This unit comes in 8 pieces: back, left side, right side, top, bottom, left door, right door, and optional divider. You will need a large phillips screwdriver and a small phillips screwdriver for assembly. I took me about 45 minutes to un-package and assemble it myself. It is held together with approximately 18 cam-bolt combos and an equal number of dowels for added strength. The cat door entry can be installed on either the left of right. Each door has two hinges installed on the door, but you must attach the other side of the hinges to the main unit as part of the assembly process using two small screws on each of the four hinges. Helpful hint: it is difficult to line up the door hinge holes with the screw holes in the unit when the door is loose – prop the door up in near-installed position using some of the styrofoam packing material so that the hinge holes are aligned with the unit’s screw holes, then screw in the small screws. I would not call this a “fine piece of furniture” like some other reviewers – I consider it decent, with some of the wood stain not fully applied in crevices, and a minor cosmetic surface issue (not shipping damage). Neither of these are major issues.
Modifications:
1) Pee-proof the interior (up to 8 inches in height) for about $25: others have complained that if your cat “misses,” urine will soak onto the wood and ruin the unit. Too bad they don’t offer a plastic interior liner to help protect from this. Here’s what I did instead: Purchase approximately 8 feet of plastic carpet runner (approx. 27 inches wide) at your local hardware store – not the clear type, the black plastic type for about $2.25 per linear foot. You’ll also need a 5 oz. tube of adhesive like Dap, a 3 oz. tube of silicone, a decent pair of scissors, and a tape measure. Step 1: cut a piece of the runner to the width of the interior floor, put in the base of the unit, align with the front base edge of the unit, and “fold up” the approx. 8-inch excess on the back wall of the unit, affix with adhesive - the floor and the rear wall are now protected. Step 2: cut a piece of runner the depth of the unit, and the height of the bottom of the cat entry door, and affix with adhesive – one side of the unit is now protected. Step 3: cut a piece of runner the depth of the unit, and 8 inches tall, and affix to the other side wall with adhesive – the other side of the unit is now protected. Protecting the front of the unit is more tricky - Step 4: cut a strip of runner the width of the unit, but only approx. 2inches tall – affix this strip vertically with adhesive to the ledge where the bottom of the doors touch the unit when they are closed – this will finish creating a “pan” for the interior that will catch and hold liquid. Step 5: seal all seams/gaps with Silicone: front, left, and right floor edges, and all four vertical edges. Not done yet – the front is only protected to a height of 1 or 2 inches – what if kitty pees on the inside of the doors? Step 6: cut two pieces of runner eight inches tall, one the width of the doors, the other 1 inch in excess of the width of the doors. These will line the interior of the doors to protect them, but the bottom of these runner pieces when installed must “stick out” (not be flush with the interior of the door) so that any liquid will be directed into the sealed pan” instead of the wooden gap between the pan and the door. Use a strip of wood of anything else handy and affix to the bottom rear of the runner pieces with adhesive to make them stick out when installed - affix the runner pieces to the inside of each door, with the sticking out portion just clearing the strip installed in Step 4. One runner piece will stick out 1 inch past the door edge – this is the door to close first to create an overlapping seal.
2) Make the unit mobile for about $5. Purchase a 4-pack of 1 5/8 inch swivel bearing castors at your local hardware store. These are the types with pins instead of plates for installation. Remove the bottom four plastic feet from the unit (they are nailed in, so just pull them out with pliers). Follow the installation instructions for the wheels to install them where the plastic feet were removed – my set says to drill 3/8 inch holes 1 3/8 inches deep, tap in the provided sockets, then push casters into sockets until they lock. Rated caster load capacity of 50 pounds should be more than sufficient since the loaded unit should weigh about 100 pounds, which can be handled by 4 X 50 pound-rated casters = rated for 200 pounds (just don’t let people sit on the unit).
I was unable to post a detailed review as a verified purchaser because Amazon limits you to 400 characters and I have lots to say...
