When you live in a small house, you have to make some tough decisions to maximize your space.
One of these decisions is where to put the cat’s litter box.
It’s important to get this right early on as litter box issues are one of the top behavioral concerns when it comes to cats.
Your goal here is to successfully reconcile your cat’s comfort with your own. Make no mistake, this may not be an easy task as there are many factors to consider.
If you place the litter box too far out of sight, it may not be easily accessible to your kitty. However, if the litter box is too near, you may struggle with odors and hygiene concerns.
So, the million dollar question is: just where exactly to put a litter box in a small house?
The Best Place for a Litter Box
The main thing to remember here is that the best place for a litter box is somewhere out of the way but still easily accessible to you and, of course, your cat.
Be on the lookout for a somewhat private space with little traffic when you are looking for the ideal location.
Avoid placing the litter box somewhere with loud noises or where your cat feels vulnerable. Besides that, make sure to keep the litter box far away from your cat’s water and feeding station, too.
1. In the Bathroom
The bathroom can be an ideal location for a litter box as long as the door remains open at all times.
There are certain advantages to keeping the litter box in the bathroom.
First, there is minimal foot traffic so your cat will appreciate the privacy the bathroom affords.
Besides that, as most bathrooms are tiled, cleaning up stray litter should be a breeze. Any accident can be quickly washed away, if needed.
There are only two potential issues with this location and one of the issues can be easily remedied.
The first is the inconvenience of leaving your bathroom door open at all times. This is not a problem if you live alone but it is far less ideal (and far more awkward) if you live with others.
The other issue is humidity.
Running water creates steam which leads to moisture in the air. This humidity will turn your cat’s litter moldy and, worse, affect both your health and your cat’s health.
However, this can be rectified easily and swiftly. If you have a window, make sure to keep it open as much as possible for ventilation. A dehumidifier will also solve this issue as it will remove moisture from the air and from the bathroom walls to keep your bathroom dry.
2. In the Hallway
The litter box in the hallway doesn’t afford your cat very much privacy.
Besides that, the hallway can also get pretty busy with people passing by; it is certainly not an ideal location if you have a crowded household. However, if you live alone or with a partner, the hallway can be a great spot for the litter box.
As you will be passing by the litter box a couple of times a day, you will be able to tell when the litter box needs to be cleaned. Plus, your cat will have full access to its litter box with no doors limiting its movement.
Of course, the major downside is that the litter box will be in plain view. You’ll need to decide whether that is a deal breaker for you.
3. In the Utility Closet
The back of a utility closet can also be a convenient place for a litter box in a small house.
However, you do need to remove the door of the closet from its hinges or prop the door open with a doorstop. Alternatively, you can also install a cat door for easy access to the utility closet.
4. In the Laundry Room
If you live in a small house, chances are you probably do not have a designated laundry room.
But if you do, the laundry room is not such a bad place for a litter box. It offers privacy and limited traffic.
The only real issue here is your kitty’s stance when it comes to washing machines. Some cats absolutely love them while other cats are deadly afraid of the noise.
Let Your Cat Decide
Once you have decided on where to put the litter box in your small house, watch your cat closely.
If the location is not working out, you may need to experiment further and introduce a new location. With a little bit of creativity and patience, you (and your cat) will soon find the perfect spot for the litter box.