Raise your hand if your dog likes to get into your cat’s food bowl and/or litter box?
Ours sure does.
We’ve had that gate in front of “Kit-Cat’s closet” for the past year, but I’ve been determined to figure something else out. Something a little less…..baby-gate-in-front-of-a-cracked-door.
That closet also houses our tools, craft supplies, random “stuff”, vacuum cleaner, brooms, etc. etc. etc., and our half bath is right next to it, so I reeeeally wanted to be able to shut that door.
So ya know what we did? We cut a hole in the wall:
We trimmed it out so that it matched the look of our windows, and painted it with the same Simply White (Benjamin Moore) paint.
And guess what?
It works! Kit-Cat pops in and out of there with ease (we got him a nightlight, too), and I can finally keep that closet door closed! 😀
We chose to put the hole in the wall (vs. the door) because we didn’t want to damage the (extra tall, solid wood, special order) door (if necessary, repairing that little square of drywall would be less expensive) and I liked the idea of the hole blending in with the plate collection (vs. really standing out in the center of the door). And since we needed our hole to be higher up off the ground (so Max can’t jump into it), we wanted to use the basket (something Max would be waaaay too scared to jump onto) in front of it- something we couldn’t have done if the hole was in the door.
Anywho, just thought I’d share our solution here in case someone reading is still raising their hand. 😉
GENIUS!! If only we had a spot in the house we could do something like this … now you’ve got me thinking though! 😀
So smart! We call our dog the Turd Burgler! So yucky!
Great idea! The part about the night light cracked me up! And I love that Kit Cat was willing to demonstrate for us!
Oh love checking in on Kit-Kat! What a great idea. I had thought about cutting a hole in my cedar chest for our cat’s litterbox, but decided not to do it. I like your idea better.
We did almost the same thing, except we cut a hole in the door (laundry room) and then trimmed it out. Works great! Looks great! The door can be kept closed while the cat can freely accesses her litter box and food/water – but the (naughty) pup cannot! We also put a self-closing hinge on the door, just in case one of the kids forgets to close it. Our “cat hole” is closer to the ground – but we have a big golden retriever who cannot fit through the hole, not a little pup like you . . .
That’s hilarious and genius at the same time. I always expect the unexpected when I read your posts.
I don’t even have a cat, but think this is genius!!!
Beautiful!
I did this exact thing for my cats, only mine was a bit lower to the ground. I thought it too, rather quite genius of myself until…after a few trips into and out of their “office”, the cat litter was constantly on the ledge or dirty prints. So I bought one of those litter catchers at the pet store and cut it to size and put 4 of those little photo glue spots at each corner and stuck it down…MAGICAL!
Layla, that is GENIUS!!!!! You guys are so clever . . . XO
Hi Layla! Lovely solution! We did something similar, and our cat Peaches loves it 🙂 I also found one of those cute little doors that open and close on vintage exterior doors, so you can peek to see who’s at the door. It looks like pewter, and it also secures should I want Peaches to stay in the laundry room, which is where we keep her kitty box, under the folding table which is curtained for privacy.
Your Kit Kat is so darling! Thanks so much for coming to his rescue and giving him his furever home <3
Hmm…now to locate a closet that houses nothing that would bother me if it smelled. Ooh, maybe through the wall into the unused cupboard under an upstairs sink! Love the genius nightlight suggestion.
That is an awesome idea.
It looks great and Kit-Cat looks very pleased with the new set up!
But Layla, how do you keep the dog from climbing up on the basket and going in through the hole?
Hi Raquel!
Max wouldn’t dream of jumping up onto something that might move underneath him, and he would NEVER dare to go into a hole that may not be able to get out of. 😀
Great idea! You can also go to Meowspace.biz and take a look at the product there – I have two, and would go to the end’s of the earth to get another!
That is such a good idea! And adorable 😉
We cut a mouse hole arch at the bottom of our laundry room door and whala! no more dog getting into the cat box! Works like a charm. Like your idea too!
Neat idea!
At my mom’s house we cut a little kitty door into the door to their basement for the same reason. The cats figuredit out quickly and it looks great when it’s trimmed out nicely.
How genius!! It reminds me of Jerry’s house in Tom and Jerry but updated for modern times. 😉 Has the pup tried to make his way in there yet or are his wee legs too short?
Genius! And it looks pretty. 🙂
Oh my goodness what a wonderful idea. I’ve been wanting to hide the litter box and could not come up with a good idea – this is perfect! Thank you so much.
Oh………….my………….gosh !!!!!!!! Best idea ever !!!
