DIY Top Entry Litter Box

Litter boxes are an endless source of work for cat lovers who must clean up the litter tracked out of the box. Cat owners can reduce the amount of litter their feline friend scatters throughout the house by building a top entry litter box. When the cat jumps out of a top entry litter box, litter from its paws is caught in carpeting on the lid. However, this project may not be so popular with any dogs in the house as it will prevent them from raiding the litter box.

Things You'll Need

  • Sturdy plastic bin with lid
  • Litter box, at least 2 inches narrower than plastic bin
  • Shears
  • Sandpaper
  • Ruler
  • Carpet remnant
  • Glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 9-inch round hole in the middle of the lid with shears. Leave at least two inches on all sides of the lid for support. If your cat is especially large, you may need to make the hole larger than 9 inches so it can jump out of the box comfortably, without rubbing the sides of the opening.

    • 2

      Sand the cut edges of the opening with sandpaper until they are not sharp. This will help prevent injury to the cat.

    • 3

      Cut the carpet to cover the remaining area of the lid. Glue the carpet to the lid.

    • 4

      Place the litter box inside the bin and set the bin in the usual litter box location. Leave the lid off the bin.

    • 5

      Set your cat in the bin so it knows the new location of the litter box. Do not force your cat to stay in the bin. Place a piece of furniture or a sturdy box next to the bin to give your cat a place to jump to and from as it gets acquainted with this new system.

    • 6

      After your cat has used the litter box on its own several times, secure the lid on the bin. Place your cat on top of the lid to introduce it to this additional piece of the new litter box. Do not force your cat into the opening.