One of the top reasons that people surrender their cats is for not using the litterbox. Even after being checked by a vet to be sure that there’s no physical reason for not using the box, some cats don’t use their litterbox because they don’t like the box itself, often because it’s too small. Cats prefer a litter box at least 1.5 times the length of their body, and some cats don’t like having their tail touching the side of the box while they do their business.
A recent trip to a local big box pet store showed that the largest litterbox for sale there, advertised as sized extra large, measured 16.5″ wide x 22″ long. If you have a big kitty, this may not be big enough for him to feel comfortable. But what can you do about it if it’s the biggest cat box manufactured?
Think outside the box and use something that wasn’t manufactured to be a litterbox.
Mortar Mixing Tray
Newton inspects mortar mixing tray next to his litterbox
A typical 26 gallon concrete mixing tray or mixing tub is 36″ x 24″ with a depth of about 8,” but they come as large as 60″ x 36.” This width and depth increase may be enough to make your kitty more comfortable using the box. As a bonus, most concrete mixing trays have rounded corners at the bottom that make it easier for you to scoop the litter without things getting stuck in the corners. You can find them at your local home improvement store, and they are sold in different materials, some more durable than others.
Sweater/Blanket Storage Bin
Clear plastic sweater or blanket storage bins come in an amazing variety of sizes and shapes. Some are wide and low, intended for storing items under your bed. These long, somewhat narrow boxes may help you fit a larger litterbox into a smaller space like a hallway where you still need room to walk past. Tall-sided bins can make useful boxes for cats who don’t squat far enough when using the litterbox and end up going over the side. Make sure that if you choose a high-sided litterbox that your cat can comfortably get in and out. Small kittens and older, arthritic cats, may not be able to get in to take care of business if they have to make a jump every time.
At our house, we have both a regular litterbox and a clear plastic storage bin next to it.
Plastic Storage Tote
Similar to the clear storage bin, plastic storage totes come in a number of shapes and sizes. You can get totes so large that they are marketed to store artificial Christmas trees. Like some of the taller storage bins, be sure that your cat can easily exit and enter the tote after it contains litter to prevent their avoiding it, too. Your local home improvement store has shelves and shelves of bins in all kinds of sizes.
You can use the tote or bin as-is, or customize it further by cutting an entrance into it to create a lower step-in entry but high sides. this custom-converted storage tote was made for our friend Timmy and his roomates.
Wading Pool
Hard plastic wading pools, intended for children to splash in during hot summer months, can offer big kitties lots of space. You can buy them at various big box stores and even some grocery stores during the spring and summer months, and they range in size from 36″ to 60″ across. Keep in mind that these can be hard to come by during the winter, and if you are worried you may need to discard your old pool and get another one, consider buying and storing an extra. Also, the plastic of these pools is unlikely stand up well if you try to relocate a full litter pool, so make sure you have a final location in mind before filling it with litter.
No matter what you choose, there are lots of options to make sure that your cat’s litterbox is big enough to keep him taking care of business in the right location!
very informative.
Wow, I wish my human would get creative with the litter boxes here like yours has!
Great info! We never thought about any of these options before. And they’re much cheaper than regular litterboxes too.
Those are great ideas. I hadn’t thought of cutting holes in the sides of the tall boxes. I really like that!
Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Hannah is quite happy with normal litter boxes and there are always 2 in the bathroom for her. She uses one strictly for pee and the other for poo. Lucy rarely uses them as she likes to be al fresco!! If it is pouring with rain she will use the ones in the bathroom and scratches so diligently that there is hardly any litter left in them and Mum has to sweep the floors again and again! Often she will wait until the rain eases before going out to “go” in her big sand latrene.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Thanks for the suggestion of a mortar mixing tray. I use two Rubbermaid totes and 2 old deep (deeper than they’re made now) covered boxes *without* the lids. Those old ones are cracked, though, I had them with Annie and Chumley. But they’re the only ones I see that are deep enough for Mr. Messy Nicki. Other than the totes, which are ridged inside, of course, and so a bit harder to clean. So I must look for a mortar mixing tray.
