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Writer's pictureDr. Rachel Geller

Apartment Friendly Litter Box Locations

Cats are good apartment pets. They’re quiet, and they don’t have to be walked or taken outdoors to go to the bathroom. But, this also means that their litter box is now a part of your home. And when you live in a small apartment, it can be challenging to find a place to keep your cat’s litter box hidden away from your own living space or areas where you entertain guests. So, where do you put a litter box in a small apartment so it’s out of sight yet accessible for your cat? Not to worry, we have made a few recommendations below to help you decide where to place your cat’s litter box!

Extra Spaces

Sometimes small apartments have odd nooks and spaces that aren't useful. If you can hang a curtain in front of those spaces, it can be the perfect spot for a litter box. You can buy a tension rod and a curtain to avoid risking your damage deposit. The curtain hides the litter box but ensures your cat will never be locked out of the space. But don't forget to provide your cat with a clear visual of the litter box! You want to make sure the curtain doesn't go all the way to the side of the walls or the bottom of the floor.


Have a corner available?

Do you have a corner that could be a litter box location? You could purchase a corner closet rod and hang a curtain from it. You will need to put a few screw holes in the wall, but those will be small and easy to patch when it’s time to move out. Before buying, measure your litter box and how much room you will have behind the curtain to ensure the litter box will fit.


Between Two Bookshelves

Another idea is to place a litter box between two bookshelves. Place the bookshelves a few feet apart and use a tension rod to hang a curtain between them. If the bookshelves are shallow, place them a foot or two away from the wall. It will add extra depth to the litter box and give your cat a backway entrance to use!


Place a Room Divider

Maybe you don’t mind having the litter box in the main living space of your apartment, or perhaps you have a studio. If you want or need to place the litter box in a central living area, consider making or buying a simple room divider and placing the litter box behind it. Room dividers and portable partitions come in countless configurations and sizes to instantly create the litter box space you need. They can transform a space for the litter box by carving out a small or separate area from the open space. Using a paneled mirror as a room divider is a clever idea. It’s practical for getting ready in the mornings, and mirrors also help create an illusion of a larger space. So if you want to separate a part of your room for a litter box area for your cat and make the image of a larger space, a mirror may be the way to go!


An easy way of separating a part of a room from a litter box is with a folding screen. Not only are these types of room dividers cheap, but they come in many colors, shapes and sizes. You will be sure to find one that is perfect for your apartment.


Share Bathroom Space

Maybe you and your cat can share a bathroom? This is an excellent place for it, especially if there’s room for the litter box on either side of the toilet. Traditional open litter boxes work best for the bathroom since the litter boxes with covers take up more space. If space is tight, but you like the bathroom idea, try the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box. It’s a thin, narrow box, and it even flexes to help fit into tight spaces.


Within your Bedroom

Should you place a cat litter box in your bedroom? Your bedroom is a good location for a cat litter box since it’s usually a quiet place. Plus, your cat can smell a familiar scent – your scent. However, you will have to decide if smelling the after-hours deposits in the litter box while trying to get a good night’s sleep is something you are OK with. If you choose to keep the cat litter box in your bedroom, an open door is critical. Your cat will need 24/7 accessibility.

It would be best to consider a cat’s litter box habits, such as burying and scratching noises after elimination, if you decide the bedroom as the desired location. Most cats bury their waste as an instinctive trait. They do this to avoid being detected by predators. So depending on if you are a deep or light sleeper, you should think about whether you will be able to sleep through the night when your cat is burying his waste and scratching the sides of the litter box at 3:00 in the morning!

Remember, it doesn’t matter how big or small your apartment is. As long as your cat feels safe and comfortable and the box is kept clean, he will use the litter box. We hope these litter box recommendations make your decision process easier! And if you live in a Bark Building, reach out to your pet concierge for more helpful tips and pet parenting guidance.


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