Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I did find a couple other threads, but nothing to terribly recent so wanted to throw it out again. I am trying to talk Lee into getting a cat and the number one obstacle is where to put the litter box. Looking for some creative places to put the box where it will be out of sight and out of mind. I am in an Open Range Front Living Room model but I am sure ideas can be adapted. Anyways would love some ideas and pictures would be great!!
We are looking for our first rig, and I am also looking for places to put the litter box. I have seen at least one 5th wheel (that is not our unit of choice, so I don't know if it is common) that had an access door to the basement. Perfect for box placement IMO.
Since we are looking at class As, I find that the single baths (vs a split bath) has more room for the box. I prefer to keep the box out of the living area. Note that my cats tend to be exuberant diggers, so it can go no where near carpet.
We don't have our 5th wheel yet but we plan to get a piece of "cat furniture" that we can put the litter box in and plan to put it in the front walk in closet.
Trace, I looked at youtube vids of an Openrange 386FLR.
Question, how willing are you to make modifications? One though occured to me was to cut a secret passage from the bedroom down into that huge basement area. Enclose the box and the passage such that it's not open for unintended "cat-ventures"(TM). You could then pull out the cat box for cleaning with easy access in the basement. Perhaps put the entrance in a discreet spot under the bed or something. Could be tricky going through the floor but Open Range should be able to help you out with potential wiring or duct work issues if you can't see anything from inside the basement. Another possibility would be to cut an access in the short wall under than section where the railing that divides the living room from the kitchen, don't know what's behind that short wall but there might be room. Other than that I did not see any other possibilities without resorting to more conventional litter box options. I've heard of people putting them in the shower and taking it out when humans need that space. Just remember, when it comes to cats, we're using their space with their permission. Been I long time since I had a cat, so my cat accomodation skills have gotten quite rusty.
We deleted the fireplace and use the cabinet below it to house the kitty litter. we close the door most of the way and he can go in and out, have privacy, and the litterbox is not in the room.
Ours is electric so we only have to empty it about every 5-6 days.
Trace, I do like the "idea" of some of Brian's ideas - not sure I would be brave enough to cut into anything though - probably that's just me. The idea I do like, especially considering your HUGE bedroom is the piece of "cat" furniture that could discreetly hide the box. That is something Lee could easily make and cover with rug scraps (especially if you aren't going to declaw - he/she would need something/someplace to scratch) - then it would serve 2 purposes! And actually - cats LOVE perches to sit on - 3 purposes!
Don't know if you remember l, but we have ours in one of the slider closets and we just leave the door open just enough. Twice daily scooping is a MUST!
Thanks Brian for taking the time to look up our rig. Under the chair in the living room is a great idea. I love the outside of the boc thinking soos on the fireplace, but I really love mine to much to give it up, plus we use it as a heat source when on electric. Thanks guys..any other ideas would be most welcome.
Hi, I am planning to be a full timer with two cats. I would have a cab and a half truck and a travel trailer. I am not as worried about the litter box as to where the cats will be while I am driving. Can they stay in the travel trailer or do they need to be in the truck?
Trace, I do like the "idea" of some of Brian's ideas - not sure I would be brave enough to cut into anything though - probably that's just me. The idea I do like, especially considering your HUGE bedroom is the piece of "cat" furniture that could discreetly hide the box. That is something Lee could easily make and cover with rug scraps (especially if you aren't going to declaw - he/she would need something/someplace to scratch) - then it would serve 2 purposes! And actually - cats LOVE perches to sit on - 3 purposes! Don't know if you remember l, but we have ours in one of the slider closets and we just leave the door open just enough. Twice daily scooping is a MUST!
that's a good idea too, but I won't recommend declawing for cats. better to have a scratch post or DIY using some twine and wood pieces. and yes, scooping is a must!
We keep a dome type litterbox in the back bedroom on tile floor near 2nd lavatory (the majority of the bedroom is carpeted). We move it into the back hallway when traveling. Our cat was declawed in front when we adopted it but even with back claws they can scratch some furniture but it sure is handier than walking a dog and it doesn't bark.
__________________
Allan, Jeanne and Katie the cat Full-timers from Alabama "07 -40' Phaeton & '08 Jeep Liberty
Without knowing your floor plan - it would be impossible to comment on where to put a cat box - can you tell us what RV you have and/or post a pic of the floor plan?
Just an update guys, I saw these litter box online which has different sizes kinds and features. They also have this litter kwitter system which trains a cat to go to the bathroom whenever they need to go and to hop up onto the toilet to do it, the materials are made materials that won't bend, flex, crack, split or move no matter how big is a cat. Do you think that litter kwitter is better for travel versus the traditional litter box? I like to hear everyone's thoughts, though.
I’m not familiar with truck campers to much, but if it has a booth for seating, under the booth may work.
As far as training the cat to use a toilet, I’m just going to say good luck. Cats like to scratch when they use the box, so I suspect it would be a difficult transition unless you start when they are very young. Also, I think you start out with litter in the thingy that sits on the bowl and I’d be concerned about the litter getting into the tank.
My experience is cats train their humans more than humans train their cats. But I am not Dominique of Key West, https://www.catmankeywest.com/, who puts on a great show.
__________________
Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com Full-timing since July 2003
Just thought I'l mention an article I saw a year ago or so... Someone with a fifth wheel had enough space underneath to build a cat sized tunnel from the interior to the basement storage. Then they cordoned off an area of the basement storage, putting the litter box there.