Last updated Jan 3, 2024
Updated by
Medically reviewed by
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
After hours of research and testing over 25 litter boxes with my cats, a few litter boxes have outshone the rest. The iPrimio stainless steel litter box is the go-to litter box in my household, while the Litter-Robot 4 impressed me with its consistent performance and industry-leading build quality. My cat, Forest, particularly appreciated the freshness of a box that cycled after every use.
But no one litter box is right for every cat. That’s why we’ve selected a total of 12 top recommendations spanning the cat litter box market. From easing cleaning and scatter control to boxes designed for cats at specific stages of life, our top picks met our quality criteria and performed well in our in-home tests.
In addition to reading about our favorite litter boxes in this article, you’ll learn about the different types of litter boxes and discover the one that best fits your cat’s needs.
At a Glance: 12 Best Cat Litter Boxes
iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
- Premium non-stick coating
- Stainless steel resists odor and residue
- Generously sized with 6-inch sides
Litter-Robot 4
- Robust and highly durable design
- Can be used with any clumping cat litter
- Reliable, automatic self-cleaning performance
Frisco High Sided Litter Box
- Large litter bed, plenty of interior space
- High sides help contain litter scatter
- Affordably priced under $20
Tuft + Paw Cove Litter Box
- Compact, streamlined design
- Optional partition improves privacy and scatter control
- Integrated scoop, dustpan, and hand brush
Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box
- Transparent hood allows cat to see out
- No door or flap, doesn’t lock in odor
- Available in a range of bright colors
Modkat XL Litter Box
- Top- or front-entry configurable
- Includes reusable liners and scoop
- Thoughtful design and modern appearance
Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box
- Made with patented scoop-free technology
- Plastic-free, made from 100% recycled cardboard
- Reduces bacteria growth and ammonia odor
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
- Three-level sifting design works for pine litter
- Durable plastic construction with reinforced bottoms
- Microban coating for antimicrobial protection
Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- High back contains mess pretty well
- Low front improves accessibility
KittyGoHere Cat Litter Pan
- Low 3-inch entry for easy access
- Litter bed is generously sized for kittens
- Available in two sizes, three colors
Litter Genie Cat Litter Box
- High walls to contain litter scatter
- Built-in handles for transport
- Curved base for easy cleaning
Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box
- Large-capacity litter box great for multiple cats
- Comes with a dust filter built into the litter box
- Large planter conceals the litter box in plain sight
Why Should You Trust Us?
Over the past four years, I’ve tested over 25 standard litter boxes with my cats and over a dozen automatic models. Drawing from my own experience as well as countless hours of market research and consultation with veterinarians and cat behavior experts, I’ve learned what it takes to make a great litter box.
After selecting my top picks, I spent several weeks testing them in my own home for sturdiness, cat-friendliness, and effectiveness in preventing sticking, litter scatter, and odor. During testing, I made observations about how easy the litter boxes were to clean and whether my two cats, Wessie and Forest, seemed to prefer one over another. I also spent time reading customer reviews to see what other cat owners thought of these litter boxes.
In addition to research and testing, we consulted with several veterinarians to get their take on which litter boxes are the most effective and comfortable for cats.
Our Veterinary Advisors
- Dr. Danielle (Elly) Page BVSc, BCom
- Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
- Dr. Caren Carney, DVM
- Dr. Alex Crow, VetMed MRCVS
Top Picks Explained
We’ve tested dozens of litter boxes over the years and while our current top picks don’t match the ones in this video, they’re still products we recommend.
The Best Cat Litter Boxes: Our 12 Top Recommendations
With two cats to clean up after, I look for a litter box that’s sturdy, easy to clean, and helps keep litter in the box where it belongs. The iPrimio stainless steel litter box is a long-standing favorite of mine and both of my cats seem to like it.
