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As you shop for a litter box, you’ll quickly discover that there seem to be nearly endless options to choose from. But since cats can be particular about everything from box size to style to material, it’s important to consider not only what you want in a box, but also what’s going to work best for your cat. That’s why I talked with three experts to learn what qualities make the best cat litter boxes, and what you need to know about finding a box that your cat is likely to use.
Read on to learn about important litter box features, how to choose the best cat litter box for your kitty, where to position the box, and other tips to support healthy litter box habits and keep your cat happy, too.
Stephen Quandt, cat behaviorist and founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates, LLC, explains that it’s important to consider a cat’s natural environment when choosing a litter box size. “Cats originally evolved in desert-like environments, so their natural litter box is a wide open endless sandbox,” he says. “Large, open, uncovered boxes address what cats have evolved to use and that should be the biggest concern when buying litter boxes.”
Consider the height of the litter box, too. Quandt notes that some cats direct urine streams higher than others, so some cats may need a high-sided box.
Quandt explains that cats like to scan for predators when they eliminate, and a covered box doesn’t allow for that. As a result, some cats won’t react well to them because they can’t be on the lookout. “Covered boxes also trap odors, and cats’ noses are about 14 times more sensitive than ours,” he says. Given this, many cats might be partial to uncovered boxes.
Joey Lusvardi, an IAABC certified cat behavior consultant, runs Class Act Cats. Lusvardi notes that it’s important to consider the entry design of your litter box. “Top entry litter boxes or boxes with doors may not seem like a big deal to us, but if your cat isn’t feeling well or has mobility issues, they may decide to go on the floor instead of using the box,” he says. He explains that boxes with high walls, but a lower entry, balance easy access while preventing your cat from flinging litter everywhere.
Veterinarian Bethany Hsia, DVM, has been practicing for over 13 years and is co-founder of CodaPet. She encourages cat owners to choose a litter box that is easy to clean and maintain. “Self-cleaning boxes may seem convenient, but can startle some cats,” she says. While automatic litter boxes have their advantages, you can also look for other features, like a design that gives you easy access for scooping, that make it easier to clean than a more traditional box.
Quandt explains that while almost all litter boxes are made of plastic, the plastic can absorb urine over time and start to smell. Stainless steel boxes won’t absorb urine, but some cats don’t like the sound that a scoop makes along the steel. Your cat may show a preference for one box material over another.
Even boxes made of materials like cardboard can be useful in certain situations. Lusvardi explains that if you have a cat who is sick and needs more frequent litter box cleaning, a cardboard disposable box can be a great temporary solution. “My cats recently had giardia and I had to monitor their litter box so I could remove any poop as soon as they used it,” he says. This was easier with the disposable box, since he could throw the soiled box out, rather than having to thoroughly clean a traditional box.
The ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Pan has a simplistic design, but it includes all of the features you need in a great litter box. The high sides help to contain messes for less cleanup, but the lower entry point can accommodate cats of all sizes. The spacious design gives even larger breeds plenty of space, and the openness makes it easy to clean the box, too.
This spacious litter box works for kittens as well as larger cats, and its high sides help to keep litter and spray contained.
Get it here: ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Pan
WIth its extra-large size and open design, this litter box is ideal for multi-cat homes. Its high sides help contain litter and spray, so there’s less mess for you to clean up. The box is made of a durable plastic and its open design makes for easy scooping. While it’s spacious enough for big cats, the lowered front entry makes it accessible to kittens, too.
This extra-large box features high sides to contain messes, while the lowered front makes it a versatile choice for multi-cat homes including older kittens, large cats, and senior cats.
Get it here: Smart Paws Cat Litter Box with High Sides
This affordably priced litter box is available in multiple sizes, though the jumbo size will work for most cats. The open design gives cats plenty of space to keep them comfortable, while also making the box easy to clean. It’s constructed from a durable plastic, and a rim along all four sides gives you extra grip when lifting the box for cleaning.
This affordably priced open cat litter box is available in five sizes and features an open design, so it will work well for most cats.
Get it here: Petmate Open Cat Litter Box
This sifting litter box eliminates the need for a scoop. It consists of three parts, and when the box needs to be cleaned, you can pour its contents through the sifting pan and into a clean pan below. This box can work with a variety of litters, so you can pair it with your cat’s favorite type. The lower front panel allows cats to easily get into the box, and it also features microban protection to help cut down on odors.
This three-pan box is capable of sifting clumping, pine, crystal and pelleted cat litter, so there’s no need to use a litter scoop.
Get it here: Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box
This Litter Robot 4 Bundle includes everything you need to get started, like waste drawer liners for easy cleanup and a mat to help keep litter contained. The box’s self-cleaning function automatically separates waste from clean litter, so you just have to empty the waste drawer. It can accommodate up to four cats, each weighing at least three pounds. You can even pair it with the Whisker app, so you can monitor your cats’ litter box habits and check their weight after using the box. This litter box is backed by a one-year warranty.
This model’s automatic self-cleaning function can save you time cleaning the box, plus when you pair it with the Whisker app you can monitor your cats’ litter box habits and even keep an eye on their weight.
Get it here: Litter Robot 4 Bundle
This box’s base is made of stainless steel to help prevent smell buildup. Its overlapping side design helps to prevent urine leaks through the box’s side. The box also features an anti-tracking panel to help keep litter contained, plus it includes a large scoop. While its price is higher than many plastic boxes, it’s a durable option that you could use for years.
This durable stainless steel box won’t absorb odors, and the top plastic panel helps to keep messes contained for easier cleaning.
Get it here: Stainless Steel Litter Box
This litter box converts from a front to a top entry design, so you can choose the option that’s best for your cat. The front entry design is suitable for kittens and senior cats who need a lower, easier entrance. A walk-off platform helps to prevent litter tracking. Regardless of which setup you choose, the box includes reusable liners for easier cleaning. The swivel lid also allows you to clean the box without having to remove the lid.
