How to Get Rid of Litter Box Smell (and Hide the Box) in a Small Home

Loving your cat and loving a fresh-smelling home shouldn’t be a trade-off. But in a small apartment, one litter box can dominate an entire room — visually and, well, aromatically. The good news: with the right routine and a couple of smart pieces of furniture, you can make it practically disappear on both fronts. Here’s how — grounded in guidance from the Cornell Feline Health Center.

Why does my litter box smell so bad?

Odor almost always comes down to one of a few causes:

• Infrequent scooping. Waste sitting in the box is the number one source of smell.
• Not enough boxes. Cornell’s rule of thumb is one box per cat, plus one extra.
• The wrong litter. Cornell notes most cats prefer unscented, finer-textured litter; scented litters can actually bother cats and mask odor poorly.
• Poor placement. A box in a sealed closet traps odor instead of letting it dissipate.
• A dirty box itself. Plastic absorbs odor over time; Cornell recommends replacing the box if odor remains after cleaning.

How do I get rid of litter box smell for good?

Cornell Feline Health Center notes that decreasing litter box odor can even be an important part of treating cats that avoid the box. A simple routine handles most of the problem:

1. Scoop at least once daily — twice is better.
2. Fully empty and wash the box weekly with mild soap and water.
3. Use a low-dust, unscented clumping litter about 1–2 inches deep.
4. Add a litter mat to catch tracked litter and stray waste.
5. Neutralize what’s left in the air. An odor eliminator like our Smart Pet Odor Eliminator works continuously, and refills like the 4-Pack Air-Purifying Refill keep it going. (Peer-reviewed research has even found odor eliminators can positively influence litter box behavior.)
6. Bag waste odor-tight. Sealing scooped waste in Litter Box Waste Bags stops the trash can from becoming the next smell source.

How can I hide a litter box in a small apartment?

This is where the right furniture changes everything. Instead of a plastic box on display, use a piece that doubles as décor and conceals the box:

• A litter box enclosure or cabinet looks like a side table but hides the box inside with a discreet cat entrance — like our 2-in-1 Cat Litter Enclosure with Storage Cabinet.
• A litter box bench gives you a functional seat and a hidden box in one footprint. See the Hidden Litter Box Bench.
• Mind the airflow. Cornell points out that some cats dislike covered boxes because they hold odor in — so choose a ventilated enclosure, keep it in a low-traffic but airy spot, and scoop daily. Ventilation is what keeps a hidden box fresh instead of smelly.

Frequently asked questions

How many litter boxes do I need?

One per cat plus one extra (Cornell). Two cats = three boxes, ideally in different spots.

Will hiding the litter box in furniture make it smell worse?

Not if the enclosure is ventilated and you scoop daily. Covered/enclosed boxes only trap odor when maintenance slips.

Where’s the best place to put a litter box in a small apartment?

A quiet, ventilated area your cat can always reach — a bathroom with an exhaust fan, a hallway nook, or a ventilated enclosure. Avoid sealed closets.

Is scented litter better for odor?

Usually no. Cornell notes most cats prefer unscented litter; daily scooping plus low-dust clumping litter controls odor far better than perfume.

🐱 Hide the Box in Style — Shop Now →

Sources & references

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling.
• Guy NC et al. — Effect of an odor eliminator on feline litter box behavior (peer-reviewed, PMC).
• ASPCA — Litter Box Problems.