Cats are furry, floofy, warm, vibrating sweethearts that we, as humans, just love to have in our homes with us, judging us and maybe occasionally, gifting us with some affection. They’re pretty perfect and indeed the Egyptians hailed them so perfect they gave them god-like status. The fact remains however that, even the most perfect pets still need to poop, including cats and as an owner, you need to provide your cat somewhere to do their business so it doesn’t end up all over your place.
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So, how do you find the very best cat litter box? Does it need to be covered? How much space does a cat need to go to the toilet comfortably?
If you have questions like these, don’t worry, we have all the answers and more below so that you can find your feline friend the very best cat litter box:
How To Choose The Best Cat Litter Box
If you’re looking for the best litter box for your kitty, consider the following to help make the right choice:
At Least One Litter Box Per Kitty
Before you choose a budget per box, it is important to think about how many you need because there is no single best cat litter box for multiple cats.
In any household it is important you have at least one litter box per cat, and then an extra one too. This means no cat has to struggle to find somewhere to go to the toilet because all trays are occupied. It also avoids any territorial issues preventing cats from feeling comfortable using a tray.
Sides Matter
You’re looking for a tray that has at least three sides that are high enough to stop any contents coming over the edge. All four sides being high are great but, one lower entry point can be helpful for cats to get in with ease, especially older cats.
Give Him Plenty Of Room
Cats come in all shapes and sizes and we love them regardless. However, a tray that is too small for your cat will cause some problems that will challenge your fuzzy feelings towards them. They may be less likely to use the box, eliminate outside the box, or be more likely to spread litter around the box when they clear up after using it.
Give your cat plenty of room with a litter tray that enables them to stand inside with all four legs fully, and then some.
Covered Or Uncovered?
It depends on you, and the cat. For the covered type, you’re looking for one with an entrance big enough for your cat to get in and out comfortably. Covered boxes can also be an issue for an arthritic cat or a cat with breathing issues so, that should be a consideration too.
Remember, Fancy Boxes Can Require Training
Most litter box trained cats will be happy using a standard box design. However, amazing designs with lids and other features can be inviting for us owners, who fancy more litter and odor control from the box our cats use to toilet in.
If you do want one of those fancy boxes, it is important to remember that your cat may require some training to use one. It may take a little more effort for you both to become accustomed to how they work. There are some handy tips on getting the setup and training right here.
Self Cleaning Should Be Used With Caution
Self-cleaning litter boxes can be great, but, they can spook cats to the point they won’t go back to the box. They can also stop you noticing any poop or pee issues your pet has, and the litter they use tends to cost more. They can work for some owners but do select and use with caution.
Best Litter Boxes
To help you get an idea of what is available to buy when it comes to litter boxes for cats, here’s a selection of the best products currently available:
IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
The Best Litter Box for High Peeing Cat
There’s no getting around the fact that the IRIS top entry litter box is very cool looking. The aesthetics are modern, fitting in with any well-designed home. But would your kitty love to use it? For cats that love private toilet time, this is probably the perfect box. It is totally private apart from the entry-hole which is large enough for most cats to easily get in and out of.
Owners will love that high peeing cats will have their toilet habits totally contained inside the unit. It is also made of hard, stain and odor-proof plastic making it very easy to clean.
Even better, the grooved lid encourages stubborn litter particles to come away from the cat’s paws on exit, contributing to even better litter containment.
Why We Like It:
- Excellent at containing litter, pee and poop
- Aesthetically pleasing and modern design
- Ridged top to help remove litter from cat’s paws
- Ideal for very private cats
What We Don’t Like:
- Litter may still be carried out on cat’s paws after use
- May not be tall enough for some larger cats
Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
The Best Litter Box for Messy Cats
If your cat won’t use a covered cat litter box but they make a lot of mess when they go to the toilet, this high sided box could be a great choice. It has a low entry point to help cats easily get in, but the surrounding three sides are nice and high to keep in litter, pee and poop.
Customers will love that the surfaces are non-stick and easy to clean plastic, so you can keep the tray hygienic with minimal effort.
Why We Like It:
- High sides to contain everything inside easily
- Easy to keep clean
- Low entry point
- Plenty of room for large cats
What We Don’t Like:
- The very bottom of the product is not non-stick
- Litter can still be dug out through the low entry point
Litter Genie Cat Litter Box
A Great Choice for Apartment or Smaller Home Cats
The Litter Genie cat litter box is an innovatively designed tray with a USP you may not have seen in other products. It uses flexible plastic, which means that it’s not rigid in the space it goes into. This can be handy if you live in a small apartment or house.
Owners will also appreciate the integrated handles and easy to clean material, which make it easy to move and keep hygienic.
Cats that are messy can benefit from nice high walls which keep their litter contents inside, all whilst giving them a little bit of privacy too.
Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
The Best Sifting Cat Litter Box for Efficient Cleaning
If you’re looking for an easier way to keep your cats litter tray clean, a sifting litter pan type like the Pet Mate Arm & Hammer is a really good choice. You simply take up the sifter pan and take up the soiled contents, leaving clean litter underneath. For even better litter management the product has high sides and a reinforced bottom which has stain- and odor-reducing antimicrobial protection.
Why We Like It:
- High sides to contain waste and give cats privacy
- Easy to clean
- Easy to separate and remove litter clumps
- Antimicrobial reinforced base
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be suitable for very messy cats
- May not be large enough for bigger cats
Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
The Very Best Covered Cat Litter Box
If you have a larger kitty who likes private pooping, this jumbo hooded pan could be a product to consider. It is very large inside providing lots of room for the cat to go to the toilet privately. It is also effective at containing debris if they tend to be messy with digging and spraying when they toilet.
