Every cat parent knows the feeling. Guests are coming over, and the first thing you see is the litter box sitting in the corner like it pays rent. The good news is that you can hide it. The trick is hiding it from people without hiding it from your cat.
Cats are picky about their bathrooms. Make the box too hard to find, too cramped or too smelly and they'll let you know, usually on your rug. Here's how to tuck it away the right way.
1. Pick a quiet spot, not a hidden one
Cats want privacy, but they also want an escape route. The best spots are low-traffic but easy to reach: a corner of the living room, a home office, a guest bathroom or a hallway nook. Avoid places right next to loud appliances like the washer, dryer or furnace, where a sudden noise can make a cat avoid the box for good.
If your cat already uses a spot happily, change things gradually. Move the box a few feet at a time rather than all at once.
2. Turn the litter box into furniture
The easiest way to hide a litter box is to put it inside something that looks like it belongs in your living room. A litter box enclosure is a cabinet that holds the box inside, with a cat-sized door or opening, and looks like an end table, sideboard or bench from the outside.
Good enclosures have:
- Enough room inside for a full-size box, so your cat can turn around and dig comfortably
- Ventilation openings so odor and moisture don't get trapped
- Big doors that open wide, so scooping isn't a chore
- A wipe-clean surface that won't absorb smells
Browse our litter box enclosures. They all double as real furniture, from a rustic industrial cabinet with a cat-shaped door to a cabinet with storage cubbies and a built-in scratcher.
3. Got a dog? Go top-entry
If you share your home with a dog, you already know the problem: some dogs treat the litter box like a snack bar. A top-entry enclosure solves it. Your cat jumps in through an opening on top, and most dogs can't (or won't) follow. Our white top-entry litter box enclosure looks like a simple end table and keeps the box a cat-only zone.
One note: top entry works best for healthy, agile cats. For senior cats or cats with stiff joints, choose a side-entry enclosure with a low step instead.
4. Multiple cats? Follow the "one plus one" rule
A common rule of thumb from cat behavior experts is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Two cats means three boxes. You don't have to hide all of them in different rooms. A double enclosure that holds two boxes gives each cat their own space inside one tidy piece of furniture.
5. Stop the litter scatter
Hiding the box doesn't help if litter is tracked across the floor. Put a litter-trapping mat right at the entrance. A double-layer honeycomb mat catches litter from paws and holds it inside until you pour it back into the box. It's one of the cheapest upgrades you can make.
6. Control odor at the source
An enclosure hides the box, but it can't hide a smell. Odor control is mostly about routine:
- Scoop at least once a day, twice with multiple cats
- Top up the litter so it stays 2 to 3 inches deep
- Empty, wash and refill the whole box every couple of weeks, using unscented soap
- Wipe the inside of the enclosure when you do a full change
Skip heavily scented litters and air fresheners right next to the box. Many cats dislike strong smells and may start going somewhere else.
7. Introduce the new setup slowly
When you add an enclosure, leave the doors open for the first few days so your cat can explore. Put a few treats near the entrance and keep the same litter they're used to. Once your cat is using it confidently, close things up.
The bottom line
A hidden litter box should be invisible to your guests and obvious to your cat: a quiet spot, plenty of room, good airflow and a clean routine. Get those right, and the litter box goes from eyesore to end table.
Shop the look: see all our Litter & Cat Care picks. Every litter box enclosure ships free.