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If you are a cat person, a litter box is an essential piece of furniture in your house. But there’s no reason you should have to put up with a box that doesn’t quite work for you—or for your cat. With many different styles and sizes to choose from, you can easily find one that pleases the whole household. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best litter boxes for picky cats, in a variety of styles.
The Scoop on Litter Boxes for Picky Cats
Picture your ideal bathroom. Chances are, it’s clean, well-lit, free from unpleasant odors, and big enough to feel comfortable in. Your cat’s ideal bathroom is pretty much the same, but their bathroom is a litter box. So to keep your cat—especially picky ones—happy and healthy, an appropriate litter box set-up is a must. (Combined with the right litter, a good litter box can reduce odor, dust, and litter tracking)
The standard recommendation is to have the same number of litter boxes as you have cats, plus one. That means one cat gets two litter boxes, two cats get three, and three cats get four litter boxes distributed throughout the home. Why so many? Because cats are clean and territorial, meaning they may not want to share a busy box.
The truth is, different cats have different preferences for litter box size and style. Some are fine with a basic rectangular box, while others need high walls. Some cats don’t like lidded boxes because they feel small and trap odors, while other cats like the privacy they offer.
We’re recommending top picks in many different litter box styles, so you can experiment to find what works best for your picky cat. And, whatever type of box you choose, make sure it gets scooped at least once a day. Your cat—and your nose—will thank you!
The Best Litter Boxes for Picky Cats
Read on for an in-depth review of each of our top picks for the best litter boxes for picky cats.
Best High-Sided Box: Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
Does your kitty fling litter every which way when they go to the bathroom? Even worse, do you have a side-sprayer on your hands? This extra-large litter box has high sides to keep your cat’s mess in the box.
The high sides of this litter box keep the mess under control, but the lower front entry makes it easy for your cat to get in or out. So it’s perfect for older cats with arthritis, or kittens who are just learning how to climb in and out of the box. The box is also big enough for multiple cats to share. If you have an oldie and a kitten, this one is a great pick.
Nature’s Miracle specializes in cat urine odor control and they have extended that expertise to their line of litter boxes. This big, high-sided box has a non-stick antimicrobial surface to reduce litter caking and buildup, so it’s easy to clean quickly and prevents odors from building up.
Key Features:
- High sides keep litter contained
- Non-stick surface with antimicrobial protection makes cleaning easier
- The lower entry point is good for older cats and kittens
- Large enough for multi-cat households
Best Dog-Proof Box: Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box
My multi-species household prefers this litter box. Its unique top-entry design features a secure lid that locks in place to keep out nosy dogs. And while it safely keeps dogs out, it also keeps litter in the box where it belongs!
Another great feature of this high-sided, lidded litter box: no “over-spray.” If your cat likes to back up and spray, you need a box that can contain their work. Although it may look different from other types of litter boxes, most cats quickly adjust to jumping on top of the box and entering from the top.
It’s not ideal for disabled, elderly, or very large cats who may have trouble getting in and out. That said, my very large 14-year-old orange tabby (think Garfield proportions) has no trouble using this top-entry litter box! In fact, he seems to love the extra privacy of a fully-enclosed litter box. And I appreciate that it contains the smell.
Key Features:
- Top-entry design reduces tracking and prevents over-the-edge spills
- Covered top reduces litter box odor to keep your home fresh and clean
- Keeps most dogs out, so no more kitty snacks
Best Basic Box: Petmate Cat Litter Pan
If your cat “keeps it clean,” this inexpensive standard open-top litter box will suit them fine. With 6.5-inch high sides all around, it’s pretty good for preventing your cat from kicking litter out of the box. And the open design lets them turn around with ease so they can bury the evidence.
This box isn’t just good for your cat; it’s designed to make your life easier, too. The comfort-grip rim is easy to lift and provides stability when the box is filled with heavy litter. The durable plastic is easy to clean. It comes in three sizes, and even the jumbo is affordable.
