How to Make a Homemade Cat Litter Box

Most homes contain items that can be re-purposed to serve as litter boxes.

A cat may suddenly take a dislike to his customary litter box and you may have to come up with a substitute in a hurry. Refusing to use his perfectly adequate box may appear to be persnickety behavior, but it is one of the most common behavioral problems among feline pets. A fancy model can cost several hundred dollars and promise sanitary, odor-free bathroom facilities for cats -- until they just stop using it. The average household contains a number of options for a homemade cat litter box.

Things You'll Need

• Shallow container
• Pan liners or plastic trash bags
• Litter
• Rubber bands or twist ties
• Slotted scoop

Instructions

1. Choose an appropriately sized container to serve as a litter box for your cat (e.g. plastic storage containers such as the ones that slide under a bed, shallow cardboard boxes, old plastic dish pans, etc.). Easy access is important so choose a container that's fairly shallow.

2. Place a liner in the box or slide the container inside of a plastic trash bag. Add a 2-inch layer of litter to the box and pull the liner or trash bag taut. Secure the excess with rubber bands or twist ties.

3. Scoop out the waste at least daily (more often, if possible), using a slotted scoop.

Tips & Warnings

• Washable pans last longer, but disposable pans are fine for emergencies.

• Many large cats need a larger-than-standard-size litter box to feel comfortable.

• Pregnant women should not come in contact with soiled cat litter.

References

• "Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss"; Pam Johnson-Bennett ; 2000