With cat ownership, there’s one item you can’t ignore, namely the litter box. Just like your bathroom, it’s important to have the best cat litter box because it’s your kitty’s private place to go!
After researching dozens of cat litter box brands, our winner for the best cat litter box is the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box. It’s a top entry litter box with rounded corners that make it super easy to clean. Small holes in the lid remove litter from your cat’s paws, so tracking litter around the house is kept to a minimum. The Iris Litter Box comes equipped with a litter scoop.
Whether you’re a new cat parent or looking for an alternative litter box for your senior kitty, the large selection can be overwhelming. Fortunately for you, we’ve sorted the good from the bad to present the five best litter boxes available today.
Our top 5 picks for the best cat litter box
- IRIS Top Entry Litter Box
- Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
- Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded System
- Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
- Van Ness Cat Pan
The best cat litter box
To find the best cat litter boxes, we researched dozens of brands. We also have the best litter box for senior cats as many of our older cats preferred a brand with lower sides; they could easily walk into without a lot of effort.
1. IRIS Top Entry Litter Box
The Iris Top Entry Litter Box is a viable option if you’re tired of litter scatter or a spraying kitty. Your cat enters from the top lid with this litter box and is then fully enclosed to finish his business.
The sides are quite tall, measuring 14.25 inches from the inside. This allows the box to catch most runaway litter and any potential spraying from a territorial feline. Another benefit of the deep container is that it can hold more litter, which may minimize odors.
A great feature is the lid. It comes with small holes that work to remove excess litter from your kitty’s paws and return it to the box. This helps to reduce tracking so you won’t have to sweep the floor as often.
Your cat also has a large opening to enter and exit the box. It measures approximately 9.25 inches in diameter, which is excellent for larger kitties.
The litter box is a breeze to keep clean, too. Iris designed it with a rounded shape that makes it easier to scoop out the litter without having grains stuck in the corners. The lid opens up completely, giving you full access to its content.
Included are also a scoop holder and a scoop.
Pros
- A top entry litter box that provides privacy
- Tall sides, which minimizes litter scatters and spraying accidents
- Small holes in the lid to remove litter and particles from paws
- Large opening
- Rounded shape, which is easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for large cats—there isn’t much room inside to move about
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2. Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
If you’re struggling with litter scatter, but your cat doesn’t like hooded boxes, then we recommend this option from Nature’s Miracle. This is an open litter box with high sides, capable of containing most messes.
The litter box’s sides measure 11 inches, where the entry point is a low 5 inches high. It’s also a large cat litter box, measuring 23 by 18 inches, and suitable for multiple or bigger cats.
The box is effortless to clean, and the open design gives you full access and allows you to see when scooping is needed. The material used is non-stick, which reduces litter caking and buildup, further speeding up the cleaning process.
The antimicrobial coating prevents bacteria from forming and settling in. This provides an overall cleaner environment for you and your cat.
Pros
- Tall sides that contain messes
- Roomy box, suitable for big or several cats
- Box material is non-stick, making cleanup easier
- Antimicrobial coating, keeping bacteria at bay
Cons
- The entry point is relatively low, which can result in litter scatter and accidents
- The entry is quite narrow and might not be suitable for chunkier cats
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3. Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded System
The Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded System is a comprehensive cat litter box featuring an innovative all-in-one system. It’s designed to minimize odors by separating liquids from solids using its advanced two-way method.
This system consists of Purina’s advanced non-clumping pellets that work to catch any solid deposits. However, it allows all the liquids to run through down to an enclosed chamber at the bottom. Purina’s pellet litter is also low-tracking, easy to scoop, and helps to control unpleasant odors.
A disposable pad soaks up the liquids. It then locks in the moisture, which minimizes bad smells using an ammonia blocker.
The pad should work for up to seven days, and after this, simply toss it in the trash and replace it with a fresh one. It sits in a neat drawer at the bottom, separated from the pellets using a grated tray. It’s easy to change by pulling out the drawer and inserting a new pad.
