When it comes to owning a cat in a small apartment, one of the most important considerations is where to put the cat litter box. Not only do you want to find a proper location for the litter box that is out of the way, but you also want to ensure proper odor control and easy access for your feline friend. Furthermore, if you have multiple cats, you will have to consider the traffic flow as well. In this article, we will explore the best places to put the cat litter box in a small apartment, including designated rooms, discreet corners, under furniture, and even in a closet or cabinet with a cut-out entrance. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance, the use of litter box covers or enclosures, litter deodorizers and air purifiers to keep the area clean and odor-free.
We will also touch on the importance of considering the number of cats in the household and finding a litter box placement that works for everyone. Whether you have one cat or multiple, finding the right spot for the litter box can make a big difference in keeping your home smelling fresh and keeping your cats happy and comfortable.
Factors to consider where to put cat litter box in small apartment
Size and location of the litter box:
When considering the size of the litter box, the general rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. So, if you have one cat, you will need two litter boxes, and if you have two cats, you will need three, and so on. This ensures that each cat has a designated spot to use the litter box, and also allows for any potential conflicts or issues to be avoided.
The ideal location for your cat box should be easy to access, private, quiet, highly ventilated, and dry.
Number of cats in the household:
When you have multiple cats in your household, it’s important to consider the traffic flow in your apartment and ensure that there is enough space for each cat to comfortably use the litter box. This means having enough litter boxes, as well as placing them in a spot where each cat can easily access them without feeling crowded or stressed. For example, if you have two cats, you should have at least three litter boxes, one for each cat, and an extra one. This ensures that each cat has a designated spot to use the litter box and minimizes any potential conflicts or issues.
Traffic flow in the apartment:
When choosing a location for the cat litter box in a small apartment, consider the traffic flow in the apartment, as you want to minimize any disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box. The ideal spot would be an area that is out of the way, but still easily accessible for your cat.
Odor control:
Odor control is an important factor to consider when choosing a location for the cat litter box in a small apartment. The litter box can be a source of unpleasant odors, so it’s essential to choose a location that is well-ventilated and easy to clean to minimize any smells.
Litter box covers or enclosures:
Litter box covers or enclosures are an effective way to help with odor control and contain any litter scatter. They can also add a sense of privacy for the cats and make the litter box less visible in a small apartment.
Litter box covers or enclosures are available in a variety of materials, such as plastic, wood, or fabric, and can be either open-top or hooded. They are designed to fit over the litter box, providing a barrier between the litter box and the surrounding area. The covers or enclosures can help to minimize odors by trapping them inside, and also contain any litter scatter, keeping the area around the litter box clean. Additionally, they can provide a sense of privacy for the cats and make the litter box less visible in a small apartment.
Regular cleaning and maintenance:
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the litter box is crucial to keeping the area around the litter box clean and fresh smelling. Cleaning and maintenance of the litter box should be done at least once a week, and more frequently if you have multiple cats. This includes scooping out the litter box daily, and replacing the litter and cleaning the box at least once a week.
Litter deodorizers and air purifiers:
Litter deodorizers and air purifiers are effective tools to help minimize any smells and keep the area around the litter box smelling fresh. They work by neutralizing odors and keeping the air clean and fresh.
Where to put a cat litter box in a small apartment?
Discreet corner
A discreet corner or alcove, such as a spare room, closet, or under the stair, can be a great option for placing the litter box in a small apartment. It keeps the litter box out of sight and minimizes disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box.
A spare room or a discreet corner can provide the cat with a sense of privacy, and also keep the litter box out of the way of high traffic areas. This can also help to minimize the disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box and keep it out of the way of human traffic.
Placing the litter box in a closet or cabinet with a cut-out entrance can also be a good option for small apartments. This can keep the litter box out of sight and also minimize disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box.
Designated room
A designated room, such as a bathroom or laundry room, is a great option for placing the litter box in a small apartment. It provides good ventilation and can also help keep the smell contained.
The bathroom or laundry room are ideal locations for the litter box as they often have a window for natural ventilation and a tile or linoleum floor, which makes it easy to clean. Additionally, these rooms are less frequently used by humans which can minimize disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box.
In the case of the bathroom, ensure that the litter box is placed away from the shower or bathtub, as the cat may be hesitant to use the box if it’s too close to the water source.
Note that f you have multiple cats, you should still consider having one litter box per cat plus an extra one, in order to ensure that each cat has a designated spot to use the litter box and minimize any potential conflicts or issues.
Under a piece of furniture
Placing the litter box under a piece of furniture, such as a desk or dresser, can be a good option for a small apartment, as long as it’s still easily accessible for the cat. This can help keep the litter box out of sight and minimize disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box.
When placing the litter box under a piece of furniture, ensure that the cat can comfortably access the litter box, and that the furniture is not too heavy or difficult to move. A desk or dresser with a pull-out drawer or a hinged door can provide easy access for the cat and also allow for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Ensure that the furniture piece is not too high for the cat to comfortably access the litter box, and that there is enough space for the cat to comfortably move around inside the litter box.
