- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Where you place a litter box can determine whether your cat uses it or chooses another spot—like your carpet or couch—instead. Although cats are famously picky, most prefer a calm area away from noise and activity.
You don’t need a lot of space either to find the ideal location. “Cats are very adaptable to small-space living, even more so than dogs,” says Dr. Jordan Beauchamp, DVM. “Even without a ton of room, cat owners can definitely create a healthy, safe location for the litter box.”
Whether you live in a house, condo, or studio apartment, here’s the scoop on the best and worst spots to place your cat’s litter box.
Best Places To Put a Litter Box
Cats are notoriously opinionated, so creating the right litter box sanctuary is key to keeping them happy. Every home varies in size, layout, and environment, so there isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution. Still, here are some cat-approved qualities to keep in mind when choosing prime litter box real estate.
Private spaces
Cats prefer to do their business in private. This ancient instinct is built to protect them from predators. That’s why it’s especially important to find a private spot if you have other animals in the house.
“Even in a small home, cats require time alone and away from other pets in general, so you might need to get creative,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “As long as they can always access the area, you might keep a litter box in a closet or the bathroom.” Even blocking off a corner of a room with a screen can create a sense of privacy for your kitty.
Quiet areas
You’ll also want to keep noise levels in mind regarding litter box placement. A mud room, utility room, office, or guest room might be just the ticket for a quiet space.
If you’re working with a tiny apartment, consider a calm, quiet nook behind furniture or underneath a desk—as long as your cat doesn’t feel trapped.
Well-ventilated locations
Putting a litter box somewhere near an open window or fan can help circulate air and keep odors at bay for both you and your cat. Bathrooms are an obvious choice, but laundry rooms, sunrooms, screened-in porches, and catios are all great options, too.
If space is limited, consider investing in a small HEPA filter to put near the litter box to help neutralize dust and odors. For smaller bathrooms, consider modifying a vanity or cabinet—remove the doors and tuck the box inside.
Easily accessible areas
Both the box and the location should be easily accessible. You’ll also want a low entry for senior cats with aging joints, such as a step-free corner in the bathroom. Even younger cats will want their litter box in a location they can easily get to without feeling trapped.
Placing it underneath a four-legged end table or nightstand can be a great choice for a tiny apartment, as it gives your cat multiple entry and exit points.
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Worst Spots To Put a Litter Box
A poorly placed litter box can cause major stress and anxiety for your cat. When a location doesn’t meet their needs, cats often make it clear by choosing another spot in the home to do their business. Here are some locations in your house to avoid.
High-traffic spaces
Since cats prefer to do their duty in privacy, avoid placing a litter box in a busy area of the home. For example, if you opt for a furniture-style box, placing it in the center of your living room might not be the right choice if this room is your prime hangout spot.
Avoid spots with a lot of foot traffic, too, like your home’s main entryway or corridors between bedrooms. If you live in a studio, avoid the usual path you take from your sleeping area to your kitchen.
Loud and noisy areas
While a laundry room or closet may seem like the perfect tucked-away spot, noisy washers and dryers can frighten some cats and create fear or anxiety around using the litter box.
If your cat is easily spooked, it’s best to avoid placing the box in areas with loud or unpredictable sounds, such as basements with furnaces or water heaters, or closets with an HVAC system.
In living areas, keep the litter box away from noisy entertainment hubs, such as surround-sound speakers or gaming devices.
Places near food
Keeping your cat’s box near the kitchen or their feeding space is a recipe for disaster. Since dust and litter particles are sure to be floating around after every use, try to keep this setup as far away from any food and water as possible.
This reduces the risk of Salmonella bacteria and Toxoplasma parasite, which can be transmitted from cat feces.
Additionally, kitchens usually have a lot of foot traffic between the counter, stove, and fridge. Plus, your cat may go on strike if they feel their dinner is too close to their bathroom.
Tight spaces
A cramped litter box area is a quick way to turn off your cat from using it. Avoid tight, constricting environments, as they reduce airflow and can make your cat feel trapped without an escape route.
For instance, avoid squeezing your cat’s litter box into a narrow gap between the washing machine or dryer, or between your toilet and tub.
Right next to another litter box
If you have multiple cats, it’s best to place several different litter boxes throughout the home. “The number of cats in the household plus one is a good rule of thumb for the number of boxes,” Dr. Beauchamp says. “Even if they all still use one that’s their favorite, having options is important due to their territorial nature.”
Factors That Impact Litter Box Placement
The litter box itself will also dictate where you can put it in your home. Here are some features to consider:
- Entry type. Top-entry litter boxes need plenty of overhead space and can’t fit under cabinets or shelves. On the other hand, front-entry boxes will need plenty of opening space so your cat can enter and exit comfortably without hitting a wall or feeling cornered.
- Box size. A litter box should be 1.5 times your cat’s length to give them plenty of room to move and dig. Depending on your cat’s size, this may affect where you can place the box.
- Splash zone. Similarly, boxes with high sides or footprints prevent your cat’s spray from leaving the box, but they take up a lot of space. There’s no squeezing large, high-sided boxes under furniture or into nooks—they’ll need a wide-open area in your home.
- Self-cleaning. Many automatic litter boxes are electric-powered and will need to be near an outlet. They can be noisy, too, so you’ll likely want to place them outside the bedroom so you’re not woken up in the middle of the night during a cleaning cycle.
Sometimes, even when you’ve considered all the factors and picked what you think is the best spot, your cat may show you otherwise, says Dr. Beauchamp. “If they aren’t using the box and keep going in a certain corner of your closet, and you’ve tried alternatives, you might just need to put the litter box there,” she recommends. Ultimately, it’s their call!
