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Cat owners are constantly trying to look for the best place to put their cat’s litter boxes. The closet has been a highlighted area to put the litterbox as it’s very space-efficient, but can this work?
Can you put a litterbox in the closet? It’s possible to put a litterbox in your closet and it can definitely work out well. While this option may not be for everyone, it’s still an option nonetheless. However, it comes with very strict cleaning habits and requirements that must be adhered to, to make this work.
Space is always a problem when living in small apartments with pets, specifically cats. No wonder owners are looking at their closets as a way to home their cat’s litterbox.
Placing a litterbox in the closet can be tricky as it depends if you putting the box in a closet that’s already in use or if you using a spare closet that you using as storage.
A closet that’s already in use, with clothing and linen can be difficult to maintain since you have to be very careful with the litterbox in terms of smell, fumes, and general hygiene.
For closets that are already in use, cleaning must be done at least once a day, preferably twice a day to prevent clothing and linen from absorbing the smell and to prevent fumes from building up that is released from urine and feces.
For those cat parents who are meticulous, scooping after every use will only be better in making sure that smells are irradicated before it has the time to circulate.
On the other hand, if you consider putting a litterbox in an empty closet that you use for storage, then it’s easier to deal with as you don’t need to be constantly changing litter or cleaning.
In this case, cleaning and renewing of litter can be done weekly or every two weeks depending.
Litterbox In The Closet Make Clothes Smell?
Putting a litterbox in the closet does have its downfall since the clothing and linen can absorb the smell of poop and pee.
Cat feces and urine have a very strong and bad smell. It’s possible that the smell of this waste will make the clothes smell since the litterbox is placed inside the closet.
Basically, whenever the cat urinates or defecates this waste is excreated with smell and fumes. This smell filtrates the air and the area surrounding the litterbox.
Over time this bad smell will attach to the clothing as well as everything in its path. Eventually, the clothes will take up this smell and it won’t be pleasing.
That said! there are ways to stop this from happening, and in the process save your clothes and fabrics from the smell of cat waste. It depends on how well you are able to hide the box as well as the smell.
Ways To Deal With Litterbox Smell In The Closet.
Dealing with the smell of the litterbox is probably the most important thing if you do decide to choose the closet as its location. There are several ways to combat the smell of the litterbox and it does require persistence.
1. Use Fragrant Litter That Clumps.
Fragrant litter is a great way to help reduce and eliminate the smell of cat pee or poop. It’s also good to get litter that clumps so it will be easy when cleaning the mess, so all the stool and pee can be removed properly leaving nothing behind.
2. Cats Diet.
The smell of your cat’s stool and urine is dependent on the cat’s diet. A raw-based diet reduces the odor of their waste, eliminating or reducing the chances of closet smell.
The more effort you put into their meals by preparing yourself, it will be better for you in eliminating odor.
3. Odour Absorbing Packs.
Odor-eliminating packs are a great way to absorb the smell from your cat’s litterbox. These packs contain ingredients such as activated charcoal and other deodorizers which are great for bad odor.
These packs are also safe for cats and are space-efficient with a hanging mechanism to fit even in the smallest of spaces. Check out the Wyewye Activated Charcoal Air Purifying Bag, conveniently from amazon
4. Scoop Out Waste Faster.
Scooping out waste faster reduces the chances of the closet smelling and will actually prevent your clothes from absorbing the smell. This works like a toilet, whenever you use the toilet you flush away the waste to get rid of it and by doing so the smell is also removed.
Whenever you scoop the cat’s waste, you basically remove the very thing that’s causing the smell. This remains the best way to prevent any bad smell.
5. Air Freshener.
Air fresheners are also a good way to eliminate odor, as long as it’s safe for cats and doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients. There are also plug-in air fresheners that work to provide a long-lasting fragrance throughout the room.
Remember when using air fresheners, the position is very important as it should not be in the direction of the litterbox or where the cat can reach.
6. Get An Enclosed Litterbox.
An Enclosed litterbox is a type of box that’s fully covered with just an opening for the cat to enter. These enclosed boxes work well to contain odor preventing your closet and apartment from smelling.
These litterboxes are just another way to prevent smell and waste from surfacing. Check out the Enclosed Dymoll Litter Box.
An enclosed litterbox will work better if you find a really creative way to hide the box inside a drawer or compartment within the closet.
How To Hide a Litterbox In A Closet?
Placing a litterbox in your closet can be a recipe for disaster as a lot of things can go wrong, however, when living in an apartment or a small space, you are limited and a closet is an option.
Luckily there are ways to hide the litterbox to eliminate the smell, and for a better aesthetic. If you ask me, litterboxes are better when left hidden rather than fully exposed while still being accessible for your feline.
1. Litterbox Cabinet.
Cabinets are a great way to hide litterboxes. If you have a double-door cabinet that has some free space, you can use it for a litterbox storage unit. Instead of removing or converting any drawers, all you’ll need to do is add a cat door.
The only thing you will need to do is to cut out a small square of the side of the cabinet and install the cat door that you can get from any pet store. Set up the inside space of the cabinet with the litterbox and you are all ready to go.
2. Diy Drawer Box.
Reusing old furniture for something that you need is great. Drawers can be a good place for litterbox storage. All you have to do is remove the bottom drawers and had a hinged door that you can use for cleaning purposes.
The side of the drawer can be used as the entrance for the cat, and all you have to do is install a cat door. The cat will be able to enter freely using the litterbox and leave. You will also have space in the drawer to have a mat, to prevent cat litter from going out every time the cat leaves.
3. Bench Litterbox.
Benches are a staple in almost every closet, why not use this for another function by providing litter storage for your cat?
This genius way helps camouflage the litterbox, save space as well as provide an accessible location for the litterbox.
It’s easy to convert a bench to a litterbox storage unit. All that is needed is a sizable opening, a sand down of the edges, and a cat door. Just make sure the bench is big enough to fit the cat as well as the litterbox.
Challenges That You May Experience.
Like with any other thing, challenges will arise and you must be prepared if you chose to locate the litterbox in the closet. Here are some of the challenges to be aware of.
1. Having a litterbox in the closet requires regular cleaning which can be difficult over time. You will need to scoop twice a day or after every use, depending on your routine.
2. Smell can be a big issue if you don’t take the necessary steps to eliminate odor. You will need to get a few extra products to help with odor.
3. Cat litter is very dusty and this dust can settle in other areas of the closet. You can go for other litter that’s easier to manage.
4. Changing the litterbox location to the closet will require a bit of effort as the cat needs to be acclimated to the new location. Be prepared for a few mistakes before things finally go well.
5. You will be required to change and clean the litterbox more often, this means buying more litter over time which can be costly if you aren’t prepaid.