While the iPrimio stainless steel litter box is one of my personal top picks, it might not be the right choice for you and your cat. I’ve selected an assortment of litter boxes in different styles to appeal to different cats and their owners. If you have an idea of what your own priorities are in a litter box, the categorizations may help you narrow down your options.
#1 Overall Best: iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
- Price: $79.99
- Dimensions: 23.5 x 15.5 x 7.5 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Durable stainless-steel construction, rubber feet, stain-resistant
- Ideal For: Cat owners willing to pay more for quality materials.
With its generous size, durable stainless steel construction, and non-stick coating, the iPrimio litter pan stands out among the competition. It’s more expensive than the average litter box, but it’s built to last.
Unlike traditional plastic litter pans, this stainless-steel litter box doesn’t absorb odor. The non-stick coating helps prevent residue buildup as well, which makes your job all the easier when it comes to cleaning the litter box. Plus, the 6-inch sides are deep enough to help contain litter and urine spray.
The size of this litter box is a great benefit for larger cats and multi-cat households, though the 6-inch sides could be a challenge for kittens and older cats. That being said, it seems to be very cat-friendly overall, and the non-stick coating does seem to help control odor.
There are a few customer comments about the coating developing scratches with vigorous scrubbing, though iPrimio comments that minor abrasions are normal and won’t impair the function of the coating. Even so, it’s best to use the recommended scoop to maximize the lifespan of your cat litter pan.
What We Liked:
- Durable stainless-steel construction
- Non-stick coating reduces odor and residue buildup
- Generously sized, with fairly high sides
- Easy to clean, stands up to scrubbing and scooping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive compared to other options
- Heavy to lift and carry
- Non-stick coating may scratch with vigorous cleaning
#2 Premium Pick: Litter-Robot 4
- Price: $699.99
- Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 29.5 inches
- Works With: Any clumping cat litter
- Key Strengths: Reliable performance, automatic cleaning, WiFi-enabled
- Ideal For: People willing to spend more for top features
The result of over 22 years of automatic litter box innovation, the Litter-Robot 4 is a well-designed, robust automatic litter box that uses a rotating mechanism to separate clean from dirty litter so you don’t have to.
It stands out from other automatic litter boxes with consistent, thorough cleaning, an advanced app interface with powerful sensor integration, and easy maintenance. Priced over $600, it isn’t the right choice for everyone but a strong history of customer satisfaction and our own expert testing reveals that it’s worth the investment.
Paired with the Whisker app, the Litter-Robot 4 gives you powerful insights into and control over the unit’s performance. You’ll know how much litter is in the litter bed and in the waste drawer, receive notifications when the drawer is full, and be able to trigger cycles remotely. And in contrast to the older Litter-Robot 3, the LR4 gives you detailed weight readouts.
This means that not only can you monitor your cat’s litter box activity, but you can also track which cat is using the box in a multi-cat home. Considering that automatic litter boxes, by nature, disconnect you from what’s happening in the litter box, this is an invaluable feature.
What We Liked:
- Can be used with any clumping cat litter
- Robust and highly durable design
- Controls litter scatter fairly well
- Reliable, automatic self-cleaning performance
- Pairs with a powerful app that gives you plenty of insights
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very expensive, priced over $600
- Larger cats may find it a little cramped
#3 Budget Pick: Frisco High Sided Litter Box
- Price: $24.99
- Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 10 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: High walls, lowered front entry
- Ideal For: Cat owners who don’t want to spend a lot on a litter box.
Affordably priced under $20, this litter box is generously sized and fairly durable. The plastic materials didn’t feel quite as robust as some of the other litter boxes I’ve tried, but it was by no means flimsy.
In terms of cleaning, this litter box doesn’t tend to have issues with litter sticking to the plastic materials and the rounded interior edges keep litter from getting stuck in the corners. I noticed some litter scatter around the front of the box because of the lowered entry, but it generally did a better job of containing litter than a traditional litter pan.
