Like all other living creatures, cats will need to pass out urine or faeces at some point in their day and since we can’t share our toilets with our furry little friends, we get them a cat litter box to carry out their business conveniently.
While these cat litter boxes are produced in different material forms and sizes that affect their utility, there are many reasons why you should consider a stainless steel cat litter box.
Are stainless steel litter boxes better
The stainless steel litter boxes have the advantage of being durable, easy to clean and maintain, as well as being a more hygienic option.
They do not retain odour and are resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth, and this is why they are generally thought to be better than other litter box types.
Investing in stainless steel boxes for your cat is a good move that’ll yield results in the increased convenience and usability they bring, and this article seeks to explain why.
Stainless steel cat litter boxes can benefit your cat and you in different ways, and here’s how.
1. They are easy to clean
Unlike their plastic counterparts, these shiny little boxes make cleaning much easier.
They do not easily retain stains or waste from your cat’s mess due to one key property: the smoothness of their surface.
This property allows stains, urine, and other waste residue to slide off the litter’s sides and bottoms easily.
You only need to wash all around the boxes with soap and clean water to remove any stains that cling to their sides.
This means you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals and their effects on your cat’s health.
2. They are durable
These boxes have sufficient material strength to resist the impact and appearance of tiny drops, dents, scratches, and other inadequate handling issues.
This means they will last longer than most other box types due to their sturdy frame and build form.
Even if your cat is the type to claw its way around the box, you can be sure that your steel box will remain largely unscathed.
The boxes are also reasonably reusable and recyclable and, as such, can be trusted to serve a different purpose, such as housing cat feed or any other supplies.
3. They are more hygienic
You’ll not have to worry about mold, mildew, or other fungi/bacteria growth if you use a stainless steel box.
Their material makeup and heat retention ability help them to adequately resist the growth and sustenance of microorganisms along their portions.
These microorganisms can only thrive in an environment with limited heat retention and sufficient exposure, hence their prevalence in plastic litter boxes.
4. They are safer
While plastic boxes often come with a few toxins that can creep into your cat’s litter and thus pose a threat to their health, stainless steel is mainly toxic-free.
Some harmful chemicals used while producing plastic make steel a better choice when compared with it.
5. They are easy on the eyes
The sleek and shiny appearance of stainless steel surfaces is one of the most impressive details they boast of.
They can be cut into intricate shapes and sizes and placed anywhere in your living space.
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How to keep cat litter boxes from smelling
Foul smell is the bane of every litter box, big or small, so keeping these boxes neat and trim is essential.
The urine passed out by cats contains ammonia as a critical component, and this is where most of the smell comes from.
Here are a few helpful tips to keep your cat’s litter largely odor-free.
1. Scoop out waste regularly
The most effective way to keep your cat’s litter box from smelling is to always expel its waste contents.
You should remove your cat’s waste from the box as often as possible or daily for the best results.
Doing this will ensure that you leave no room for the buildup of a foul odor from the accumulation of waste.
2. Carefully clean the litter box weekly
Use soap and clean water to clean the boxes thoroughly and effectively to eliminate odor-causing waste or residue.
Start by scraping out the litter and all the clumps of waste it houses. Next, dip a clean sponge in soap water and scrub all the sides and bottom before rinsing it clean.
3. Use a pet odor eliminator
Pet Odor eliminators are nice-smelling products that expel any foul smell emanating from your cat’s litter when sprayed around it.
These odor eliminators are not to be sprayed directly inside the box as your cat may not appreciate the smell and will thus be forced to stay away from it.
It is best to choose a product that will not give off a harsh smell around your house.
4. Use baking soda
Baking soda contains specific components that have odor-repelling capacity.
When you place a little baking soda at the box’s bottom, you can considerably keep the box and its contents from smelling foul.
If your cat does not fancy the smell of the baking soda, you can also place it outside the box.
5. Replace the box or keep a spare
There are many valid reasons why your cat is best served by having more than one litter box.
The box will not always be in excellent condition, especially if you have a very active cat, and you won’t always have ample time to clean up the box.
If your cat manages to claw away at the litter and create gaps inside it, it’ll become vulnerable to bacterial growth and pick up odor easily.
It is always best to have a spare litter to replace an impacted one or to use in between weekly or daily clean-up exercises.
