Best Cat Litter Boxes : What to Know Before You Shop

A litter box is a purchase that most pet owners won’t think twice about. After all, it’s just a place for a cat to do their business — and the options out there seem to only differ significantly in terms of style. However, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the right litter box.

It is important to think about your individual cat and what they will feel comfortable using, says Kelly Fishman, DVM, in San Francisco, California. “Just like us humans, cats have strong preferences with [their] bathroom spaces. Whether your cat likes or dislikes the litter box is influenced by many factors,” she says. “This includes the type of litter, location, size and shape, and if the litter box is covered or not.”

In addition, think about where you will locate your cat’s box. Sean Penn, DVM, who practices in Scottsdale, Arizona, says litter box use issues can be complicated — and that not only is the type of litter box relevant, where you place it may matter as well. “For example, cats are highly sensitive to environmental influences such that litter box avoidance can involve the cat being uncomfortable in the box’s location due to it being in a noisy or high traffic location,” he says. “Problems can actually have a lot to do with the location of the box.”

Our top litter boxes for cats picks

How I chose the best litter boxes for cats

As you’ve seen, there’s a huge variety of cat litter boxes available, ranging from simple plastic pans to advanced, smart automatic self-cleaning models, but the best litter boxes are the ones that stand out from the crowd. Price, design, durability, and convenience are the key aspects I looked for when comparing litter boxes.

Price

To accommodate a variety of price points, I selected litter boxes that span a wide range from under $20 to just under $700. Some are extremely simple litter boxes that are little more than a basic plastic tray, while others offer features like apps.

Design

Different cats prefer different types of boxes, so I picked a selection of open boxes with low or high sides, and covered boxes. There are also a variety of sizes to accommodate small kittens to larger cats, and a range of shapes like rectangular, triangular, and domed. Several of the litter boxes also offer apps.

Durability

The best litter boxes are durable and made of materials that will last. Usually, this is primarily plastic but I included one product with a stainless steel base. Several of my picks are also odor-and stain-resistant, which increases the box’s longevity.

Convenience

For convenience, I included options like automatic scooping boxes that have an app notifying you of litter levels and other metrics. One of my picks sifts litter just by lifting up the top pan and I provide multiple options that are uncovered, which makes them easy to scoop. Boxes that fit into small spaces and boxes that look more like home decor are also included.

Things to consider before buying a litter box

Your cat’s own preferences about where they feel most comfortable going to the bathroom isn’t about a pet being picky for the fun of it, but an important factor for their general health.

“If your cat finds their litter box environment unsuitable there is potential for trouble. Urinating or defecating outside the litter box and other serious medical conditions can arise,” warns Dr. Fishman. “Urinating outside the litter box is the number one reason cats are surrendered by their families.”

A cat’s size, age, and personality are all key factors to keep in mind when selecting the best litter box for them. While there’s no way to predict exactly how your cat will react to a new litter box, there are some questions to keep in mind when shopping that can help you find the best options:

How big (or small) is your cat?

You should think about the size of your cat before you commit to a litter box.

“Size is important only in that the cat should be able to fit in the litter box comfortably,” says Dr. Penn. “Cats have a natural instinct to use a moveable substrate in which they can bury their feces.” As a general rule, the litter box should be at least one-and-a-half times the length of your cat.

In addition, cats need to be able to jump or climb up into the litter box easily so they don’t hurt themselves. A heavier cat may not be able to reach its box if it is too far off the ground.

How old is your cat?

Senior cats or tiny kittens may require a shallow litter box with a low lip, making it easier for tired or uncoordinated cats to easily step in and out. “Sometimes with age and arthritis, they [cats may] have trouble getting into the box,” says Dr. Penn.

How many cats are in your household?

Multi-cat households need a wider litter box to accommodate more than one cat — and more than one litter box. “The current recommendation for the number of litter boxes for a household is one box per cat plus one. So one cat needs two boxes, two cats need three boxes, and so on,” adds Dr. Penn.

