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Litter boxes are a fact of life for cat people. But with so many different styles, sizes, and price points, it’s hard to know where to start!
Litter Box Basics
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 toilet is a litter box. So to keep your cat happy and healthy, an appropriate litterbox set-up is a must.
The standard recommendation is to have the same number of litterboxes as you have cats, plus one. That means one cat gets two litterboxes, 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 of a lidded box.
We’re recommending top picks from many different styles of litter boxes, so you can experiment to find what works best for your cat.
Best High-Sided Litter Box: Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
This large, high-sided litter box prevents litter scatter from cats who kick or spray. The non-stick surface with antimicrobial protection makes it easy to clean, and the lowered entry point is good for older cats and kittens.
Helpful review: “I put this box next to a regular sided box when I first got it, 4 years ago, just in case the cats didn’t like the new box. The old box still has litter flung everywhere, but the new box? Nope. Seriously loving this.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $20.99Best Dog Proof Litter Box: Clevercat Top Entry Litterbox
This is the preferred litter box in my multi-species household. The high walls and top entry prevent “over-spray” and litter spills. The top entry and secure lid keep my nosy dog out. And the solid molded construction makes it easy to clean. Note: Clevercat is not recommended for disabled, elderly, or very large cats who may have trouble getting in and out.
Helpful review: I have purchased two of these in recent years. Our cats took to them very quickly. This litter box is the perfect solution if you need to keep your dog(s) out of the box. It is also the cleanest solution we have ever used when it comes to containing the litter mess—the textured top prevents litter from being tracked any further into the room.
Buy Now on Chewy for $38.99Best Basic Litter Box: Petmate Open Cat Litter Box
If your cat “keeps it clean,” a standard open top litter box will suit them fine. Easy to scoop and clean, and inexpensive to replace, it’s hard to beat this basic buy.
Helpful review: “This is a basic plastic pan, but it really does its job. It fits the needs of my small to medium sized adult cat. The plastic is quite sturdy.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $7.86Best Affordable Modern Design Litter Box: 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 for thirty bucks. The grooved lid prevents litter scatter, and the included scoop hangs from a hook out of site.
Helpful review: “I love how visitors don’t know these are litter boxes at first glance. I have three cats and my largest is a male Bengal that weighs close to 20 lbs. He is massive. He hopped right in and did his business. The top held him well and it wasn’t too small inside for his personal liking.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $30.99Best Odor Filtering Litter Box: 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 steps clean kitty paws and the dome has a replaceable charcoal filter that traps odors. Note, this box isn’t dog-proof, so keep it somewhere the pooch can’t snoop.
Helpful review: “We now have 4 cats and we have multiple litter boxes but this one is used the most and it is large enough to hold all of their waste, without stinking up the house, even if we’re not able to clean it during the day. The lid is also easy to remove and put back on so even our 8 year old can help with the cleanings.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $36.95Best Corner Box: Nature’s Miracle Advanced High Sided Corner Litter Box
Looking to shove that litter box into a corner? This high-sided option from Nature’s Miracle has 10-inch walls that contain litter scatter. It features a non-stick surface and odor blocking technology to control odors. And the big size is ideal for multi-cat homes.
Helpful review: “Fat Cat has a tendency to spread his litter fast and far! This BIG, high-sided litter box has helped to keep the litter box area much cleaner. Fat Cat is able to do all of his business inside the box. The corner feature is nice too!!”
Buy Now on Amazon for $20.99Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box: Omega Paw Roll ‘n’ Clean
Robot litter boxes are tempting but poorly reviewed. The mechanical parts get gunked up, and the noises scare cats. But there is a self-cleaning litter box that works! The Omega Paw Roll ‘n’ Clean has a grill on the inside that catches solids and clumps. Just roll the box a couple of times a day and pull out the handing scooping drawer to remove waste. Note: this box only works with clumping litter.
Helpful review: “When I saw this I was skeptical but it is relatively inexpensive so I gave it a shot…it works like a charm. It literally takes 15 seconds to slowly roll the unit, let the litter sift through the grate. Refill with litter a couple of times a week and that is honestly it.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $26.29Everyone appreciates a clean, comfortable bathroom—even your cat. Taking your cat’s size and mobility into consideration, one of these litter boxes should suit their needs perfectly.
