Where to Put Your Litter Box So Your Cat Will Use It
Simply put, litter boxes need to be placed where your cat or cats will want to use them, such as:
- In a private location without a lot of noise, so your kitty can do their business without onlookers and passers-by. Kitties don’t consider pooping a public performance.
- In a location your kitten considers safe – e.g. they won’t be pounced on by another pet or a child while they’re in the middle of things. Be sure nothing can fall into the litter box, which may give your kitty a fright and earn their consternation.
- In an easily accessible location. Your cat needs to be able to easily climb in and out of the litter box in order to use it. While some kitties don’t mind a bit of an obstacle course to get to their box, others, especially elder cats, don’t want a navigational challenge just to get relief. Your cat will judge you hard if you make their litter box difficult to reach.
- In a place where you can easily access it for cleaning. Don’t outwit yourself and make scooping or cleaning the litter box a hassle. When kitty bites your toes to let you know the litter box is unacceptable, you don’t want to have to get out tools to make it right.
That said, a litter box doesn’t need to be a centerpiece or the focal point of a room. Your kitty may rule the roost, but he or she does have to share it with you, after all.
Hiding Your Cat’s Litter Box in Plain Sight
So you’ve got the basics for where to put a litter box. Now let’s talk about how you can integrate the box into your home décor instead of dominating it. Concealing the cat’s litter box provides some extra privacy for your kitty, helps keep down litter tracking, and makes the box inaccessible to dogs, who seem to think the cat box is full of treats. Gross. Kitty don’t play that.
Of course, just because you can’t see the litter box doesn’t mean you can’t smell it. To truly hide your litter box, make sure you’ve chosen a cat litter that controls odors and eliminates that telltale smell of ammonia in cat urine. Try ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ AbsorbX™ Clumping Cat Litter for a multi-cat formula that absorbs urine in seconds and traps odors in hard, easy-to-scoop clumps.
Also, try one of these clever ways to hide a litter box in your home.
An End Table, Some Tacks and Some Chic Fabric
One easy litter box hiding hack is to use a square or rectangular end table with an open bottom. Place the litter box underneath the end table and out of the way.
To keep the box from being seen, choose a favorite fabric that complements your décor. Measure the perimeter of the table, and use 1.5 times this number if you want to the fabric to gather. Measure the height from the table’s edge to just above the floor. Cut a piece of fabric to these dimensions and hem if desired.
Tack the fabric under the end table around the perimeter, using thumbtacks, small nails, or staples. Leave the opening slit between the ends of the fabric in either the front or the side facing out into the room. The fabric opening creates a doorway for your cat to enter.
Place the table back in its spot and slide the litter box underneath. It will be completely hidden from view, but your cat can enter and exit through the flaps.
Same Principle, But in the Bathroom
If your bathroom or half-bath has a wall-mounted sink, you can slide the litter box under it, and attach fabric on three sides of the sink to create a “sink-skirt.” Your cat can enter from front flaps or a larger area between the skirt and the wall.
Hide the Litter Box in a Closet
If you have a linen closet, coat closet, or even a laundry area that has a door, you can easily turn the bottom of the closet into a great place for a litter box. All you need is to install a cat door or a Cathole in your interior door so your cat has 24/7 access. The litter box stays hidden in the closet and kitty can come and go as she pleases.
Put the Litter Box Under the Sink Cabinet
If you have a vanity in your bathroom, you can turn the space under the sink into a new home for the litter box. If the vanity has a side that is open to the bathroom, you can cut a cat-sized hole in the side for kitty to access the box inside.
If the vanity is wall-to-wall or you’d prefer not to cut a hole in the unit itself, you can modify one of the vanity doors by adding a cat door to it, or simply take it off the hinges and hang a piece of fabric across the opening to keep the litter box out of sight. This last option is great for renters because you can simply put the door back on the vanity when it’s time to move out.
Hide the Litter Box in a Modified Cabinet
There are plenty of available options for a piece of furniture that doubles as a litter box hider. Search online for “litter box enclosure” or “litter box cabinet” to find many styles, colors, and sizes. You can purchase one that’s ready to use after assembly, or you can make your own litter box hider by modifying an existing cabinet or piece of furniture to add a cat door for easy access.
Litter box enclosure furniture can double as nightstands, washstands, buffets, end tables, foyer tables, boot box, and more. If you have a small apartment, you could expand your counter space in the kitchen and hide your litter box with a double-use kitchen cart or standalone cabinet.
The Wicker Basket Trick to Hide Your Litter Box
If carpentry isn’t your game, try this litter box enclosure trick. Purchase a wicker or seagrass trunk or storage box. Instead of filling it with toys or linens, cut an access hole for your cat in the side or top and put the litter box down in the basket. It’s much easier to modify wicker than wood so you’ll be in business in no time.
Hide the Litter Box in a Modified Storage Bin
A low-cost way to keep the litter box from view is to hide it inside a storage bin with a lid. These bins come in many colors, and most can be cut fairly easily with heavy duty shears or tin snips. You can choose to cut 1/3 to ½ of the lid away for a top entry litter box, or keep the lid on tightly and cut a hole in the side or front of the bin. The storage bin may not be super chic, but it will keep the box hidden away, keep tracking down, and keep dogs from raiding it for litter box snacks.
Consider the Litter as well as the Box
Of course, if you are attempting to hide your litter box from view, a tell-tale trail of litter from your cat’s paws or the unmistakable whiff of cat urine will give its location away. The type of litter you use will either assist you in your subterfuge or reveal the ruse.
ARM & HAMMER™ makes several cat litters that will help minimize tracking and odor so your litter box can stay on the downlow:
- ARM & HAMMER™ Cloud Control™ Breathe Easy Clumping Litter: This litter has 7-day odor control guarantee, is formulated for multiple cats, and is 100% dust free. It also reduces dust and dander clouds from pouring and scooping.
- ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal™ Complete Odor Sealing Clumping Litter: Easy-to-scoop clumps, low-tracking, and odor-destroying technology make this the litter of choice for millions of cat owners.
- See the complete line of ARM & HAMMER™ cat litters to choose the best one for your cat and your life together.
Getting the right combination of litter and litter box location may take some trial-and-error to find a combination that pleases both you and your kitty. When hiding your litter box, don’t forget the basics on setting up a litter box. It doesn’t do any good to hide a litter box that your cat refuses to use, after all. And if you’re on your journey to finding the best cat litter for your furry friend and end up with rejected litter, consider donating it to your local animal shelter where there is surely a cat who will use it.
With so many clever ways to disguise a litter box in your home, you’re sure to find a solution that’s easy on your eyes and nose and fits your cat’s preferences. She’ll let you know she approves.