We had a problem with our two canine Fuzzy Butts eating “toilet twinkies” and the vet said it was because they were not getting enough protein in their diets. We switched to a better brand of dog food and that solved the problem. I wish I could have a kitty so I could use your idea for the litter box!
While I think your solution is a GREAT idea, we don’t have that ability to solve our problem as easily! But I am SO happy to know MY dog is not the only “disgusting” dog out there-considering kitty’s litter box as an appetizer. Yuck. She also LOVES to scarf down the cat’s food every chance she gets. Even though the vet assured me it is, unfortunately, common for dogs for nosh on cat poop, I was quite embarrassed to even mention it to him! I am so relieved to know my dog’s abnormal behavior of eating cat poop is , err, perfectly normal? Thanks for making me less embarrassed living with the heartbreak of this foul habit!
In the 3 homes I have lived in, the garage was always attached, so litterboxes were relegated to the garage and house door was left slightly cracked enough that cats could open with paw and go to their potty. My next home will not have that, so will be seeking solutions as to maybe using laundry room and this might work!
Thank you Jesus!! You just gave me the wonderful idea to make our hall closet the litter box hideaway!! We’re going to install a pet door in the door. It’ll hide the litter box. Contains the litter and mama will be a happy cat lover!!
Thank you!!!
Very creative! He looks so cute looking out!
Amazing..so creative! Thank you for sharing with us.
OMG awesome! As a mom of three permanent cats and anywhere from one to three foster kittens at any given time, litter boxes are a huge issue in our house. We can’t do much since we’re renting but when we buy (hopefully soon), I’ll keep this in mind. There’s 100% chance that we’ll buy a vintage or historic house and I can’t abide the idea of cutting a cat door into an orginal wood door.
I did the same thing in my kitchen when I remodeled about 6 years ago. Love it! On the other side of the wall is the basement stairs so kitties can go down there to do their business. Best. Thing. Ever.
Hey Layla! Is that light from restoration hardware? I love it but I’m in the market for a cheaper version! Would love if you have any sources you’d be willing to share! Thanks
Hi Maria!
That chandelier came from Shades of Light! 🙂
I have thought about doing this for awhile. The way you trimmed it out has me sold! Kit Cat is so photogenic and handsome!
Love this idea! We’re thinking of doing the same thing for our litter and kitties. Let me just say be prepared for toys… your keys… shoes… anything… to be “posted” through this hole. Boys! Just don’t have the litter tray right underneath it on the other side lol!
Oh no worries about that Ashley! Kit-Cat has a covered litter box on the opposite side of the closet! 😀
What a great idea. It looks fantastic. Kit-Cat looks adorable! Well done.
Great solution!
SUPER great idea. I have two indoor cats and their box is in our little bathroom. I could figure something else out and it would be a win win situation.
Y’all always have the best ideas. This was sheer genius! I no longer have any kitties……..but, if I did, I would use this idea.
Kit Cat is so beautiful!!!!! Aren’t you thankful you have him, now?
He blends into your family beautifully.
Whoa, that may be the most amazing & functional thing since scented cat litter !!! Super nifty & neat!
Paige.Rose
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
Genius!
Creative and very smart! You have the best decorating ideas!
I LOVE this idea! And it looks great also. 🙂
This is pretty darn brilliant! Will have to pin this one for our dream home once we settle down!
What a great idea! Can I ask a question about your plate display? How did you hang the bowl? Did you use the adhesive disks? I have some cute little bowls I was thinking of adding into my plate display, but have not have good luck with the disks.
Very cute kitty door!
We’re cat lovers and always have our litter boxes either in the garage or basement of our homes.
Right now our kitties have double cat doors and we are a box-free establishment, they go outside to do their business and come back in! It’s the best ever!
We did something similar, my husband is a contractor so he built a litter box house with vents on the sides and shingles on the roof. He cut a hole in our exterior wall, we put a small doggie dog in and attached the litter box house to the outside of our house. The back wall was a door so I could change the litter box. It was great, my dog couldn’t get her head through the door and we never had “litter box almond roca” issues again.
That’s a great idea! I have always wondered if indoor litter boxes created an odor issue (never had an inside cat myself). 🙂
Brilliant. May I ask what the size of the hole is?
Layla! What a great idea! I love it when you blog about Kit-Kat. He always puts a smile on face. Thank you!
Beautiful cat, Layla! Thanks for letting us know the good, the bad, and the ugly (which you turned into beauty!).
Layla that is such a clever idea! We have a hole in the bottom of our basement door because we can’t keep the door open. Our little, and I mean little, laundry room off the garage has THREE DOORS in it.