Tips from Cats’ Castle Cat Boarding in Oakville & Waterdown
“Mmmm… it smells great in here!”
That’s something we are happy to hear at Cats’ Castle Cat Hotel. Many visitors are shocked to learn just how many cats we care for at our cat boarding facility throughout the year. On an average day, we may have 40–60 cats staying with us, and during busy holiday seasons we can have well over 100 feline guests — sometimes even close to 200!
The surprising part? It doesn’t smell like it.
As a trusted cat boarding facility serving Oakville, Waterdown, Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga, Milton, Toronto, and the GTA, we’ve learned a few important tricks for keeping both our boarding facility and our homes smelling clean and fresh. Here are some of our best tips for reducing litter box odors and keeping your cat-friendly home odor-free.
1. Scoop the Litter Box Frequently
When people describe their pets as “stinky,” the smell is usually coming from urine. The easiest and most effective way to reduce odors is simple: scoop the litter box regularly.
At Cats’ Castle, the very first thing we do every morning is scoop all litter boxes and remove the garbage. Even in a professionally cleaned cat boarding facility, you can notice a difference when litter boxes haven’t been cleaned yet.
At home, you may only have one or two litter boxes, but regular scooping is still extremely important. Odors build up quickly, and cats can become unhappy with a dirty litter box. When that happens, many cats start looking for alternative places to urinate — laundry piles, towels, rugs, and carpets are common targets.
Once a cat develops the habit of peeing outside the litter box, it can be difficult to correct. Keeping the box clean helps prevent both odors and unwanted bathroom behaviors.
We also recommend using a clumping litter, since it removes urine much more effectively. At home, you can scoop waste into dog waste bags, tie them securely, and place them directly into the garbage. Flushable litter made from wheat or corn is another great option for odor control.
2. Deep Clean the Litter Box Regularly
Scooping daily is important, but occasionally the entire litter box needs a deep clean.
At our Oakville cat boarding facility, we thoroughly sanitize litter boxes using warm water, soap, and bleach. Cats staying long-term receive freshly cleaned boxes every few weeks or sooner if needed.
At home, cleaning your cat’s litter box every 4–6 weeks can make a huge difference in odor control. A freshly cleaned box is also more inviting for your cat.
One simple trick we love: sprinkle a little baking soda into the bottom of the litter box before adding fresh litter. Baking soda helps absorb lingering odors naturally and works wonders.
3. Protect Your Floors from Accidents
Even the tidiest cats occasionally miss the litter box.
Some cats urinate too close to the edge of the box, while others accidentally hang over the side. These accidents can quickly soak into flooring, baseboards, and carpets, creating long-lasting odors.
At Cats’ Castle, we place mats underneath all litter boxes to catch accidents and make cleanup easier. At home, a washable towel or mat under the litter box can help protect your floors and prevent smells from lingering.
4. Consider a Covered Litter Box
Covered litter boxes can help trap odors and reduce smells throughout your home.
Many models include carbon filters designed to absorb odors, along with flap doors that help keep smells contained. If you introduce a covered litter box, however, it’s best to let your cat get comfortable with it before adding the flap door. Some cats may feel nervous or trapped initially.
At our cat hotel, we use covered litter boxes without flap doors to help our feline guests feel comfortable while still minimizing odors.
5. Improve Air Quality in Your Home
One of the biggest reasons our cat boarding facility stays fresh is our advanced air filtration system. Continuous airflow and filtration help remove odors while also reducing airborne germs and helping prevent illnesses from spreading between cats.
Homeowners can achieve similar results with HEPA air filtration systems or carbon-filter air purifiers. These systems can significantly improve indoor air quality and help eliminate pet odors.
And of course, there’s nothing wrong with adding a little extra freshness! Scented wall plug-ins or essential oil alternatives (used safely around pets) can make your home smell warm and inviting instead of “pet-like.”
At Cats’ Castle Cat Hotel our cat kennel specializes in long term cat boarding as well as short term cat boarding. With consistently over 50 cats staying with us we need to figure out ways to keep our cat hotel smelling fresh and these are some of the tips that have worked for us! Book your cats next stay with us here BOOK NOW