Creative places to put cat litter box
Cat litter boxes have become an ever-present fixture in many homes today, and they can be found everywhere, from the kitchen to the pantry and the bathroom.
While these boxes can be designed to blend in your home’s decor and space and thus fit in most places, they are better off being in some specific regions to maximise their utility and convenience.
Here are a few suggestions on the most creative places to place your cat litter box.
1. In a bathroom sink cabinet
If your bathroom sink cabinet has lower spaces that can conveniently fit in a box, it might be a good place to site your cat’s little restroom.
You can cut out a small hole where your cat can enter, ensuring the gap is wide enough to conveniently accommodate the cat with a little room to spare.
If you properly maintain the cabinet space and take out the drawer for regular cleaning, your furry friend should be fine with the place.
2. In an unused room, laundry room, or closet
If you have any unused room or space for your laundry or other household activities, you can safely and securely use it to house your cat litter box.
The simple trick is that the box will be sited in a low-traffic room, and then the cat will have all the time and space to get along with its little business whenever needed.
Also, remember to always keep the door open so your cat can always find its way into the place whenever it wants to.
3. In a decorative cabinet space
You can go for special furniture-grade boxes that sync with your home’s decor.
These boxes are shaped like regular cabinets, mostly wooden, and can fit perfectly in your living space without drawing any particular attention.
You may side with the boxes that have custom-fitted vents or odor-containing provisions, which means the boxes can pick choice spots across your living room.
Top it off with a removable cover, and you will have a cat litter box that can blend seamlessly into your home furniture.
4. Inside regular house furniture or cabinet
If you don’t have ample space to spare or like your cat always within sight, consider installing a custom-fit drawer to be transformed into a litter box.
You can place this drawer in the lower part of the cabinet or cupboard, where your cat can easily access it.
Consider fixing a side cabinet beside your clothing cupboard or the lower portions of your bookshelf.
The trick is to fix the box in an easily accessible spot where you keep your everyday domestic properties.
This arrangement should come packed with odor-repelling provisions so you don’t leave your space vulnerable to the spread of foul odor.
5. On a closed balcony or patio
Placing your cat’s litter box on your balcony or patio means It will always be at close walking distance from anywhere around the house.
This means you and your cat can access it in a quick few steps, even if it is closer to an outdoor area.
Ensure the balcony is secured away from other elements and in a well-lit, properly ventilated space.
FAQs
Is stainless steel good for a cat litter box?
Stainless steel ranks highly among the best materials for making cat litter boxes. They have many notable advantages over other litter box types due to their ease of use, durable build, aesthetic, and hygienic quality.
The boxes are built to several sizes and the height of their walls will dissuade your cat from displacing its waste outside the box and into your living space.
Also, they are free of toxins and harmful chemicals and their heat-absorbing capacity will make the box essentially bacteria-free.
Are stainless steel litter boxes better than plastic?
These steel-framed boxes have proven to be better than their plastic alternatives. They last longer and more easily cleaned and a more hygienic option.
They are also more odor-repelling and don’t bear the risk of introducing toxic substances inside the box.
They compare favorably to plastic boxes with respect to their usability and other convenience factors.
Another critical reason stainless steel boxes make a better choice than plastic is their impact resistance.
This can make a significant difference if you own a restless cat that tends to always claw away at the litter box.
Will stainless steel litter boxes rust?
Stainless steel boxes do not rust from sustained use and this is one critical edge they have over other box types.
Unlike plastic or wood boxes that tend to tear or warp after a long time, stainless steel boxes retain their shape and form for long periods.
If you open the box to air, water, or any other element, it will not give way or start deteriorating. Their rust-proof property results from a rigorous manufacturing process, ranking them higher for durability than most cat litter box types.
Do stainless steel litter boxes last longer?
Compared to other litter boxes made of wood, clay or plastic, stainless steel litter boxes are known to last longer.
Their material makeup endows them with a strength and impact-resistance property that serves them well against raucous cats and all the dents, wear, and tear occasioned by rough use.
While clay boxes can break when carelessly dropped or moved around, plastic boxes tear with time, and wood boxes warp and crack after sustained usage.
In comparison, steel boxes are supported by a sturdy frame and can quickly recover better from accidental drops and the clawing exertions of their feline occupants.