This litter box is one of the most cat-friendly models I’ve tried. Not only does it have a very large litter bed with plenty of space for your cat to move around, but your cat may appreciate the open design as well. This litter box comes in two colors and several different sizes.
What We Liked:
- Large litter bed, plenty of interior space
- High sides help contain litter scatter
- Extremely cat-friendly
- Affordably priced under $20
What We Didn’t Like:
- Plastic materials could be sturdier
- Litter may scatter out of the lowered entry
#4 Best Stylish: tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
- Price: $199.00
- Dimensions: 26 x 16 x 14.5 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Modern design, includes scoop and dustpan
- Ideal For: Cat owners who want a modern-looking litter box.
For cat owners who want chic, well-built items that feel more like furniture than “cat stuff”, tuft + paw is our go-to recommendation. After testing over 25 litter boxes, we found that the Cove stood out as the most streamlined and living room-ready.
With its elegant design and integrated scoop and dustpan, the Cove is compact enough for use in small spaces but spacious enough for your cat to use comfortably. Plus, you can purchase an optional 8-inch partition for added privacy and scatter control.
In addition to being attractively designed, the Cove litter box is durably constructed. The plastic materials feel extremely robust, and the base is nice and sturdy. It also features a matte finish that is unusual among litter boxes and gives it a modern look.
In terms of function, this litter box is easy to scoop, and the included dustpan and hand brush are nice to have. I did notice a little bit of litter scatter when I wasn’t using the partition, but nothing excessive. The primary downside of this litter box is the price tag.
What We Liked:
- Compact, streamlined design
- Available 8-inch partition for privacy and scatter control
- Integrated scoop, dustpan, and hand brush
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat expensive, priced upwards of $150
- May not control scatter as well without the partition
#5 Best Covered: Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box
- Price: $54.99
- Dimensions: 24.8 x 20 x 16.5 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Clear hood, large opening
- Ideal For: Cats who spray urine or scatter litter.
Covered litter boxes minimize the spread of litter box odor through your home. They may also help contain urine spray and litter scatter better than open boxes. The Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box checks all of these boxes but has a few unique features that make it my top choice of covered litter boxes time and again.
This covered litter box has a spacious interior, so most cats won’t feel cramped while using it. It also has a transparent hood, allowing you to monitor waste buildup and allowing your cat to observe the outside world. I particularly appreciate that it doesn’t have a door, because doors and flaps tend to lock in odor.
This covered litter box is available in a range of bright colors. It’s a fairly expensive litter box, unfortunately, but it is durably constructed and easy to clean. As a covered litter box, it may feel a little small to larger cats, but small cats may not have this issue.
What We Liked:
- Transparent hood allows cats to see out
- No door or flap, doesn’t lock in odor
- Available in a wide range of bright colors
What We Didn’t Like:
- May feel a little cramped to larger cats
- Fairly expensive compared to other models
#6 Best Top Entry: Modkat XL Litter Box
- Price: $179.95
- Dimensions: 21.3 x 17.3 x 16.5 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Dual entry points, reusable liner, modern design
- Ideal For: People who want to give their cats options.
With its thoughtful design and dual-entry configuration, the Modkat XL is a worthwhile investment. It’s full of features that make it easy to clean and its modern style won’t look out of place in your living room.
The Modkat XL is a roomy upgrade on the original Modkat top-entry litter box, now available with an optional front-entry configuration. For cats who find enclosed litter boxes too confining, having two points of entry and exit may feel more comfortable.
Not only is the Modkat XL cat-friendly with its spacious interior, but reusable liners make it incredibly easy to clean. Rather than cleaning out the entire box every time, you can simply empty the liner and rinse it out. Plus, the lid flips up for easy access to the litter bed and the box comes with a litter scoop.