Since the litter box is a key resource just like food and water, it can be a source of stress in multi-cat homes. If you have a cat who is more dominant or territorial over resources, they may not want to share “their” litter boxes and they might intimidate housemates who are more passive. In these situations, it can be helpful to have more boxes than the ‘number of cats plus one’ rule.

Does your cat like privacy? Hint: Some do!

Some cats appreciate a covered litter box for the enclosed privacy (relatable!) and some owners may want to go the extra mile by purchasing a box that blends in seamlessly with their space.

Do you work or are you at home during the day?

Cleaning cat waste as soon as it appears is the best practice for litter box maintenance. For those willing to shell out a little more, you can even buy a model that automatically cleans the box while you’re away from home, which may be well worth the price of admission in many cases.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do cats prefer covered or uncovered litter boxes?

Believe it or not, a study from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine actually explores this question, and the results suggest that cats will use covered or uncovered litter boxes equally without a preference. Since cats don’t really seem to care, it’s up to you to pick the litter box style that best suits your situation.

Some cat owners appreciate the simplicity of cleaning an uncovered pan-style litter box without having to remove the cover each time, while others appreciate how a covered litter box helps to keep litter from being kicked onto the floor. Both are equally valid options, but keep in mind that there are plenty of other varieties available, too, such as sifting, top entry, and smart automatic litter boxes.

How do I keep my litter box from smelling in the house?

There are multiple techniques for preventing a cat’s litter box from leaking its stench all over your house. The obvious step of cleaning the litter box daily will only get you so far, so look out for kitty litter varieties with pleasant fragrances, or a brand with odor-absorbing properties to minimize the smell between cleanings. Automatic litter boxes are usually designed with compartments that store cat waste until you’re ready to dispose of it, which helps to reduce the smell. If the litter box continues to stink despite it being “clean,” it may be time to replace its contents with all-new litter.

While keeping an air purifier or scented air fresheners close to the cat box are tempting ideas, they only mask odors, and removing the source of the smell is always the best way to deal with the problem.

Where should I place the litter box?

A cat’s litter box should be set in a calm, quiet, and private place that allows them to take care of their business in peace. This place should be easily accessible, and set away from loud appliances that may frighten them. They should also be far away from their food and water bowls. Not only should there be a cat box per cat in your home, there should be a cat box on every level of your home, so the cat has easy access to it at a moment’s notice. If you have small children or pets that may be tempted to get into the cat’s litter box, consider installing a small baby fence in the doorway to keep them out, one that allows cats to easily bound over as needed.

When cats are in the litter box, they may feel more vulnerable. Though we view cats as predators, instinctually, they know they’re prey too. If you have a dominant cat and a submissive cat, be sure to place litter boxes in spacious areas where the more submissive cat can see their bully coming and have ways to escape. If your submissive cat spends more time in a particular area, put a litter box there as long as it’s not near food, water, and their bed. Using feline pheromone sprays and adding more areas where cats can eat and rest also helps reduce overall stress between a dominant and submissive cat.

How often do you need to clean your cat’s litter box?

You should remove the waste from your cat’s litter box once or twice a day, but if you own multiple cats and have set up additional litter boxes, you will likely need to clean your litter box even more frequently to keep it under control. Not only will this practice make your space smell much better, a clean litter box will encourage your cat to use it, as opposed to finding other, cleaner places around your home to do their business (like, for example, your laundry hamper). Some cats will only use a dirty litter box as a last resort, and may develop painful urinary conditions from holding in their urine if faced with a filthy tray.

It’s also ideal to totally dump out all the litter and wash the box with soap and hot water every one to two weeks. Plastic is porous and retains smells but be careful about using bleach. Bleach mixed with the ammonia in cat urine creates a noxious gas. On top of that, bleach can leave a lingering smell and though you may not notice it, your cat who is up close and personal with their box, will. If you don’t like the thought of washing the box because you don’t have a utility sink or a yard, consider using litter box liners.