Litter boxes aren’t rocket science. Well, I didn’t expect to start my article with a rocket science joke, but seriously, litter boxes are one of the simplest structures you’ll find.

To put it simply, make a hole in a box, and you have a litter box (pun unintended). Okay, it’s simple, but we’ll follow a step-by-step procedure.

How to Make a DIY Litter Box?

Making your own litter box will not only be a fun DIY project but also get you a litter box for about half the price of an actual one.

Step 1: Gather Supplies and Tools

To make a litter box, we’ll need the following items:

• A Tote bin ( size based on your cat, on an avg 70L one)
• A disc/plate (to mark the hole)
• A marker
• A good quality cutter or scissors
• Some decoration stuff based on your choice

Step 2: Measure and Draw Hole

• Place the disc where you want the entry to be
• Trace and mark the hole in the bin with the help of a marker

Step 3: Cut Out the Opening

Carefully cut out the hole following the marker trace using the cutter or scissors.

Step 4: Clean Up the Opening

After cutting the hole, you may notice that it isn’t smooth. This can cause sharp edges. To prevent any harm to your cat, clean up the opening using sandpaper.

Sand the edges in a circular, inward motion to smooth them out. This will remove the sharp edges.

Step 5: Decorate It

This step is optional and based on your preference. You can decorate the litter box with cute stickers or other decorations.

Make sure you avoid sticking any sharp objects, such as cheap plastic toys, to the litter box while decorating.

Check Out: Types of Litter Boxes: Which One Is Right for Your Cat?

DIY Litter Box Options

Another advantage of this DIY project is that you don’t have any limitations on where you want the litter box entry to be. It’s simple because the hole determines the type of litter box wherever you place it.

Top-Entry Box

To make a top-entry litter box, ensure that you place and cut the hole from the top of the box. And don’t forget to sand the edges after cutting the hole.

Low-Entry Box

Top-entry litter boxes aren’t the best option if your cat is old or suffering from joint pain. In this case, you can place the hole on the lower side to create a low-entry litter box.

This design will prevent any strain on your cat’s joints. Again, don’t forget to sand the opening to smooth it out.

Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Now, this is the complicated part. You’ll need some additional supplies for this step:

• Two open pans with matching dimensions, but one with a larger volume than the other
• A drill and 11/64-sized bit
• A ruler and a pen (to mark and align the holes)

Let’s start with the process. 

1. First, take the pan that will be placed on top.
2. Mark six 3.5-inch squares evenly across the pan. These squares will guide you on where to drill the holes.
3. In the marked squares, draw a grid 1.25 inches apart. The intersections of the lines are where you will drill the holes. This step requires patience, so make sure to take breaks when needed.
4. Finally, place the drilled pan on top of the other. Fill the upper pan with pine litter and place a handful of pellets in the bottom pan. This setup will help absorb urine and odor from the top pan, and you’re good to go!

How Much Does It Cost to Build a DIY Litter Box?

DIY litter boxes are cheaper compared to buying actual litter boxes. An average-quality litter box will cost you around 30 bucks, while you can get the pans for as little as 5 bucks each.

Since you don’t need any extra items beyond your usual home accessories, there are no additional expenses. So, building a DIY litter box costs around 5 dollars if you’re making a standard one and around 10 bucks if you’re building a self-cleaning one.

Conclusion

Building a DIY litter box may not be necessary for everyone. Some people do it for fun, while others want to save money or reuse the bins they already have at home.

Whatever the reason, the process is enjoyable, and seeing your cat relax and play with something you made brings a unique kind of happiness.

Ultimately, it all comes down to priorities. If you have the time and patience to build one, go ahead!

FAQs