# Cleaning

## Bedding

The bedding does not need to be regularly washed unless it has been soiled. Kittens like their familiar scent left on their bedding. (This is NOT the case if the kittens have ringworm)

## Litter Trays

Kittens can defecate up to 3 times a day if their stools are normal, and more often when they have diarrhoea. As kittens can be reluctant to use a soiled litter tray, you must regularly inspect the trays and clean them as required.

* If using 1 litter tray per 2 kittens you should be emptying the litter tray and cleaning it every 2 - 3 days...more often if it is appears well used and smells.
* To prevent kittens from having accidents whilst the litter tray is being cleaned, it is helpful to have at least 1 spare tray so that the kittens are never without access to a clean tray.
* if the litter trays are heavily soiled or your fosters are suffering from a gastrointestinal infection, it best to use diluted bleach to disinfect the trays. For example, for Giardia cysts

> - 1:32 dilution is effective within 1 minute, whereas
> - 1:100 dilution can take up to 10 minutes to be effective
> - Be sure to rinse the bleach off thoroughly before re-using

## Food Bowls

Food bowls should be cleaned after feeding and water changed every day and whenever the water appears tainted. Keep the food and water a distance apart to avoid food getting in the water bowl.

Bowls and litter trays should be cleaned by immersing in hot soapy water and scrubbing them to remove any visible matter. Place cleaned items in the sun to dry.

* Some chemicals can be dangerous to your kitten’s health so please only use a PH neutral detergent.
