How To Build A Cat Litter Box Cabinet In Just 8 Steps? Nursing Pets
As you’ve clicked here, you definitely need to know how to build a cat litter box cabinet. You may have adopted a cat and already made a litter box for him/her. But when it comes to using the litter box, your cat may fling litter all over the floor and on the walls.
So, what to do in this situation? Hello, I’m Kawkab, and today I’m going to be sharing with you how to make a wooden cat litter box cabinet. A cat litter cabinet is like a small house that conceals your cat’s mess, hides the smell, and ensures extra décor to your house.
In this article, I will also provide informative replies to some questions people frequently asked me regarding cat litter box cabinets. You just follow the step-by-step guide below to make a beautiful litter box cabinet for your favorite cat.
Handy Hint: To read more about cats, visit our other article about cat drink in 24 hours and cat lose weight
How to Build a Litter Box Cabinet for Your Cat
Making a DIY litter box cabinet for your cat has a couple of benefits. You don’t need to buy an expensive cat litter box cabinet, and you can paint your DIY cabinet with your favorite colors. Now, let’s see how you can make a litter box cabinet for your furry friend.
Step 1: Accumulate the Necessary Tools and Materials
Here is a list of essential tools and materials you need to accomplish the DIY project.
| Tools | Wood Products | Hardware/Supplies |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Pocket-Hole Jig | (14) 1×4, 48 Inches, Board | (75) 1 & 1/4-Inch Pocket Hole Screws |
| (1) Clamps | (3) 1×8, 72 Inches, Board | (4) Door Hinges |
| (1) Cordless Drill | (1) 1/2-Inch Thick, 36 Inches, Board | (2) Door Latches |
| (1) Miter Saw | (1) 1/2-Inch Thick, 72 Inches, Board | |
| (1) Tape Measure | (1) 3/4-Inch Thick, 48 Inches, Beadboard | |
| (1) Nail Gun | (2) 1/4-Inch Thick, 48 Inches, Beadboard | |
| (1) Router | (1) 3/4-Inch Thick, 36 Inches, Plywood | |
| (1) Router Table | ||
| (1) Sander | ||
| (1) Shop Vacuum | ||
| (1) Table Saw |
Step 2: Cut Wood Products According to the Right Measurement
I assume that you have all the essential tools and materials to accomplish the DIY project. First of all, cut all wood products according to the right measurement; for example, the base plywood will be 3/4-inch thick and 46.5 inches long.
| Wood Products | Right Measurement (Height x Width x Length) |
|---|---|
| (1) Top | 3/4 x 19 x 51 Inches |
| (8) Vertical Corner Supports | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 32 Inches |
| (1) Vertical Center Support | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 25 Inches |
| (5) Horizontal Side Support | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 9 Inches |
| (4) Horizontal Front/Rear Supports | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 41 Inches |
| (4) Door Vertical Components | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 24 3/4 Inches |
| (4) Door Horizontal Components | 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 11 5/16 Inches |
| (2) Door Beadboard | 1/4 x 13 13/16 x 18 3/4 Inches |
| (2) Side Base Trim | 1/2 x 1 x 16 Inches |
| (1) Front Base Trim | 1/2 x 1 x 49 Inches |
| (1) Base Plywood | 3/4 x 16 x 46.5 Inches |
| (1) Left Side Beadboard | 1/4 x 16 x 20 Inches |
| (1) Right Side Beadboard | 1/4 x 16 x 29 3/4 Inches |
| (1) Rear Beadboard | 1/4 x 46 x 29 3/4 Inches |
Step 3: Assemble All Side Panels
Once you’ve cut all wood products, you have to assemble all side panels (right, rear, front, and left) according to your measurement with 1 & 1/4-inch pocket hole screws. In terms of the left one, you can make an extra opening for the cat.
After you’ve done assembling all side panels separately with 1 & 1/4-inch pocket hole screws, you have to merge them so that they can turn into a shape of a cat litter box cabinet. To drill the screws, you need to use the nail gun.
Step 4: Install Plywood in the Bottom and the Base Trim
After assembling all the main components of the cabinet, you have to install the 3/4-inch thick, 36-inch plywood in the bottom with 1 & 1/4-inch pocket hole screws. Mount the plywood 2 inches above the bottom, and then install the base trim under the plywood panel.
Step 5: Install Beadboards in the Rear and Both Sides
Now, install a beadboard in the rear and a couple of boards on the left and right sides with 1 & 1/4-inch pocket hole screws, utilizing the nail gun. Installing an interior divider panel is absolutely up to you. You can also eliminate it if you wish.
Step 6: Construct and Install the Doors
You’ve already cut the door parts according to the right measurement, right? Now, you just need to assemble the door parts, including beadboards, with 1 & 1/4-inch pocket hole screws. Then, install the doors with the cabinet, using door hinges or door latches (as per your choice).
Step 7: Construct and Install the Top
The top portion of the cabinet is different from the unit’s other parts. You need to cut the wood to allow a 1 & 1/2-inch overhang on all the sides. You should use poplar boards that can be cut, sanded, and routed on all the sides perfectly.
Step 8: Finish the Cabinet
In the end, you can paint the modern cat litter box furniture with the color that you’ve already painted the walls inside your house. However, I would recommend using white, off-white, or grey paint, although you can use any color as per your preference.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What size should a cat litter box be?
In length, a cat litter box should be at least 1 and 1/2 times longer than your cat. This doesn’t mean that you cannot pick the bigger one. When it comes to the width, the cat litter box should be wide enough so that your cat can use the box comfortably.
2. How do I attract my cat back to the litter box?
One of the common problems of most cats is that they usually urinate outside of the litter box. So, what’s the solution to this problem? You can use litter additives to attract your cat to the litter box because the litter additives have a unique herbal scent pleasing to the cat’s paws.
Apart from that, you can clean the litter box up by removing clumps regularly. Also, destroy the evidence and take the upper part of the cabinet off (if possible) so that the cabinet can be odor-free again.
3. How far away should cat food be from the litter box?
As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t place your cat’s food close to the litter box. If possible, place its food in one corner of the room or another room. In short, your cat food should be the farthest away from the litter box.
4. How can I make my litter box not smell?
Scoop the clumps daily and wash the cabinet thoroughly. Keep a couple of litter boxes and alternate them at least once a week. Make sure that the cabinet gets enough ventilation inside it. Besides, if you want to keep the cabinet odor-free, you can use baking soda.
5. Can I put baking soda in the cat litter box?
Many cat lovers use air freshener to eliminate odors from the cat litter box. However, the smell of air freshener can often be unpleasant to cats. Instead, you can use a thin layer of baking soda inside the cat litter box, which will absorb odors without disturbing the cat.
Concluding Remarks
Now that you know how to build a cat litter box cabinet, it will be simple for you to make a DIY litter box cabinet for your beloved cat. Always try to make the litter box cabinet with quality wood, along with the right tools and materials, so that the cabinet can last for longer.
However, I hope you’ve enjoyed the article so much and also learned a lot about making cat litter box cabinets. If you still have any queries regarding the tools and materials I’ve told you to use, you can let me know below in the comment section.
