Get the Scoop on High-Design Litter Boxes
Unavoidable doesn't have to mean unpleasant; cats and guardians alike will purr over these terrific design solutions for the litter box
Becky Harris
April 2, 2012
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
I love my Maine coon, Miss Bubby (aka Boo Boo, aka My Boo), but dealing with her litter box is truly a labor of love. I'm lucky; it basically has its own room, but it still bugs me. I can't imagine what it's like for cat owners who live in small spaces. Until now, that is. This problem has been cleverly addressed by architects, cabinetmakers, furniture designers and clever DIYers. Read on for ways to improve this pet-related issue.
https://ca.loyalluxe.com
Litter box covers have gone wild. This was the funniest one I spotted while shopping around. Major props to the photo stylist and photographer who caught the cats in and around the tepee.
On a more serious note, if you are building a house from scratch or don't mind a little drywall dust in a minirenovation, an under-cabinet box with a separate secret entrance is a great solution. Your frisky feline enters from an opening on the other side of the wall, while you get to keep the cabinet doors shut unless you are cleaning. This diva likes to do her business and then sneak out her discreet private entrance.
Keep a sense of humor when thinking about your cat's VIP entrance. I think this opening is a scream; it's like a blown-up version of a cartoon mouse hole.
With a private cat entrance, the cabinet doors stay shut and hide what's going on inside. Then you can open them up for easy cleaning.
I think it's kind of funny that the cat toilet is right next to the people toilet. If you have a box in your secret litter area, choose one with a roof that has a carbon filter to prevent odors from escaping.
If you're not ready to invest in cutting through drywall, here's an easy solution: Cut a cat-size hole in a cabinet door. Be sure this particular cabinet is dedicated to the litter box and extra litter only.
If you're lucky enough to have a precious kitty and a tricked-out laundry room, it's the perfect spot for a secret cat cabinet.
I like to imagine that these people have a cat named Sparkle, who chose the turquoise paint, glittery chandelier and zebra rug herself.
Roberta Roller Rabbit
This bench is a serious investment, but if you think about a lifetime of litter boxes, it seems worth saving for. It comes in all of those fun colors you see down the left side.
You can get the same effect with a built-in. This clever window seat has a lift-up top for cleaning and a cat entrance below. If you're handy, this is probably an easy DIY project. If you're not, it still will probably cost less than the Kattbank.
Clever DIYer Elisa Proctor solved the litter box problem herself for about 40 bucks.
"I was sick of seeing the regular-type cat litter box in my very small bathroom in my apartment ... plus litter everywhere ... so I started thinking outside the box ... so to speak," she writes.
When she found this bench ottoman for under $40, the wheels started spinning.
"I was sick of seeing the regular-type cat litter box in my very small bathroom in my apartment ... plus litter everywhere ... so I started thinking outside the box ... so to speak," she writes.
When she found this bench ottoman for under $40, the wheels started spinning.
She cut a side entrance with a knife, lined the inside with plastic and added a litter box. Voilà! It's a stealth cat commode.
A+R
This has a top entry so kitty can't kick all those little pieces of litter out into the room. It's also supercool looking and comes in a bunch of bright colors as well as black and white.
Better Living Through Design
This is the perfect solution for minimalists who have been embracing the big trend of the felt look for the past decade. It also comes with the shapely scratching post.
moderntails.com
The flowers on this one are mighty sweet to look at; if you placed this under a bench, they are all anyone would see.
PETCO
Tell us: We cat owners are dying to know, have you ever tried one of these self-cleaning jobbies? Please let us know what you think of them in the Comments section.
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My sis and bro-in-law have three cats and switched to the Omega roller box about a year ago. They love it. I come to look in on the cats when they're away, and it was pretty easy to clean and not nearly as gross as scooping or even emptying the automatic litter trays. (We had one years ago when we had two cats and it was great.) That Omega is HUGE, though. They put theirs in an unused basement bathroom, but there's not a place in my house it would fit except the garage. Our garage isn't climate controlled, so I wouldn't want cats to have to be out in the cold or heat in that space. I'm seriously considering the Cat Genie when we get cats again. I was glad to read that someone here had seen it in action. It sounds like a great solution and would go in the laundry room with a cat door to the room. I love that it's self-cleaning and everything just drains or flushes!
I know this is a long time after your comment, katy, but I wanted to offer my experience with the catgenie in case you or anyone else would benefit. The very first one I ordered was WONDERFUL. never had a problem with it until my boyfriend was stupid n tried to carry it by the top, instead of with his hands underneath it like he should have (yes, am still bitter about this loss). I ordered a new one. They had "upgraded" the design. It didn't work right. Ordered another one. Also didn't work right. As i had read and understood all the instructions, I doubt it was user error. I don't know if this will help anyone, but I hope so.
paisleyrowan38, your experience with the redesigned Catgenie reminds me of the redesigned Littermaid. Apparently, the original ones were better. I had one of the redesigned ones. A good bit of the litter scooped not into the bin at the end of the box, but onto the floor. Gross! I also broke before I'd had it for a year. I replaced the Littermaid with a Scoopfree which was so much better. My two Scoopfrees are currently retired as our cats have gone to the Bridge. I don't intend to stay cat-less for the rest of my life though. The Scoopfkree boxes will be back in service one of these days.