Where Should I Put the Litter Box?

By Darlene L. Norris

This is a good question. If you want your cat to use her litter box instead of an out-of-the-way corner, you need to locate the box in a place that she likes.

How do you do this? You need to think like your kitty!

Cats, like people, need a safe, quiet place to go to the bathroom. If her box is in a busy, noisy area, she may find another place where she feels more secure. But this may not be a spot that you like!

If you have a basement in your home, this may be a good location. It's quiet, and the odor probably won't be an issue. Just be sure that you keep the door open so your feline friend can get down there.

The bad thing about an out-of-the-way place like your basement is that you may forget about it. I know this from experience! Most cats won't use a litter box that needs to be scooped or cleaned. They're apt to find another location, like my kitty did.

The bathroom may be a good option, if you have room in there. You'll definitely remember to scoop the box on a regular basis. It's quiet and private, and if you have a tile floor, it's easy to keep clean. A bathroom closet may be ideal, if it's big enough.

The downer is that if you're taking a shower or putting on make-up or doing anything else in the bathroom, the smell from the litter box can be overwhelming, especially if your furry friend has just used it!

A bedroom may work, but keep in mind that your kitty will probably use the box in the middle of the night. A cat can make a huge amount of noise scratching around in there. I used to have a feline friend who sounded like she was excavating a hole to the center of the earth, usually at 3 AM. Plus the smell can be an annoyance when you're trying to sleep.

It's been my experience that a closet works well, especially if it's in a spare bedroom, or a room that isn't used a lot. You do need to be sure that nobody closes the closet door though (don't ask me how I learned this). You'll also need to scoop the box often to keep the odor down. And be sure that clothes or other items are hanging high enough so that they aren't damaged by the box or what's in it.

The laundry room is also a good place, especially if there's a corner you can put the box in. The floor is usually tile or linoleum, so keeping it clean is easy. It's not a room that's in constant use, so the smell probably wouldn't be an issue. And you're in there often enough to remember to scoop the box regularly.

If you move, you'll need to experiment to find the best place for your cat's litter box in your new home. And remember that if you add another kitty to your household, you'll need to find a good location for another box.

The best place to put the litter box depends on your kitty! Look around and think like a cat, and you're bound to find the right spot that will work for both you and your fur-ball.

Darlene L. Norris invites you to read How Can I Get My Cat To Use The Litterbox? for the solution to your litter box problems. Visit http://yourcatcareguide.com/wordpress now to sign up for The Cool Cat Care Ezine, and receive your free copy of Pamper Your Cat, a collection of 100 recipes for treats and main dishes for your favorite kitty. Your cat will love you for it!