What We Liked:
- Easy-to-remove reusable liner
- Dual top- and front-entry configuration
- Controls urine spray and litter scatter very well
- Comes with an ergonomic litter scoop
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive, costs over $150
#7 Best for People Who Hate Scooping: Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box
- Price: $30.99
- Dimensions: 17.8 x 20.25 x 5.5 inches
- Works With: Any clumping cat litter
- Key Strengths: Made from recycled materials, multi-tray design
- Ideal For: People who hate scooping the litter box.
For those who prefer to have as little contact with dirty litter as possible, the Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box is an excellent option. With its unique patented design, you can clean the litter box in 30 seconds or less, and the litter box is disposable for maximum cleanliness long-term.
The Kitty Sift consists of one solid litter box, three sifting liners, and a shield. To clean the litter box, you simply lift the top sifting liner to separate clumps and solid waste, dispose of the waste, then rotate the liner 180° and place it under the bottom sifting tray.
In addition to offering scoop-free convenience, the Kitty Sift is eco-friendly. Its FSC-Certified 100% recycled cardboard materials offer a great alternative to plastic and make the litter box compostable and completely recyclable when clean and dry.
While the longevity of the box will depend on your cat’s litter box habits, the Kitty Sift system should last for up to 4 weeks for one cat. It is water-resistant and made from breathable materials that help keep the litter dryer and the litter box fresher for longer.
What We Liked:
- Made with patented scoop-free technology
- Plastic-free, made from 100% recycled cardboard
- Reduces bacteria growth and ammonia odor
- Shield contains urine spray and litter scatter fairly well
- Extremely effective compared to other sifting litter boxes
What We Didn’t Like:
- High humidity may weaken the cardboard materials
- Bigger cats may find it too small
#8 Best for Pine Cat Litter: Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
- Price: $15.49
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 15.2 x 7.9 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter, especially pine
- Key Strengths: 3-pan system, antimicrobial coating, reinforced bottom
- Ideal For: Pine pellet or other large-granule cat litters.
Pine cat litter typically comes in pellets, which may present a challenge when it comes to scooping. Sifting boxes tend to work best for pine litter and the Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan performed best in testing.
This product consists of a sifting tray nested between two standard closed-bottom boxes. All three litter pans feature durable plastic construction with a reinforced bottom for added stability. The pans are treated with Microban for antimicrobial protection, which may help control litter box odor by preventing the growth of bacteria.
When you’re ready to clean out the box, you lift the top pan to sift the litter, toss out the waste, and place the sifter in the second solid pan. The process is simpler and quicker than the standard scoop-and-toss technique. It’s a functional halfway point between an automatic box and a traditional litter pan.
What We Liked:
- Three-level sifting design for easy cleaning
- Durable plastic construction with reinforced bottoms
- Microban coating for antimicrobial protection
- Works particularly well with pine litter
What We Didn’t Like:
- May not be large enough for bigger cats
- Doesn’t prevent litter scatter as well with non-pine litter
#9 Best Seniors: Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan
- Price: $29.99
- Dimensions: 25 x 16.75 x 9 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Low entry, rubberized grips, sturdy
- Ideal For: Senior cats and cats with mobility issues.
The Lucky Champ cat litter pan has senior-friendly features that set it apart from the competition. An exceptionally low front makes it accessible for older cats while a high back helps contain urine spray. It also has a wide, sturdy base that won’t tip over if your cat takes their time stepping in and out of the box.
This litter box is durably constructed to last a long time and it’s easy to scoop and clean. It measures 25-by-16.5-by-9 inches, making it a larger litter box, but rubberized grips provide sturdy handholds for easy transport.
The downside of this litter box is its limited ability to control scatter. The low front that improves accessibility for seniors and cats with mobility concerns also opens the door to litter scatter.
What We Liked:
- Low front improves accessibility
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- Rubberized grips for easy transport
What We Didn’t Like:
- Limited ability to control scatter
#10 Best for Kittens: KittyGoHere Cat Litter Pan
- Price: $40.95
- Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 5 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Low entry, very large litter bed
- Ideal For: Kittens, small cats, and senior cats.
