solution on how to neutralize the ammonia in cat litter?

You can try using baking soda, a pet cleanser with enzymes, or get a hooded cat litter box for your feline friend!

Give this article a read; we have listed multiple tricks and ways to get rid of the ammonia odor.

Other than this if you know any more ways or tips do let us know in the comment section below!

References:

  1. Effect of an odor eliminator on feline litter box behavior. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17049291/
  2. Formulation of a biodegradable, odor-reducing cat litter from solvent-extracted corn dried distillers grains. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.03.005
  3. How to Clean-Up Cat Urine | Indoor Pet Initiative. (n.d.). https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/problemsolving/cleanupurine

Leave a Comment