8 Ideas for Where to Store a Litter Box in an RV

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RV living with cats requires some planning, and one thing to figure out is where to put the litter box. With some ingenuity, you can hide a litter box in just about any empty space in an RV. Here are a few RV litter box storage ideas that will hopefully inspire you to find a good place to put your cat’s litter box in your camper!

1. In an empty space behind a panel

Many RVs have panels with nothing behind them but empty space.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to remove a panel in your camper and discover a space big enough for a litter box, like the space under this RV refrigerator.

Litter box space under RV fridge
Photo by Megan Moore

Just be sure there are no wires or electrical components that could be damaged or hurt your cat.

2. Inside a closet or bathroom

A cat hole like this one, which can be stained or painted, can allow a cat to access a litter box behind a closed door.

CATHOLE Wood Cat Door Classic Model - Original Interior Cat Door, Installs Easily, Removable Grooming Brush
  • HIDE THE LITTER BOX: Are you tired of seeing, smelling, or tripping over kitty’s litter box? These cat doors hide the litter box behind a closed interior door and isolate the litter box from guests, toddlers & dogs.

3. Under an RV dining booth bench

RV owner Ted, creator of the public campground database ultimatecampgrounds.com, installed a cat door to allow access to the storage space under the dining booth bench seating.

Cat door in side of dining booth
by Ted via wxtoad.com

4. Under the RV

If you can find a place to cut a hole for access, the advantage of storing a litter box under an RV is that the litter box can be cleaned from outside.  A cat door with weather stripping can help minimize drafts.

Hole cut in RV stairs for access to litter box
by Dale via rvecafe.com

This RVer cut a hole into one of his storage bays.

Litter box storage under an RV
by Dale via rvecafe.com

He can still use the space for storage and can keep the litter box outside of his living area.

Litter box in storage area under RV
by Dale via rvecafe.com

The owners of the RV pictured below chose not to have a built-in vacuum system in order to free up the ideal space for their cat’s litter box.

Not many RVs come with built-in vacuums anymore, but if you have one, this can be a great way to use the space.

My Version of This Project

Personally, I find the idea of putting the litter box under the RV to be the most appealing.

Attempting to adapt these ideas for our RV, we used a cardboard concrete form as a tunnel to bypass some electrical wiring leading through the stairs into our storage bay.  It’s not pretty on the litter box side, but it works!

At first we were worried that our 14-pound cat might not fit through metal frame of the stairs, which is only 6 inches high, but it’s amazing how quickly and easily he can flatten himself and dart into his tunnel when he wants to!

Smell hasn’t been a problem as long as we clean the litter box regularly.

5. Under the sink

A cat flap could be installed on the side of a cabinet, like in the picture below, or through a door on the front.

Cat door in side of bathroom cabinet for access to litter box
by Eliesa via apinterestaddict.com

Another option involves temporary cabinet door removal instead of a cutting a permanent hole.  You could even remove both doors and cover the space under the sink with a curtain instead.

Door removed under sink - litter box storage idea for RVs
by Allison Murray via dreamalittlebigger.com

6. Hidden in the Cabinets

You likely would never notice the litter box hidden in these RV cabinets. Look closely behind the sheer curtain to find where these RVers are hiding their litter box!

rv remodel with updated furniture
via @thedailyduffys

7. In a Piece of Furniture

One clever RV owner cut a hole in the side of a storage ottoman to provide access to a litter box inside. They added a flap of matching fabric to cover the hole.

Hole in storage ottoman
Photo credit: I can’t remember who submitted this photo! If it’s yours please comment to let me know.

A wicker storage trunk becomes an attractive disguise with handy storage for cleaning supplies with this DIY project.

An end table can also be modified to conceal a litter box.

litter box storage idea for RVs, campers, motorhomes, or small apartments
by Laura via lauramakes.com

Alternatively, ready-made litter box enclosures are available to match any style of decor.

Sale
Penn Plax Cat Walk Litter Cabinet – Elegant Modern Design with Double French Doors, Grey Wood Grain with White Doors (CATFF20)
879 Reviews
Penn Plax Cat Walk Litter Cabinet – Elegant Modern Design with Double French Doors, Grey Wood Grain with White Doors (CATFF20)
  • HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: Want to avoid the ugly look of a litter box in your home? The Contemporary Cat Litter Hide-Away Cabinet features a sleek and modern design that blends seamlessly with existing home décor and provides privacy in style. There is a circular opening on the side, allowing your cat to jump in and out as they please, while keeping the front doors closed. Your cat will greatly appreciate the privacy, as well keeps other larger animals like dogs out of the litter.

