We love our cats, but we have to admit that their litter boxes(and the smell!) are not pretty and that is why hidden cat litter boxes are so great! Of course, it's a privilege to share our home with a cat and we love seeing them curled up on a sunny windowsill, or snuggled on a cosy cushion, in fact, some cat beds, are really cute and stylish. But litter trays tend to be a problem, just like pet hair and finding the best carpet cleaner for pet hair, we also want to find discreet litter trays. They can look bulky and plastic, and often they disrupt the aesthetics of your living space. That said, if you have a cat who uses a litter box, they need a place to go to the toilet!
If you have an outdoor cat, you might be wondering why you need a hidden cat litter box, or any litter tray, but they are important because what if your cat has to stay indoors for a while? If they get poorly, or you move house, then they will have to stay inside and that will mean they can't access their usual toilet spot in the garden. Plus some of them incorporate sleeping areas or a scratching post to help prevent your cat from scratching your furniture.
Best hidden cat litter boxes at a glance:
Just like us, cats like privacy, and so a hidden cat litter box is the perfect way to let them have peace while they do their business. If you have ever watched a cat go to the toilet in the garden, they hide in bushes, or behind trees, and so inside, they will enjoy the same discretion. Plus, it will look nicer in your house too.
There are lots of different styles of hidden cat litter boxes to choose from, such as, ones that look like a large plant pot, or others which look like a cupboard with a hole cut in the side for access. Typically they are large enough for all cats and because they are covered, they will help to contain the smell a little, although they will still need frequent cleaning just like a normal litter tray. The other benefit is because they are enclosed, your cat will not be able to scratch litter all over the floor, it should stay inside the litter box. And we think your kitty will like it too, cats tend to like feeling secure, so having their own covered little space, will make them feel confident to use the litter box
Best hidden cat litter boxes
Best plant pot hidden cat litter box
It is always nice to have plants around the house, and this great hidden cat litter box disguises your cat's litter tray as a plant pot. Customers were impressed with the look of the product and commented that it is bigger than expected, and definitely large enough for big cats. Reviewers said their cats seemed comfortable using the litter tray and that it looks good in various rooms around the house.
While it states that it is easy to clean, customers don't all agree because they say that there is a ledge where the lid connects and urine especially can collect on this. However, they did like the oval shape and said the lid is easy to remove, although slightly fiddly to put back on. Of course, it is impossible to completely remove the smell that comes from cat litter trays but reviewers were impressed with how contained the smell was using this. Made of plastic and a functional white colour, it blends into most decors. Do bear in mind that it doesn't come with a plant!
Pros
- Good size - big enough for large cats
- Contains smell more than flat litter trays
Cons
- Not easy to clean
Dimensions: | 51 x 51 x 55 cm |
Weight: | 2.5kg |
Colour: | White |
Material: | Plastic |
- Oval design is easier to clean
- Discreet and stylish
- Contains smells
- Big enough for large cats
Best cat washroom hidden cat litter box
www.lordsandlabradors.co.uk
This will look like another piece of furniture in your house, or a bathroom cabinet, but with a hole in the side, it is a secret bathroom for your cat. Customers thought this was really good quality and were impressed with the style. They also commented on the handy shelf inside for storing their pet's bits and bobs.
It is large though and some reviewers thought it was too big to comfortably sit in the corner of a bathroom, but that does mean it is suitable for even the biggest cats, just make sure you have planned where it will go in your house. One reviewer said she was sceptical that her "very fussy cat" wouldn't go near it, but in fact she has really taken to it. This seems to be a very popular litter tray with cats generally and there are no reports of cats refusing to use it. With a laminate finish, it is easy to wipe clean and the cupboard door opens wide to make accessing the litter tray inside easy. It is available in white and grey, both neutral choices for any home decor.
Pros
- Can be wiped clean
- Can be used as a bed, if not required as a litter tray long term
Cons
- Some reviewers said it was too large to fit in a bathroom
Dimensions: | 25 x 20.5 x 19 inches |
Weight: | Not stated |
Colour: | White or grey |
Material: | Wood with laminate finish |
- Discreet and stylish
- Wipe clean
- Suitable for large cats
- Two colours available
- Includes a litter tray
Best hidden cat litter box with scratch post
www.robertdyas.co.uk
The PawHut cat litter box offers everything your cat could need in one space. Not only does it have a hidden litter box which will give your cat privacy to do their business but it has a scratching post, perches, hanging balls and hammocks. Obviously, it is quite large and will not be as discreet, or stylish as other hidden cat litter boxes, but it will make your cat very happy.
We like that the litter box has a reversible entrance which means you can set it up in any corner of your house and your cat will still be able to access their litter box. It also features an anti-tip rope which ensures it is stable and strong, for even the heaviest cat. One customer says she recommends this for anyone who has the space. They added that it was easy to assemble with all parts clearly labelled. Available in beige or grey, the neutral colours will help it to blend in but it is large.
Pros
- Lots of different elements for cats to enjoy as well as a private litter box
- Anti-tip rope to ensure it is stable
Cons
- Not as discreet as other cat litter boxes
Dimensions: | 144.5 x 53 x 48cm |
Maximum weight capacity: | 10kg |
Colours: | Grey or beige |
Material: | Particle board, polyester, sisal and spray cotton |
- Includes hidden litter box, sleeping areas and play areas
- Suitable for two cats (max capacity 10kg)
- Two colours available
- Anti-tip rope
Best hidden cat litter box with odour removal
Suitable for cats up to 13kg, this is a great hidden cat litter box for all breeds and size of cats. The key feature is the odour removal system, which promises to remove odours using advanced plasma deodorisation technology, something very important to cat owners, and while this does limit odours, reviewers said it is not completely effective. We also really like that the cat litter box comes with a faux plant, which can be customised to your home decor, as well as pebbles to complete the look meaning that it really is discreet and stylish in your home.
