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Cat Litter in Motorhome/RV? (Where? & What’s Best?)

If you are planning a trip with a cat in your motorhome (or RV), you may be wondering where my best place to store the litter box (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) is.

Where to store a litter tray in your Motorhome (or RV)?

The best place to store a litter tray in your motorhome is either in its own, self-contained, cabinet, under the sink by attaching a simple cat flap (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad), or utilizing an available storage bay.

What you will need to store your litter

Description	Image	My Rating
01. Cat Litter cabinet (My Best) Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad
02. Cat Flap Door Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad
03. Fresh Step Scented Litter Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad

So, now you know some places to store your litter box in your motorhome. But, what is the best litter to use? How can you control the litter smell in there? And, how can you keep your cat active? Keep reading for these answers, and much more.

What is the best litter to use in your Motorhome (or RV)?

The best litter is a clumping litter, ideally a scented clumping litter (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad).  This is ideal because it will help to conceal the smell of the litter box. Also, as well as this, it should be dust-free, or as close to that as possible.

When traveling in your RV, it’s normal to wonder what litter to use, because you are not at home, right? So, now you know a good one that you can use in your motorhome going forward.

How to control the smell in your Motorhome (or RV)?

To control the litter smell use a good scented litter (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), clean out the clumps regularly and locate the litter box away from your sleeping area, for example under the passenger seat, while you sleep.

Also, you can try and add some baking soda to the litter, to see if this will freshen up the smell. So, now you know some options to control the smell in your RV.

How can you keep your cat active in your motorhome?

The best way to keep your cat active is to exercise her when you have stopped, such as refueling, etc. But, the key thing is to use a good cat harness (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad). But, make sure it is a safe one that will not become a choking risk.

Exercise is always a concern when traveling in your RV, so now you know how a simple cat harness (Click here to see my best 3) can help you.

9 Tips for Traveling with your Cat in an RV

When you are considering a trip in an RV with your beloved cat, there are several things to consider. Unlike traveling with a cat on a plane, there are very different tips to consider. This section will provide you with some helpful tips to make your trip easier.

01. Other ways to install an RV cat litter box?

Making sure you have the best litter box for your cat in an RV is essential. A litter box in your home is a challenge in itself, but an RV becomes even more of a challenge.

The biggest win with this is finding the space and concealing the box so it doesn’t take up all of your space. According to Do It Yourself RV (1), there are two common options:

• Use an empty storage compartment
• Hide it in an empty battery bay

The Problem with Using an Empty Storage Compartment for your Litter Box

The natural option is to reuse one of your storage compartments for the litter box (Is your cat peeing around the edge of it? Click here). However, the issue you will have with this is reduced storage space and the smell from the litter box will linger into your living area.

Do It Yourself RV has discovered a great workaround for this method. They discuss a technique used by one of their readers that created a tunnel into the basement section of the trailer

The Best Alternative to Using Your Empty Storage Compartment for your Litter Box 

As discussed earlier, creating a tunnel into the basement section of your RV is a great solution. Do It Yourself RV explain the main points their readers used to get this done:

• Re-routing the water tank’s PVC vent
• Added a small light to help your cat see while they use the litter box
• Lined the box with vinyl tiles for an easy cleanup
• Installed sliding mesh panel for visibility
• Installed a cat flap into the tunnel for easy access

02. Where Will Your Cat Sleep When You Are in Your RV or Travel Trailer?

The best way to make your cat enjoy there sleep while they are on the move is having several options where they can sleep. Wheeling It describes their areas as “cat cubby’s”, and they have several.

For example, they say they have one in the front of the RV and 3 other options located in the bedroom area of the RV. Each cubby is essentially a cupboard or on top of a cupboard.

One example is a towel cupboard that has repurposed to become a cat cubby. The important thing is making sure that your cat is comfortable and warm (will a cat enclosure help? click here). They explain that using some thermal cat bedding ((Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) ) will make your cat feel comfortable while she lounges in her squishy cat bed (click here to see my best one).

