We all know cats can get a little fussy at times, especially when it comes to their litter box. If they don’t like it, they’re not going to use it.
Therefore, you not only have to get them a comfortable litter box, but you also have to place it in a good position.
However, that’s easier said than done when you have a small apartment.
Where do you place it to keep it out of your sight but also make it accessible to your cat? Keep reading to find out!
Clever Spots to Place Cat Litter Box in Small Apartment
We’ve got tons of clever places where you can potentially place your cat’s litter box. Some places might not be applicable in your case.
Alternatively, there might be some places that you’ve tried already, but your cat doesn’t like it for some reason.
Therefore, you might have to try several of these places before you find the perfect spot for a litter box in your small apartment.
Balcony
Not every small apartment has a balcony included. But if you do, then it is a great place to keep your cat’s litter box.
It offers plenty of space so you can choose a large litter box or any design that you prefer without any space issues.
Even if you have guests over, not many people like to go into the balcony. So, your cat won’t have to be afraid of anyone walking in on it while it does its business.
Since it is not exactly inside the apartment, you won’t have to worry about any litter box smells lingering in your apartment, either.
The only thing you have to remember is to keep the balcony door open if it has one. Some people like to lock the balcony door at night for security reasons.
However, this prevents the cat from accessing the litter box during the night if the need arises. So, either install a small cat flap in the balcony door or move the litter box elsewhere.
Bathroom
The bathroom is a popular choice for placing litter boxes. It’s convenient to have the same bathroom for yourself and the cat.
Moreover, it is also quite conspicuous. If you have any space around your toilet, the bathtub, or under the sink, you can slide the litter box there.
Some bathrooms have cabinets as well that are usually stuffed with toiletries. You can also clear some of those things out and place the litter box there so that it’s not that visible.
This is a good option if you have guests coming over and they might use your bathroom.
Again, you will have to make sure the bathroom door stays open or ajar so that the cat can easily go in and out. You don’t want your cat to be locked out of its bathroom, or worse, trapped inside the bathroom!
Additionally, another thing you have to think about when placing a litter box in the bathroom is the humidity.
Most bathrooms are damp and humid, which can lead to the growth of mold in the litter box. Not only is this unsafe, but your cat won’t want to use a moldy litter box either.
Therefore, try to keep your bathroom ventilated by leaving the door open when you shower or open the window. Otherwise, you can forget the bathroom and move on to the next option.
Linen Closet
Linen closets make excellent litter box spots. Depending on how often you change your linens, this closet is even more quiet and undisturbed than a balcony or bathroom.
Therefore, your cat should be able to use it without any worry.
You can clear a space at the bottom of the closet and place the litter box. Ideally, you should avoid keeping a litter box in a carpeted area.
However, if your linen closet does have a carpet, you can lay down a litter mat or other moisture-absorbing mats under the litter box.
This will prevent any mess on your carpet and keep it from absorbing any bad litter box odors.
Shoe Closet
Similar to the linen closet, a shoe closet is also a sweet spot for a litter box. Usually, these closets are away from the main apartment rooms, such as the kitchen and living room, so it doesn’t come in anyone’s way.
However, if the thought of your cat going to the bathroom near your clean linen bothers you, a shoe closet is the best solution. Moreover, this space usually doesn’t have a carpet, so you don’t have to worry about that either.
You can rearrange some of your shoes and shelves and create enough space for a litter box to fit. Remember to leave the closet door slightly open for your cat.
Laundry Room
The laundry room is another private and spacious area that can easily house a cat litter box. No one really ventures into the laundry room, and you don’t have to worry about locking it.
So, your cat can easily come and go as it answers its call of nature.
However, you will have to consider the noise. Washing machines and dryers can be loud, which can be uncomfortable for the cat.
Therefore, if your cat seems too bothered by the loud noises in the laundry room and refuses to go there, you will have to find another spot for its litter box.
By a Window
If you’re specifically concerned about the litter box smell spreading all over your small apartment or even in the closet or bathroom where you chose to place it, consider placing it by a window.
This can be any window in your apartment that allows plenty of ventilation in the room.
So, every time your cat does its business, the ventilation from the window should keep any bad odor from spreading or lingering in your apartment.
For your cat’s privacy, you can choose a window that doesn’t get too much traffic.
In Plain Sight
If you don’t have to worry about guests and loud noises, then that makes everything super easy. In such a case, you even choose to place the litter box in plain sight.
This means you can place it in your bedroom or living room or even the hallway.
The best part is that you don’t have to worry about an ugly litter box clashing with your interior décor, either.
You can buy a clever litter box that is built into an ordinary piece of furniture. For instance, a litter box inside a planter or a side table that you place beside your TV.
What to Consider When Choosing a Spot for a Cat Litter Box?
Remember when we said cats are a little fussy at times?
Well, you’ll understand why now. Cats usually have a lot of conditions when it comes to their litter boxes. In fact, many potential cat owners give up just because of this whole litter box situation.
They want private and secluded areas where they can do their business in peace, which is understandable.
However, they also don’t want any noise around their litter box and want it to be placed away from where they eat and drink.
They also want it to be accessible at all times and have the perfect environment— so it can’t be too humid.
Furthermore, since it’s not going to clean up after itself, you have to place it in a well-ventilated area.
How Many Litter Boxes Should You Have?
Generally, the rule goes that you should have one litter box for every cat and then an extra litter box as well.
This is so that, if for any reason, your cat is not able to use the first litter box, it can go for the second litter box without creating a mess anywhere else in the house.
However, since we are talking about a small apartment here, you might not have the option of keeping multiple litter boxes, seeing that you’re struggling to place even one of them.
Therefore, you can stick to one litter box.
How to Deal with Cat Litter Box Smells?
The best way to deal with litter box smells is to clean it regularly. In fact, as soon as your cat uses it, clean it right away, and there will be no smells to deal with.
Additionally, the more often you change the litter, the more hygienic it will be, and the less odor it will create.
On the other hand, if you are the type of person who forgets to clean the litter box or you’re not home most of the day, you can invest in a self-cleaning litter box.
This will clean the litter box automatically after your cat is done using it.
Conclusion
When you’re trying to pick a spot for your cat’s litter box, think about where and how you would like to go to your own bathroom.
Just like you would want your bathroom to be a quiet and convenient place, your feline friend wants a place it can go to relieve itself in peace. Fortunately, this list of places should give you plenty of ideas and inspiration for where to put your cat’s litter box in a small apartment.
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