Greetings DIY’ers and other creative cats! Skye Blake here with some fun ways to save a buck and make your own DIY litter boxes.
Some people, especially those with large breed cats, find that regular boxes just aren’t big enough.
Or they have a diva who can’t stand having her whiskers or fur touch the sides of anything… water or food bowls, litter boxes, cat door, etc.
Others want nice furniture enclosures for their boxes but can’t afford the high prices.
Let’s look at ways you can make your own litter box…
The information here is for general knowledge… always see your vet with questions about your cat’s individual needs.
Who Is Skye Blake?
Skye Blake, Cat Info Detective, is a curious cat researcher (not a veterinarian) who sniffs out expert, reliable sources about cats, studies their information, then passes it on to you!
Sometimes there’s not enough evidence for easy answers, so Skye gives you all sides, explains the situation as thoroughly and clearly as possible, and links you to experts on each page.
Sources are at the bottom of each page so you can do more snooping.
DIY – Make Your Own Litter Box
If you’re handy, creative, or even can just use a box cutter and cut a straight line, here are some ideas for giving your cats custom DIY litter boxes and enclosures.
Any plastic or metal storage container, from under-bed boxes to tall bins, can be made into a litter box.
They’re usually less expensive than regular ones and can often be found at yard sales or thrift stores for next to nothing.
There are some really cool ideas, from simply cutting a hole in the side of a large storage container, covered or open, to furniture enclosures like old console televisions or bassinets.
Look at things you have around the house and use your imagination coupled with knowledge of what your cat wants.
Taller containers can have a hole cut in them for an entrance if needed. This is especially good for older cats with arthritis.
They can also be used upside down for outdoor shelters for feral or stray cats.
“Making a DIY Temporary Litterbox From Cardboard”1The Honest Kitchen, August 26, 2019 is a webpage showing how to make a low-sided box… great for young kittens just learning to use them.
DIY Litter Box Videos
There are also some helpful videos to make it easier for you to make your own litter box.
Here are a few to start…
Related Pages of Interest
Curious about other types of litter boxes, litter, and accessories like mats and scoops? Discover more at “Supplies for Cats“.
Having trouble with your cat peeing or pooping outside the litter box?
Find some answers to fix the problem and clean up the mess at “Behavior“.
Sources
Sources used on this website are either primary or secondary.
Primary sources are always preferable and have the most reliable information because they’re original and directly referenced.
Scientific abstracts and data are good examples of primary sources.
Secondary sources are weaker because they usually consist of opinions or articles that give no sources of their own.
However, sometimes they refer to primary sources.
When I use secondary sources, most are those with some authority, such as veterinarian or cat behaviorist books and articles.
List of Sources
Disclosure
I make a small commission on some of the sources listed below if you choose to purchase them from here.
Some products listed link to companies that sell them, whether or not I make any money.
“16 Stand-Out Cat Litter Box Furniture Options to Fit Your Style”, The Dog People
“77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat“, by Susan M. Ewing, Fox Chapel Publishers International, Ltd., 2018
A-K
“The Best Kind of Litter Box for Longhaired Cats“, by Jet Perreault, Petful, Dec 5, 2014
“Cat Speak“, by Bash Dibra with Elizabeth Randolph, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., New York, NY, 2003
“The Cat Whisperer“, by Mieshelle Nagelschneider, Bantam Books, The Random House Publishing Group, New York, NY, 2013, www.bantamdell.com
“Cat Wise“, Pam Johnson-Bennett, Penguin Books, an imprint of Random House LLC, New York, NY, 2016
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting & Owning a Cat“, by Sheila Webster Boneham, PhD, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., New York, NY, 2005
“Decoding Your Cat” by American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, editors: Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB; Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB; Carlo Siracusa, DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York, NY, 2020
L-Z
“Litter Box Happiness for Cats of All Ages”, Dr. Sophia Yin, CattleDog Publishing, January 25, 2017
“Litter Box Solutions for Aging Cats”, Litter Robot™
“Litter Training”, Kitten Lady
“The Special Needs of the Senior Cat”, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center
“Think Like a Cat, How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat – Not a Sour Puss“, by Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Penguin Books, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, New York, NY, 2000, 2011
“Total Cat Mojo” by Jackson Galaxy with Mikel Delgado, PhD, Tarcher Perigree, Penguin Random House, LLC, New York, NY, 2017
“What’s the Best Litter Box for Senior Cats”, FitSeer.com
“What Your Cat Wants”, by Francesca Riccomini, Thunder Bay Press, Octopus Publishing Group, San Diego, CA, 2012, www.thunderbaybooks.com
Updated July 15, 2023