Owners will love the various hygiene and odor-control features. The hood lifts off easily to enable you to get to all the inside parts when you clean. Even better, it features a bag anchor for contactless litter removal. There is even a carbon-impregnated filter to remove and contain litter box odor.
Why We Like It:
- Works to remove and contain odors
- Contains litter and debris
- Gives kitty privacy
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like:
- Swinging entry door may not always guarantee cats can enter and exit easily
- May not contain urine well if cat does not turn when entering
Modkat Flip Litter Box with Scoop
Flexible Lid Options for Multiple Use Options
The cute Modkat flip litter box looks like a cool cat house and is an aesthetically pleasing kitty accessory for any home. It has high sides to contain litter mess and to give your cat privacy. The entry hole is also nice and big to give your cat plenty of room to get in and out, and to peak out during use. You can also choose to have the lid totally closed, half open or totally open depending on what your cat prefers. This can be handy for picky cats.
Owners will appreciate that the hook and liner system keeps the special high reusable tarp liner in place. The material the entire box is made from is also very easy to wipe clean, helping to maintain hygiene.
Why We Like It:
- Three option folding lid
- Secure hook and liner system
- Easy to clean
- Aesthetically pleasing
What We Don’t Like:
- The liner can make the internal section feel much smaller
- Not ideal for cats who are high pee-ers
Omega Paw EL-RA20-1
Great Self-cleaning Kitty Litter Tray
If you are looking for an extremely well-designed self-cleaning cat litter tray, the Omega Paw really is just that. It has various innovative features that make it very easy to maintain hygiene around your cats toileting habits. The main way it cleans is with an easy rolling motion. You roll it over and the litter is rolled onto a grate, where the clean litter is collected, and the dirty litter is separated into a separate scoop tray which you remove and clean.
It also features a litter step to catch litter as the cat gets out, and easily detachable sections made of easy to clean materials.
Why We Like It:
- Easy to use self cleaning function
- Attractive design
- Easy-clean materials
- Cats like the privacy inside
What We Don’t Like:
- Litter may spill out when the product is rolled
- Inside screen can slip out of place
ecoFlex Litter Loo
Great for Conscious Consumers Wanting an Eco-friendly Litter Box Option
If you’re a conscious consumer who wants to do the best by the planet, you’ll probably love this ecoFlex litter loo for kitties. It is made from a non-toxic combination of recycled plastic and reclaimed wood, so even your kitty can do their bit for the world.
Owners will love that the item is completely sealed so it won’t leak onto the floor. There is also a flip down front so inside can be accessed easily. Even better, it looks really cute and comes in a selection of neutral colors to suit any modern aesthetic.
Kitty will enjoy the privacy of the loo, and the fact it looks and feels very much like a cubby hole, holding a standard tray for them to use, or a self-cleaning box if you choose a larger ecoFlex product.
Why We Like It:
- Eco-friendly
- Private
- Comes in a range of colors
- Doesn’t leak
What We Don’t Like:
- Quite heavy and tricky to move around
- Not extremely easy to assemble
Litter-Robot 3 Connect
The Best Kitty Litter Box for Owners Who Love Futuristic Accessories
If you’re looking for the very latest in litter box technology, then you’ll want the Litter-Robot 3 Connect. It has an extremely modern, smooth look which comes in either white or grey, suiting most home aesthetics. It’s also completely enclosed giving your cat privacy, and catching any mess easily.
When it comes to functionality, it’s got everything covered and more. Most impressive is the WIFI connect app it uses which allows you to see the waste drawer level, receive litter box notifications, troubleshoot issues and even see recent cat use to gain an insight into your cat’s health.
When it comes to actually dealing with the cat’s waste, the product uses a special sifting process that separates clumped waste from clean litter and places them into a drawer to be disposed of. There is no need to scoop at all and litter usage is reduced by up to 50%. You can even delay the cleaning to cycle after 3, 7 or 15 minutes, giving you even more choice and flexibility with the product.
Why We Like It:
- WIFI connect app
- Beautiful aesthetic & night light
- No need for scooping
- Let’s you know when waste drawer is full
What We Don’t Like:
- Cats may not be comfortable with it
- Shield can become dirty and requires additional cleaning
FAQ
If you’re still not sure which litter tray to buy for your cat, here are some of the most common questions and answers to help you further:
How Big Does My Huge Cats Litter Tray Need To Be?
The best litter box for large cats should give them space to fully stand up, turn around and get all four legs in the tray.
What Is The Best Litter Tray For Kittens?
The best type of tray for kittens is one they can learn to use easily. Ideally it won’t be too deep, and it will be easy to clean. It’s also worth having one that doesn’t self-clean as you’ll want to keep an eye on their eliminations to check their health as they grow.
Which Litter Box Keeps Odor In Best?
The best cat litter box for odor control is likely to be one that is covered and is an automatic cat litter box. That is because eliminations are quickly placed into a tray, containing the odor. The litter is also contained, again containing the odor well.
What Type Of Cat Litter Do You Use In A Kitty Litter Tray?
Which cat litter is best depends on the tray as some require that you use special types of litter. It also depends on the cat as some cats may be allergic to certain types of litter too. In addition, you may prefer anti-odor litter or clumping cat litter to help with the overall maintenance of their tray.
Does What I Feed My Cat Influence What They Produce In Their Litter Box?
It does. It is known that some high protein diets can create more offensive smells in the litter box. Certain diets like raw cat food may also cause a stronger odor of eliminations. The best thing to do is research the best cat food for your cat to see which diet works best for his health, and his litter contents.
Your Cat Can Use The Toilet Comfortably With The Best Cat Litter Box
Using our information above, and a little bit of trial and error, soon enough your cat will be using their box comfortably, all whilst keeping odor, mess and your cleaning duties, to a minimum.