Did you know that you can screen your kitty’s loo by using a hidden cat litter box?
If you own a cat, you’ll be familiar with the unsightly problem of the cat litter box!
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best hidden cat litter boxes and how one could fit into your home.
We’ll also examine the potential problems that may arise from using a hidden cat litter tray and how best to overcome them.
So, first of all, just what is a hidden cat litter box?
What is a hidden cat litter box?
A hidden cat litter box is pretty much as it sounds – a cat litter tray that’s disguised or concealed somehow.
Your cat can still easily access her litter tray, but you and your house guests don’t have to watch her using it!
A hidden cat litter box can be particularly useful if you live in a small house or apartment, where every inch of space counts.
A hidden cat litter box is also a great idea if you have an indoor cat for whom a litter tray is essential.
Hidden litter boxes can also help to overcome the problem of odor in the home.
However, out of sight must NOT become out of mind too!
Always be sure to keep your cat’s litter tray clean and hygienic to keep down odors and ensure that you pet continues to use her tray.
So, let’s take a look at some clever ideas for hidden cat litter boxes.
Hidden cat litter box furniture
One very popular method of hiding a cat litter box is by incorporating it into an attractive piece of furniture.
This technique means that your kitty can enjoy her litter tray whenever she wants to, without sharing the pleasure with you!
We’ve found a few pieces of furniture that double as a hidden cat litter box that we think look very smart and would complement most homes perfectly.
Just beware that wherever you place the unit containing the litter tray, you will be able to hear your cat scratching on her tray.
If this is likely to disturb you, be sure not to place the unit right next to your bed!
Hidden litter box cabinets
Let’s start with furniture based on a simple cabinet idea.
Internet’s Best’s cat home night stand is a very smart piece of furniture that can be used as a nightstand or side table.
The hidden cat litter box features a decorative entry hole where your pet can come and go as necessary.
There’s also a larger hinged door, allowing you to place a pet bed or litter box inside the unit.
The Merry Products cat washroom bench is a cleverly designed piece of furniture that’s large enough to accommodate any size of hidden cat litter box, including extra-large automatic boxes.
The removable partition provides space in which to store litter, a scoop, and other supplies.
You can site the entrance to the cat washroom on either side of the bench to suit the layout of your room.
The Casual Canine cat washroom nightstand is a very smart unit that’s designed for use as a table and also has plenty of room for a hidden litter tray.
There’s plenty of room on top of the piece for a table lamp, potted plants, and ornaments, and the handy shelf will comfortably hold magazines and books.
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The unit comes in classic white, espresso, beige, and walnut shades and is made from sturdy MDF.
The EcoFlex litter loo end table is a well-designed functional end table that can also accommodate a hidden cat litter box.
The material is easy to clean, resistant to warping and cracking, and is moisture repellant.
Any accidents can simply be wiped away without the unit sustaining any damage.
The unit comes in two attractive shades – espresso and russet.
Hidden cat litter box planter
A novel way of hiding your cat’s litter tray is to secrete it beneath a pot plant.
The plant lives in a normal plant pot containing planting medium, which rests atop an urn-shaped faux-clay pot.
The Good Pet Stuff Company hidden cat litter box looks just like a real clay pot, although it’s actually made of polypropylene.
The plants and pot sit between the top and bottom section of the hidden litter box.
The pot has a filtered vented system to control odor and dust.
The unit is spacious and will take a large litter tray.
With the unit, you get a plant and a one-year limited warranty.
Hidden litter tray
If you don’t want to invest in a cabinet to conceal your kitty’s litter tray, you might want to consider a hidden litter tray instead.
Essentially, a hidden litter tray is simply a litter box with a lid or a top entry hatch.
The idea is to hide the litter from sight and control any odors.
This type of hidden cat litter box solution is best-suited to cats who are agile and not bothered by being in confined spaces.
The Modkat litter box is a very cleverly designed top-entry litter box that eliminates litter tracking across your floors almost completely.
The box has a locking lid that works as a walk-off mat, keeping the litter in the box and off your floors.
