The Lowdown On Your Cats Litter Box Location
83Setting Up The Cat Litter Box
Where you set up your cat's litter box is a major consideration. Cat's can be delightfully finicky just about everything. However the litter box location is possibly one of your cat's biggest concerns. If the litter box location is situated where your cat is not convinced to use, it will either go outside the box or find alternate locations to use as their own private litter box. And that is the last thing you want to happen, cat urine is one of the hardest odors to eliminate. Therefore indulge your cat and situate the litter box according to your cats needs. I have noticed if my cat's litter box is not in the ideal position, he will do a quickie and blast out of the area like a lightning bolt. So positioning the box so your cat is able to eliminate comfortably is imperative.
Seek a location that is dry, easy to get to, quiet and if possible roomy. Cats do not like to eliminate where people are coming and going, or making a lot of noise. Just like we humans, cats require some privacy when going to the bathroom. Construct the litter box location simple to reach, if it is in a closet or where stairs are present it might make your cat shy away because it is too much trouble to gain access. If you are placing the litter box in the basement, choose a quiet corner that is easily accessible for your cat. Avoid placing the box near a washer, dryer or heating system.These kinds of noises can scare your cat, and once again they may choose inappropriate places to eliminate. If you do place the box in a closet of sorts, make sure the door is consistently open.
If you have an older cat you may want to bypass all stairs if possible, lighting is considerably important as well. If your cat cannot see the box, it will more than likely miss it altogether. At night, utilize a night-light to illuminate the litter box area so your cat doesn't have to guess the target spot.
Placing doggie pads around the box will help with clean-up if your cat misfires. Never put a litter box near your cat's food or water dishes, that will spell disaster. Wherever you place the box always make sure the doors are left open or ajar so your cat can reach the litter box easily.
Once you find the perfect place for your litter box keep it fresh and clean as possible. Many cats are turned off by stinky kitty waste. So if you are using scoopable litter, cleaning the box a several times a day is acceptable. Using pooper scooper baggies is an extremely convenient way to get rid of waste. If you are not using scoopable litter make sure to change the litter box often.
Using a separate trash can for the baggies can simplify the entire cleaning process. You can keep another container outside to avoid indoor odors. And simply empty when full. Some cats are picky about their litter, so you may have to experiment with this. I have two cats who will not use cheap non-scoopable litter, so I buy a scoopable litter that the cats use freely without misfortunes. Some litters have built-in odor eaters and others are just a bag of powdery dust. So choose your cat litter wisely. There are numerous litters on the market today that will satisfy you and your cat. Sprinkling baking soda into the litter box will help absorb urine smells. But if in is in your budget, buying a better brand of litter is a wise and a simpler maintenance choice.
Choose Litter Box Locations Wisely
Suggested Locations
The bathroom- This is frequently the most private and convenient location for the cat litter box. You can buy boxes with lids or screens to hide the box, yet allow enough room for your cat to do its thing.
A hallway-Many people put the box at the end of a hallway. I am not keen on this as it is far to open, with foot traffic being high. But if it is the only logical place for you, there are ways to disguise the box.
Closets- I lived in an apartment with a huge utility closet, the absolute perfect, most convenient place for a litter box. The water heater kept the space warm and cozy for the cat. Another very popular solution that is catching on quickly is litter box furniture. These are decorative boxes that blend in with your homes decor. Making it easy to hide the not so attractive litter box.
For more information on cat litter box furniture check this website for further details.
Hubs About Cats
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So many things to know about cats...
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Cats are just as picky as humans are about their potty box and space. I feel this article gives a lot of great information for where to put your litter box. Also how to maintain it and what to use.
Thank you Silver Witch, My cat CIA loves his privacy, if I even make a noise he bolts out of the bathroom. His habits have changed a bit since he has lost his sisiter 2 months ago. He wasn't always as touchy.
We've always kept our litter boxes tucked away, mostly because of smell and appearance. It was great to learn that it's also better for the cat to have it in a secluded spot as well. Great info, very interesting.
Well that is the oddest place yet for a litter box. Eating places and litter boxes just dont mix, that's just gross. Thank you for sharing that true story.
Here is a funny,true story for you. My wife's mother and her sister lived together in a small,house in northern michigan.
We went up there visiting for Thanksgiving one year. Her mom was a terrible cook her sister was just as bad. I wasn't looking forward to it. Anyway their place was really cramped so we had dinner at a small table and as we ate I noticed an odd smell. I glanced under the table and found the Cat Litter box. It had been used. Not my favorite holiday memory
Thank you truthfornow. I learned over a 18 year period what worked. I just lost my beautiful 18 year old Ethel June 3rd, she had a kidney failure. It was horrible. I say forego cheap litters and try to get the better ones if you can. Your cat will be happier and so will your nose.
