By Gail Marsh
A gal on an RVing with Cats Facebook page recently inquired, “Where do you put the litter box? My 24’ RV is so small!” As always, RVing friends came through with several recommendations. Check them out below.
But first…
Here are some places NOT to put your cat’s litter box:
• Any heat-radiating appliances, like RV fireplace or heater. The heat will magnify the litter box odor and your cat may avoid it (not to mention, the odor may assault your nose).
• Noisy appliances like the RV clothes washer/dryer. Noise can make a cat jittery or too nervous to use the litter box.
• A place that’s difficult for your cat to access. A kitten or elderly cat may refuse to use a box that’s difficult to get to.
• Near the food or water bowls. Some felines will not use litter that’s within close proximity to food.
• In a place where the door cannot be securely propped open. If the door accidentally closes, your cat won’t be able to access the litter box. Or the door may accidentally shut, locking the cat inside.
On to the solutions—places where your cat’s litter box will see the most success.
Shower solution
Many cat owners use their showers for double duty. Sue Ann K.F. explained, “We put a mat in the shower and the litter box on the mat.” When it’s time to shower, the litter box is temporarily removed, and replaced after the showers are done.
Note: Use caution when using this method. Take care that no kitty litter finds its way into the shower drain.
Drawer
Cassandra B. discovered this option: “We took a drawer out and put a curtain up. We added a deep-sided container with an [accessible] open front.” From her picture, it looks like the cat approves of this set up!
Hidden in plain sight
Jean K.’s RV is a van. She built a cabinet for her cat’s litter box and made a top, so the piece functions like a table. Smart idea, Jean! If you lack carpenter skills, you can purchase a similar piece from Amazon.
Anita K.T. had a dual-use idea, as well. “We made a litter box out of an ottoman and put the bottom of a plastic box inside it. Works great and people don’t know it is a litter box.” The picture shows the litter box/ottoman with the lid removed. Look closely to see the kitty access point on the right.
Under the bed
Several RVers mentioned an under-the-bed kitty litter box. They cut an access hole in the bed panel and placed the litter box (plastic tub with three high sides) near the access hole, under the bed. Jane P. highly recommends this method. “This system works so well for us! Of course, I clean the clumping clay litter daily so there is no odor. I love that the litter box is out of my sight and I’m not stepping on kitty litter either!”
During travel
Mitch W. says, “While in travel, the litter box is placed inside a larger tote which keeps the litter inside. The box lid is removed so Purl can have access. When we set up our 19-foot Class B, we turn the driver’s seat toward the back and put the litter box in the driver’s footwell. For us, this has worked well.”
RVers with cats are so inventive! Can you add your own solution to the potentially cat-astrophic problem: Where to put the litter box? Please do so in the comments below, thanks!
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##RVT1146
We drive a 35 foot class A & have two cats. We put our litter box behind the driver’s seat when we stop & turn it around. It’s out of the way & not noticeable.
In our Class C, the fully enclosed litter box is behind the driver’s seat. Use high quality litter (We use only Slide) and scoop it regularly. Cats will learn your schedule and adapt quickly.
Ours is also in the shower. We put a flat rubber drain cover over the drain. We move the box in front of the toilet when taking showers. HOWEVER, when drying yourself off, do not put your foot on the toilet seat cover – ask me how I know! :-D!
In our LilSnoozy we put the catlitter box in the basement under the bed. It’s easy to access for both the cats and us.
We have both a seasonally stationary 34′ TT, and a 21′ touring TT.
For the 34′: The mattress hangs over the foot of the bed. The box and litter catch mat is under the overhang. We put a bed rail at the foot over the box. It keeps the bedding from falling into the box and we put plastic shopping bags in the pocket for clump removal.
For the 21′: There was ‘wasted’ floor space between the stool and vanity and we put this box there. The lid prevents litter from flying on bumpy roads. The box is also handy if hotelling. We also put up a surround under and on 3 sides to contain cat flug litter.
Finding a place for a litter box in our small RV would not be as difficult as having our cat traveling with us.
Great article. Loved the comments.
We kept our cat’s litter box under the steering wheel when parked. No heat, no fans, close to the exit, worked great. Drive time days, simply under a dining chair.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Interesting set of choices; thank you! I think we’ll opt for … “none of the above,” as in not travel with a cat. 😉 Not sure that little (? 41 pounds at 7 months and growing) Weagle likes cats. 🙂 Safe and sunny travels! 🙂 PS, We hit 73°F here in metro Chattanooga yesterday. 😉
We use the shower stall in our 5th wheel. Clean up the litter box in the morning which has a paper towel in front of it over the drain, rinse with the shower head to get the hot water flowing and return the box when we are done. Great way to ensure the litter box is cleaned daily as well! No mess, no smell, and out of sight!
Some people cut a hole from the steps to an outdoor compartment and put the litter box in an outdoor compartment for outdoor emptying.