The litter tray itself is totally out of sight inside the neat box unit.
The box comes with a reusable liner that lasts up to three months.
You also get a handy large hanging litter scoop included with your purchase.
The IRIS top entry cat litter box is neatly designed to allow the cat to easily enter and leave the litter tray, without tracking litter all over your floors.
The box comes with a hanging scoop and is available with lids in an assortment of attractive colors to blend with your décor.
Why won’t my cat use her hidden litter tray?
One of the most common complaints among cat owners is that their cat pees or poops outside of the litter tray.
Anyone whose cat has done this knows that getting rid of the smell of cat pee from your carpets can be almost impossible once it’s soaked through!
So why does your cat not want to use her new hidden litter tray?
Cats are fussy creatures and can be suspicious by nature of any change to their environment.
There are a number of common reasons why a cat might decide to stop using her litter box:
- the box is dirty
- the type of litter has been changed
- too many cats are sharing one litter box
- the litter box is too small
- the location of the litter box has been changed
- or the type of litter box has changed – covered, uncovered, or hidden.
What can you do to encourage your cat to use her litter tray?
Cats are fastidious and will not use a litter box that’s soiled and wet.
You must change your cat’s litter regularly to keep it clean.
I remove anything that my cat leaves in his tray as soon as I notice it.
This keeps the tray clean and hygienic and also saves on cat litter, as I never have to clear the tray out completely.
Troubleshooting litter tray problems
One way to make the move to hidden litter box furniture easier is to not combine it with other changes at the same time – for example a clever new litter you happened to spot at the same time.
Some cats do not like certain types of litter.
One of my cats refused to use wooden pellet litter, preferring to use my potted conservatory palms instead!
I think this was because he was a stray prior to my rehoming him and didn’t understand what the litter tray was for.
I solved the problem by sprinkling a small amount of garden soil over the wooden pellet litter in the tray.
Once he got the idea, I was able to use litter only and my pot plants were safe once more!
If you’re investing in hidden litter box bench, get your feline used to it with their usual litter, before you make any further changes.
Reasons your cat might have rejected their new hidden litter tray
Although studies have not found a widespread preference for open or covered litter boxes, some cats definitely do know what they like.
My cat will not entertain using a litter box with a cover. Others don’t like boxes with top entrances or flap doors.
Moving the litter box can be confusing to a cat.
If she can’t find her loo, she may well decide to use an alternative spot instead.
Once the new toileting location has been chosen and marked with her scent, she will continue to use it, whether there’s a litter tray there or not!
Toileting problems – when to consult the vet
If your cat persists in refusing to use her litter tray, it could be that she associates pain with the experience or urinating and will therefore avoid the tray.
Always have a chat with your vet if you think this might be the case.
Showing your cat her new hidden cat litter box
When you set up your new hidden cat litter box, save a small amount of old cat litter and sprinkle it over the new tray.
This ensures that your cat’s scent is in the new box so she’ll recognize it as hers.
If possible, place your new piece of furniture or plant containing the hidden cat litter box in the same location or very close to the original site of her litter tray.
Your cat should then find the new litter tray when she looks for her usual loo.
In some cases, you might actually have to physically show your cat the new tray!
Once your kitty realizes where her new tray is, you should have no problems.
Best hidden cat litter box
That completes our review of hidden cat litter boxes!
As you can see, there are lots of well-designed, modern solutions out there to accommodate both your cat and your home environment.
If your cat isn’t used to using a hidden litter box, introducing one suddenly can be a confusing change for them.
Help them make the transition by showing them the new box, and keeping it close to the site of their old box at first if possible.
You can also put a little of their used litter in it a first, so that it smells “right”.
Do you have a hidden cat litter box?
How does your cat get on with using it?
Why not tell us about your hidden cat litter box in the comments section below – we’d be really interested to hear your story!
References and further reading
Maxwell, M., “Study of litter tray habits in domestic cats”, AVSAB, 2012.
Ragen, T. S., et al, “The Ins and Outs of the Litter Box”, Applied Animal Behavior Science, 2017.
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