I kept my litterbox in a little closet in the bathroom, with cat supplies on the shelves.
My cat's litter box is in her private area ~ the closet next to my bathroom. It is good that you wrote this Hub. A lot of us learned about litter boxes and cat litter through trial and error. And no my cat won't use just any kind of litter. You have saved people the time and trouble of figuring this all out on their own.
Hi Matthew- hey you gotta do what you gotta do. I will check out your article as well...
Hey DzyMsLizzy- I don't think I could get my cats to jump in the tub. I have a male who is 16 and rushes through his bathroom experience, often missing the box...I use doggie pads under the litter pan to make the mess easier to clean up...The 17 year old does just fine. But she doesn't seem to like the dark, hence the night light...Thank you for your comment, greatly appreciated...
Hi Scribenet-LOL, My 17 year old Ethel doesn't like waiting either, she wants to go whether I am cleaning or not. I used to keep the box in the linen closet in the bathroom, but they didn't seem to like it, even though they used it for 2 years before making messes. I didn't keep anything but pet supplies in the closet, so i just pulled the box out little by little until it was in the spot they made less messes. Yeah cats are "my way, or no way."
Voted up and useful!
My cat has a "bathroom"...his own closet for privacy...with a tile floor for easy cleanup of misses. He is a great one for throwing litter all over as he covers up and he needs a huge litterbox! Plus I use baking soda in the mix since the closet is in the livingroom.
The time he likes using the litter box? Right after I have scooped it!!! Before scoopable litter, a previous cat couldn't wait for the clean litter after the box was cleaned and washed...he would be in there doing his business as I poured in the clean litter...gotta love 'em!! LOL
WE have 4 cats and recently added a 3rd litter box. Our bath is small and narrow, so we had 2 of the triangular corner-fitted boxes, but still had an issue with one of the males (yes, neutered!) spraying over the top of the box!
They don't like the closed-lidded type, so I resorted to taping up plastic drop-cloth material onto the side of the tub for one, and the wall and vanity cabinet for the other.
Even so, we are also dealing with a senior kitty who has had epilepsy all her life, and is on strong meds. Her problem seems to be in thinking, "If my face is over the litter box, I must be in it!"
Since this is a second bathroom, and the tub is too small for comfortable human use, we added the 3rd litter box (high-sided) IN the tub! Now, any 'overshoots' can be simply sprayed down with deodorizing spray, and left until it dries, so I can sweep up the spilled litter, then hose down the tub. (Can't let any litter at all get into the drains, as we are on a septic system.)
I do use a multiple-cat scoopable, though..it does cut the workload down. ;-)
Night light? Cats see great in the dark--we have a night light there for OUR benefit, so we don't step in any surprises left by senior kitty at midnight. ;-)
Great article. Good points.
I am embarrassed to admit it, but we keep our box in the kitchen! My daughter cleans it everyday so that it doesn't stink. We have no other place to put it since our place is small.
My bathroom is so tiny, a box literally wouldn't fit! I can't wait to get a bigger place! I wrote a Hub about my cats if you are interested: http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Love-My-Cats
JSMatthew~
Thanks J.S. I have learned a lot from my cats over the last 17 years...I appreciate your comment (:
Great article here! A lot of useful information. Glad I Hopped onto this Hub. Voted Up and Useful.
JSMatthew~
Thank you Tammy, I use the bathroom as well. I find scoopable litter is best. That's a great idea you have about changing out the boxes.
Thanks Stephanie, That sounds like a good place for your litter box. I used to keep mine in a small closet in the bathroom, but found they didn't like that much privacy. They sure will let you know though for sure (:
My cat would certainly agree with everything you said. He is particular about where his litter box is located, and as he gets older, he needs to have it in a convenient, yet out-of-the-way place. As we travel wih our cat in the RV, we had to find a spot for the litter box and hit upon the idea of opening a "doorway" into one of the under-the-floor compartments. He seems o.k. with it as long as it's cleaned frequently. As you suggested, we did put a night light in it. You're right on about kitty litter box needs!
Domino's litter box is in the bathroom. That's the only place in our apartment with a large enough tile floor to accommodate the litter box. I use the scoopable litter and two litter boxes. There is always a clean one to use for fresh litter once a month. After I wash the box he is using, I spray the inside with Lysol and put the box away for use the next month.
You've made some very useful recommendations for where to put a litter box.
Tammy
crazybeanrider Hub Author 38 hours ago
Thank you, yes litterbox location makes all the difference, especially for A happier cat, not to mention the owner.