Generally, You will need to add about 2-3 inches of garbage to the trash can. Of course, the exact amount depends on the size of the trash. You want to provide enough depth for your cat to dig and cover their waste. You may need to add a little deeper non-crumb trash.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Continue reading to see if you need to add more trash.
How much will you put in the trash can
You need to maintain sufficient depth in your cat’s trash can. Usually, this means keeping the amount of garbage within 2-3 inches. However, some cats may prefer it to a greater or lesser extent. You may need to adjust the amount you add based on your cat’s needs.
Adding trash does not reduce the frequency required to clean the box. It only leads to cat trash being kicked out of the box. You need to scoop up garbage every day to keep the box clean. When scooping, add more trash to maintain the amount you need.
Make sure the trash is properly distributed along the bottom of the box. The depth should be consistent and your cat may ruin this consistency when using the box. You may need to modify it if necessary.
Different types of cat trash have different densities and absorbency. It is best to read the package instructions to know exactly how much garbage you need for that particular type. If the package conflicts with the 2-3 inch rule, follow the packaging instructions. If it’s too little or too little, you can always adjust it later.


Can I put too much trash in the trash can?
You can put too much in the trash bin. Your cat may display it as not using a trash can that contains too much trash. Plus, even if your cat is using the box, they may kick a lot of garbage out of the box.
Too much trash on the floor can also confuse your cat, as you might think it’s trash. Keep this in mind when deciding how much trash to add to your box.
Adding too much trash can also make it difficult to quickly remove dirty areas. You can’t get rid of all the dirty waste and you may be forced to replace the entire trash can and waste the excess. If you are using trash, too much trash can lead to a clump-like limit.
How can I determine if I use too much trash?
I want the box to be full Just enough garbage. However, understanding this is a challenge. In some cases, going overboard is easy.
Luckily there are several ways to know if you’re using too much trash in your trash bin.
Here are some things to note:
- Your cat will slip. If your cat is sliding through the trash can, it is very likely that you are using too much trash from your cat. Garbage can be too shifted as cats walk, making it difficult to maintain balance. This is especially problematic for older cats and cats with physical challenges. These cats may actually be needed few More garbage than normally recommended.
- You always add trash. If you’ve done some chores to clean the trash can, you can slowly add more garbage to avoid cleaning. However, this will only make it difficult to use, especially if you are using clay waste. Clay waste can be used in excess and form hard, heavy masses.
- Your cat won’t go all the time. If there is too much trash, your cat may avoid going all the way through due to slipping issues. They may try to use the trash can only on the first half of the inside. This kind of behavior can also occur if the trash can is too small. Perhaps you need to do some trial and error to get a sense of the underlying problem.
- The trash can go anywhere. If there is too much garbage in the trash can, it will easily spill. So, if you notice that there is a lot of cat trash all over the floor, you may be using too much cat trash in the box.
If you notice these signs, you can reduce the amount of trash used in your cat.
Do you need to measure it when adding cat trash?
You don’t need to add exactly 2 inches – your cat isn’t that noisy. However, if you have never used a particular trash bin, we recommend that you measure it for the first time to know how much 2-inch trash is.
Of course, if it makes it easier for you, you can absolutely measure it every time. You can also measure 2 inches and then create a small mark inside the litter box you will use.


How often do you scoop the trash can for one cat?
If possible, you should scoop the trash bin once a day, even if there is only one cat. Cleaner trash can prevent bad bathroom habits and makes work a little easier. Additionally, dirty trash can carry lots of bacteria, making your cat sick. Keep this in mind if you have determined a scoop schedule.
If you have multiple cats, you may need to scoop up the trash cans more frequently. However, the minimum value is once a day.
In addition to the scoop, don’t forget that your trash can needs to be cleaned regularly and well. All garbage should be removed every other week. We also recommend considering actual box scrubs. The plastic itself can retain odor, so it is important to use disposable bins and clean the bin well.
The struggle against the smell of tough cats is a continuous battle for pet parents, but fortunately, there are products designed to help! There are two products that significantly reduce odor Hepper Litter Additives and Hepper enzyme spray.
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Perfect for cleaning
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Hepper Advanced Bioenzyme PET Staining & Odor Eliminator Spray |
Works on multiple surfaces It’s gentle and effective Lifts dirt and set-in odor |
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Best garbage additives![]() |
Advanced Biological Enzyme Cat Mammary Detergent |
Neutralizes the odor in cat trash Cat Safe Free fragrance |
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At Catstar, we have long admired Hepper and decided to take control of ownership so that we can benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
For most situations, you will need to add 2-3 inches of cat trash to the trash can. For most cats and boxes, this is the amount of garbage. However, you may need to increase or decrease the amount of garbage you use. For example, older cats may have less litter.
Feel free to adjust the amount of cat trash you add to ensure you understand exactly what your cat needs are.
Featured Image Credits: Duet Pandg, Shutterstock