I sat on the fence about buying this for a long time and I hope my review helps those of you like me to make your decision. This product is amazing! Solid wood, excellent workmanship, sturdy and strong, easy assembly, and although it builds like an Ikea piece, it's parts are of far better quality. You can easily choose the side the doorway is on. I imagine I will have this for years and years to come. I got the walnut finish and it is beautiful. No one would ever know you have a litter box inside. It looks like a solid, sturdy, and beautiful piece of furniture. When I first opened the shipping box (which was wrapped to ensure nothing broke), I did notice a paint smell, but it aired out quickly. Most importantly, my cat loves it. He is 17 pounds and goes in no problem. He prefers it to the other litter box in our bathroom, which is open. I chose not to use the divider so the box is large and roomy on the inside. There is enough light coming into the box so it does not look like a dark hole for your cat. Light comes through the entrance hole as well as the cut outs for hand placement when opening the cabinet doors. There is also a small round hole at the bottom back center (in case you have a plug in litter box), but mine is covered over because I have the Scotch Cat Litter Mat lining the bottom. There are no odors, which is what I was most afraid of; however, I want to note that I was able to use my litter box, the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Regular, Taupe dimensions 20 inches x 18 inches x 18 inches, which is literally the perfect fit and is a litter box with a covered top. I am not using carbon filters or any odor killers at this time. No mess makes it out of the setup I have. The Merry Pet Cat Washroom Bench is definitely worth the money (honestly, it looks more expensive than the price) and I will be buying a second one for my bedroom to replace the one in the bathroom. I am so happy I bought this product!
When you see the photo of the cat inside, keep in mind he is 17 pounds.
My cats and I love this bench: Sturdy, great quality, great esthetically and very practical. To have more space inside I do not use the provided divider.
I use the bench with other products bought on amazon so here's what works for me:
-disposable natures miracle cat litter box, jumbo size - no cleaning, just throw it away after couple months.
-petfusion tough grip waterproof large cat litter mat - keeps litter inside.
-durascoop jumbo cat litter scoop - do not buy flat plastic scoops
-command wire hooks, small, white adhesive hooks - see pictures. I keep my scoop and brush inside.
-litter - I'm still experimenting...
-tiny brush for small pickups around the bench - bought offline
-small bucket lined with ice bucket bags; I scoop the 'ew' and put it in bag, tie the knot, then throw away in a garbage can. Voila. No smell!!!
Altogether this bunch have been working well for me: absolutely no cat smell and apartment esthetics is kept in tact thanks to this bench!!! Loving it.
Perfect to hide a large litter box. I did not use the divider and instead moved the box to the back to prevent the litter from getting out.. and the dog from getting in. It was super easy to put together. I did it alone and it took about 40 minutes. I did not have any problems with the cats adjusting to the enclosure. I added a cushion and some pillows for the cats to lounge on. Love it!
Beautiful piece of furniture! Perfect for my large and small cat :-D They love it and I can hide their kitty toilet while looking stylish!
Due to some unexpected circumstances, I had to move cities and into a smaller place that didn't have anywhere really to put my cat's litter. At first, I had it in my bedroom. I have asthma, so that wasn't great, and I didn't like waking up to the sound of my cat digging in the litter. So I began a month-long search for the best way to conceal his box, yet also not take away from the aesthetics of my home.
I narrowed it down to a few options, but when I sifted through reviews, this Cat Bench rose to the top. So I took the chance and ordered it. Two of us put it together, which made it easier. I liked that the company provided 1 extra of each screw/piece. Much better than going to construct something only to find out that you're missing pieces.
I had read some reviews saying the magnets weren't strong enough. I've had no problem with that whatsoever. Everything lined up nicely. And before I put the sides and top on, I picked up some clear mac tack from the dollar store and lined the bottom with it to prevent any concerns with odors from any possible leaks. Now it's easy to wipe clean with no possible seepage even if there was an accident.
I decided not to add the divider. Instead, I put the cat litter bin at the far end and then added a small Floorguard Magic Mat (2'6" x 1'8") and placed that near the entrance. It fit perfectly. That gives enough space for any litter to be left behind and my kitty's paws to get cleaned off on the soft carpet. The Magic Mat can be ordered online at Costco and is awesome at soaking up liquids and holding onto any dust/debris, and it's fully washable.
My cat took to this new piece of furniture right away. And best of all, I have it right out near my dining room/living room and no one would ever know unless I pointed it out to them. No smell either. I use silica crystals with a charcoal filter on a hooded litter box inside, but have since removed the swinging flap door, as this bench provides a nice barrier that the flap is no longer necessary. I could probably take off the hood, too, except I have no where to put it and don't want to toss it away, just in case we need it for traveling or another move. Oh, one of the things that sold me on this was being able to open the two doors wide and change the litter. Very easy to do.
Oh - this is a solid piece of furniture. It's heavy. Seems to be very good quality. I wouldn't sit, but I have placed a nice plant on top. People who visit think it's all part of my home's decor and haven't a clue it's the cat litter! My only complaint is the price. I think it's ridiculous that they're charging $309 for Canadians to buy it from Amazon.ca while Americans only have to pay $130 from Amazon.com. Canadians are being ripped off. That's more than double the price. One can argue conversion and customs and all, but still, it should be just under $200 then, not over $300. However, I don't have any regrets ordering this, but I did consider alternatives, such as getting it from the USA to save on the cost or have a local carpenter custom build one for me for that price.
