What Are the Strongest Cat Litter Box Liners?

Litter box liners are essentially plastic bags designed to place inside the litter box to make cleanup quick and easy when it’s time to change the litter. Some liners have drawstrings that can be pulled to hug the outside of the box, some have holes for straining soiled litter and, naturally, they are all touted to be the strongest. Cats obsessively dig and scratch in their litter. Those paws with claws can perforate the liner, shredding large enough openings for soiled litter to leak through to the litter box, necessitating the thorough scrubbing that you had hoped to avoid by using liners. No matter how strong a litter box liner manufacturer claims their product is, no plastic bag is impervious to your kitty’s little shredders.

Many cats dislike litter box liners and develop an aversion to the litter box when liners are used. This leads to far more frustrating problems than having to scrub a box once a week as your unhappy cat seeks out other locations in your home to carry out her business. Cats are deterred from litter boxes with liners if they dislike the crinkling sounds that surround them as they maneuver in the box. One of their claws can hook into the plastic, leading to a struggle to get free and escape from the box. Cats also dislike a smelly potty. Once they manage to shred a hole in the liner, unpleasant odors of leaking urine get trapped between the liner and the box.

Most people consider using litter box liners because, in theory, you simply lift the liner out of a litter box that remains clean, toss the package and start over. Until a manufacturer produces a liner that is puncture-proof and that fits the box like a glove, cleanup duty has not improved. Liners often fail to fit the litter box perfectly, leading to the sides being pulled down into the litter by digging paws. Creases that form in the corners of these ill-fitting liners serve as pooling crevices for urine. Holes torn by claws or poop scoops result in soiled litter leaking onto the floor as you lift and dispose, and you will likely find urine that has leaked into the box. This amounts to litter box scrubbing after all, additional sweeping and wasted money.

Since no litter box liner is strong enough to result in cleanup shortcuts, adhere to some regular cleaning habits to keep your furry friend's litter box inviting. Scoop the litter box at least twice daily. Avoid using a hooded cover that traps odors inside her elimination area and adds one more item to be scrubbed. At least once a week, dump the litter and scrub the box with mild dish detergent. Replace the litter box with a new one every six months. Your kitty makes few demands, but one of those demands is a pristine potty. By avoiding shortcuts that ultimately do not save you time or effort and adopting these routine rituals instead, you will save on frustration and keep your pet happier and healthier as well.