Key Features:
- Wide-profile base contains litter
- Allows easy access from any side
- Comfort-grip rim on all sides allows easy lifting and cleaning
- Three size options to accommodate a wide range of cats
Best Affordable Modern Design for Picky Cats: Iris Top Entry
There are lots of modern litter boxes out there, but they’re often quite expensive for what they are (a cat toilet). The Iris top-entry box, on the other hand, delivers style at a reasonable price. With its rounded edges and small footprint, it fits in your small bathroom or micro-studio apartment. Plus, it comes in several subtle color profiles—gray, black, beige, and white—to suit modern decor.
The best thing about this litter box is its functional design. It doesn’t just look good: the high walls and top entry eliminate litter tracking and contain spray. The grooved lid catches extra litter from your kitty’s paws, keeping your floors clean. And the included litter scoop gets stored on a hook inside the box, keeping it out of sight but easily within reach.
Another benefit of that cool covered lid: it keeps nosy dogs out and unpleasant odors in.
Key Features:
- Top entry prevents litter scatter and contains spraying
- The large opening makes it easy for cats of all size to get in and out
- Grooved lid removes litter particles from cat’s paws
- Rounded shape and no sharp edges make it easy to clean
Best Litter Box for Filtering Odors: Booda Dome Clean Step
If top-entry won’t work for your cat but you still want to contain the mess, check out this hooded box with a staircase entry. The grooved litter-cling steps gently wipe your cats’ paws as they exit the box, keeping your floors litter-free. A charcoal filter in the top of the box reduces odor. The domed lid doesn’t just hide the sight and smell–it also gives your cat some privacy. Some cats simply prefer to do their business behind closed doors, and this large box lets them do just that.
Speaking of large: it’s true, the Booda Dome is big! It’s not ideal for hiding in the corner, but it’s perfect for cats who need lots of room. We like the neutral colors: titanium, pearl linen, and nickel.
Key Features:
- Clean step stairs wipe cats’ paws for litter-free floors
- Non-stick, round plastic pan with no stubborn corners to trap litter
- Charcoal filter in the ceiling of the box significantly reduces odors
Best Space Saver for Picky Cats: Nature’s Miracle Advanced High Sided Corner Litter Box
Looking to shove that litter box into a corner? This high-sided option has 10-inch walls that contain litter scatter and spray. And like other Nature’s Miracle litter boxes, it has an antimicrobial surface that helps control odors.
If you have multiple cats, this big box is ideal because it holds a lot of litter. Of course, you still have to scoop regularly, but luckily the rounded edges and non-stick surface make it super easy to clean. And the low, rounded entry isn’t just easier for your cat—it doubles as a pouring spout so you can easily change litter out.
Key Features:
- Non-stick, anti-microbial surface is easy to clean
- The large size and high walls contain litter scatter and spray
- Corner design is ideal for making the best use of your space
Best Self-Cleaning Box: Omega Paw Roll ‘n’ Clean
The less-expensive automated litter boxes are tempting but often get poor reviews. That’s because the mechanical parts get gunked up, or the noises scare cats. (If you’re ready to put down big bucks for a high-end automated box, check these out.)
But there is a self-cleaning, non-automated litter box that we think does the job pretty well! The Omega Paw Roll ‘n’ Clean uses a patented grill to separate clumped waste and deposit it into a pullout tray. When you tilt the box to the side and then back, the waste stays in the tray and the clean litter returns to the pan. To dispose of the waste, just pull out the collecting tray.
This box is ideal for picky cats who need a smooth surface every time they use the bathroom. Note: This one requires a “hard-clumping” litter.
Key Features:
- Simple to use
- The covered design gives cats privacy
- Large capacity offers plenty of space to bigger cats
Most Colorful: Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box
Looking to brighten up your whole litter box situation? The Petphabet hooded box comes in a half-dozen colors, including bright blue and turquoise. The coordinated, removable top pops on and off with four secure clips, making it easy to clean the sturdy plastic pan.
You get all the advantages of a neat, covered box while your picky cat can enjoy the wide front opening that lets them enter and exit with ease. The transparent hood reduces the feeling of confinement in a hooded box.
- The transparent hood contains mess while keeping your cat comfortable
- The removable lid makes it easy to clean
- Bright colors make it an attractive accessory
Best for Senior Picky Cats: KittyGoHere Senior Litter Box
High sides aren’t right for every cat. For senior kitties or cats with mobility issues, jumping in and out of a tall box is challenging, if not downright painful. Thankfully, KittyGoHere has a good solution.
