Mastering the art of litter box placement is the quickest way to score some points with your furry friend. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because it’s something they’ll get to appreciate several times per day, yet most cat owners never truly think about it. And when they do, they often miss the mark.
But don’t worry. I’m going to share with you some of the worst (and best) places for a litter box — that way, your cat can do their business in peace!
The Worst Place for a Litter Box
Most cat owners have a backwards mindset when deciding where to put a litter box. Some owners choose a place that’s far away, so they (and their guests) don’t have to smell it. Others might place it in a dark corner, so they (and their guests) don’t have to look at it.
Either way, too many cat owners make it about themselves — and not so much about the cat.
Instead, try putting yourself in your cat’s shoes (or in this case, paws). Would you want to go to the bathroom in a room with no light? Or a room that’s on the other side of the house?
Chances are you wouldn’t — and your cat wouldn’t either.
With that said, let’s take a look at four of the worst places for a litter box.
1. Dark & Unlit Areas
Contrary to popular belief, cats can’t see in complete darkness. While they have good low-light vision and better night vision than humans, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
That’s why it’s best to avoid dark and unlit areas — that way, they can see what’s going on.
“You don’t have to put one in the middle of your dining room, but it shouldn’t be in a dark corner of the basement with no windows, either,” says certified cat behavior consultant Laura Cassiday, per Rover.
If you found the perfect location but it doesn’t have enough light, you can always plug a night light into a nearby outlet. Desk and floor lamps work, as well.
Cat owners should also avoid areas that are poorly vented — after all, most human bathrooms either have a window, fan or both.
2. Near Food & Water
Would you ever eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner in the bathroom? Your cat doesn’t want to, either.
In fact, your cat has a natural instinct to keep their food and water away from their “bathroom” — that way, if a predator tracks their scent, they won’t be led to their source of food.
Of course, there’s also a health aspect to this.
We all know that cats track litter when they hop out of their litter box. If that litter were dirty, it could contaminate their food or water bowl — potentially leading to an illness or digestive issues.
3. High-Traffic Areas
The bathroom is one of the most vulnerable places a cat could be. For that reason, cat owners should avoid placing their litter box in high-traffic areas. If there’s too much going on around the litter box, it could stress your cat out or make them feel exposed.
Worst case scenario, your cat might choose to go potty somewhere else, ditching the litter box entirely.
Instead, find a quiet and private area for your cat’s litter box — an area that’s secluded, but not too far away or difficult to get to.
Your cat will appreciate it, and it’ll remain out of the way of you and your guests.
4. Next to Other Litter Boxes
If you have two or more cats in the home, it might make sense to put two litter boxes next to each other — but not so fast.
It might look like two different litter boxes to us, but your cats will likely see it as one big litter box. And that likely won’t sit well with cats that like to have their own litter box.
I know my cat hates it when other cats use his litter box, so that would be a nightmare scenario for him. If possible, try to find two separate locations for a litter box and train your cats to claim one as their own. This should avoid any future conflicts or territorial concerns.
Then again, some cats might not mind sharing a litter box. In that case, putting two litter boxes next to each other wouldn’t be that bad — it just means more space for them to go potty.
The Best Place for a Litter Box
Ask any cat owner where the best place is for a litter box, and you’ll get a flurry of different answers.
Some might say the bathroom, while others might suggest the guest bedroom, walk-in closet or even the basement. The truth is it could be any of those rooms — or it could be none of those rooms.
Instead of focusing on what room it is, it’s better to focus on the atmosphere and environment of that room — as well as your cat’s personal preferences.
As we learned above, the worst places for a litter box are those that are dark, unlit, near food or water, in a high-traffic area or next to other litter boxes.
Now let’s take a look at some of the best places to put a litter box.
1. Against the Wall
Walls are perfect for a litter box — so long as it’s not a corner.
Putting the litter box against a wall means your cat can feel protected from behind at all times. They can turn their back to the wall and keep an eye on what’s happening in front of them.
The reason we want to avoid corners is because cats tend to feel uncomfortable in such a confined space. They also prefer to have multiple escape routes, in case trouble starts to brew.
Plus, placing it against the wall forces your cat to exit in one direction — meaning litter will only be tracked in one direction. This limits the mess and makes it easier to clean up.
The cat feels more safe and there’ll be less maintenance involved — that’s a win-win!
2. Quiet Areas
Not only do you want to avoid high-traffic areas, but you also want to avoid noisy areas.
That means keeping the litter box away from washing machines, dryers and air conditioners — as well as TV speakers or rooms with loud kids (play room, toy room, etc.).
Loud noises, sudden movements or the presence of other pets or people can make a cat feel stressed in the litter box. This can, in turn, lead to litter box avoidance or accidents elsewhere in the home.
Loud noises can also result in your cat rushing or jumping out of the litter box before they’re done — especially if they feel startled. This can lead to poor hygiene and unnecessary messes.
3. Areas They Frequent
I don’t know about your cat, but mine has about three places that he spends most of his time at. If your cat’s the same, then you might want to consider putting their litter box nearby. Not only will it encourage them to use it regularly, but they’ll feel more comfortable doing it.
After all, cats are creatures of habit and rely on familiar surroundings.
Placing the litter box in a familiar place means it’s easy to find, easy to get to and close to the area they frequent. That means they won’t have to travel far when it’s time to go potty.
“Check out where your cat spends the most time,” says ASPCA feline behavior counselor Blair de Jong, per PetMD. “If your cat never goes up to that weird attic room, don’t put the litter box up there.”
Instead, stick to what your cat already knows — it makes it easier for everyone, including you!
4. One Per Floor of the Home
If you live in a multi-story home, make sure you have at least one litter box per floor. After all, almost every home I’ve been to had at least one bathroom on every floor of the home – even most basements!
Having one litter box per floor means your cat will always have a place to go potty without needing to take the stairs — which is important in an emergency. It also prevents having your cat go potty somewhere else to avoid making that long trip.
And trust me, they will do that. My cat is pretty lazy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he chose to bypass the litter box if it were too far away. At the end of the day, do what’s best for your cat. Learn its preferences. Observe what it likes — and doesn’t like.
Whatever it takes to make your cat happy!
