Hello, Gypsy Families!
As you prepare to welcome your sweet new kitten home, I wanted to share our litter box setup, cleaning routine, favorite products, and helpful tips we use here at Gypsy Siberians!
I've included Amazon shopping links throughout this guide to make preparing for your kitten's arrival as easy as possible!
We highly recommend stainless steel litter boxes!
They're durable, easy to sanitize, and less likely to retain odors than scratched plastic.
Our recommendations:
π Shop 2 Pack Stainless Steel Litter Boxes
Choose a spacious litter box with enough room for your kitten to turn around and dig comfortably. Make sure younger kittens can easily enter and exit.
How many litter boxes should you have?
We recommend one litter box per cat, plus one extra!
You can combine traditional litter boxes with an automatic litter box.
Cats can be finicky about sharing their bathroom space, so having multiple options is important!
We currently use both, Feline Pine pellets and a tapioca/tofu based litter.
π Shop Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
π Shop Tofu & Tapioca Cat Litter
Important: Please keep your kitten on the same litter they're accustomed to when they first arrive home.
If you choose to switch litter types, gradually transition over approximately 7β14 days to avoid confusing your kitten or causing litter box avoidance.
My tip: Make sure you fill the litter box with enough litter for your kitten to comfortably dig and bury their poop! Follow the recommended depth for your particular litter.
We will also be introducing the kittens to the Neakasa
automatic litter box over the next few weeks and have linked the one we will be using here!
I absolutely love the convenience of automatic litter boxes, especially for maintaining a cleaner litter area.
π Shop Neakasa automatic litter box
I'll also be sending each family a special discount link to order directly through their site as well!
Please remember that young kittens should continue using traditional litter boxes until they meet the automatic litter box manufacturer's minimum weight and safety requirements.
Not every tofu or pine litter is compatible with automatic litter boxes, so always verify compatibility before purchasing.
Keeping the litter box and surrounding area clean is one of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy home for your kitten!
I will often rotate between these cleaning supplies.
Here are some of our favorite supplies:
ο»ΏREScue Disinfectant Spray & Wipes
A veterinary disinfectant that can be used on compatible hard, nonporous surfaces, litterbox, bowls etc.
π Shop REScue Disinfectant Spray
π Shop REScue Disinfectant Wipes
Thieves Household Cleaner
I really enjoy using Thieves for cleaning the floors, litter box area, floors etc.
I also love adding it into my dreame mop vacuum!
Smells sooooo good!
π Shop Thieves Household Cleaner
Unscented Bleach or Vinegar
we also use diluted unscented bleach or Vinegar to clean out the litter boxes and kitten areas..
Safety reminder:
Never mix bleach with REScue, vinegar, ammonia, urine, or other cleaners. Always clean away organic material first, follow the label's dilution and contact-time instructions, and rinse and dry litter boxes before refilling.
Empty Spray Bottles
I love keeping clearly labeled spray bottles for compatible cleaning solutions.
π Shop Empty Cleaning Spray Bottles
Always label the contents and avoid combining different products.
Dedicated Dustpan & Brush:
I highly recommend having a small dustpan and brush used exclusively for your litter box area! This makes sweeping scattered litter much easier.
π Shop Mini Dustpan & Brush Set
Litter Box Mat or Rug
A litter-catching mat helps prevent litter from being tracked throughout your home.
π Shop Washable Water proof Litter Box Rug
Dreame Mop Vacuum
One of our favorite cleaning essentials for keeping up with litter tracking, loose fur, and everyday messes! A good vacuum makes such a difference when sharing your home with a fluffy Siberian!
Our routine:
Scoop poop as soon as you notice stools or smell an odor.
Check litter boxes several times throughout the day.
Remove urine clumps daily when using clumping litter.
Sweep or vacuum the litter box area regularly.
Refill litter as needed so your kitten can comfortably bury waste.
Completely empty, wash, dry, and refill litter boxes approximately weekly when appropriate, or follow your litter manufacturer's replacement schedule.
Clean and disinfect when needed, using products appropriate for cats.
My biggest tip: Don't allow poop to sit in the litter box unnecessarily! The sooner you scoop, the fresher your home will smell.
We love using air purifiers throughout our home!
A good air purifier with a HEPA filter and activated carbon can help reduce airborne litter dust, dander, and some odors. Your cats will thank you too!
π Shop Our Favorite Cat Air Purifier
π Shop Our Favorite Cat Air Purifier
Avoid toxic essential oil diffusers, candles and heavily fragranced air fresheners around your kitten.
Remember, the best odor control starts with a clean litter box!
Your kitten's poop can tell you a lot about their digestive health!
Healthy stools should generally be formed, and easy to scoop.
If you notice mushy, watery, unusually smelly, bloody, or mucus-covered stools, please pay attention.
Some possible causes include:
**Not every soft stool means parasites or too much wet food**
**Please contact me & your veterinarian if your kitten develops persistent soft stool, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, or lethargy. Young kittens can become dehydrated quickly.**
We follow a veterinary-guided parasite prevention and deworming routine.
I'll also be sharing links to the deworming products we commonly use so you can familiarize yourself with them!
π Browse Cat Deworming Products here
Different parasites require different medications, and dosing depends on your kitten's age, weight, and health.
I personally prefer keeping litter boxes in quieter areas of the home where cats feel comfortable and have privacy.
Some of my favorite locations include:
If you prefer keeping the litter box hidden, a properly ventilated cabinet can be a great option as long as your cat has enough space and easy access.
π Shop Litter Box Furniture Cabinet
Keep litter boxes away from food and water bowls, and avoid areas where your kitten could accidentally become trapped.
Your kitten will already be familiar with using a stainless steel litter box before coming home!
When they first arrive, I recommend showing them exactly where their litter box is located and keeping it easily accessible while they adjust.
Try not to make too many changes at once. Keeping their food, litter, and daily routine consistent will help make their transition much easier!
Our goal is to help you feel completely prepared to welcome your new family member home.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions!
With love and lots of kitten cuddles,
Gypsy Siberians