Published Oct 6, 2022
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Finding the right litter box can be a challenge, especially if you have a larger cat. While the average housecat weighs around 10 pounds, some breeds can reach 15 to 20 pounds (or more). The Savannah cat, for example, generally weighs 12 to 25 pounds.
A litter box should be at least as long as your cat’s body from his nose to the tip of his tail and at least as wide as the length of his body, minus the tail. As is true with many things, however, a bigger litter box is usually better.
The more space your cat has to dig around, the less likely you are to end up with litter flung outside the box. Plus, if your cat is comfortable in the litter box, he’s more likely to keep using it. Our top pick for the best litter box for large cats is the Petmate Giant Litter Pan for its generous size, affordable price, and thoughtful design.
At a Glance: 7 Best Cat Litter Boxes for Large Cats
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Petmate Giant Litter Pan
- Generously sized for larger cats
- High back wall helps contain urine spray
- Moderately priced around $20
Frisco High-Sided Litter Box XL
- High 10-inch walls to contain litter and urine
- Durably constructed from BPA-free plastic
- Sturdy and easy to carry and clean
PetFusion BetterBox
- Generously sized with high 8-inch sides
- Non-stick coating with anti-microbial protection
- Durably constructed from rigid APS plastic
iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
- Durable stainless-steel construction
- Non-stick coating makes clean-up a breeze
- High sides help contain litter scatter and urine spray
Kitty Poo Club XL Litter Box
- Folds flat for shipping and recycling
- Plasticized interior helps prevent leaks
- Suitable for larger cats and 2 bags of litter
Kitty Go Here Senior Cat Litter Box
- Low 3-inch entry improves access for older cats
- Large dimensions make it a good choice for older cats
- Rigid plastic construction adds durability
Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan
- Clear entry flap can be removed or flipped out of the way
- Top overlaps with bottom to prevent urine leaks
- Enclosed design helps control scatter, spray, and odor
Why Should You Trust Us?
In order to create this guide, we spent hours researching and testing litter boxes. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Over the last three years, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what it takes to make a great litter box.
We’ve researched the types of litter boxes available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen top boxes. We spent over 40 hours testing these litter boxes’ sturdiness, cat-friendliness, and appropriateness for larger cats.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the 7 cat litter boxes described below as the best you can buy for large cats.
How We Picked
After research and an initial elimination phase, our test cats, Bagel, Biscuit, and Munchkin tested out all of the litter boxes. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Over the past month, I’ve been testing more than a dozen different litter boxes with my three cats Bagel, Biscuit, and Munchkin. For this particular article I focused primarily on open litter boxes that measured at least 22 inches long.
I looked for litter boxes that offered plenty of space for large cats, most with high sides to help contain litter scatter and urine spray. I also prioritized boxes made from sturdy materials that had features making them easy to scoop and clean.
The Best Litter Boxes for Large Cats: Our Top 7 Picks
#1 Overall Best: Petmate Giant Litter Pan
- Dimensions: 25.56 x 18.3 x 10 inches
- Features: High back, comfort grip rim, easy to clean
The Petmate Giant Litter Pan is a traditional open-top litter box. It’s made from lightweight materials but the folded lip running around the top gives the box some structure for added durability. What makes this litter box our top pick for bigger cats is, of course, its size.
This litter pan measures 25.56 inches long by 18.3 inches wide, making it the largest litter pan on this list. The litter box stands about 10 inches high in the back, sloping down to a height of 6 inches in the front. The high back helps contain urine spray, especially in female cats who tend to enter the litter box and turn around before they urinate.
Because the sides and front are lower, however, litter scatter could still be an issue with cats who like to dig. Some users also comment on the ridges inside the box, reporting that sometimes wet litter sticks to the ridge which makes cleanup tricky.
When I cleaned the Petmate Giant Litter Pan, I appreciated the folded lip which made it easy to lift and carry the litter box. I noticed that the bottom sagged a little when the box was full of heavy litter, but I didn’t have too much trouble cleaning the box.
What We Liked:
- Generously sized for larger cats
- High back wall helps contain urine spray
- Moderately priced around $20
- Folded lip makes the box easy to lift and carry
What We Didn’t Like:
- Lower sides and front allow for some scatter
- Ridges on the interior may collect wet litter
#2 Budget Pick: Frisco High-Sided Litter Box XL
- Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 10 inches
- Features: High sides, durable construction, recyclable
Similar to my top pick, this jumbo litter box has high sides that go all the way around the box with a dropped entry in the front. The Frisco High-Sided Litter Box XL measures 24 inches long by 18 inches wide and the sides are 10 inches high.