All in all, this Cat Washroom Bench has totally solved my kitty litter woes.
I moved our litter box out of the basement into the living room, while renovations were being done to my basement. We have five cats who are very set in their ways, and I was worried that they would not like this enclosure at all. However, all five of them have become accustomed to it and use the litter box contained inside, without any hesitation. The front doors open very wide which makes scooping out the litter easy. The hand grips on the front doors also function as an air vent, and there is one small hole on the back side as well to allow for some air circulation. I use a brand of Multi-cat litter and scoop the box every day so there is no odor problem at all. As a piece of furniture, i have received compliments on it from house guests who have no idea that it is hiding a large litter box!
This is so much nicer than I expected! We don't use the inner partition and instead have two sifting litter boxes inside. Our cats love it. I lined the inside with vinyl shelf liner for better protection. I also have a litter tracking mat in front of the entrance to catch any litter on their feet. The only issue we had was one cat pushed open the door by accident and kicked out some litter but that hasn't happened since. Our litter area now looks tidy and "high end" :)
Was hesitant on this purchase as it's quite a bit of cash to drop on a box that just holds another box inside. BUT! I'm glad I pulled the trigger, because this is great. Putting it together is about as annoying as Ikea furniture, and you can expect to take about as much time doing it.
My two cats took to it right away, and the smell is much more contained than with an open litter pan. The roommate still smells it with her sensitive nose, but I don't smell a thing. We have ours inside the hall closet (with the sliding door open enough for them to enter the closet), and it's worked out perfectly. We hang our jackets above, and it fits in there like it was built for the space.
I like the swing-open doors, as we leave stuff on top of it and I don't have to move it every day when I clean the box, as I would if it opened from the top. The storage space on the other side of the divider is big enough to hold a large bulk-sized box of litter, as well as the scoop, litter box deodorizing powder, bags and whatnot.
Very happy with the purchase!
I wanted this to be awesome, and it *nearly* is. It's a good size, looks reasonably decent, and the cats like it. However, I wish I'd sealed the joins with silicone or something right after putting it together. The litter gets jammed in them and it's impossible to clean them out. Also, if your cat occasionally gets cranky and pees beside the box instead of inside it like mine does, the trough for the divider will fill with pee and slowly leak onto the floor. If you're willing to do a bit of work to seal the joins I think this would be a great litter cabinet, but as is, it's going to go in the bin next time I move apartments.
Good product. Went together fairly easy, and I greatly appreciated that the company provided 1 extra of all the hardware (nothing worse than missing pieces or having one break and being stuck).
Serves multiple purposes for my cat. Litter box concealment, an extra step to get to a higher point of her cat tree, and a place to lounge in the sun.
Exactly as described and exact issues as others have mentioned. A small (2 inch x .5 inch) piece of the laminant was off, loose in the packaging, It seems someone crushed that spot enough to pop out the piece. Not a huge deal since it is being used as a litter box so how perfect will it be day to day! Very useful, cats took to it well. Not using the interior partition so there is more space for the cats to shake of trailing litter and avoid having it outside of the cabinet.
This is a great piece of cat furniture. It is high quality and looks great. It was also easy to put together and I managed to do it without any help. My cat immediately took to it and I haven't had a slip up yet. I have a Pawkin cat mat under the litter box and it fits well inside the bench. I put my cat's bed on top of the litter box and she loves it. It's under a window that she can look out of and large enough that she can fully stretch out in comfort. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a nice piece of cat furniture that blends in well with its surroundings and is easy for a cat to use and for you to keep clean. Good job Merry Products!
This thing is amazing! At first I was unsure, even with all the good reviews because it's not cheap and I can't even count on Ikea. But this amazing. My Scottish fold took a liking to it right away and it hides the litter well. I had enough room to use the storage space, and have the larger section hold a litter box and a Matt infront of it.
Very nice. It was really easy to put together. I am not strong and was able to assemble it by myself in about 20 mins. Cats like it and started using it right away. I ordered a second one.
I was unable to use for my cat because I had to give it away (my son developed an allergy). But it look really nice and still use as a furniture. It arrived on time and was in good condition. Recommended
Works fine but the stray litter will get trapped inside the box crevices and you can not clean the litter out. This is a big problem since I use corn litter and I want to clean the stray litter much.
This is a really amazing product. Beautiful and versatile. Hides that ugly cat litter box and doesn't cause odour build-up. Best part, my cat loves it! And guest believe it’s a cabinet.
Quality material, nice look. Love it!