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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.
Most cats would prefer their food be further away from their litter box. Cute idea except for that.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.)
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..
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. 🙂
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. ???
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. 🙂
He has an open cat door to go in and out as he pleases.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
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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She said she scooped daily.
The cat has a door, and can come and go as she pleases. The KIDS are locked out.
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!
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.