Here’s a photo of a living area in an RV featuring the litter box cabinet above:

8. Another Litter Box Option

We sold our fifth wheel and bought a motorhome and again faced the issue of needing to make room for a litter box.

Instead of going through the trouble of modifying the RV to make space for the litter box, we purchased a covered litter box that we just set in a spot that’s fairly out of the way.

Sale
Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Cat Litter Box, Large, Multicolor, 24 in x 18 in x 17 in
  • Large hooded litter box for cats that prefer an enclosed space instead of an open-pan-style litter box

We also use litter pan liners that are easy to just remove and toss into a dumpster when it’s time to change the litter.

It’s not as pretty, but at least it encloses the smell and prevents our cat from kicking all of the litter out onto the floor! 🙂

RV Litter Box Solutions

How are you hiding your kitty’s litter? Share your ideas in the comments!

Have a dog too? Check out how people have built kennels in their RVs.

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20 Comments

  1. Thanks for the post. I hope you’ll add in the future to address the needs of big fluffy cats (mine are nearly 18lbs each) that normally have an entire room for their litter needs, lol. I’m also curious about litter box placement in small motorhomes. If I get out there, I’ll share solutions for my trio of felines!

    1. Good points! Perhaps some of these ideas could be adapted for larger cats? For example, a dog door could be used instead of cat door. If you have a dining booth with storage space under the benches, perhaps both benches could be used – one for each cat. Would love to see photos of any solutions you come up with!

    2. I haven’t found a place to hide my litter box yet. My cats are big, tall, not fat. They’re much too big for a normal litter box, because when they stand in the box, their backside is not over the litter, so I made a plastic bin into a litter box. Then when I brought it into the RV (small 24′ class C), I put it in the shower and leave the bathroom door open (access) with the vent fan running 24×7 (smell). I have to remove it when I take a shower, then I have to dry the shower pan before it’s ready for them to use again (annoying). I also use a towel and mat under the box to make sure they don’t get in the box with wet feet.

      I am going to try one of the ideas in this article. I was trying to figure out how to gain access to the storage under my 2nd dinette seat, so I’m going to try to set up that area for their litter box.

      1. The Breeze Cat Litter system is a God send. The pellets don’t stick to their feet and the urine passes thru and into a pad that you change each week. The pans stink alot less than traditional litter. Of course I have Otter… who is 8 months old and already 13 pounds of solid muscle…. he poops like a horse so this system is awesome to have. And Opie is my 10 pound cat who, before Otter, I thought was a large cat! The pellet system cuts down on wasted litter also.
        We are in the process of building a home in a school bus so all of these ideas are great! Thanks!

        1. Thanks for the tip about the Breeze Cat Litter System! I have heard others mention it before. Do you have to scoop it daily to remove the poops, or do you just remove them when you change the urine pad?

    1. I choose to scoop often but there’s no odor even if you don’t scoop everyday. I find it has less odor all around than conventional cat litter boxes and a lot less mess! If you don’t change the pad once a week, however, the urine smell can be a bit much.

  2. Another way to help prevent odors is to use a steel litter pan. There are some available on Amazon, or you could buy a steel restaurant pan. I have a steel pan I found in Pet Smart years ago. It’s very easy to wash out with hot soap and water and does not hold odors as plastic does. Plus it’s deep enough for big cats, it doesn’t rust, is harmless to your cat(s) and just doesn’t wear out. I’ve had mine for about six years and it’s in great shape. I also use Pretty Litter which is fabulous. You MUST stir it well once a day, every day, scoop out the “debris”, and there is no smell. If you don’t stir it, it will eventually begin to smell, so forewarned is forearmed. My cats have no problem with either the tray or Pretty litter. The only catch is how to have it shipped to you while you’re on the road, as I don’t think it’s currently offered in pet stores. I’m not a traveler so it’s not a deal breaker for me. But most of you already have a litter you like anyway, so its moot.

    1. Thanks for the tip! A metal pan does sound like a great idea, not only for the reasons you mentioned but also to get away from using plastic. By the way I have seen Pretty Litter for sale at Target!

  3. I’ve been looking for ideas on how to get my litter box outside with a walk way. My biggest issue is attached it to my travel trailer without putting holes in my outside panel. There are not many ideas on how to do this. Only of course the great ideas do inside.

    1. Hi Paula, is there some way go through a storage area under your RV? Many RV’s have a thin panel somewhere separating the main cabin from the storage area and that’s where lots of RV owners install a cat door. Then maybe you could run some kind of walkway outside through the storage area? Not sure what kind of RV you have or whether that would work for you, but it’s just a thought! Or what about making something to go out a window when it’s open? At one point we had a ramp going out one of our windows for our cat, which you can see in this article.

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