The Top 5 Best Litter Boxes for Clean and Happy Cats

By choosing the appropriate litter box that meets your cat’s needs, you can ensure that they will use it without any issue. Through our rigorous two-year testing of 17 litter boxes, we still unequivocally recommend the Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box as the top choice for containing your cat’s waste. With sufficient space for most cats to use comfortably, the higher sides effectively contain any messes, while the low entryway enables easy accessibility for your feline.

Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box

According to our research and expert opinion, the Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box fulfills all the necessary requirements for feline users. It provides ample space for cats to comfortably turn around, squat, and stand, and its open top allows for easy surveillance of surroundings. Elderly or less mobile cats will appreciate the low entryway for easy access. The box features high sides and back, which effectively contain messes from litter flings and urine overspraying, while its smooth interior eliminates any crevices or corners where waste clumps may get trapped, making cleaning and scooping a breeze. Additionally, this exceptional product is reasonably priced, making it even more advantageous.

Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan

The Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan by Catit is an exceptional choice for cat owners. With its affordable price tag, enormous size, and dependable design, this litter box delivers excellent value for money. Measuring in at an impressive 22.4 x 18.3 x 17 inches, it’s ideal for larger cats or homes with more than one feline. The hood is easy to remove for bag changes or to offer unobstructed access to your pet. Furthermore, the Cat Pan is engineered to control mess and odors, ensuring no litter tracking or unpleasant smells inside your residence. It boasts multiple user-friendly features such as an incorporated carbon filter, slider locks for secure closure, a handy carrying handle, and is constructed from BPA-free plastic.

Modkat XL Litter Box

The Modkat XL Litter Box boasts a sleek and modern design, complete with a perforated folding lid that prevents litter from scattering and makes cleaning a breeze. Its reusable liner is rip-proof and scoop-friendly, and it comes in three stylish colors. With top and front entry options and a generous entrance diameter, this box fits the needs of most cats. However, it may still be challenging for older or anxiety-prone cats and kittens to use. On top of that, the Modkat XL comes with a hefty price tag of around $180. Despite this drawback, it’s a solid investment for those looking for a stylish and functional litter box.

Kittygohere Litter Box

• Why We Love It: big enough so arthritic cats won’t feel cramped, nice colorways
• Measurements: large size is 20”W x 24”D x 5”H (3”H at entry)

This box is an excellent choice for anyone with arthritic or aging cats because it’s low to the ground and doesn’t require jumping up or onto anything. This also makes it a good choice for tiny kittens or cats who continue to eliminate outside their current boxes. The KittyGoHere box comes in lavender, sand or apple green, which are things cats shouldn’t eat but are nice colors to complement your decor.

Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan

Advantages

– Effortless to keep clean

– Created from recycled materials

– Great value, particularly for households with multiple cats

Disadvantages

– Need to sift the pan, which might not suit everyone

– Not ideal for cats that tend to kick litter around

This Arm & Hammer sifting pan is a budget-friendly option that eliminates the need for scooping. It consists of three boxes – one sifting and two regular – and is made entirely from recycled materials, making it an environmentally-friendly choice for cat owners. The pan also features Microban protection, which prevents bacteria from accumulating and causing odors. 

Our tester found that cleaning the box was surprisingly easy, despite concerns that the sifting tray’s holes might become clogged. However, one of their feline testers was observed to kick out more litter than usual after exiting the box, so this might not be ideal for cats that tend to make a mess. 

While there is a learning curve if you’re not accustomed to using multiple pans or sifting, the overall functionality and value impressed our tester. They did note, however, that this pan would be better suited for cat owners “who don’t mind getting a bit hands-on,” so keep that in mind before investing in it.

Current retail price: $16.88.

Choosing the Best Covered Cat Litter Box: What to Look For

When searching for the ideal covered litter box, it’s important to consider both your requirements and your feline companion’s preferences. If you have a larger cat or multiple cats in your household, a spacious litter box will provide ample room. Additionally, your cat’s behaviours should be taken into account, such as whether they spray or kick up a lot of litter while using the box. Does your kitty prefer complete seclusion or become anxious with a closing door? All of these factors should be considered when making your purchase. Design preferences are also essential to consider – do you prefer a more luxurious design or a simple, budget-friendly option? Important considerations when making a decision include the design, litter type, and cost. 