With its spacious design and low 3-inch entry point, the KittyGoHere cat litter pan is our top choice for kittens.
The KittyGoHere is made from durable plastic materials with a molded rim that provides easy handholds for transport. While the design is fairly sturdy, some users report that the plastic develops stains over time which may accumulate odor.
This litter box comes in two sizes, both of which feature the same dropped entry for easy access. The Small size is ideal for crates and single kittens while the Large offers some extra room for litter training in multi-kitten households.
What We Liked:
- Low 3-inch entry perfect for kittens
- Sturdy plastic construction
- Generously sized for single kittens or litters
What We Didn’t Like:
- Material may stain over time
- Doesn’t prevent litter scatter well
#11 Best for Scatter Prevention: Litter Genie Cat Litter Box
- Price: $29.99
- Dimensions: 22.3 x 17.6 x 16 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: High walls with integrated handles
- Ideal For: People who want to simplify litter box cleanup.
No litter box completely prevents scatter but the Litter Genie performs particularly well in this area. It features high sides to keep the litter box mess where it belongs as well as a curved base and handles to facilitate quick cleanup.
The Litter Genie cat litter box is made from flexible plastic materials with a glossy interior finish to help keep litter from sticking. The sides of the box feature integrated handles which add height to the sides of the box to reduce scatter. The flexible plastic also allows you to bring the handles together, creating a spout perfect for pouring.
Though this litter box excels in scatter control and convenience for cleaning purposes, it might not be the best fit for bigger cats.
What We Liked:
- Designed to control scatter
- Integrated handles for easy transport
- Handles come together to form a spout
- Glossy interior surface to prevent sticking
What We Didn’t Like:
- May be too small for large cats
#12 Best for Small Apartments: Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box
- Price: $66.91
- Dimensions: 36 x 19 x 19 inches
- Works With: Any cat litter
- Key Strengths: Deep litter bed, fits in a corner, large opening
- Ideal For: Small apartments or homes with limited space.
If you live in a small apartment, floor space is at a premium and you don’t want to waste it with a smelly, unsightly litter box. This hidden litter box from Good Pet Stuff is the perfect solution. Not only does it hide your cat’s litter box in plain sight, but it doubles as home décor.
The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box features a large-capacity litter box concealed inside a real clay planter. Available in brown and gray, the planter measures 42 inches high – 55 inches with the included plant – but only takes up about 20 square inches of floor space.
This litter box is durably constructed from polypropylene and comes equipped with a dust filter. All you have to do is find the perfect place to put it, fill it with litter, and you’re ready to go. No one will know the planter conceals a litter box, especially if you’re clever about how you position it.
What We Liked:
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- High back contains mess pretty well
- Low front improves accessibility
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t control scatter very well
What to Look For in a Cat Litter Box
The best cat litter boxes are comfortable for your cat to use and easy for you to clean. They also incorporate features that help keep mess and odor to a minimum. Here are some features that make a litter box worthy of consideration.
Spacious
Dr. Danielle (Elly) Page BVSc, BCom tells us that “the best type of litter box is the plain plastic variety with tall sides and the largest you can buy.”
The larger the litter box, the more room your cat has to do their business comfortably. Imagine how it feels to use a litter box with barely enough room to move around in, forcing you to step in your own waste. For a creature as hygiene-conscious as a cat, this is a foul situation.
General cat care wisdom says that cats should use litter boxes that are at least as wide as they are long, from the nose tip to the base of their tail. For example, if your cat is 15” long from their nose tip to the base of their tail, they will need a litter box that’s at least 15” wide and 22.5” long.
High Sides
A little tracking and scattering are inevitable, but low-sided litter boxes have more problems than most. Think about choosing a high-sided litter box made specifically with litter scattering in mind.
