The Best Places for Litter Boxes

Your cat's litter box is one of the key items necessary for its well being, along with food and water. Take some time to consider the best location for the litter box. You want to choose a place that will feel safe, secure and comfortable for the cat. If the location is ideal, your cat will use the litter box with no problems.

  1. Private but Accessible

    • Place the litter box in a location that is somewhat secluded but also convenient for the cat. You don't want to make it hard for the cat to get to the box---this may deter a kitten or an elderly cat from using it. On the other hand, you don't want it out in the open or in a highly trafficked area either, as most cats tend to enjoy a little privacy when using the litter box. A basement or garage may seem like a good place because both are secluded, but if you use one of these locations, make sure the area is well lit and easy for the cat to enter and exit.

    Locate Away From Food and Water

    • Never place a cat's litter box directly beside its food and water bowls. A cat will not eliminate near the place where it consumes food and water. It is best not to have the bowls in the same room as the litter box, if possible. If you are not able to keep them in separate rooms, at least place the food and water supply and the litter box across the room from each other and fashion a partition, such as a curtain, to separate the two. Keeping the bowls and the litter box at separate heights may work, too. For instance, if you are using a laundry room, you can place the food and water on top of the dryer and the litter box on the floor.

    Quiet May Be Necessary

    • Do not place the litter box in a place where the cat using it may be startled by sudden loud noises. Some cats are sensitive to noise. The sound of a furnace kicking on or of the washing machine as it hits the spin cycle may be too much for some cats to handle. The sudden noise may discourage the cat from using the litter box. If your cat is sensitive to noise, a quiet closet or bathroom may be the ideal location for its litter box.