You may have only recently begun using a cat litter box. If this is the case, you might not be aware of how many ways you can repurpose cat litter containers if your cat ever decides that the box is no longer to its taste. Those who are more experienced with felines know what to expect when their feline turns up his nose at the litter box. That’s when it’s time to put on your creative hat and see what you can think of to keep a functional toilet for your cat.
However, the question arises as to why a cat would ever find fault with the litter box. There are a great number of reasons this might happen. The most common reason is that the feline is trying out a growth spurt or has turned into an older man in his golden years and no longer has the same spring in its step that it once had. Cats also become finicky about their litter boxes from time to time, much like humans. If your pet doesn’t take kindly to using its regular bathroom again, several repurposed items around your house can be adjusted and made into a new litter box.
Consider the following list of 20 ways to repurpose cat litter containers you might like to examine as possible substitutes for your cat’s traditional litter box:
Table of Contents
1) Plastic Bins
You probably already have several plastic storage bins around the house. If you’re not using one, consider cleaning it out and setting it next to your regular toilet. The lid will help keep odors at bay, and cats like them because they generally offer more privacy than an open bare toilet seat. Many people find Plastics bins match their toilets better than an unsightly litter box does anyway.
2) Trash Cans
This is another item most homes contain regularly. A small trashcan with a lid is a good choice. Since many people purchase kitchen-style trash cans, you’re likely to have one or more around your home that can be purposed as a litter box.
3) Empty Water Cooler
These are not as common as they once were now that most homes have water dispensers built into their refrigerators. If you find yourself still needing to transport water from the tap to your countertop cooler, consider using it as a litter box for your cat instead of moving the bottles around each time you need some cold refreshment. It’s a bonus if the cooler has a spigot since this will help keep it clean, and cats don’t like scented soaps and cleaners anywhere near them when they relieve themselves.
4) Plastic Milk Crate
Again, most homes have at least one of these transporting items to and from the grocery store. If you don’t have one or more available to use as a litter box, consider acquiring some for this purpose instead of throwing them out when they eventually become worn out.
5) Shoe Box
The shoe box is another item commonly found in many homes. This is especially true if there are small children in the home because they each need a pair of shoes to wear every day. Kids hate having their shoes lie on bare floors where germs can transfer from one youngster’s feet to another’s whenever they play together outside. Boxes like those that come with new shoes will provide your cat with a clean, ventilated home for doing his business.
6) Old Newspaper Racks
While many pet owners prefer to purchase cat litter, some still use newspaper as the substrate for their pet boxes. If you’re not using commercial cat litter or willing to buy it, consider recycling old newspapers into kitty litter instead of throwing them in the trash. Just be sure your kitty is OK with this before trying out this repurposed option if it’s made from ink since some cats may develop an aversion to certain types of ink pens.
7) Styrofoam Cooler
These are often found at convenience stores and roadside stands where they sell hot food like burritos, hamburgers, and corn dogs. While these are usually thrown away after being used, you can acquire one of these coolers and clean it thoroughly for use as a litter box. Adding some commercial cat litter will also help with absorbing any lingering odors.
8) Plastic Planter
The plastic planter is another item often found around the house, whether used to contain budding plants or sitting empty on a windowsill waiting for new occupants to arrive. While planters are not typically designed with pets in mind, consider cleaning out an unused one and placing it next to your pet’s regular toilet if your kitty likes them. Some people have even gone so far as to paint decorative designs on their repurposed planters to make them more attractive looking.
9 Toilet Paper or Paper Towel Rolls
The toilet paper roll is another item found in many homes, and it’s generally thrown away after use. If you don’t mind taking a few minutes to clean out one of these rolls free of any residual debris, consider placing it into your kitty’s litter box instead of throwing it away. Most cats like these because they’re easy for them to tear apart when they get inside their new houses.
10) Wooden Boxes
You might find some wooden boxes while going on a picnic or while attending an outdoor wedding reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks served buffet-style. Another reason people sometimes have wooden crates around their homes is shipping items from Amazon and other online merchants. They offer cheap flat rate shipping through USPS Priority Mail.
