We should get a cat.” I told my husband years ago. His answer was always no. He didn’t like cats and never wanted one in the house. I, on the other hand, grew up with two cats and a golden retriever and I loved being surrounded by my pets. I loved how my cats would snuggle up with me when I was sleeping and how they would follow me around.
So, after years of not wanting one, all that it took was our son holding a cat that needed to be adopted and looking at his dad asking if we could bring him home. Ten minutes later we were on our way home, cat in hand (well… in arms.)
The thing about cats is that they come with ‘stuff’. They need a litter box, which certainly isn’t pretty and can be messy. They need somewhere to sleep and perch.
My friend, Hillary, had the best idea. She said that they converted their coat closet into a cat room! I loved it. We immediately did the same. As soon as we got home, Mickey got to work.
We ordered a cat door that works wonderfully (the dog can’t fit in!)
Next, he made Curry a bed, complete with a scratching post (wood wrapped in a hemp material).
He put a tray on top (screwed it into the wood) and we use that area for his food.
He has never known any different than having his food near his litter box, so it has never bothered him. We just clean it daily.
He built shelves going up the side of the closet by using wood and wrapping them in carpet, then attaching them to the walls.
There are three levels (the kids can’t reach the top one, so he goes there to escape everyone):
We added a latch lock to the door (see in the picture below on the left door trim). We can lock the door, so the kids can’t open it while he is trying to hang out in there). It doesn’t lock him in, but it does lock young kids out.
We also added a shelf on top to hold his litter so we can easily change it, scoop it & refill it.
Wendy says
Most cats would prefer their food be further away from their litter box. Cute idea except for that.
Sherri Billings says
well, it all looks like a cute idea, but cats don’t like to eat where they poop (do you?) and they don’t like their water near their food, either.
Bonnie says
Lucky you. We tried something similar and our cat (a rescue that had been on the streets for a while) rebelled against his litter no no being in a closed off area, Apparently some cats feel that they are most vulnerable when doing their business and need an open line of sight and an escape route. Oh well……great idea and glad it works for your kitty!
Hope says
Love this idea. I think I’ve seen it before and have a variation with an intention of an entire room. Its a work from home office at the moment but we all look forward to a transformation once it can be redecorated. Also, my closet does not have doors which is what gave me idea.
Tropigal says
How is the cat locked in if there is a cat door? It seems to me the cat can come and go as he pleases. Also, not all cats are the same. They don’t all mind when food and water are near litter. If he minded, he’d definitely let his owners know.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes – that’s it. 🙂 He is so much like our “dog”. If he wants something (to go on the screened-in porch or to have a treat, etc… he goes to that place: door, treat-jar… and meows until we hear him. It’s hilarious.)
Sallie keaton says
Wow interesting comments. ..I have 3 cats and there food table is in our bathroom ..along with their litter box. …they do not care. .they just want to eat..
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yeah- I have to agree. Maybe some pets mind it, but he doesn’t seem to. 🙂 Plus, we scoop the litter once a day, sometimes twice (if I heard him in there) and change the entire box (scrubbing it) every Sunday. 🙂
Michael says
Just a quick question … one lady mentioned that cats don’t like their food near their water. I’ve always done this and none of my cats have seemed to mind. ???
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
We’ve always done this, too (and honestly- anyone that I know that has cats does it… just keep it all in one room.) I don’t know- doesn’t seem to bother our cat, so I don’t mind it. I guess if he stopped eating, I’d try moving it, but he eats happily. 🙂
Lisa says
He has an open cat door to go in and out as he pleases.
Anita says
I can’t find any where in the article about locking cat up at night, there is an opening at the bottom of the door for the cat.
Nancy says
The cat door doesn’t look like it locks to me. Just looks like an archway with a brush attachment. The cat can probably come and go as it pleases.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s correct. If the actual “door” is locked with the latch at the top, the cat can still come – it just keeps the kids out when they have friends over, so our cat can go in there to get away from the kids trying to hold him without the risk of them getting in there to get him out. 🙂
C says
I’m so confused by these comments.how does anyone know that this cat cares if the litter box is near the food? It’s enclosed like it a separate room.. I have a bathroom right next to my dining room, is the wall not enough to separate it? I’d say if the cat didn’t like it, it wouldn’t go in and it would meow a lot until it got what it wanted, or maybe that’s just what mine would do..