The hooded litter box is also spacious, offering ample room for your kitty to dig and squat. It features a hinged design, enabling you to open the hood fully for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Pros
- A comprehensive litter box system with everything included
- Controls odors
- Includes low-tracking litter
- Hinged hood design, making it easy to access and clean
- Spacious box
Cons
- Not big enough for large cats
- The pellets can be loud when the cat kicks and scrapes
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4. Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
The Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan is a three-pan system, designed to make cleanups easier.
The system consists of two solid pans and one with holes to separate the clean from the dirty litter. It provides an efficient way of cleaning the litter box without having to scoop any clumps.
All you do is place the clean litter in one of the pans. When your kitty has provided some results, place the sifting container on top of the clean one and pour the dirty litter over it. Lift the sifting pan and ruffle it a bit to allow the fresh litter to fall into the new box.
The sifting pan comes with Microban antimicrobial protection to prevent odor-causing bacteria and stains. It’s also durable and capable of lifting heavy litter. The pans are sturdy and should last a while.
Pros
- No-scooping-required sifting system
- Antimicrobial protection
- Durable materials
Cons
- The litter box is rather small
- Moist clumps may stick to the sifting pan
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5. Van Ness Cat Pan: Best for odor control and senior cats
If you’re struggling with odors, we suggest looking at the Van Ness Cat Pan. This hooded litter box is suited with an “odor door” that works to trap any unpleasant smells. The door features a replaceable Zeolite air filter.
In addition to smells, the Van Ness Cat Pan helps to contain messes. The hooded design makes it almost impossible for litter to escape, which means less cleaning.
This is an extra-large litter box that makes it suitable for big cats. You can also choose to remove the hood as it comes with four latches that you can unlock when cleaning. However, this will make the sides shorter and prone to litter scatter.
The pan material features a high-polished finish that’s odor and stain-resistant. It’s super easy to wipe clean, and litter won’t stick. It’s made in the U.S.
Pros
- Door and Zeolite air filter trap odors
- Extra-large litter box
- High-polished finish that’s easy to clean
- Removable hood, making scooping easier
Cons
- The door isn’t easy to open
- The top and bottom don’t create a water-tight seal when assembled
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Types of litter boxes
There are various types of litter boxes to choose from. They come in almost all shapes and sizes, concepts, and technologies. Pet owners should consider their cat’s size, their litter habits, including the type of litter and aesthetics depending on where it will live in the house.
Below is a quick overview of some common litter box types:
Open top litter box
Open top litter boxes are the traditional type that most of us know and use. It’s a basic container that holds the cat litter and allows your kitty to enter.
There are several designs to choose from. Some have high sides to accommodate a larger cat or one that tends to make a mess. These aren’t ideal for older cats or kittens, as it can be difficult for them to enter.
You can also find open pan-style litter boxes with low sides. These are easier for older cats or special needs cats, like blind cats, to access.
Covered cat litter box
Covered or hooded cat litter boxes are, as the name suggests, designed with an enclosed top, providing a private toilet. This type has many benefits. For instance, it keeps other members of the family (dogs and kids) out of the litter.
Covered litter boxes also contain messes and odors a lot better than other designs. Your kitty can kick and dig as they like, and the litter won’t fall out.
Not all cats are particularly fond of them, as some don’t enjoy being closed in. Timid kitties might feel intimidated, and you should watch your cat closely to determine if this design makes them claustrophobic.
Top entry litter box
Top entry litter boxes aren’t the same as the covered designs. They consist of a deep container and a lid on top with an opening for your cat to enter.
These litter boxes are great in many ways. They contain the mess, and some even minimize tracking by including a “mat” on the lid. They are also supposed to keep the house from smelling like cat poop.
However, they aren’t for all cats. Senior kitties and kittens might find it challenging to get in and out.
Self-cleaning litter box
An automatic “self-cleaning” litter box can make life with a cat a little easier. These litter boxes generally consist of a mechanism that removes waste following your kitty’s visit.