With 5-inch-high sides and a 3-inch-high entry area, this box is easy to access, and a perfect choice for your arthritic kitty (or very young kitten). While it’s not good for cats who spray, it’s perfect for those older, stiffer kitties who stay low to the ground.
Key Features:
- Low opening for cats who can’t jump into a box
- The large, low design gives cats lots of room to turn around and get situated
- Comes in two sizes and three colors (green, lilac, and beige)
Best Luxury Litter Box: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
Is your refined feline living a life of luxury? Then you can’t beat Modkat litter boxes, with sleek, clean lines, premium materials, and yes, hefty price point. This covered litter box will cost you, but reviewers swear it’s worth it.
So, what’s so amazing about the Modkat Litter Box? First off, its locking lid acts as a cleaning mat, collecting litter from your kitty’s paws and thus keeping it off of your floors. And when it’s time to scoop the box, you can simply swivel the lid to reach in and scoop one-handed.
Speaking of scooping, Modkat includes an ergonomic hanging scoop to clean out the mess and a (reusable) tarp liner so you can lift out and dump litter. Just rinse off the tarp, let it dry, and put it back in the box to refill.
Key Features:
- Locking swivel lid prevents litter tracking
- Reusable liner is rip-resistant and easy to clean
- Attractive award-winning modern design
Best Scoop-Free Pan: Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
Looking for a low-tech, easy-to-clean litter box for your picky cat? Look no further than this sifting pan design that makes “scooping” the box as easy as lifting it up. Plus, it comes from Arm & Hammer (the baking soda and litter folks), so you know it has excellent odor control. It’s a great choice for cats who prefer open-top litter boxes.
This sifting litter box is a three-part system made up of two regular pans and a single sifting pan. The sifter’s wide holes let clean litter fall through while clumps stay put for you to dump in the trash. And all three parts have antimicrobial protection to prevent odor and extend the life of the litter.
Like most sifting litter boxes, this one works best with hard-clumping litter.
Key Features:
- Antimicrobial protection that helps prevent the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria
- Two regular pans and a single sifting pan provide an efficient way to clean
- A low price point means you can stock up
Best Door-Entry Box: Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
If your picky cat is comfortable going through cat doors or flaps, this jumbo covered litter box might be just the thing to let them potty in privacy while keeping unpleasant odors and sights behind closed doors.
The Catit litter pan has a tall hood that snaps onto a high-walled base, giving your cat lots of room to turn around and do their business. The enclosed design is ideal for containing litter scatter or spray, and the hood lifts up for easy access to cleaning. It even comes with a carbon filter to remove odors.
Key Features:
- The large hood contains mess but lifts off for easy cleaning
- Large size is ideal for bigger cats or multicat households
- Snaps together securely and seals in leaks
Most Durable: iPrimio Ultimate Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box
Even litter boxes made from heavy-duty plastic will eventually end up stained—and even stinky. This stainless steel litter box never stains, and is easy to fully clean and sanitize. While pricier than plastic litter boxes, it’s likely to last much longer.
This stainless steel litter box for picky cats has rounded edges, meaning there are no sharp sides or tough angles to clean up. And the rubber feet on the bottom of the box help it stay in place on any surface, including slippery linoleum floors. When it’s time to clean, just use a detergent and water.
Key Features:
- Stain-free, rust-free, and durable
- Easy to clean, and won’t absorb odors
- An extra-large pan gives your cat plenty of room
Best Furniture-Style Box: ecoFlex Litter Loo
This is not a litter box, but an enclosure that will accommodate most litter boxes (even some automated, self-cleaning ones). The EcoFlex Litter Loo cleverly disguises a litter box while also serving as a side table or plant stand, so it works for picky cats—and pet parents. It comes in four neutral colors.
Made from recycled materials, the loo has a wide opening that lets your cat easily climb in and out. The front folds down to give you easy access when it’s time to clean the litter box. And the loo itself is easy to clean with a mild detergent.
Note: You will need to purchase a litter box to fit inside. Be sure to double check the measurements!
Key Features:
- Easy, no-tools assembly
- Flip down front door makes clean up easy
- Resistant to moisture, warping, cracking, and splitting
