Okay, folks, let’s talk about my little project: a fancy litter box, or as I like to call it, “The Refined Litter Box.”
It all started with a problem. My cat, Mr. Fluffernutter (yes, that’s his real name), is a bit of a… well, let’s just say he’s particular. He hates a messy litter box, and honestly, so do I. The smell, the tracking, the whole nine yards. It was time for an upgrade.
The Brainstorm
First, I spent some time just watching Mr. Fluffernutter. How did he use the box? Where did he kick the litter? What seemed to bother him? I even took some notes, like a weird cat-behavior detective.
Then, I hit the internet. I looked at all sorts of fancy litter boxes, from self-cleaning robots to hidden-cabinet contraptions. But most of them were either way too expensive or didn’t really address the core issues.
The Build
I decided to go the DIY route. My main goals were:
- Reduce litter tracking.
- Contain the smell.
- Make it easy to clean.
I grabbed a large, high-sided plastic storage bin. The high sides were key to preventing litter from flying everywhere. Then, I carefully cut an entrance hole in one side, making sure it was big enough for Mr. Fluffernutter to comfortably get in and out, but not so big that it defeated the purpose.
Next, I added a little “litter mat” area just inside the entrance. This was just a piece of textured rubber matting that I glued down. The idea was that it would help knock off any litter stuck to his paws as he exited.
For containing smell.I found it best to change it often.
The Results
So, how did it work? Pretty darn well, I have to say! Mr. Fluffernutter took to it right away. The high sides definitely helped with the tracking, and the litter mat did its job. The smell was also significantly reduced,I often clean the box .
It’s not perfect, of course. I still have to scoop it regularly, and there’s still some tracking. But overall, it’s a huge improvement. And the best part? It cost me less than $30 to make!
If you’re dealing with a finicky feline and a messy litter situation, I highly recommend giving this DIY approach a try. It’s a simple project that can make a big difference!
