How Often to Change Cat Litter (and Scoop It)
There are really two questions here: how often to scoop, and how often to dump all the litter and wash the box. The first has a clear answer. The second depends on whose advice you follow, and we show you both rather than invent a rule.
This guide draws on the ASPCA and the Animal Humane Society, linked below. If your cat has started going outside the box, skip to the last section: that can be a medical problem.
Key takeaways
- Scoop at least once a day. Both the ASPCA and the Animal Humane Society say so.
- For a full change and wash, the ASPCA says once a week; the Animal Humane Society says at least once a month.
- Wash with warm water and unscented soap, baking soda or plain water, per the ASPCA. Skip scented cleaners.
- Have one box per cat, plus one, with one to two inches of litter.
Scoop every day
The ASPCA says to scoop at least once a day. The Animal Humane Society agrees that solid waste and clumps should be scooped daily, and when a cat is having litter box problems, it recommends scooping at least twice a day.
Change all the litter: weekly or monthly?
Here the two sources differ. The ASPCA says to clean all litter boxes once a week and completely replace the litter. The Animal Humane Society says to empty the entire box and wash it at least once a month, and to step up to weekly washing if you are working through a litter problem.
Neither source gives a separate schedule for clumping and non-clumping litter.
How to wash the box
The ASPCA recommends warm water with unscented soap, baking soda or no soap at all. It warns against scented cleaners because a cat could develop an aversion to the smell. When you are working through a litter problem, the Animal Humane Society says to wash weekly with soap and warm water only and to avoid strong-smelling disinfectants.
For accidents outside the box, the ASPCA suggests an enzymatic cleaner.
How much litter, how many boxes, and where
The ASPCA says most cats like a shallow bed of litter, one to two inches rather than three or four. The Animal Humane Society says to aim for around two inches.
Both organizations use the same rule for the number of boxes: one per cat, plus one extra. Three cats means at least four boxes.
Put boxes somewhere quiet but not cornered, where a cat can see others coming and has more than one way out, according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA also says to keep boxes away from a lot of foot traffic, noisy appliances such as a washer and dryer, and a dog's food and water bowls; the Animal Humane Society says not next to your cat's food or water, and to avoid corners and tight spaces like closets.
For the rest of an indoor cat's setup, see our picks for a cat tree for large cats and interactive cat toys.
When it's not about the litter
The ASPCA lists urinary tract infections, feline interstitial cystitis, and kidney stones or a blockage among the medical reasons a cat may stop using the box, and says these need veterinary attention. The Animal Humane Society suggests asking your vet about a urinalysis, a stool check and bloodwork, especially for a senior cat. Mention any change in how much your cat drinks, too; see our guide to how much water a cat should drink.
FAQ
How often should I scoop the litter box?
At least once a day, according to both the ASPCA and the Animal Humane Society.
How often should I completely change cat litter?
The ASPCA says once a week. The Animal Humane Society says at least once a month. Both say to wash the box when you do.
What should I clean a litter box with?
Warm water with unscented soap, baking soda or plain water, per the ASPCA, which warns against scented cleaners. When working through a litter problem, the Animal Humane Society adds: avoid strong-smelling disinfectants.
How deep should the litter be?
One to two inches, says the ASPCA; around two inches, says the Animal Humane Society.
How many litter boxes do I need?
One per cat, plus one, according to both the ASPCA and the Animal Humane Society. For two cats, that is three boxes.
Editor's note: Sources were read on September 24, 2026. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.
