Do you live in a small apartment and have a cat or two living in that apartment with you?
We all love our feline companions, but living in a small apartment can cause all kinds of issues when it comes to where to put the litter box. Also, where you think the litter box should go isn’t necessarily where your cat would prefer it to go.
If you have found that your cat is going to the toilet outside of the litter box, then it could be that they do not feel comfortable using it where the box is kept. Also, remember that if you live with more than one cat, the rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. However, if you live in a small apartment, your options can be pretty limited. We’ll give you a few suggestions for the best places to put the litter box when you live in a small apartment.
What the Area Should Be Like
If you’ve had a cat for any amount of time, you already know that cats are stubborn, independent, and picky about everything from their food to where they use the litter box. Therefore, the area where you put your feline pal’s litter box should include the following features:
- Privacy
- Away from busy areas
- Away from windows
- Quiet
- Well-ventilated
- Easily cleaned
- Always accessible
- Away from food and water
If the place you choose to put the litter box has at least seven of the eight features listed above, your cat should be more than happy to use the box there. However, it’s important to watch your cat when you move their litter box to see how they react to that new area; otherwise, you may have a mess on your hands.
Now that you know the features needed, we’ll give you five of the best places in your small apartment to keep the litter box for the best results.
The 4 Best Places to Put a Litter Box
1. Creatively Hidden
The best option for your small apartment is to choose an ideal spot based on the above features and bring out your creativity to hide the litter box most aesthetically and smartly possible. You will find many clever ideas online. You can hide the litter box in a piece of furniture or, for example, create a little cat tent.
Another option is to use a closed litter box with a modern look that matches your apartment and becomes part of the decor.
2. Under Furniture
Placing the box underneath a table, desk, bench, or other raised furniture is another great way to save space while keeping the litter box out of sight. A covered or enclosed litter box can be ideal for this and make it even more discreet and help to contain unpleasant odors. This option is great if you have the right type of furniture and keeps the box accessible for your kitty without disrupting your apartment’s style. Make sure the opening is large enough for your cat to comfortably enter, and that the furniture you choose doesn’t feel too cramped for them.
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3. The Bathroom
The bathroom is probably the most popular spot in a small apartment to keep the cat’s litter box. The drawback to keeping the cat litter box in the bathroom is that you’ll have to keep the door open at all times when many of us prefer to close the door to the bathroom.
However, if you have very little space in your bathroom, check out our next option.
4. Hallway
The hallway can be a great spot for the litter box, as it’s often a low foot traffic area and out of the way so will still offer your cat some privacy most of the time. You can tuck it into an empty corner or behind a decorative screen or piece of furniture if you have the space. This placement keeps it accessible for your cat without being too intrusive in your living space. Just be wary of the size of the space, if the hallway is too narrow or cramped it could make your cat feel uneasy and result in them avoiding the litter box.
Wrapping Up
These are four of the best places you can keep the cat litter box if you live in a small apartment. As long as you meet at least seven of the eight criteria listed above to make your cat feel comfortable going to the bathroom, then you shouldn’t have any problems with them using it at all.
Where do you put the litter box in your small apartment? Is it somewhere we didn’t list in our article? Let us know your location in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock
