Cats are messy. Anyone who cares for strays knows the struggle. You feed them once, and next thing you know, they have made themselves at home. Cute? Absolutely. But that also means cat poop showing up in flower beds, walkways, and even neighbors’ yards. It is not always glamorous being the local cat rescuer.
Some folks trap, neuter, and release. Others donate food or build shelters. However, one woman on TikTok took things to the next level and built something that every community cat colony needs: a large, weatherproof, outdoor litter box.
The amazing video has amassed 71k+ likes and 300+ comments on TikTok.
@straycattalkz DIY Sliding Cat Toilet for Stray Cats – Big Upgrade for Happy Cats Tired of small litter boxes and neighbor complaints? Follow us for creative pet projects and tips that make your furry friends happy and healthy! #straycatlife #catlitterbox #straycat #catdiy #catsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Stray Cat Talkz
Taking Care of Stray Cats Can Get Complicated
Feeding stray cats is the easy part. It is the cleanup that gets tricky. When cats don’t have a consistent place to go, they will pick their own. That often means digging up your mulch or sneaking into someone’s freshly planted garden. It is not great for neighbor relations, especially when the cats aren’t technically yours.
That is what happened to the woman behind the TikTok account Stray Cat Talkz, @straycattalkz. She lives on an island and takes care of a local group of strays who wander through her yard. She had already set up litter boxes, but the cats weren’t using them much. They were too small, too crowded, and not all that inviting.
Fox / Pexels / Stray cats can harm your surroundings as they have no permanent place to go!
The Creative DIY
The cats had started using the neighbor’s garden as their personal bathroom. Not good. So instead of fighting the behavior, she leaned in. Her solution? Build a big, cozy litter station just for them. She wanted something weather-resistant, functional, and big enough to handle several cats at once.
But living on an island made this a challenge. First, she had to hire a boat to bring over the wood and supplies. Once everything arrived, she got to work. The base frame went up first, followed by sturdy side panels. The outside got a coat of anti-corrosion paint to help it survive the sea air.
This DIY Build Is Actually Kinda Genius
Freepik / Inside, she poured in 200 pounds of litter. Deep enough to dig, cover, and do their business in peace. She even made use of the attic space as a storage area for extra litter.
She added a pitched roof and cut out two round cat doors. Mesh-covered windows let in fresh air but keep bugs out. And then she built a sliding lid on top so the whole thing could open up for easy scooping. If you have ever tried to clean an outdoor litter box, you know how smart this is.
The finishing touches took it to another level. She added brown trim, hand-cut wood shingles, and covered the roof with waterproof fabric. A small porch provided the cats with a place to sit, and she even added stairs and railings. The whole thing looked more like a cat cabin than a litter box.
The cats took to it instantly. No more unwanted garden deposits, and no more guessing where they have gone.
The sliding roof means she can clean it out without much effort. Just pull it back, scoop, and refill. Simple. Clean. Smart. And it keeps the smell contained as well. Even better, the structure keeps the litter dry during storms.
Viewers on TikTok couldn’t get enough. Comments poured in. “That roof is adorable,” one fan wrote. Others said they wanted to visit the island and meet the cats in person.