Remember that some cats, especially females, spray urine on the sides and over the edges of the litter box. If your litter box has low sides, it’s likely that the urine will go over the edge and onto the floor. High sides help to keep everything inside the box.
Accessible
A running start shouldn’t be a part of your cat’s litter box entry approach. Kittens and senior cats are particularly prone to problems accessing a litter box with high sides, so choose boxes with a lowered entrance for easy access.
Consider accessibility for cleaning the litter box as well. Litter boxes with covers may require an additional step prior to scooping while open litter pans make it easy to reach right in.
Types Of Litter Boxes
The modern cat isn’t limited to a nondescript plastic pan – litter box selection is vast and varied. From sifting models to high-tech automatic cleaning machines, you have plenty of options. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of litter boxes available.
Sifting
Although they don’t do all of the cleaning for you, sifting litter boxes eliminate the need to scoop out the box – they essentially scoop themselves. They are the less technologically-advanced cousin of the automatic litter box.
These litter boxes work best with clumping litter since they separate dirty clumps from clean granules. Look for a model that includes two solid pans so, after sifting, you can move the sifter to the spare solid pan and pour the clean litter into it.
Sifting litter boxes tend to be the best choice for people using pine pellet litter, which breaks down to sawdust after it comes into contact with moisture. The sifter separates the used dust from the fresh pellets, extending the life of the litter.
Uncovered
Over the course of about 70 years of commercial litter box evolution, the litter box has seen a few technological advances, but the standard plastic litter pan still reigns supreme. Uncovered litter boxes are usually cheap and easy to find in stores.
This is the classic litter box. It’s just a pan that holds your cat’s litter. It’s easy to clean, easy to access, and a popular choice among all types of cat guardians. Cats naturally want to keep an eye out for threats while they use the litter box, and uncovered boxes make area surveillance easy.
Covered
Covered litter boxes help to contain urine spray and curb litter scattering. Because the hood disguises the functional part of the litter box, they’re popular among people who want to minimize the appearance of a litter box in their home. The hood also captures odor, keeping it from spreading throughout your home.
While this litter box style helps minimize the proliferation of odor, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate it. It creates a situation sometimes compared to a public portable bathroom – an unclean stench chamber. For an animal with an acute sense of smell and a love of good hygiene, this could be intolerable.
All this being said, many cats happily use covered litter boxes throughout their lives. This study showed that cats demonstrated no preference for open or covered litter boxes.
And Dr. Alex Crow, a practicing vet at the Buttercross Veterinary Centre in Nottinghamshire, England, agrees that the difference between covered and uncovered litter boxes is not as big as you might initially think. He says that “most cats simply want a clean place to use the bathroom, and the hood is only really convenient if you don’t want other animals or children to get into it.”
Automatic or Self-Cleaning
Veterinarian Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM comments that while some cats “prefer the privacy of a covered litter box, others will get scared by one.” Similarly, the noise and activity produced by an automatic litter box may be frightening to some, though Dr. Bonk suggests it may be the best choice for fastidious cats.
Automatic litter boxes are pricey but they’re a good investment for someone with a busy schedule or a procrastination streak. Equipped with sensors and a sifting or raking mechanism, these litter boxes detect your cat’s presence and automatically separate clean from dirty litter after they use the litter box.
Top Entry
Visually, top entry boxes are one of the most stylish designs available. Instead of walking into the litter box from an entrance at the front or sides of the box, your cat drops down into the litter through an entrance hole on the top.
This type of litter box does a great job containing urine spray and litter scatter but can be harder for cats to access. It may not be the right choice for cats with mobility issues. It’s also speculated that this type of litter box may place undue stress on cats’ joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
While it’s usually a good idea to place your litter box in the bathroom, laundry room, or other discreet area, multifunctional boxes can go almost anywhere. Regardless of how limited your space is, try to place the litter box in a low-traffic area where your cat will have a stress-free elimination experience.
