If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it's time for a change. Scrub the box every time you change the litter. Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia or citrus oils can turn a cat off, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats.

How often do you clean a litter box?

Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business. There are self-cleaning litter boxes available that use a sensor to tell when a cat has entered and then left the litter box.

When should I start cleaning my baby's litter box?

Ages 5 to 6

Kids might even be ready to take on the dreaded litter box, provided that they're mature enough to understand good hygiene (how to wash their hands) and they have refined fine motor skills.