<p>I had a similar problem awhile back and someone on CC recommended using a large storage bin instead of a litter pan. It works. A large storage bin has high walls, so litter stays in. I do not cut open a “door”, I leave the walls high on all four sides. I do set the lid down underneath, but that’s probably not needed. </p>
<p>It was a cheap alternative to the pricier choices. A $7 storage bin from Target saved the day. </p>
<p>I got a cardboard box and put my cats litter box inside it. Then I made a hole and put a mat with the rubber knobs that stuck up in front of it. And guess what he does? He jumps right over the mat and the mat is super clean and he gets litter all over the floor. But I dont have to clean up the floor so i think it works good.</p>
<p>I think the starter set , which includes a one month supply of pads and litter is about $30 on Amazon. I buy the pads and litter at petsmart and it’s about $15 a month supply. It’s worth it IMO</p>
<p>I think you did too bus driver ! and it changed my life too, At least the cat care art of it 
No smell and easy clean up is the best part</p>
<p>The catio sounds really cool, btw.</p>
<p>We worship our kitty, too. Probably part of why we go with a euphemism like palace for her litter box. :)</p>
<p>I’m kind of surprised no one has mentioned using fresh step crystals or another crystal brand. It’s a lot better for our allergies(no dust) than the other kind of litter plus it dries the poop up right away so it eliminates the smell.</p>
<p>Our cats’ box is in the sun room where they spend 99 % of their time. However years ago I had a cat that I trained to use the toilet. He wasn’t too happy about it but he was compliant until I brought a big house plant… #-o
Also when I was in college I put the litter box in the cabinet under the sink. The cat could use his paw to open the door. It worked pretty well at keeping the litter in the cabinet and not on the floor. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone!! Lots of very helpful ideas!</p>
<p>Nottelling - I had good luck with Feline Pine and Yesterday’s Mews when my diabetic kitty needed a non-zeolite litter. </p>
<p>I’ve tried the crystals, the cat hated them. I use Cat Attract. It’s supposed to be 99% dust free although my last two bags have been pretty dusty. My husband is really allergic to the scented litters and this is the best unscented one I’ve found. But my big, fat, stinky cats have the box(es) in their own private, stinky, bedroom that used to be my daughter’s room and I literally keep the door closed until they meow to be let in. I wish there was a better solution for these two. I’ve had cats all my life and have never had to constantly fight the stink like I do now. Sometimes you just get a cat that stinks. I have to give him baths constantly too because he can’t seem to clean himself. I’ve never had a cat box in the bathroom and never will - it’s too icky to share in that way, plus the litter would be all over the floor no matter what type of flooring you have. I have used a laundry room for the cat box before and that was the best solution I’ve had - but I don’t have a laundry room now (it’s in the garage).</p>
<p>I would worry about a doggie door to the garage. You compromise the fire-door by punching a hole in it - but I’ve been tempted.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to a kitty cabana that is very much like the one my H built. The cats access ours through a cat door installed in a piece of plywood in a window in a room in the back of the house. <a href=“Happy Cat Cottage: The Outdoor Litter Box for Indoor Cats • hauspanther”>hauspanther;