Keep The Unsightly Litter Box Out Of Sight With TikTok's Beyond Genius DIY
Gone are the days of basic, shallow litter boxes, exposed for all your guests to see. And smell. If you don't mind spending the extra cash, you can purchase a furniture or faux planter litter box enclosure, which can cost anywhere from $40 to $200+. Or, you can choose the cheaper DIY litter box option and make your own enclosure out of a three-drawer plastic weave tower for roughly $25, as TikToker @thelovebeeps demonstrates. All you need is a box cutter and a Sharpie marker.
First, use the box cutter to cut the bottom portion out of the second drawer, about half an inch from the edges. This will ensure the drawer can still slide into the designated slot and stay in place when closed. Next, use a Sharper marker to trace a rectangle on the outer side wall of the same drawer, and cut along the lines until the side wall is removed, leaving you with a square-shaped hole. This hole will serve as the litter box entrance for your feline friend. Then open the bottom drawer, pour your litter into it, and close it. And voila! Your DIY litter box enclosure is complete.
Although a specific type of weave tower is mentioned in the TikTok video, there are other options available that can give you the same results. Regardless of the one you choose, be sure to use caution during the cutting process, both for your safety and that of your kitty.
About the plastic weave tower and ways to customize it
The TikToker describes the project as a "$22 litter box hack" from Walmart. At the time of this article, however, the tower cost about $27 at both Walmart and Amazon. It's also available at select Kroger stores for about $17. In most cases, the tower comes already assembled, so the only labor you have to worry about is the cutting.
The tower in the video includes three drawers, but there's also a four-drawer version. This gives you the option to use the top one or two drawers for other items. You might even be able to add litter to a third drawer if you have two cats. But if you do, it might be best to add the entrance on the opposite side of the other entrance drawer. That way, you can place an object on the floor next to the tower to serve as a step for your cat to jump onto before entering the tower.
For easier litter cleanup, you can use a liner under the litter. You can also place a litter pan directly in the drawer, since the walls are more likely to have softer corners. This equates to easier cleanup, which is important if you clean the litter box as often as you should.
Precautions to take when creating your litter enclosure
The TikToker claims the plastic weave tower can be cut to accommodate litter and a cat in about 15 minutes. She makes the process look fairly easy, but there are still some safety factors to consider. The first involves the size of your cat, compared to the size of the drawer opening. The second involves the cutting process.
Before you even begin cutting into your tower, make sure your cat will fit into it first by removing the center drawer. Curiosity will provoke many cats to jump into the opening on their own, but if your cat doesn't, place them in the opening yourself. If they can jump through without difficulty, you can proceed with cutting the holes, without worrying about your cat getting stuck later. If they do have difficulty, this particular weave tower may not work for you.
As for the box cutter, just as you should do with any sharp object, always cut away from your body, and cut slowly. If any sharp edges are left behind after cutting the plastic out, you may want to cut a little more to smooth them out or place a few layers of tape over them. After following these safety tips, your new cat litter enclosure will be ready for use.