Though a little smaller than the Petmate litter box, this Frisco model feels a little sturdier and the high sides do a better job of containing litter scatter. My cat Munchie still sprayed a little urine over the edge of the litter box, but that tends to happen with most open-top litter boxes. Litter scatter was less of an issue, especially because I placed a litter mat in front of the entry.
The shape of this litter box is less rounded than the previous pick which, in my opinion, makes it more durable. The straight sides help keep the bottom sagging under the weight of heavy litter and it’s a little easier to scoop this box as well. The BPA-free plastic materials are recyclable as well.
I didn’t have any major complaints about this litter box and neither, it seems, do other cat owners. The Frisco high-sided litter box has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Chewy and nearly 90% of customers give it a 5-star rating.
What We Liked:
- High 10-inch walls to contain litter and urine
- Durably constructed from BPA-free plastic
- Sturdy and easy to carry and clean
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dropped entry may allow for some litter scatter
#3 Premium Pick: Petfusion BetterBox
- Dimensions: 22.6 x 18.1 x 8 inches
- Features: High sides, non-stick coating, anti-microbial protection
I’ve used this litter box for years, both for my cats and my rabbit. It’s generously sized, measuring nearly 23 inches long and 18 inches wide. Plus, at 8 inches deep, it does a great job containing litter scatter and urine spray.
The PetFusion BetterBox provides ample space for big cats. The high walls help keep litter where it belongs, even if your cat likes to dig around. The front of the box is lowered to allow for easy entry, standing about 5 inches off the ground, so if litter scatter occurs, it likely comes from this side.
What makes this litter box unique – other than its size – is the materials from which it is made. This litter box is durably constructed from rigid, non-porous ABS plastic, so it can really take a beating. The inside has a non-stick coating, so litter slides right out, and the coating offers anti-microbial protection to help prevent odor-causing bacteria from accumulating in the box.
The downsides of this litter box are the price and the low entry point. You’ll pay over $40 for this litter box but the price is justified by quality materials, durable construction, and easy cleaning. The low entry makes the litter box more accessible for older cats, but numerous customers report that it does allow litter to be kicked out of the box. You may be able to solve this issue by placing a litter mat in front of it.
What We Liked:
- Generously sized with high 8-inch sides
- Non-stick coating with anti-microbial protection
- Durably constructed from rigid APS plastic
- Interior corners are rounded so litter doesn’t stick
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, over $40
- Low entry may allow for litter scatter
#4 Most Durable: iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
- Dimensions: 23.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches
- Features: Stainless steel materials, stain- and odor-resistant
The typical cat litter box is made of plastic – sometimes cheap, flimsy plastic that doesn’t hold up under the weight of clay litter. The iPrimio litter pan is unique in that it is made from plated stainless steel. It definitely looks different than other litter boxes on this list, but it offers a few benefits the others don’t.
With its stainless-steel construction, this litter box is incredibly durable. It won’t sag and, unlike plastic, the metal doesn’t scratch easily so you don’t have to worry about it accumulating bacteria. As a bonus, the inside of the litter pan has a non-stick coating which helps prevent residue buildup and makes it easier to empty the box for cleaning – litter slides right out.
While the non-stick coating does its job well, vigorous cleaning can compromise the coating. According to iPrimio, however, minor scratches won’t impair the function of the litter box.
Another potential issue with this litter box is the height of the sides. Unlike some litter boxes on this list which have a dropped entry, this iPrimio litter box has 6-inch sides all the way around. This helps contain litter scatter and, to a lesser extent, urine spray, but it may be challenging for kittens and older cats to get into and out of the box.
What We Liked:
- Durable stainless-steel construction
- Non-stick coating makes clean-up a breeze
- High sides help contain litter scatter and urine spray
- Resists odor and residue buildup
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, over $50
- High sides may be a challenge for kittens and older cats
#5 Best Disposable: Kitty Poo Club XL Litter Box
- Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 10 inches
- Features: Disposable, high sides, home delivery
Scooping the litter box is a reality every cat owner has to face, but you can avoid deep cleaning the litter box by switching to a disposable or recyclable option like Kitty Poo Club. Kitty Poo Club’s XL Box measures a generous 22-by-18 inches with 10-inch walls, and it ships right to your door with or without litter.
Kitty Poo Club offers litter boxes in two sizes, with or without a dome that adds 5 inches to the height of each. The XL litter box is three inches longer and wider than the Standard, designed for larger cats. It holds two bags of Kitty Poo Club litter, and the entrance height is adjustable to either 8.75 inches or 5.25 inches. This makes it a good option for older cats who struggle to climb over high walls.