The design of the litter box can be tailored to your specific needs. You can choose between a front or top-entry design – top-entry designs often contain litter better, with a grated surface that helps clear your cat’s paws when they exit. However, some cats may not like this design, so be sure to consider your cat’s preferences. Litter boxes can have doors or an open entryway – in most cases, these doors can be removed if your cat doesn’t like them. 

Litter type is also important to consider. There are various types available – the best overall litter box on the market uses a pellet litter system with absorbent pads for urine. Others use a regular sand-like litter that clumps. Some owners even prefer pine litter. Regardless of your choice, ensure that the litter box design is compatible with your preferred litter type, especially if you prefer absorbent pads. 

The cost of the litter box varies. An exquisite design will undoubtedly add to the price, but a budget-friendly or moderately priced option will suffice for practicality. Ultimately, the purchase is functional and does not require a charming design. However, options are available for those seeking to splurge on an aesthetically pleasing litter box.

FAQs

What’s the best cat litter box for odor control?

If your cat’s litter box has an odor problem, look at yourself first. Ensure that you’ve been cleaning out the box at least once a day. If a diligent cleaning routine leaves the litter box still smelling foul, choosing a new litter box could help.

Some litter boxes have non-stick and antimicrobial coatings that help to minimize the amount of waste that sticks to their inside surfaces. These coatings also help to minimize the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Others feature carbon filters that capture odors before they can enter the room.

Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?

Every cat has their own unique preferences in terms of litter boxes, but there are some benefits to choosing an enclosed versus an open litter box.

Enclosed litter boxes provide a higher degree of privacy, with the added benefit of containing odor and litter scatter better than an open box. The downside is some cats may find an enclosed box too cramped. Large breeds in particular may be more comfortable in an open litter box.

Though there are pros and cons for each option, limited research suggests most cats don’t really have a preference when it comes to open or closed litter boxes. Researchers at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine completed a study in 2012 that revealed that 70% of cats showed no preference for one kind of litter box over the other.

What’s the best cat litter box for large cats?

If you own a super-sized Maine Coon or massive Chausie, it can be a struggle to find an adequate litter box. Litter boxes are usually undersized for average cats, and the search is even more challenging for a large cat.

Covered litter boxes are out of the question for large cats. While even small uncovered litter boxes allow your cat to extend their head and tail over the edges, a covered litter box has restrictive side walls that make your cat feel cramped. Look for big, sturdy uncovered boxes.

Because huge litter boxes are rare, many large cat guardians choose to make their own litter boxes or use plastic storage containers instead.

What’s the best litter box for multiple cats?

In a multiple cat home, the litter box has to handle increased box activity while also facilitating healthy relationships.

The standard recommendation is that you install as many litter boxes as you have cats, plus one. One cat needs two litter boxes and twelve cats need thirteen. In addition to accommodating your multiple cats with numerous litter boxes, choose sizable boxes that can handle heavy use. A big cat family creates plenty of waste, and it takes large litter boxes to handle that.

Remember that multiple cat households have a uniquely feline social hierarchy. As a central part of daily life, the litter box can get involved in territorial spats and social dominance games. A dominant cat may block a submissive family member inside of the litter box, forcing them to stand in their own waste. This is a frightening and humiliating experience and can send the conflict on a downward spiral.

For this reason, avoid placing your litter box in a corner and don’t use covered boxes in a multiple cat home.

What’s the best cat litter box to keep dogs out?

Some dogs love eating smelly little cat treats from the litter box.

This is at once disgusting to watch, unsanitary, and potentially dangerous. Choosing the right box can prevent your dog from invading the litter box. Several designs can help to keep your dog out of the litter box. One is a top entry box, which keeps small dogs from accessing the waste area. Other boxes have both an inner and outer entry, preventing larger dogs from probing into the box.

If you don’t want to give your cat a covered litter box, there are other options for keeping your dog out. If your cat is agile and comfortable jumping, take advantage of their vertical mobility and put the litter box on a counter or large shelf that your dog can’t access.

What’s the best cat litter box for small apartments?

Having a small home doesn’t mean you need to cut back on litter box space. Instead of saving space by choosing a small box, choose one that can multitask.

Litter box furniture enclosures double as storage areas and shelving, allowing you to maximize your space. Because these pieces make functional decorative accents, they have more placement options than the average litter box.