This box can function as a top entry or front entry box, plus it includes durable, reusable liners for easier cleaning.
Get it here: Modcat XL Litter Box
Depending on your home’s layout and your cat’s mobility, a side entry box like the Extra Large Litter Box with High Sides might be best. Its generous size can accommodate even larger cats, but its height keeps everything contained. The box also features handles on both sides, making it easier to move and clean.
This spacious box features a low side entry to give cats easy access, while its very high sides help to contain messes like litter and spray.
Get it here: Extra Large Litter Box with High Sides
This litter box features a curved design and is made of flexible plastic, so it can conform to tight spaces. Integrated handles make for easy carrying, and you can press the handles together to create a spout when it’s time to empty out old litter. High sides help to keep messes contained, and the curved base helps to prevent litter from getting stuck in litter box corners.
This box’s flexible design means it can fit into even tight spaces, and you can press the handles together to create a spout when you need to pour out old litter.
Get it here: Litter Genie Cat Litter Box
This litter box features a very low dip in the side, so it’s a more versatile option than boxes with higher entry points. Kittens, adults and senior cats with mobility issues, like arthritis, can easily get in and out of the box. It’s available in multiple sizes and includes a scoop. The box is crafted of durable plastic, and its open design may be ideal for cats who like to be able to see their surroundings or who don’t like the enclosed feel of a covered box.
This litter box features a very low entrance, so kittens and senior cats can easily get into and out of the box.
Get it here: KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box
This disposable litter box is made of recycled cardboard pulp. The cardboard decomposes when you’re done with the box, so you don’t have to worry about the box ending up in the landfill. You can use it as a liner or travel litter box, but it’s also strong enough to function as a standalone litter box when you need something temporary.
Since this disposable litter box is made of recycled cardboard pulp that breaks down after being in contact with soil for 90 days, it’s an eco-friendly and practical temporary litter box solution.
Get it here: Luli & Cat Disposable Litter Box
Whether I’m choosing the best dog food for allergies, wet cat foods, or vacuum cleaners for pet hair, I focus on the must-have features identified by experts. I did the same when selecting the best cat litter boxes, looking for litter boxes in designs that are welcoming to cats, including open top design. I considered how easily cats can get into and out of the boxes, and also looked for features that help minimize mess, such as high sides and mats to help catch litter. Finally, I included boxes available in many sizes and various price points, too.
According to Lusvardi, you’ll need more litter boxes than cats in a multicat home. “You can’t just line up the boxes in a single room, though, because to the cats, that may just seem like one big box,” he says. He encourages cat owners to spread out the boxes so cats can always access a box, regardless where they are in your home. It’s important that your other cats can’t completely block a cat’s access to all of the litter boxes, such as by sitting in front of the stairs or blocking a doorway.
“Litter boxes should be located in an easy-to-access location with at least one on each floor the cat has access to,” Lusvardi says. It’s also important to avoid adding any extra barriers to the box, such as a door flap that your cat has to go through to get to the box. “While I know a lot of people would prefer having their litter boxes all in the basement, it’s better to have some in other locations so your cat doesn’t have to go quite as far to get to the litter box,” he says. Many basements also have loud appliances that could scare your cat, making the box less appealing.
Hsia recommends positioning a litter box in a quiet area that your cats can easily access. “Placing a litter mat underneath or around the box can help contain any scattered litter and make cleaning easier,” she says.
It’s also important to choose an appropriate litter for your cat. Quandt recommends that cat owners use an unscented clumping clay, saying that its “odor control is generally excellent, and the urine clumps make scooping easy. For cats with delicate paws and who have texture issues, Tidy Cat in the plastic jug is a very fine-grained litter, not unlike that of a lovely sand beach. Soft textures are generally better and easier on a cat’s paws.”
Quandt explains that artificially scented litters can be off-putting to cats. If your cat doesn’t like the type of litter that you’re using, your cat might be reluctant to use the box.
Quandt notes that it’s best to scoop boxes twice a day. “Then the box needs a deep clean no less than once a month with plain dish soap and water,” he says. He cautions against using harsh chemicals or abrasives. “Never use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners,” says Quandt. They can irritate your cat’s sense of smell, and ammonia smells like urine.
“The boxes should be fully replaced once a year in most cases, as little scratches will develop and hold bacteria over time,” adds Lusvardi.
According to Hsia, most cats prefer open litter boxes to closed ones. “Most cats like large boxes that are easy to enter, and they prefer to have multiple escape routes in case they need to leave quickly,” she says. Since open boxes let cats see their surroundings, cats may feel less cornered while using the box.
Quandt recommends scooping litter boxes twice a day. “Would you like to use a toilet that hasn’t been flushed?” he asks. “Imagine a cat, with their pristine sensibilities!”
According to Lusvardi, introducing a new litter box to your cat is as simple as setting up the box in a location your cat can easily access with a litter that your cat likes to use. “Cats have an instinct to eliminate in sandy materials with small particles, so if the box meets their requirements, they’ll naturally start going in the box without any intervention on your part,” he explains.
Lusvardi doesn’t recommend cat owners physically placing their cats in the litter box. “It’s totally unnecessary and you risk your cat developing an aversion to the litter box if they don’t enjoy that experience,” he says.
To prevent avoidance or inappropriate elimination, Hsia recommends that cat owners make sure that there are enough litter boxes for all cats in their home, plus one extra. Additionally, it’s important to place boxes in quiet locations away from high-traffic areas. She recommends cleaning the boxes daily and replacing the litter weekly, and using unscented clumping litter at a depth of one to two inches.
Highly Viscous Bentonite AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.