There are many benefits to keeping a cat. Like any other pet, a feline companion can be a source of unconditional company and a lot of laughter. When cats are in a happy mood, they will be your best friends and ultimate snugglers. They will shut out the strange bugs in your apartment. Sometimes when you try to hold a party, they will roll behind your back in a very dramatic way, and your friends will think this is the most interesting thing they have ever seen. The disadvantage of keeping a cat is obvious, and that is the litter box. However, how often should you change the litter box? The answers will be very useful and can help you weigh the pros and cons of keeping a cat... and keep your home (and all the creatures in it!) clean and healthy.

According to the Humane Association of the United States, the general rule of thumb for optimal trash can hygiene is to clean it about twice a week. However, like most general rules of thumb, there is room for change. Your specific needs may vary based on how many cats you have, how many litter boxes (if you have multiple cats), and the type of litter you use in them.

Start with a twice-weekly schedule, but pay close attention to the cat’s bathroom location for signs that may need to be adjusted. According to The Humane Society, the most important thing is that no matter how long you have cleaned a particularly smelly trash can, you need to replace it. If the litter is wetter or clumpy than usual, it should be replaced. If you have multiple cats using a box, you may find that it is best to change the litter more than twice a week. After all, it’s okay to clean it a little bit. You might as well make a mistake in hygiene, don't you?

Some sources actually indicate that this seems to be near-continuous hygiene. Dr. Stephanie Janeczko DVM, Director of Animal Care and Control Medicine in New York City, wrote in Petfinder that the trash can should be scooped at least once or twice a day. She said that ideally, you should clean up your pet as soon as it finishes its business. But let's be realistic-few of us really have time to do this.

If you like to follow Dr. Janeczko's advice, but are not excited about the idea of ​​monitoring your cat every time you go to the bathroom, you can consider checking out an automatic cleaning cat litter box. These gadgets use sensors to initiate the automatic cleaning process. Although some cats may find them a bit scary, they definitely have the potential to make your life easier...make your home cleaner.

Here are some self-cleaning options you might want to consider:

If you are skeptical about self-cleaning routes-or you worry that your cat will be skeptical about it-there are other ways to stay ahead of the mess in the trash can and make your cleaning process easier. Animal Planet recommends putting a thin layer of baking soda in the box in front of the trash. This will help absorb unpleasant odors. The Humane Society pointed out that box linings can make cleaning easier, but some cats actually scratch them with their paws, which can have the opposite effect when you try to pick up the contents of the box. Resist the urge to put more than two inches of trash in the cat's box. Felines don’t actually need more, and the more trash you have, the more you need to clean...and buy. Who wants that