We know that cats like privacy and this offers the option of a door curtain to make your cat feel even more secure. One reviewer commented that they didn't use the door curtain straight away, only once their cat was comfortable with the litter tray, but that it is a nice addition. One criticism is due to the shape, with customers saying you can't buy round litter trays to fit inside, so it is tricky to clean and they did worry about how strong it is when taken apart to clean. In a neutral white colour, it will blend with your home decor, and it comes with a handy scoop for keeping on top of the cleaning. It does have a power cord for the odour removal system to work, and this can impact where you place it in your house.
Pros
- Odour removal system
- Includes faux plant of your choice
Cons
- Circular design is tricky to clean or find a litter tray to fit inside
Dimensions: | 47 x 47 x 59 cm |
Weight: | 6.5 kg |
Colour: | White |
Material: | ABS, Sponge, Pebble,PE, Polyester Fabric |
- Large enough for cats up to 13kg
- Neutral colour
- Odour removal system
- Includes scoop
- Includes faux plant and pebbles
Best end table hidden cat litter box
This rustic-style hidden litter box will blend in with your home furniture and no one will suspect it is a litter tray. Your cat will like the secrecy too. We like that there is a divider inside the unit which can be removed if you want a bigger toilet area for your cat, or left in place so one side can hold a litter tray and the other a cosy bed for your kitty.
Customers commented that they liked the size of the product and from a distance it looked good, however, some were disappointed with the quality when they looked at it up close and thought it was poorly made, in particular the glue on the doors. Customers liked having double doors though, which made it easier to access for cleaning, plus they have a magnetic lock on them which stopped them from opening accidentally when the cat was inside.
Pros
- Rustic design to blend in with home decor
- Magnetic doors to add security for your cat
Cons
- Workmanship on the doors was not to a high standard
Dimensions: | 53 x 80 x 50 cm |
Weight: | 15.8 kg |
Colour: | Rustic brown |
Material: | Chipboard |
- Blends into home decor
- Double doors for easy access
- Magnetic locks
- Large for big cats
- Divider inside to create two compartments
Best two-tiered hidden cat litter enclosure
Although this may look like a stylish two-tiered piece of furniture, this is a great hidden cat litter box, which can double up as storage for your cat's accessories and food. It can be used in any room of the house because it would look good as a bathroom cabinet, nightstand or side table next to the sofa. It is practical for cats too providing them with security and privacy in a spacious compartment that is suitable for most cats. Customers loved how easy it was to assemble commenting that they could put it together in less than an hour, and yet it feels very sturdy.
The compartment for the litter tray is maybe smaller than others and some customers did feel this limited the size of the litter tray that can be placed inside, however, this does make it ideal for smaller spaces. With most reviewers saying that their cats used it straight away, this is a popular choice and we like the stylish wooden legs to give it more height. Plus it has a magnetic door clip and ventilation holes so your cat can get some fresh air while using it. It is only available in white, but with natural wood accents, it is neutral for most spaces.
Pros
- Two-tier design creates a storage shelf for cats' accessorises
- Easy to assemble yet still very sturdy
Cons
- Some reviewers commented that it wasn't big enough for all litter trays
Dimensions: | 55.8 x 44.5 x 72 cm |
Weight: | 13.8kg |
Colour: | White |
Material: | Engineered wood |
- Two-tier design
- Available in white with wooden legs
- Ventilated
- Strong and sturdy
FAQs: Best hidden cat litter boxes
Do hidden cat litter boxes help with the smell?
Yes, to a degree. Hidden cat litter boxes are more contained than an open cat litter tray and so they will keep the smell at bay a little better, but they are definitely not a complete solution to smelly cat litter boxes. It is still important that you regularly scoop and clean your cat's litter tray to ensure it is clean, and that is the best way to minimise smells and to ensure your cat's comfort. Obviously cat litter trays will never smell the sweetest, but with regular maintenance and by using an enclosed litter tray, it will help.
How can I hide my cat's litter box?
Hidden cat litter boxes are a great way to hide your cat's litter tray. They let you place a cat litter tray inside a piece of furniture that looks like a side cabinet or plant pot, and has an entrance hole through the side or front so your cat can easily access their litter tray, plus many also include storage for cat food and accessories. If you would rather not buy a special piece of furniture for your cat to do their business, then you can buy enclosed plastic litter trays which will not blend in to your decor but can be put in the corner, and because they have are enclosed you won't be able to see the contents of the tray. If you have a simple, open cat litter tray, then placing it in a room such a utility room will make it less obvious than in the living room or kitchen.
Do cats like hidden cat boxes?
Cats like to be private and feel secure so they do tend to like using enclosed, or hidden litter boxes. That said, every cat is individual so it might be that your kitty prefers something more open air, although cats are typically clean animals, and also although they sometimes spray to mark their territory, they are normally very private. When you first purchase an enclosed cat litter tray, or hidden cat litter box, it might take your cat a few days to get used to it, or build up the courage to use it. If it has doors it might be that to start with you leave the doors open until your cat is more comfortable with the space. It helps not to watch your cat and or put them straight in there, rather let them find the space themselves and they will explore and make a decision of whether it is for them or not. Mostly though, cats like an enclosed safe space and hidden cat litter boxes are popular with both cats and owners.
Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours and Mother & Baby. She is a mum of two girls and loves writing about all things family, and sustainability. With a love of animals and two cats of her own, she also loves writing about pets. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories and poetry in the UK and Ireland, as well as writing freelance for her local paper.