As full-time RV travelers with cats onboard, we face some unique challenges. One of which is where do we put the cat litter box in your RV? Considering that RVs have very tight quarters, finding the perfect place to hide a litter box can be a daunting challenge. Not only must we appease our our kitty cats, but also keep down the cat box odor and not ruin the aesthetics of our RV.
We’ve been RVing with our cats for almost a decade and now on our third RV.
When shopping for RVs, the first concession cat owners must consider is “where will the cat litter box go?”
Well, we found some pretty unique modifications RV owners have made to their spaces to accommodate a litter box and the locations of their cat’s potty. But also, some creative ways to hide the litter box without having to look at a cat crap or smelling cat urine.
So, if you’re contemplating or even already RVing with cats and struggling with cat litter box placement, this is a definite must read.
If you’re hindering your decision on which RV to buy but are wanting cat litter box ideas to accommodate your feline friend and hide the litter box, your cat litter box quandary is solved right here.
This post contains affiliate links to help run this site at no extra cost to you so we can keep providing FREE Outdoor, Camping, RV and Travel information, advice and tips. Full disclosure here.
Where to Put the Cat Litter Box in an RV
RV Modifications to Accommodate a Cat Litter Box
Inside Basement Storage
RV owners are modifying places in their motorhomes or campers to accommodate their cat’s litter box.
However, before you go hacking and sawing into your RV’s walls, I recommend you contact your RV manufacturer for a schematic of where plumbing and electrical wires are located.
That said, as you see above and below, these RV owners modified their RV basement storage compartments to accommodate their cats’ litter boxes.
The great thing is the litter boxes are out of sight and don’t smell. The kitties can have privacy while doing their business in their own little concealed cubby.
When it comes time to clean the litter box, all they have to do is open the outside compartment door and remove the litter box to scoop the poop, clean or add cat litter!
Under the Dinette Bench
Lots of RV owners are also modifying their motorhome or camper’s dinette benches.
They simply cut a an access hole into the bottom of the dinette bench seat. Then, they set their cat litter box in the bench storage area. Their kitties can come and go as they wish.
Now, cleaning the litter box is as easy as lifting the seat bench and removing the litter box or scooping as necessary.
By keeping it inside the dinette bench compartment, the odor is contained. Like the outside compartment litter box idea, the cat has privacy to do her business. And, because it’s concealed better, the smell is kept to a minimum.
Some RVers are even putting a little decorative touch on their cat entrance doors.
As you see by the photo below, this RV owner installed a cute little cat head doorway that leads to their cat box. I love how they painted it to match their RV decor!
Under the Bed
Your under-bed storage another great location to keep your cat’s litter box.
Like the dinette bench seat modifications above, some RV owners are implementing similar cat litter box placement and even kitty hideout under the bed.
Typically, RV mattresses sit on top of a plywood platform surface. That platform is hinged and can be lifted to access the storage area. And, the pneumatic shocks allow the bed to remain open without having to hold it.
After cutting an access hole into the bottom of the bed, they install a cat door to give it a nicer finish, But also, to cover the rough edges so kitty doesn’t scratch himself going in or out of his pet door.
Most install the frame and just remove the door for easier access for kitty.
However, there are a few caveats to this type cat box accommodation. Not every cat can fit in either the dinette bench or under the bed due to their size.
These options are typically intended for shorter or small cats as the height inside each doesn’t really allow them to sit up fully to eliminate.
And, if your cat is one of those cats who digs to China, you may experience middle of the night noise that sounds like a big rat rustling around underneath your bed!
Check out these cat doors for cat litter box pass-through or a quiet kitty cubby hideaway space.
 Indoor Cat Door |  |
|
Cat Litter Box Furniture
End Table or Night Stand
There are actually pieces of furniture that could double as great concealment for a cat litter box or even your feline’s sleeping quarters.
I was actually excited to see several RVers use this as an effective method for their cats because it doesn’t involve modifying anything in their RV.
They are reclaiming old nightstands and small cabinet-type end tables and turning them into cat beds. But also, they make great cat box accommodations!
Simply removing the cabinet door all together or just removing the door panel enables access for their cat. A little sanding, primer coat and paint and a decorative curtain panel completes the look!
To access the litter box for cleaning or adding kitty litter, they just open the front cabinet door. The table top can double as a lamp and drink holder.
Or more importantly, set a fluffy cat bed for your reigning king or queen of the RV to lounge, nap…or stare at you for hours.
But, did you know that there are also furniture manufacturers actually make cat box furniture?
However, you’ll need to consider where you want to put it in your RV and measurements.
But also, be aware of how much they weigh. Always keep your RV GVWR in mind.
Check out these adorable litter box cabinets below. Click on each for size, weight and details.
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Ottoman Storage Bench
As a long-time cat owner, I would never even have thought to make a storage ottoman into cat box storage!
See how these RV owners below cleverly cut a hole in one end of the storage ottoman to create an entry point for their cat.
Depending on the exterior material and furniture finish, you may want to install an attractive cat door frame.
Then, once the project is complete, just place the cat litter box inside.
To access the litter box for cleaning or adding litter, just lift the ottoman or bench seat and voila!
And it looks like this RV owner’s beautiful feline loves the privacy too. She even has a hiding place just outside the litter box, but still inside the ottoman.
Again though, consider the size of your cat versus the inside dimensions of the ottoman or bench. Your cat needs to be able to sit comfortably inside the litter box.
Whatever you do, don’t make your cat have to work hard or squat low to do her business. Otherwise, she may go somewhere else where it’s more comfortable to relieve herself.