The Kitty Poo Club litter box is made from recyclable cardboard but coated in plastic to reduce the risk for leakage. I’ve used Kitty Poo Club several times over the past few years and have always been impressed. The box itself isn’t as durable as plastic options, but it doesn’t need to be if you’re only using it for a few weeks. I appreciate that Kitty Poo Club includes two side rails to give the walls added support once you’ve unfolded the box.
While disposable litter boxes have their limitations, Kitty Poo Club seems to have found solutions for the most common problems like leakage and instability. Using the shipping lid as a base for the litter box adds support and the plastic-coated interior holds up to 3 inches of liquid without leaking. The primary downside of Kitty Poo Club is that buying disposable litter boxes will inevitably be more expensive than purchasing a reusable box, but it may just be worth the cost.
What We Liked:
- Ships to your door with or without litter
- Folds flat for shipping and recycling
- Plasticized interior helps prevent leaks
- Suitable for larger cats and 2 bags of litter
What We Didn’t Like:
- More expensive than reusable boxes
#6 Best For Senior Cats: Kitty Go Here Senior Cat Litter Box
- Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 5 inches
- Features: Low-entry front, durable construction
As your cat gets older, he may struggle with mobility and that makes high litter box walls something of an obstacle. If your cat can’t comfortably access the litter box, he may choose to go elsewhere. The Kitty Go Here Senior Cat Litter Box is one of our top picks for older cats, but its size makes it an appropriate choice for larger cats as well.
This litter box measures 24 inches wide by 20 inches long and the walls stand 5 inches high. The entry point sits just 3 inches off the ground, making it easy for your cat to step into and out of. Unsurprisingly, the low entry point and the 5-inch walls allow for some litter to escape from the box and, if your cat tends to spray urine, the short walls may not contain it very well. That being said, a little litter box mess may be better than your cat not using the litter box at all.
Despite its limitations in containing litter and urine spray, the Kitty Go Here litter box is well constructed. It is made from rigid plastic materials and holds its shape, even when filled with litter.
My cats qualify as seniors since they are all 10 to 12 years old, but none have developed any mobility issues yet. Unsurprisingly, they had no problem accessing the litter box. They also had no trouble scattering litter all around it. Other cat owners seem to really like this litter box with over 75% of users giving it a 5-star rating.
What We Liked:
- Low 3-inch entry improves access for older cats
- Large dimensions make it a good choice for older cats
- Rigid plastic construction adds durability
What We Didn’t Like:
- Litter may scatter out the low front
- Low walls may not contain urine spray
#7 Best For Odor Control: Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan
- Dimensions: 22.44 x 19.69 x 18.31 inches
- Features: Clear entry flap, disposable carbon filter
While open-top litter boxes are generally more cat-friendly, some cats don’t seem to mind enclosed litter boxes. An enclosed litter box helps contain litter scatter, urine spray, and odor better than many open boxes, and it keeps dirty litter out of sight.
The main problem with covered litter boxes from a cat’s perspective is that it limits their ability to see what’s going on around them. The Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan makes an effort to resolve this issue with a clear entry flap. Your cat receives the privacy of a covered litter box without his visibility being completely cut off. This particular model is one of the larger covered boxes on the market as well, making it a decent choice for big cats.
In addition to the clear entry flap, this Catit litter box has a few other tricks hidden away. The entry flap flips up, creating a large opening that makes scooping easy. Inside the box there’s a built-in bag anchor as well as an integrated carbon filter to promote ventilation. Even the top of the box is designed to overlap with the bottom in a way that prevents urine leaks.
The primary downside to this litter box is its covered nature. Though generously sized in comparison to many enclosed litter boxes, this Catit model still might not be comfortable for some cats.
What We Liked:
- Clear entry flap can be removed or flipped out of the way
- Top overlaps with bottom to prevent urine leaks
- Enclosed design helps control scatter, spray, and odor
- Integrated carbon filter helps neutralize odors
What We Didn’t Like:
- All covered litter boxes limit visibility
- May still be too small for some cats
What To Look For in a Litter Box for Large Cats
Many popular litter boxes are available in multiple sizes, but just because a size is labeled Large or Jumbo doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good fit for a larger cat. You’ll need to look at the dimensions to compare different litter boxes and take your specific cat’s size into account to make a smart decision.
When making my selections for this list, I considered the following factors:
- Dimensions at least 22 inches wide and 18 inches deep
- Sturdy construction to handle the weight of extra litter
- High sides to contain litter scatter and urine spray
- Open-top design for improved visibility and comfort
Let’s take a closer look at each of these four qualities so you can better understand how we came to our top 7 picks reviewed above.