Although it’s a useful system, not all cats approve. Some get scared of the mechanical noises, deterring them from using the litter box altogether.
Choosing the best litter box
Whether you’re buying your first litter box or replacing an old one, there are a few things to consider:
Litter box size
Cats can be picky about their toilet, and choosing a litter box that’s either too big or small could lead to litter box aversion. It’s essential that it can accommodate your kitty’s size, giving them room to move around, kick, scrape, and squat.
You should also consider the sides. For healthy young and adult cats, this may not be a significant issue. But with kittens, seniors, or overweight kitties, you need low walls or an entry point that’s easy for them to access.
Multiple cat households
The litter box should accommodate the extra litter and waste if you have more than one cat. In addition to this, you may also want to consider adding one more.
It’s recommended to have at least one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, aim for three litter boxes. This may sound excessive, but it provides them with options, minimizing accidents.
What about senior cats?
A large, uncovered rectangle litter box is usually best and makes sure the sides of the box aren’t too high for older cats that might have arthritis.
Possible health issues
If your cat continues to urinate outside the litter box, there could be a medical reason. Schedule an appointment for your cat to see the vet to rule out anything serious.
Easy-to-clean
Another common cause of litter box aversion is dirty litter boxes and litter. Cats are clean animals, so keeping their toilet tidy is essential.
Sadly, some litter boxes will make this difficult. Hard-to-reach corners, sticky materials, and difficult covers inhibit you from performing a thorough clean.
We suggest looking for rounded shapes, polished finishes, and removable lids and covers. This allows you to gain easy access to clean the box properly. Some litter boxes even include antimicrobial finishes that keep odor-inducing bacteria at bay.
Here are some tips to ensure that the litter box stays clean. Your cat will thank you for keeping this sparkling clean.
- Scoop feces out of the litter box daily.
- Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week, depending on your circumstances.
- If you clean the litter box daily, you might only need to change clumping litter every two to three weeks. If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it’s time for a change.
- Scrub the box every time you change the litter. Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia can turn a cat off, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats.
- Consider using a cat litter disposal system to help remind you to keep your cat’s litter box clean.
Scoop holder
A scoop holder isn’t a necessity, but it’s an excellent feature to have. It provides you with the option of attaching your scoop to the litter box, keeping all your tools in one place. This helps you stay organized and makes it easy to remove the clumps quickly.
Where should you put your litter box?
Cats develop preferences for where they like to potty and may avoid locations they don’t like. This means they might avoid their litter box if it’s in a place they dislike. Avoid noisy spots or anywhere near the dog door.
What’s the best litter box for cats that spray?
If you have a high-spraying cat, you need a different litter box to accommodate your cat. Look for storage bins with high sides. You need to make sure the box is higher for your standing pee-er so that the pee goes in the box.
The top takeaway
Finding the best cat litter box for your kitty is essential to your cat’s health and wellness. Even an outdoor cat can benefit from having one when they occasionally seek refuge indoors.
You have a variety of types to choose from, depending on your cat. Always make sure that the size can accommodate your cat, and it’s easy to clean.
Our winner for today is the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box. It’s a top entry litter box with a round shape making it easy to clean. There are holes to remove litter from your kitty’s paws, and the entry is wide.
FAQs
How many litter boxes do I need for two cats?
It’s recommended to have at least one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, aim for three litter boxes. This may sound excessive, but it provides them with options, minimizing accidents.
What is the best litter box for cats who spray?
Look for storage bins with high sides. You need to make sure the box is higher for your standing pee-er so that the pee goes in the box.
Where should I keep the litter box?
Cats develop preferences for where they like to potty and may avoid locations they don’t like. This means they might avoid their litter box if it’s in a place they dislike. Avoid noisy spots or anywhere near the dog door.
What is the best litter box for cats?
The best cat litter box is the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box. It’s a top entry litter box with a round shape making it easy to clean.
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