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Cat pan placement - planning new construction

8 years ago

I wasn't sure which forum category this is best suited for but I thought I'd start here.

I've seen some clever ideas on pinterest on ways to disguise a cat pan - from little pet doors that go into closets or under stairs, to enclosed outdoor access.

Any tips or even better, real life examples anyone would like to share?

Featured Answer

Jeannie Cochell

8 years ago

When we moved to this house, there was no place for a litter box that wasn't in the master bed, master bath, kitchen or living room. It started in my office but didn't take a week before I searched out another spot. Ended up removing the bottom cupboard door in the guest bath, moving a shelf and, voila!, litter box slid right in. Not visible from anywhere other than standing in front of that cupboard. We don't store anything in there now except the cat stuff and having only one open side keeps the litter from going everywhere. Very easy to clean up. I keep an absorbent mat underneath the box in case of accidents, even though it's a single-piece high-side.

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Comments (7)

quasifish
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
When we bought our house, we modified the existing guest bathroom vanity to hold the cat box underneath. It is a 48" vanity that sits next to the toilet. We cut a cat door in the short side that is alongside the toilet. You don't see the entrance unless you are at the toilet or possibly in the shower. Inside the cabinet, we partitioned it off in the center (so the other side is still used for storage, but does not receive dust), as well as put in a thin piece of plywood over top. We also put down inexpensive laminate tiles on the floor, and painted the remaining surfaces with high gloss white paint- which cleans very easily.

The two cats we had when we did this, were very easy going cats and there was no problem at all. We also had a litter box seeking dog at the time, so it being enclosed was rather important. After all these years, those 3 animals are gone and we have just 1 cat. I think he would prefer the litter box be out in a more open environment. He likes for me to open the cabinet door for him and leave it open... He also likes the lights on... I know, that sounds weird to say what he likes, but if I turn on the light and open the door he will be in there, and other times he will stand at the door and meow until I come accommodate him.

Based on my experience, it seems like it really depends on the cat, but if I had options, I'd make sure the space was on the large side and bright/ or lit.

I don't know how that door cut in the vanity might come back to haunt us if/when we ever decide to sell the house...
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liv2tell
Original Author
8 years ago
How crazy do you think my builder would look at me if I asked him to do this?

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/54084
Jeannie Cochell
8 years ago
If my husband would build, my cats would use it. Just make sure you don't have other critters if you make an outside entry. If a raccoon or snake or opossum gets in, your cats won't be using it EVER again.
liv2tell
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh gosh, I don't think I can do this on second thought! We have wild animals around, for sure.
quasifish
8 years ago
I love the idea of that attached "kitty outhouse" :^) My picky guy would definitely not have anything to do with it though, as he's very intolerant of cooler temperatures- he's very high maintenance for a cat...

This does bring to mind what a lot of people I know have done, which is put the litter box in a garage or utility room setting and then have a cat door into that room. Taking it one step further, it might be interesting to have the enclosed "outhouse" in a garage, and the cat door coming through from somewhere in the main house. Not sure my "Picky" would even tolerate that though :^)
liv2tell
Original Author
8 years ago
Ohhhh I love that! The "outhouse" *in* the garage!

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