1. The Dimensions Should Be At Least 22 Inches Wide And 18 Inches Long.
It only makes sense that large cats need a larger litter box, but how big is big enough? It all depends on the size of your cat but, for the purpose of this list, I aimed for dimensions at least 22-by-18 inches. Even a litter box this size might not be big enough for a Maine Coon – a breed that can achieve lengths up to 40 inches – but it’s hard to find commercial options much bigger.
2. It Should Be Sturdily Constructed To Handle The Weight Of Extra Litter.
You shouldn’t need to move the litter box around much except to empty and clean it but that’s when sturdy materials really become important. A bigger litter box means more litter, and you’ll want something that’s constructed well enough to hold up to all that weight.
Look for a litter box made from rigid plastic that won’t bend or bow. Square and rectangular litter boxes tend to be sturdier than ovular litter boxes, simply because the corners help keep the box’s shape. The thickness of the material plays a role in stability and durability as well. If you can bend the litter box when it’s empty, you may not be able to count on it to hold its shape when it’s full.
3. It Should Have High Sides To Contain Litter Scatter And Urine Spray.
The larger the cat, the bigger the potential for mess. Litter scatter can be an issue no matter your cat’s size, however, which is why I always prefer litter boxes that have high sides to keep the mess inside the box as much as possible. One of my cats also tends to spray urine while standing straight up, so high walls help funnel it down into the litter where it clumps easily for scooping.
4. It Should Have An Open-top Design For Improved Visibility And Comfort.
All but one of the litter boxes I included in this list are open litter pans. Generally speaking, open-top litter boxes are more cat friendly than enclosed boxes, but it depends, to some degree, on the individual cat’s preferences.
Cats like to have a constant view of their perceived territory, so being enclosed in a covered litter box makes some cats feel vulnerable. An open litter box enables your cat to see out from all angles. Covered boxes can also concentrate odors, making for unpleasant conditions for your cat if you don’t scoop the litter box often enough.
Still not sold on any of the litter boxes from the list above? Check out some of our other favorite litter boxes on the market in our in-depth guide here:
Also Read: The 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes in 2022 – We Tried Them All
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a litter box be?
A litter box needs to be large enough that your cat can walk in, turn around, and do his business comfortably – there should also be enough space for him to dig around and bury his waste. Look for a litter box that is at least as long as your cat from the tip of his nose to the tip of his extended tail. The litter box should be as wide as your cat’s body, excluding his tail.
Are covered litter boxes good for large cats?
Covered litter boxes generally work for kittens and smaller cats, but they aren’t always appropriate for large cats. The enclosed design means that your cat can’t poke his head out over the top if he needs a little more room.
Covered litter boxes can make cats feel claustrophobic and the enclosed design limits your cat’s visibility as well. If you’re considering a covered litter box for a large cat, make sure it’s big enough for him to use the box comfortable and look for something that gives him at least a little visibility of his surroundings when he’s in the box.
Does the shape of the litter box matter?
Some cats are perfectly happy to use a smaller litter box if the shape suits their style. Cats who like to dig around to find the perfect spot may appreciate a litter box that is wider than it is long. If your cat likes to look out the front of the box while doing his business, you might be able to get away with a narrower litter box as long as it’s long enough.
I have been looking to replace the old litter box that I accidentallly broke (lost my balance as I was scooping and fell on the litter box). Have been doing searches for “jumbo” or “giant” litter boxes but the ones that come up on the search are neither jumbo or giant. The old one was 30″ x 18″. My cat could move around in it. the one I bought is 25″ x 15″ and has a big curve on one side which makes the inside smaller. My cat is large. The original box was bought on Amazon but is no longer there.
Does anyone understand what jumbo or giant mean?
I understand your struggle. In addition to the options listed here, I know a lot of people like using a mixing tub like this instead.
Thank you for replying. This box looks interesting. I did some measurements. See, I am disabled and not able to do a lot of things, such as lifting heavy things. What I did with the old litter box was work the large trash bag over the end of it, then tip the box the best I could to empty the litter into the bag.
I measured the opening of the trash bag and it was 30″. So maybe this might work.
The one thing I am worried about is the height of 8″. The old one and this one I got is 10:”. Koyani does not squat to pee, never has. So the pee may go over the edge. Maybe I could put pee pads outside the box? The only way I will know is if I try it. If this box does not work I can always give the box to someone who could use irt right?
Maybe you could put the lowered height litter box inside the opening of a higher sided cardboard box? I have a large Blue Russian male cat who is 12 years old and weighs around 23 lbs. I’ve had him since 8 weeks old and he’s never covered his business up, but scratches the sides and walls of the litter box. Most recently noticed he’s urinating over the edge. He also shares the box with two other kitties. I have two litter boxes side by side in a small closet we no longer use.
I, too am searching for a jumbo high sided low entry litter box.