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10 Essential Cat Litter Box Accessories to Get You Started

By Jessica Kim
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Cat tray with crystal litter and scoop on floor near light blue wall

One of the challenges that cat owners face is coming up with a substantial cat litter box system and cleaning routine. More often than not, a significant amount of effort must go into keeping your cat’s litter box and the surrounding area clean and smelling fresh.

Various cleaning supplies and accessories can help prevent several issues, such as unsanitary spaces, strong odors, and cat litter tracking throughout the home. Our list will help you keep track of all the essential cat litter box accessories you need to ensure that your home stays clean and odor-free.

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The 10 Essential Cat Litter Box Accessories

Cleaning Supplies

1. Pet Stain Spray

Hepper enzyme spray

It’s always a good idea to have a pet stain spray, even if your cat has tidy litter box habits. You never know when cat litter granules can escape the litter box, and there may be some instances where your cat accidentally urinates a little outside the litter box.

A pet stain spray will help to clean and remove urine thoroughly while eliminating odors. The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is an excellent choice because it has a powerful bio-enzyme formula that breaks down and dissolves stubborn stains. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


2. Paw Wipes

Hepper-Wash-Wipes

Cat litter often gets stuck on cats’ paws, so it’s helpful to have a set of paw wipes or pet wash wipes to help remove cat litter and reduce tracking around the house. When shopping for paw wipes, look for wipes that have a gentle cleansing formula. Some paw wipes can use harsh chemicals that can irritate or dry out your cat’s sensitive paw pads. We recommend the Hepper Wash Wipes because they use an all-natural, hypoallergenic formula. It effectively cleans your cat while being gentle on their paws. You can also use them to wipe down your cat if they’re resistant to taking a bath. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


3. Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes

Nature's Miracle Cat Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes

Having litter box scrubbing wipes will help keep your litter box clean and last longer. These scrubs are essential if you use non-clumping cat litter. They’ll help remove any cat litter that has dried to the bottom of the litter box. They often have a formula that breaks down dried cat litter to make cleanup faster and prevent you from over-scrubbing and scratching the litter box.

Nature’s Miracle Cat Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes have a powerful, deodorizing formula that helps you clean the litter box quickly. Regular use can also prevent odors from getting absorbed into plastic litter boxes.


4. Cat Litter Scoop

SUNGROW Non-Stick Metal Scoop Kitty Box Cat Litter Scooper

A cat litter scoop is an essential litter box accessory, especially if you use clumping cat litter. It makes spot-cleaning the litter box much easier and reduces litter box waste. You can find many affordable cat litter scoops, but make sure to avoid scoops made with cheap, low-quality materials.

Metal scoops are usually the better option because they last longer. The SunGrow Non-Stick Metal Scoop is a great option because it’s very durable and reduces hand fatigue.


5. Litter Box Liners

PET N PET Cat Litter Box Liners

Litter box liners work to make litter box cleanup faster and more convenient. It’s often a good option if you have multiple cats in the home and find yourself cleaning their litter boxes frequently. It’s also a considerable option if you use non-clumping cat litter, as it’ll prevent moisture from drying onto the litter box.

Many litter box liners, like the PET N PET Cat Litter Box Liners, also come with a deodorizing formula. So, they can reduce and eliminate odors while keeping the litter box dry and making cleanup easier.


6. Cat Litter Disposal Bin

Litter Genie Plus Cat

Using a disposal bin specifically designed for cat litter waste can help make cleanup much more convenient and protect your home from litter box odors. Separating cat litter waste from usual waste promotes sanitary practices, and you’ll find yourself taking out the trash less frequently.

A good cat litter disposal bin like the Litter Genie will have a mechanism that traps odors so that you aren’t met with a strong smell every time you open it. It’ll also have a convenient way to throw out a full bag and replace it with a new one.

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Deodorizing Supplies

7. Deodorizing Cat Litter Additives

Arm & Hammer Litter Box Deodorizing Crystals

One way to reduce litter box odors is to use cat litter additives or deodorizing crystals. These types of products are meant to be mixed with cat litter. Once they come in contact with cat urine or feces, they’ll activate and work to trap odors.

When looking for cat litter additives, look for products that have a strong deodorizing formula that doesn’t heavily rely on fragrances that simply mask scents, like the Arm & Hammer Litter Deodorizing Crystals. Low-quality cat litter additives will only end up adding to litter box odors, and artificial fragrances can be irritating to both cats and humans.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


8. Odor Trapper

Petdiary Deodorizer Odor Eliminator Cat Litter Box

An odor trapper is another excellent cat litter box accessory that helps prevent litter box smells from permeating throughout a room. It works by using a fan to absorb odors and uses a deodorizing formula to trap and eliminate smells.

They’re usually attached right above litter boxes, so it’s important to find a product that doesn’t emit loud noises, like the Petdiary Deodorizer Odor Eliminator. This will ensure that your cat doesn’t feel disturbed and discouraged from using their litter box.

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Cat Litter Containment Supplies

9. Litter Box Hood

PetSafe ScoopFree Litter Box Privacy Cover

Cats have their own litter box habits. Some may dig and paw through the litter, while others may prefer to urinate on or near the sides and corners of their litter box.

A litter box hood such as the PetSafe ScoopFree Litter Box Privacy Cover will help to prevent urine and cat litter from escaping the litter box. It will protect your floors and walls from getting dirty, which ultimately reduces the amount of time you spend cleaning the litter box area.


10. Cat Litter Tracking Mat

IPRIMIO Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat

Many cat litter brands claim that their products have minimal tracking. However, you’ll still find a significant amount of cat litter tracks around the home if you don’t have preventative measures set in place. A cat litter tracking mat is one of the most effective cat litter box accessories when it comes to reducing tracking.

Not all cat litter tracking mats are made the same. A high-quality mat will be made with high-traction material that prevents the mat from sliding around, and the cat litter will stick to it when your cat’s paws come in contact with it. The mat should also be textured so that the cat litter granules stay trapped and don’t spread around the surrounding area. We like the iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat because it checks all the boxes and is easy to clean.

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Conclusion

Maintaining a clean cat litter box takes extra time and work. However, investing in a good set of cat litter box accessories can make cleaning much faster and more convenient. Choosing one or two cleaning supplies and deodorizing supplies can make maintenance much easier. Adding a cat litter box hood or a cat litter tracking mat can also contain litter box messes and ensure that the rest of your house is clean and free of litter box odors.

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Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

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Jessica Kim
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