Viable Cat Litter Box Locations in Your RV
Motorhome Cab
Some motorhome owners may not have any place to put the litter box other than up in the cab.
So, they strategically place the litter box access away from the living area. This helps to mitigate immediate odors.
But also, by placing the door out of sight provides kitty a privacy when she uses her litter box.
In the Shower
Keeping your cat litter box in the shower may not be an option for all RVs. Some motorhomes or campers have corner showers with curved glass panels and automatic door closure.
However, if your RV has an actual tub with fabric curtain or your RV shower door can remain open, this litter box location works wonderfully!
It doesn’t require any modification or alterations to the structure of the RV interior. And, what more appropriate place to keep the cat litter box than in the bathroom or head?
Again though, that’s only if the shower has just a curtain or the door can remain open so your cat can access their litter box without assistance from you.
We do highly recommend placing a litter mat under their litter box entry to catch litter that may otherwise go down the drain.
If any kitty litter does get outside the mat onto the floor outside the shower, just use a small broom and dustpan.
Portable Cat Litter Boxes
Should you want just a regular litter box without making modifications to your RV or if you’re just going to put your cat’s litter box in the shower, there’s tons of cat boxes in plenty of different sizes.
But, before buying a cat box, you’ll need to take into account of your kitty’s size, health, agility and age. What may work for your neighbor’s cat may not work for your cat.
Things to consider when choosing a cat litter box:
- If you have a senior cat or she has mobility issues, choose a litter box that has a lower access entry.
- For Maine Coons and bigger cats, look at bigger cat litter boxes that will accommodate his size and comfort.
- Should your cat be a tall sit-and-think-type-pooper, consider the height of the litter box hood.
Great litter box suggestions for different cats. Select image for more details on sizes.
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
As cat owners, we have this never-ending chore of constantly cleaning up litter.
Because cat’s are known for tracking litter, we found by placing a cat litter mat in front of their cat box minimizes litter tracking.
Any litter stuck in their paws will fall into the mat when they step out of their litter box rather than being tracked throughout our RV (or most of it, at least).
Depending on the size of the litter box area, you can get different sizes accordingly. Because our shower stall is tiny, we place a 17″x24″ litter mat which fits perfectly in the shower.
As mentioned earlier, a litter catching mat also prevents any litter from going down the shower drain.
What kind of cat litter should you use in your RV?
Choosing the type of cat litter for your feline friend is a personal choice; not only for them, but for you too.
While some cat owners have really good luck with pellets, others choose regular granular litter.
There’s a new multiple-cat formula cat litter that combines our hallmark whole-kernel corn litter with natural botanicals. Lotus Blossom is a naturally safe kitty litter option that is 99% dust free and flushable with outstanding odor control and tight clumping ability.
Our cats (as do we) actually prefer Arm & Hammer’s Platinum Slide Clump & Seal. It doesn’t track as bad as other kitty litter brands.
We did notice, no matter which cat litter we use, if we scoop regularly, it doesn’t present odor. We scoop their poop every morning and sometimes once at night before bed.
That said, when choosing the cat litter for small spaces like RVs, there’s lots to consider.
There’s many cat litter options from natural compressed feline pine or mini wood pellets, scented or unscented, clumping litter or clay litter, cat litter with charcoal or kitty litter with baking soda, etc.
There’s even a cat litter with a health indicator that contains special chemicals that detects or alerts cat owners of possible concerns. The litter responds to deviating values in the urine such as blood, alkaline, bilirubin, or abnormal PH levels.
So, you’ll just have to find a brand of cat litter that suits your cat’s health needs as well as providing a harmonious sweet smelling atmosphere for you and your cat.
 |  |  |
Where do WE keep our kitties’ litter box?
And finally, you’re probably wondering where we keep the cat litter box in our RV?
It should come as no surprise that we just have been keeping it in the shower of all three of our RVs. By keeping their litter box in the shower, it allows them access all of the time.
We only use the shower for its’ intended purpose which is only about 20 minutes each day. And that’s ‘if’ we use the shower every day.
We chose a larger front entry cat box with the removable hood for easy cleaning. And, we had to get the largest size we could.
Kandi (our calico) is a big girl weighing in at about 16 pounds. She needs that extra room to move around in and to sit in the litter box.
However, we did have to do a small modification to it for our senior cat, Krissie. Krissie hip dysplasia and back issues.
So, we had to cut down the entry opening lower so she could get into and out of it easier. Also, since we have quirky cats who despise flap doors, we had to remove that too.
We didn’t have to be drilling, sawing or modifying any cabinet or wall in either of our fifth wheels or motorhome.
More importantly in our tiny motorhome, it doesn’t take up a valuable storage compartment that many other RVers have in their big rig motorhome or fifth wheel.
And I’m sure they both appreciate total privacy ‘in the bathroom’.
Your takeaway on where to put the cat litter box in your RV
If you have a cat or multiple cats and you are thinking of buying an RV, finding a solution on where to put the litter box is an important issue to consider.
Or, if you already have an RV and are contemplating getting a cat, these litter box solutions will give you great ideas on where to put their litter box safely and out of the way.
Check out our video on how we RV with Cats!
More RVing with cats articles you may want to read
How to Keep Cats from Scratching Furniture in your RV or Boat
How to Make a Cat Scratch Post for RVs and Small Spaces
How to Survive RVing with Cats
Why Cats Make Great RV Companions
Cool Camping Gear for Dogs and Cats
AMAZON DISCLOSURE: This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
