After reading the backs of several brands of cat box odor neutralizer, I've found they have basically the same 2 active ingredients BORAX and BAKING SODA. Here's an easy recipe that works to decrease cat box odor: Mix equal amounts of (20 mule team) BORAX and BAKING SODA together. Next time you clean out your cat box, sprinkle 1 - 2 cups in the bottom of the litter box then add your favorite brand of litter on top. These safe and simple ingredients will greatly decrease the odor from your cat box.
By CDR
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But I have a question. Is the borax harmful to the kitties? I've used baking soda in the past and it works short term, but with a lot of cats I need something that lasts a bit longer.
Yes. If you feed cats your laundry detergent, then I suppose you could feed them Borax. borax is used mostly as a laundry additive these days, and I assume-correctly I hope-that you do not feed detergent to them. Borax is safe when USED AS DIRECTED! So read the directions on the box. I have yet to read a recipe for cat litter deodorant on the box, so just use baking soda, or buy a commercial brand.
Borax kills. This is insanely dangerous stupid idiocy to suggest using borax. I don't even buy it.
Thank you Geraldine! When I saw that post I just about had a heart attack!
I would not recommend using Borax - nonetheless it is slightly LESS TOXIC than table salt according to the science.
All about quantity ingested. I would keep it away from cats.
I used baking soda a few years ago to neutralize the odor of my litterbox. I kept noticing that my cat looked like she was foaming at the mouth. I finally read an article about baking soda in litterboxes causes this.
You should note that Borax is a poison. It is listed in the MSDS. The MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) is a book all places that handles hazardous materials must keep on hand. The MSDS book reads "Harmful if swallowed or inhaled." It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and central nervous system. It can affect the GI tract, liver, and kidneys. Borac Acid is considered a hazardous material and contains traces of arsenic.
I found this out because I had heard that using Borax on the carpet would get rid of fleas. My two cats became lethargic and stopped eating. When I found out what I was doing I took my cats to a friend's house, and I wore a mask to try and get up as much of that Borax as I could. I don't know how much damage I caused my little kitties but one died prematurely. I was surprised to see this advice. Please think twice before using Borax around children or pets.
Borax is related to boric acid but is not the same thing and is much less toxic. Of course, that doesn't mean it's good for cats to ingest (or humans either). Borax is pretty harmless if used properly, though there is a lot of fear-mongering on the Internet.
Chemical manufacturers are required to supply an MSDS with each product sold that's specific to that product. There is not a single MSDS book.
if you read the instructions on the box you will see that Borax is used diluted. It can be used as a paste, but frankly I would not do it. Borax is generally a laundry detergent/cleaner enhancer. To clean the carpet either go to the 20 Mule Team Borax web page or follow directions on box. They suggest using it in a cleaning machine, as a solution. About 1/2 cup of Borax to 1 Gallon of water.
Do you realize that Borax is TOXIC to cats? It can be absorbed through the skin and by inhaling! LESS THAN 5 GRAMS CAN KILL A PET OR A CHILD!!! Even the MSDS safety sheet for Borax indicates it is a throat and a lung irritant if inhaled by humans or pets!!!
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