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Shannon says
She said she scooped daily.
Shannon says
The cat has a door, and can come and go as she pleases. The KIDS are locked out.
Colette Funderburk says
I have multiple cats, and I think this is a cute idea! It obviously works for you and your family! I am not quite sure what is wrong with some of the people who commented……The door is locked to keep the “kids out”! Not the “cat in”! The cat has a door to come and go as it pleases! I got a chuckle when I read the comments, it amazes me, just how silly people are!
Terry says
I think it is a great idea! The cat is not locked in, don’t people read before they write. He can have privacy
When he wants, if his owner keeps his litter clean, no problem. His food is up higher on the table. Looks good to me.
Jana says
People just like to complain (and obviously not read). Personally, I love your idea and would have converted a closet for my cats, but I have more than one. I converted a large credenza that had three separate areas along with two sliding doors. I sawed a hole in each side of the divider between the middle and outer areas and placed large plastic tubs inside the outer areas for the litter. I also made sure there was plenty of ventilation along with a small light that turns on when a cat enters. So far, the system keeps the dogs out and the cats seem to love the privacy. It is easy to keep clean and change the litter. Your idea is great for when I someday want to build a tiny home. By then my cat number will be fewer (I have two much older cats) and/or I could incorporate a larger closet. I do love what you did and how you did it.
Richard says
Lol you’re cat isnt the same as everyone else’s. My 3 cats eat outside of their enclosed litter box not a problem at all
Stefani says
Where did you get the tiny cat door? We need one for our cat’s room.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
We bought ours at a local pet store.
Edd says
I feel as if you did not take the time to read the article fully before posting a reply. Fortunately, this family provided this cat A WONDERFUL area to enjoy that is MANY times larger than the area provided to MILLIONS of loving animals locked in shelters. THANK YOU for sharing this gift of an idea! This is truly an EXCELLENT and EFFICIENT use of space.
Mandy says
Thanks for the idea! I just got two new young cats and I need an area to put litter boxes away from dog access. This should work perfectly.
Becky Mansfield says
Our cat loves it. He goes in there to sleep during the day, to escape the noise of kids & dogs, etc… It’s been set up like this since he was a kitten, and it’s his spot. He’s the sweetest cat, but when he wants to get away to eat, sleep in quiet, etc… he goes in there. He has never had an accident outside of the litter box, so that has worked out well being in there, too.
Dee says
I’m thinking of doing this in my house – I have a gazillion cats and 3 litter boxes, ugh – hoping it works, right now my dining room is my cat room, which is NOT ideal. Do you leave the light on for your kitty? Was wondering if that mattered to cats lol
Libby Watson says
I love the idea for an out of the way litter box placement but I wouldn’t want the cats to play or sleep in the closet. I’d be afraid that I’d never see them except at mealtimes!!!
Gail says
I have a closet for my cats litter boxes but their food is in the kitchen with their water. They sleep with me but they are spoiled. They also have a special area for their jungle gym and toys.
Tiffany says
Love this!! I’m in the process of “Kitty Nesting” in preparation for bringing 2 kittens home and I am absolutely borrowing this idea. I live in a small apartment with few places to put things like a litterbox, so when I saw your solution I immediately cleared out our coat closet. Our closet isn’t quite big enough to comfortably fit food and water, but there is a place in our kitchen for those things to live. The only thing I feel a little stuck on is the door- we rent, and so unfortunately cutting a hole in the door is out of the question. I’ve thought about getting “anti finger pinch” bumpers to put on the door, effectively to keep it from ever closing all the way. I’ve also considered taking the door off all together, storing it under our bed, and putting a curtain over the entryway. If any one has alternate solutions I’d love to hear them!
Syrie M says
I have had cats my entire life (almost 55 years) & I think that this is a FABULOUS IDEA. We currently have 2 cats, (one small, one very large) & they have NO PROBLEM whatsoever in eating & pooping in the same area. We have a covered litter box, like shown, and water & food sitting in separate trays, so that they don’t interfere with each other. If I had a coat closet that we didn’t NEED to use, I would totally do this! Thanks for all the great ideas & sorry for all the “bummer” comments.
Tricia says
I too have had cats my whole life and none of them have ever minded eating and drinking near their litter 😂 Just had to defend you on that front!
Becky Mansfield says
Thanks! I, too, have had cats my entire life & they’ve never minded it, either. 🙂