03. How Do You Keep Your Cat Entertained While You Are in Your RV

One of the best options to keep your cat happy while you are on the road is a cat scratching post. This will allow your cat some time to sharpen her claws and feel at home. Wheeling It recommends the Smart Cat scratching post (Click here to see why I rated this one) for the best results.

Also, little things like having a cat window perch (Click here to see why I prefer this one), will help to keep her happy while you are traveling.

04. How Do You Keep Your Cat Food Secure When You Are on The Road?

One of the problems people tend to have is keeping your cat food and water secure during your journey. Typical problems are water spilling on bumpy roads and food spillage.

RV Share recommends installing a sliding drawer under your fridge. This will hold your cat food and water. This will help to keep them secure and reduce the mess in your RV.

 

The Importance of a Test Run When in an RV or Van Dwelling with Your Cat

Even after you get everything set up, you will inevitably discover some setbacks. The best way to get around this is to do a test run first. USA Today explains that cats are naturally curious creatures. If they feel like the environment is new to them, it will be hard to get them settled.

For that reason, it is advised to do a test run or two in the RV just to get them used to their new surroundings. That way, when you travel for real, there will be no unexpected reactions from your cat and make life easier.

05. How Can You Reduce the Risk of Losing Your Cat When in Your RV?

It is possible to lose your cat while you are on the road. Obviously, you will try your best to keep your cat inside but there is always a chance that she could escape.

To reduce the risk of this happening consider getting a cat tag with your number on it. If this is not enough for you, you can also consider getting your cat chipped. This will ensure that in the event of your cat escaping she will be easily identified and returned to you.

06. How Do You Regulate Your Cats Temperature on the Road in Your RV?

When you park up your RV or experience extreme weather in your RV, your cat is at risk. To avoid this risk there are a few things that you can do. According to USA Today, the best way to handle this is to keep it simple.

When you stop and the weather is quite hot, simply park in the shade. If, on the other hand, it is cold, park where the sun is. If it is hot consider leaving your window open just slightly to allow for some ventilation. And if it is hot, provide a warm fleece for your cat to use.

07. How Do You Handle Traveling Outdoors When You Stop in Your RV or Motorhome?

Your cat will need regular exercise, this is just a natural need for any cat. While you are traveling in your RV (Click here to see how to keep your cat in there while you travel) this can present a challenge. To help you do this you can try using a leash or even have a soft cat crate on deck (Click here to see why I like these 3).

As you can imagine most cats do not like them. According to Pet Helpful, they have trained their cat to go out of the RV (What about a Fifth Wheel? Click here) without a leash. Understand that this could be a risk if your cat is not trained.

The best thing to do is to try using the leash initially and see how your cat responds to it. If she doesn’t like it you could consider an approach like Pet Helpful.

08. Is Your Cat A Loner or a Follower?

If you are still thinking if it is a good idea to use a leash or not, there is an easy test you can use. Gone with the Wynns suggest a character test you can do at home to gauge if your cat is a good candidate or not.

When you walk in your back garden or back yard ally way does your cat often follow you? Or does she run for the hills and you are left whistling and trying to get her attention to come back?

If it is the latter, then you have a loner. A loner is a liability when you are in an RV. Simply because they will not want to stay within your comfort zone, and are quite likely to disappear completely.

If that is the case then you may be best to consider trying a leash to see if that helps.

09. What Happens if I Need to Take My Cat to The Vet When I am Traveling in my RV?

In the event that you need the vets, it can be hard work. Outside our bubble explain that they have had issues with local vets not taking their cats as a priority. This is largely to do with the fact that they are traveling and not a regular local client.

They also mention that another option to consider is using PetSmart (16). They have a network of vets that, on paper, share your records and over a larger operation. Although I have not personally used them it is worth mentioning them.