Closet or cabinet
A closet or cabinet with a cut-out entrance can be a good option for placing the litter box in a small apartment, as it can keep the litter box out of sight and also minimize disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box.
Using a closet or cabinet with a cut-out entrance can help keep the litter box out of sight and also minimize disturbance or inconvenience caused by the litter box, especially if the litter box is placed in a high traffic area. You should ensure that the closet or cabinet has good ventilation and enough space for the cat to comfortably move around. A cut-out entrance can be made by cutting a hole in the door or side of the closet or cabinet, so the cat can easily access the litter box.
You can also use litter box covers or enclosures, or litter deodorizers or air purifiers to help with odor control and contain any litter scatter.
Litter box covers or enclosures
Litter box covers or enclosures are a popular choice for many cat owners as they can help with odor control and contain any litter scatter. Additionally, they can provide a sense of privacy for the cats and make the litter box less visible in a small apartment.
Litter box covers or enclosures are available in a variety of materials, such as plastic, wood, or fabric, and can be either open-top or hooded. They are designed to fit over the litter box, providing a barrier between the litter box and the surrounding area. The covers or enclosures can help to minimize odors by trapping them inside, and also contain any litter scatter, keeping the area around the litter box clean. Additionally, they can provide a sense of privacy for the cats and make the litter box less visible in a small apartment.
If you decide to use a cover or enclosure, you’ll want to choose one that is easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance. Also, make sure that the cover or enclosure is the right size and fit for your litter box and that the cat can comfortably access the litter box.
In the bathroom
The bathroom is the most common solution because:
- There is only one stinky room in your small apartment.
- If the litter is dragged out of the container, it will end up on the bathroom floor instead of your carpet or an entire space.
- The bathroom floor is very easy to clean.
- The bathroom is the most comfortable, quiet, calm, and least trafficked place in your home.
- Ventilation fans in the bathroom can drive the smells out quickly.
- Aside from the apparent benefits, you may also notice some drawbacks, such as:
- You may accidentally close the door and, therefore, block the access.
- The noise may make your pet not comfortable and avoid the potty.
- The humidity accelerates mold forming, which you can fix with a dehumidifier.
Although this location is not 100% ideal, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, making it the most common option.
So, the bathroom’s really fine. Just, in addition to the dehumidifier, choose a narrow and small litter box so you can save some space. I’ve tried using the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box when I was still staying in my mini apartment, and its flexibility simply allowed it to fit nicely inside my mini bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions will give you more information about using litter boxes.
1. How much distance is it between a litter box and a food place?
It would be best to put your pet’s potty and food bowl in different rooms in your apartment. If you have to use the same room for both, try to put them about three to five feet away from each other.
2. How to clean a litter box when you live in an apartment? (Step by Step)
- Using a sponge is the simplest way to clean the potty.
- Begin by combining water and odorless soap in a solution.
- Immerse the sponge in soapy water to absorb it.
- Clean the tray with a damp sponge. Try to pay attention to the stains and dirt accumulated on it.
- Dry the tray and wipe off soap residue with a paper towel.
- When the tray is dry, add new litter.
- You can throw a sponge away and use a new one for the next cleaning.
3. How do I keep the litter box from smelling in a small apartment?
The best tips for how to get rid of cat litter smell in a small apartment include:
- Keeping the litter box clean
- Washing the box thoroughly
- Replacing the box regularly
- Use more well-sized boxes
- Considering the pros and cons of open and hooded boxes
- Keeping the tray in a properly-ventilated area
- Using baking soda to eliminate the irritating odors
- Using odor control products
- Changing your pet’s diet
4. Is it bad to have a litter box in your bedroom?
If you have no health issues and so do your roommates, placing the litter box in the bedroom will be acceptable. However, if it’s the bedroom of children or pregnant women, the sandbox shouldn’t be in there.
Toxoplasmosis can make children extremely ill. Moreover, it affects pregnancy negatively, increasing the risk of miscarriage.
When you clean or scoop the tray, the organism escapes into the air and can live on hard substrates for days. Cats may also expel the eggs of intestinal parasites that can spread disease, such as roundworms.
Washing hands and changing clothes is enough for healthy adults to avoid such problems. However, children, pregnant women, or people with weaker immune systems shouldn’t sleep in a room with a pet’s potty.
Interesting:
Conclusion
At this point, I think you’re already excited to take that litter box and bring it to where it’s supposed to be.
- Make the litter box accessible. Always.
- If it’s open and a little ugly, keep it hidden. If it’s exposed, keep it pretty.
- Respect your kitty’s privacy.
- Keep the spot calm and quiet.
- Optimize the ventilation in that location.
- Dehumidify the place.
- Keep the litter box away from food and water bowls.
- And finally, save your space by keeping the litter box narrow or small.
- So, did I miss anything? Let me know if you have any more related queries.
The most important points on the question of where to keep the litter box inside a small apartment as for now, happy rearranging, repurposing, or redecorating!