Introduction: How to Hide a Stinky Cat Box

By YouTube.com/ProperGents
About: Hi! My name is Curtos, nice to meet you. I have been an Instructables member for a long time now. I am a YouTuber and a humble Maker. I really just like to make things. Reach out to me, I am a talker! Cheers

This may not be your typical hiding places instructable, but different is good! I am hiding the nasty stinky cat boxes in the garage so our guests don't have to smell the foul smell of cat excrement. I also didn't want the cats roaming around our garage so this is how we hid them. No more stinky house or garage!

This is just a guide to help you along since almost every situation this will require a custom build.

Here are the things I used

  • Wood for the box to be made
  • A flap for the cat tunnel
  • An automatic light switch
  • LED bulb
  • Small Desk fan or computer fan
  • dryer duct
  • exterior dryer fitting
  • aluminum sticky tape
  • hinges
  • a clasp to hold the lid down
  • sealant
  • silicone
  • weather stripping
  • cat poop boxes
  • paint
  • wire
  • light fixture
  • lots of patients

Step 1: Make a Box

I chose to repurpose some plywood that I found when we bought our house. It was a horribly designed bench that was quite useless. I sanded all of the parts that got wood glue. I attached everything with wood glue, clamps, and screws. Make sure that the box you make is sturdy and strong.

Step 2: Seal the Box

I still use my garage so I didn't want to just make a cat door and put kitty litter boxes loose in the garage. So sealing this is the key to getting the funk out your house yo! I applied a foam weather stripping as well as using silicon to seal the inside. I also sprayed the inside with a sealant which I didn't get a picture of.

Step 3: I Don't Scoop the Poop (My Wife Loves To!)

I don't actually have to ever clean out the cat boxes. Pretty sweet deal huh? I wanted to make this very easy for my wife since she is the sole user. I added hinges for the lid. The front has two simple latches that pull the lid down with pressure to help complete the seal.

Step 4: Custom Adapter

I repurposed this container to adapt the vent to the box. I also used a computer fan to push the air. I cut the bottom off using my scroll saw. Also cut a hole in a piece of wood to accommodate for the fan.

Step 5: Adapt

I am adding the parts to my custom adapter. If you can find off the shelf parts to replace this steps, I highly recommend doing so.

Step 6: More Adaptation

I finished out the adapter that I created. The photos speak for themselves.

Step 7: Exhausting Vent

I went frugal and it paid off quite handsomely. I used an off the shelf dryer vent to route the stinky air outside. It works great and the smell goes where it needs to go.

Step 8: Let There Be Electricity!

I wired up a LED light bulb to turn on via motion sensor for the bathroom light that the box is connected to. When the cat comes in the room to do their business, the light automatically turns on for them. The fan on the other hand turns on and off with specific intervals throughout the day to help reduce electricity. Full disclosure....my cruddy computer fan kicked the bucket early on, so I ended up replacing it with an off the shelf desk fan. No problems since then.

Step 9: Tunnel, Door, and Conclusion

I created a wooden tunnel to connect the bathroom to the garage using plywood. I cut a hole in the wall and secured my tunnel in the wall. I covered the bathroom side with a door and trim. The tunnel got sealed and painted. It took a week or so for the cats to figure it out, but they haven't had a problem since. I hope you have enjoyed this instructable. Leave any comments or ideas you might have. Cheers. Get in touch with me at http://www.curtosnoir.com

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