Where to Put Cat Litter Box? Best Places for Litter Box

Your cat’s litter box is an essential part of their everyday routine—but where should you put your cat’s toilet? The answer will depend on a few different factors, including the size of your home. The following guide will help you determine the best places to put your cat’s litter box, along with the places to avoid placing the litter box in your home.

Where to Put a Litter Box in a Small Apartment?

Cats can do wondrous things in apartments, but the smaller space requires some creativity when choosing the right spot for your cat’s toilet. Since you aren’t likely to have spare closets or bedrooms, you will need to find a way to work your cat’s toilet into your existing furniture and rooms.

1. Bathroom

The bathroom may be an option. It depends on the size of your bathroom and whether you share a bathroom with a roommate. If not, you can create a space for the box by turning the bathroom cabinet into a litter box closet! To do this, remove the cabinet door, place a litter mat inside, and store the toilet in the now-open space. Then, if you move out of your apartment, simply clean the inside, reattach the door, and everything will be as good as new!

2. Laundry room

If your apartment has its own laundry room, it may be the best spot for your cat’s toilet. A corner of the laundry room kept away from laundry baskets, and other clothes is best to avoid odors or litter coming close to your clothes. However, this option may not work if your cat is sensitive to noises since the sound of a washer or dryer can be intimidating to cats.

3. Linen closet

If you have a linen closet in your apartment, this can be an excellent option for your cat’s toilet. A toilet can fit comfortably on the floor of the linen closet while allowing you to store towels, sheets, and other linens on the shelves. If you choose this option, make sure you keep the door open with a stopper so that your cat is never locked out when they need to do their business.

4. Bedroom

If you share an apartment with roommates, they may not want a litter box in a shared space such as the laundry room, linen closet, or bathroom. In this case, you will need to store your cat’s toilet in your private bedroom. A corner of your bedroom away from your clothes and personal objects is best, but you can also carve out any space on the floor by setting down a litter mat and moving furniture at least a foot away.

READ MORE: Best Cat Litter Furniture

Where to Put a Litter Box in a House?

If you have a house, you will have more options for your cat’s toilet than you would in a small apartment. In addition to the above options listed for a small apartment, you should consider placing your cat’s toilet in the following spaces.

1. Guest bedroom

If you have a guest bedroom that isn’t used frequently, it can be an excellent place for it. The toilet will be out of sight and won’t cause odors or stray litter to build up in more populated areas of your home. In addition, since a guest bedroom will be quiet, cats will find it preferable to a more chaotic house area. Of course, guests who stay will need to share the space with the cat—and their litter box—so this is something to consider.

2. Basement

A basement can be another “out of sight” space for it. However, you should consider your cat’s temperament and personality when choosing an area such as a basement for the toilet. If your cat doesn’t like to go down into the cellar or rarely goes down there, it won’t be the best place to put their litter box. However, if the basement is finished and your family (including your cat) goes down there frequently, it can be a good option. Ensure their primary litter box is located on the level of the home they enjoy spending time in.

3. Living room

Although the living room isn’t the first choice for many people, it can be an option for a toilet, depending on the size and layout. A living room may have an unused corner or behind-the-couch space that can fit a bathroom. It’s best for living rooms to consider a covered box designed to minimize litter tracking.

READ MORE: Pretty Litter Cat Litter Review

Is it Safe to Put a Litter Box in the Bedroom?

Yes, it is safe to put a cat’s toilet in your bedroom — as long as you practice basic toilet safety. Always use a cat scooper to remove cat waste daily and dispose of cat waste in a sealed container in the trash. You should also make sure that your room has proper ventilation to avoid odor build-up.

If you store your cat’s toilet in a bedroom, keep it away from your clothing and personal objects. If your bedroom is carpeted, you will need an extensive litter mat to catch stray litter and be prepared to vacuum; if your bedroom is hardwood, you will want to keep a broom on hand to sweep up litter regularly.

You will also want to consider the style of your cat’s toilet; an open litter box is more likely to have odors and look unappealing compared to a toilet with a closed top. If your cat doesn’t go in a closed litter box, you may want to choose a different spot in your home for the litter box. If you can afford it, a self-cleaning toilet will reduce the number of times you have to scoop out waste, especially if your cat happens to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Can I Put a Litter Box In My Closet?

Yes, you can put your cat’s toilet in your closet. However, this option will only be practical and hygienic if you are willing to take a few steps to make sure that your personal objects aren’t too close to your cat’s toilet. Stray litter, odors, and potentially even waste are not something you want around your clothes, shoes, or anything else you store in your closet.

If you want to store a litter box in your closet, you should clear the entire floor space for it; store clothes, shoes, and any other objects on higher shelve. You will also need to make sure that the toilet is constantly accessible to your cat, so you will either need to prop your closet door open or take the door off the hinges.

Can I Put a Litter Box in My Bathroom?

Yes, you can put your cat’s litter box in your bathroom. Your bathroom may be the least unhygienic spot for the litter box, since you won’t keep food, clothes or other important items inside. However, you will need to have enough room to properly store your cat’s toilet so that you don’t end up with cat litter all over the floor—no one wants to step in dirty cat litter after getting out of the shower, after all.

If your bathroom is large enough, storing the litter box in a corner or in an alcove next to the toilet may be sufficient. You may also want to consider using the apartment hack for storing a litter box inside a cabinet if the bathroom cabinet has enough room inside.

If the door to the bathroom is frequently shut, the cat may get frustrated and go to the bathroom outside the box. You will have to keep the bathroom door open as much as possible, even when showering, or consider having an extra toilet somewhere else in the house.

To cut down on the amount of stray litter, consider using a covered litter box in the bathroom; or use a litter box with raised sides that is designed to reduce the amount of litter that finds its way out of the box.

Keeping Your Litter Box Odor Free

If you want to keep your toilet from making your home smell, follow these simple yet effective tips to keep your litter box as odor free as possible.

• Scoop the box at least once a day; the longer you let waste build-up, the stronger the odor.
• Fully clean the box at least once a week; once a week, dump out all used litter and scrub the box with warm water and soap before drying and then adding fresh litter.
• Consider a deodorizing litter; some litter brands contain an odor-controlling ingredient which will cut down on smells.

Remember, a cat’s toilet can be placed in many areas of your home; the key to finding the right spot is to understand your cat’s needs while ensuring that your own hygienic needs are met.

Read more: How to Get Rid of the Cat Urine Smell in Your House