Unless your kitty has mastered using the toilet, they likely come with a litter box (or boxes!) in tow. While litter boxes may be one of the most useful tools in cat ownership, they don’t have the best aesthetics. 

If you’re looking for a way to prevent shifty, side-eyed glances from your guests or frequent complaints from your family, try one of these tips for hiding your litter box in plain sight.

Ways to Hide Your Cat’s Litter Box

There’s a reason your toilet isn’t the center of your home’s décor. No one wants actually to look at it! Same goes for your cat’s litter box. Unsightliness aside, most kitties prefer not to be on display when doing their business. That’s why we’ve come up with these clever ways to hide your litter box so that it can be out of sight and out of mind and more favorable toward your cat’s privacy.

Just keep in mind that hiding your litter box can also hide your cat’s bathroom habits, something that doesn’t necessarily sound negative but could be important in determining your cat’s health status.

 If you don’t catch your cat in the act of using their litter box, you’re going to have to sleuth out other clues to make sure everything is working as it should. Pay attention to the frequency that they are going, as well as the volume and look of it when you clean the box. Of course, monitor their other behaviors closely and seek veterinary advice if anything seems off.

Covered Litter Boxes

This one is easy: get a litter box with a cover. Okay, so it still may look like a litter box, but at least the contents won’t be in constant view. Not only that, but covered litter boxes provide your kitty with the privacy they deserve, potentially increasing their acceptance and use of it. 

Covered litter boxes come in side or top entry options, and the cover easily unclips when it’s time for a good cleaning. As an added bonus, they may help cut down on odors, especially versions with a built-in filter.

Some kitties may not like the close confines of a covered litter box, so if your cat appears to be a bit claustrophobic, another option may work better for hiding your litter box.

Look to Another Room

If you have the space, sticking your cat’s litter box in an out-of-the-way room is always a good idea. Small, low-traffic areas such as laundry rooms or bathrooms make great hiding spots for litter boxes and offer your kitty an escape from the hustle and bustle that may be stressful. 

Just make sure your cat’s litter box isn’t behind a door that gets closed frequently, or you may be setting yourself up for some accidents. Installing a cat door may be a way around this issue.

Purchase Litter Box Furniture

You’re not the first cat parent who has wished for a litter-box-hiding solution. To answer your wishes, several pet companies have started producing litter box furniture. All this means is that there are things such as end tables, coffee tables, and cabinets that are built specifically to hide a litter box. They come in many sizes, varieties, styles, and colors, so with a little research, you’re sure to find one that matches your décor and space requirements.

Convert Current Furniture to Accommodate Kitty

Feeling crafty? Maybe the best option is to convert some of your current furniture into a kitty litter box condo. Many types of furniture can be easily transformed to inconspicuously house a litter box and still blend in with your environment. Draping a floor-length tablecloth over an end or coffee table hides the litter box from view while still allowing easy access. 

Cutting a small kitty door in a large basket, trunk, or cabinet will offer the same discretion. Any kind of furniture that’s big enough to house a litter box will work as long as you’re willing to make some slight modifications to it. Whichever route you take, be sure your cat can get into it at all times and that you can easily remove the litter box for regular cleaning.

Try Out a Catio

If you have the luxury of being graced with some safe outdoor space, consider setting up a catio for your feline friend. The outdoors are important for enriching and mentally stimulating your cat, and a safe, confined area, like a catio, makes a great place to hide your litter box. The one caveat is your cat needs to have constant access to the catio; otherwise, you’ll still need an indoor litter box option.

What If You Can’t Hide Your Cat’s Litter Box?

While the above options may be creative and fun ways to hide your cat’s litter box, we realize that they aren’t feasible in every situation. If you simply don’t have the space to hide your cat’s litter box, don’t worry. 

You won’t have to come to terms with your friends and family, who are always choosing to hang out at someone else’s home. Here are some tips for making the most of your cat’s litter box so that you’ll be proud to show it off.

Keep it Clean

Let’s face it: the reason you’re likely looking to hide your litter box is the mess. The tracked litter, the urine smells, the…well, kitty nuggets. All of that can be fixed with regular cleaning. 

Cleaning’s not your thing, you say? Check out the SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner to make scooping a thing of the past. Besides daily cleaning, you should also completely change out your litter at least once a week and wash and disinfect the box with soap and water to keep odors down.

Make it Presentable

Here, we’re not asking you to hide your litter box; instead, spruce it up so that it becomes less of an eyesore and more of an attraction. Adding some fun pet-safe paint to the side can really freshen up the look. 

So can placing a rug underneath. This Floor Runner makes a great option for larger areas, while the Floor Mat may be more appropriate for small spaces. Rugs not only look nice; they can also help trap stray litter before it gets a chance to spread around your home, and you have many options to create a more personalized look.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, having a cat also often means having a litter box or two around your home. Instead of making the litter box a focal point, look into one of these tips on how to hide your cat’s litter box in plain sight. If hiding it just won’t do, try to make it as presentable as possible with regular cleaning and some personal touches, such as a rug.

About the Author

Chyrle Bonk has been a veterinarian since 2010 and has been writing for pet and veterinary publications for over 7 years. She also owns a small cattle herd and a menagerie of animals. When not working, Dr. Bonk enjoys spending time with her family somewhere in the great outdoors.