However, no matter what size of box (and mine are all giant), Nicki scratches the litter away and pees right on the side of the plastic, in the front left corner. And then kicks it all out, covering it up. LOL.
great ideas. we use the plastic storage bins since some cat (TIM) likes to pee standing up. mom cuts one end out about half way up to give us an entrance and leaves the top off. MUCH cheaper alternative to high sided boxes at the pet stores. We know those Katnip Lounge kitties have the pools and mom says if only we had the space…..
Fantastic ideas…thank you so much!
What a great idea, very creative! Thanks for sharing!
Great ideas!! And also less expensive than the ‘specialty’ litter boxes.
Excellent post…Mom continues to be amazed when she hears about kitties and box issues. She always questions folks about the box location, condition, type of litter etc. They say why does that matter.
She says well do you like using a dirty toilet, or one that has a broken seat or is in the middle of a room where everyone can see etc. The BOX is a big thing and must be treated very seriously
Hugs madi your bfff
Those are some great ideas for litter boxes… nice.
Have a great day.
hugs, Bugsy and Knuckles
we kin attest to that! when we moved to the new house, our mommer an’ dad got us a BIG rubbermaid tub an’ filled it wif 6″ of litter, so we could dig to our hearts’ content. she cutted a hole about hafway up the short side big enuf so we could get in an’ out easy, an’ we all 4 boys use it wif no prollems. she even leafs the lid on an’ we don’t mind a bit as long as she scoops efurry day!
Good tips!!
The Florida Furkids
What a great post with such great comments. Thanks for giving us the plug about our big fancy powder room.
Dad says he is going to bookmark this post and send it around to his rescue pals so they can suggest these ideas (with photos no less) to those who have questions about this impawtent subject.
Purrs
Timmy and Dad
Those are great clever ideas!
those are some really good litter box options! there are a lot of things folks can do to help their cats use the box. we have high sided boxes described as jumbo/giant size and the dimensions are along the lines of what you mention seeing at the pet store for the extra large. this size is great for us though anything smaller might have us piddling outside the box! and none of us are really big cats!
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
These are some great ideas. Pierrot is huge but so far he’s been okay with using a somewhat smaller box that’s covered. It’s so sad that cats are surrendered for this. This is a good educational post if there’s nothing medically wrong. I love the motar mixing tray idea.
We’ve got the sweater storage boxes over here. But when we heard about mommy visiting the Katnip Lounge and the WADING POOL. Well, we have Wading Pool Envy now.
Great options – different cats like different litter tray choices.
Those mortar mixing trays are bigger than our condo. Heh heh. Useful info though.
Love this article! Thanks!
We used to use the clear plastic storage bin. They are about double the size of a regular box and cats seem to like the extra room. The high walls also kept the litter mostly inside the box too. The only problem was that it is not quite as easy as stepping into a regular litter box. Most cats don’t mind but some cats can be very picky. We know have a larger than normal litter box and what’s called a “Giant Litter Box.” The mortar tray seems like a good option too. It is a bit lower and I would rather pick up litter off the floor than poop.
We have homemade litter boxes in our house, very similar to the one Timmy is modeling! Sophie (CH kitty) has trouble keeping her balance in the litter box, so the storage bins with holes cut in the side give her high walls to lean against so she doesn’t fall over in her mess. The high walls also keep the litter in better – she is a litter flinger!!! MOL!
We think this was a really good post. We have litter box issues at our house which Mom is still trying to figure out. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Hello Cat and Kitten owners.
About 4 years ago I changed how my cats use litter boxes. I no longer buy litter!
I use pine shavings from Tractor Supply. I do not use normal litter boxes I use clear under bed storage boxes. (NO lid)… they are long so they have more room. NO smell at all. Clean the same way with a scoop. $4.99 lasts about 3 months. We have 2 cats and 2 kittens. Purrr