Best (and Worst) Spots For Your Cat's Litter Box | PetMD

By Lynne Miller

The old saying in real estate, “location, location, location,” applies to litter boxes, too.

Where you put the litter box can mean the difference between harmony and hostility between you and your pets. If you want your felines to feel comfortable doing their business and minimize the likelihood of soiling around the home, it’s wise to put some thought into where you place the litter boxes, says Blair de Jong, an ASPCA feline behavior counselor.

“In the cat world, one of the biggest problems we hear about is litter box training and inappropriate elimination,” de Jong says. “Once they start, litter box problems are a pain to manage.”

Where to Put Your Cat’s Litter Box

The best places for litter boxes are usually quiet, easy-to-reach corners that offer privacy, de Jong says. 

“Check out where your cat spends the most time,” de Jong says. “If your cat never goes up to that weird attic room, don’t put the litter box up there.”

As a rule, cat owners don’t want to see or smell litter boxes, so they may tuck them in places that are out of the way for the pet, says Paula Garber, a cat behavior specialist from Westchester County, New York.

Instead, place the box someplace that the cat can easily get to, preferably a low-traffic area away from food and water bowls, Garber recommends. Cats usually like to hang out with their humans, so one of those favorite spots may be perfect for a litter box. 

Think about the aspects you look for in a bathroom, Garber adds. Choose a spot with sufficient light since cats want to be able to see when they go to the bathroom, she says. If possible, use nightlights to brighten an area. “If you lived in a home where the only toilet you could use was in a dark corner, you would not want to go there,” Garber says.

Your cat’s personality, age, physical condition, and the layout of the home are factors to keep in mind, she says. For instance, a senior cat with limited mobility cannot be expected to travel far when nature calls, so make sure her litter box is nearby, Garber says.