11) Cardboard Boxes
While the previous item mentioned is made of wood, another option for your cat’s litter box is cardboard boxes because you can usually acquire them for free just by asking around. When people move, they often have leftover moving supplies that will either be thrown in the garbage or given away to neighbors, family members, and friends who have recently moved. If there is no pet supply store nearby where you can buy kitty litter, consider tearing an empty box open, so your cat has somewhere to go when he needs to visit the restroom.
12) Soda Bottle Covered with Fabric
This idea is unique because it requires no prep work on your part before using it as a litter box. All you have to do is cut the bottom off of an empty soda bottle, turn it upside down, and then cover it with a scrap of cloth or another type of fabric. After completing this step, place your cat’s new litter box in the area where he normally goes to the bathroom so you won’t have to spend money on commercial kitty litter.
13) Coffee Can With Lid
If you are among those who drink coffee made at home or work, then you may find that some extra coffee cans are lying around. While these containers are designed to transport coffees from one location to another, they can also serve as repurposed litter boxes for cats if properly cleaned out. The good idea is to punch several holes into the can’s lid so air can circulate inside while your cat does his business.
14) Make Your Litter Box
If you are someone who gets their creative juices flowing when it comes to finding homes for little things like used cat litter, consider making your litter box by painting the bottom of oatmeal or coffee can with exterior latex paint. After giving the can enough time to dry, turn it over and cut a small hole into where the handle is located, which will provide an opening for your cat to use every day without having to deal with any odors escaping through the exhaust port.
15) Old Toilet Bowl
This idea might have you wondering why some people would want to put their cats inside something that they use to relieve themselves on earth. While this option might sound a bit strange, it can be very effective because you’ll never have to deal with cat litter again. Just don’t forget to paint the bowl first, so it doesn’t look like what you’re using is intended for human usage and not your furry friend’s daily potty trips.
16) Big Ice Cream Container
If your cat tends to go through a lot of kitty litter, then one way that you could cut down on expenses is by repurposing large ice cream containers as his new clean spot. It would also help if the container were black instead of bright pink or green, so no one will suspect where your little friend does his business every day unless they see him going inside and come to a conclusion for themselves.
17) Old Tire
During the early 20th century, people kept their cats from going to the restroom in unwanted areas by placing a used car tire filled with sand outside so they could use it whenever nature called. The best thing about this option is that as you’re walking by your garden or flower beds, if you happen to see cat poop inside the tire, then you’ll know exactly which furry friend needs some positive reinforcement.
18) Reclaimed Tires
Speaking of old tires and how you can repurpose them into something interesting and useful, don’t forget to cut out any leftover rubber pieces and keep them around for future projects like putting a large plan together out of reclaimed rubber tires. This is an easy way to reuse tires that you used for your car or truck, but you don’t want anyone stepping on thinking they are harmless pieces of junk.
19) Outdoor Litter Box Ideas
If you have multiple cats living in your household, then it might be a good idea to provide them with small repurposed litter boxes, which are common outside. You can make these yourself by cutting open the bottom of a sturdy cardboard box and covering the opening with chicken wire or another type of fencing material, so neither cat has an advantage over the other when it comes time for them to potty inside their new outdoor toilet spot.
20) Broken Dog Bowls
If you know that your dog doesn’t like eat out of bowls that look like they are about to fall apart, then consider repurposing certain bowls that he eats out of every day. For example, one way to save money is by cutting the bottom portion of a dog bowl, so it remains stable but has no rough edges where your furry friend can cut his mouth open on accident.
Conclusion:
We hope these 20 innovative ways to repurpose old cat litter containers will inspire you. Remember, when it comes to recycling and reusing your pet’s waste, the sky is the limit! So get started today on turning yesterday’s trash into tomorrow’s treasure by using these ideas for Repurposing Used Cat Litter Containers.
