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I have three cats at home, which means I have four litter boxes. Lucky for me, the only type of litter my picky kitties can handle is a clumping clay that tracks absolutely everywhere. Thankfully, litter mats exist to help contain the mess.
Litter mats are designed to trap small pieces of litter that naturally track out of the box on your cat’s paws. You can think of them as doormats for your cat, a place for them to wipe their feet before walking around the house. Of course, most cats can’t be trained to intentionally wipe their paws. That’s why most litter mats have a textural element to gently capture litter as cats walk across them. Some are made from silicone or heavy-duty plastic that’s easy to rinse off in case of non-litter substances (we’re talkin’ poop here).
How to Use a Litter Mat
Litter mats work with almost any kind of litter box.
The key is size and placement: a litter mat should be big enough in relation to the box, and/or placed close enough to it, that your cat naturally has to step on the mat when exiting their litter box.
For front-entry litterboxes, a mat situated right in front of the entry point will do. For open-top litterboxes, you may want a large litter mat that extends around all four sides. And for top-entry litter boxes, it depends on the size of the box and how your cat exits it.
Wondering how often should you clean off the litter mat for best results? In general, clean the mat alongside the box. Shake extra litter back into the box after scooping, and do a full wash and disinfect every two to four weeks.
The Best Cat Litter Mats
We’ve read countless online reviews and considered our own experience with litter mats to recommend the litter mats below.
1. Blackhole Litter Mat
The Blackhole Litter Mat is a popular favorite because it makes clean up so easy. The textured honeycomb top layer collects litter through the holes and traps it on the solid rubber bottom. To empty it, just hold it over the litter box and press on the edges to spread the layers apart. The litter will slide right out. Both layers are 100% waterproof so no liquid messes will reach the floor, and you can clean the whole thing with soap and water or an enzyme cleaner of your choice.
Features of note:
- Designed to be “universal” and work with clay, crystal, corn, clumping, wheat, or pellet litter
- Easy to empty and clean, and air dries quickly when washed
- At 30 inches x 23 inches, this large litter mat will work with many different types and sizes of litter boxes
2. PetFusion Toughgrip Cat Litter Mat
Made from FDA grade silicone, this waterproof cat litter mat catches and contains litter scatter. The soft ridged texture is comfortable for cats to walk on, and the elevated outer lip helps keep litter on the mat. You can easily pour collected litter back into the box or trash can, or even vacuum it in a jiffy. Lay it down so it butts up against the litter box exit, or place the litter box right on top. Either way, this silicone litter mat will gently clean your kitty’s paws after they do their business.
Features of note:
- Silicone is waterproof, anti-microbial, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and won’t absorb odors.
- To clean, simply sweep or vacuum and wipe with cleanser and a damp sponge
- Available in two sizes: Large (30 x 23 inches) and Extra Large (38 x 26 inches)
3. PetLike Cat Litter Mat for Tray Boxes
We’ll be honest: one reason we love this litter mat is that it comes in a ton of bright, vibrant colors to complement your home decor. But this rug-style litter mat isn’t just pretty, it’s functional. Made from sturdy, textured PVC with a floral pattern that helps wipe paws clean. The lightweight plastic material is easy to shake off, vacuum, or soap up and rinse down.
Feature of note:
- Litter-catching design works with all types of litter
- Material is BPA free
- Non-slip mat will stay in one place whether your cat steps politely or jumps out of the box
- Available in 10 different colors
4. Petmate Flex Pet Rubber Cat Litter
This is the perfect litter mat for front-entry covered litter boxes. The tapered end slides under the litter box, so your cat steps out directly onto the rubber mat. Tiny nubs on the mat capture litter, preventing it from scattering around the house. The litter mat comes in blue and tan, both with a cute paw design. Shake it off and hose it down to clean.
Features of note:
- Durable rubber material is long-lasting and easy to clean
- Flexible mat is soft on cats’ paws
- Litter mat remains securely in place as cats enter and leave the litter box
5. iPrimio Large Cat Litter Trapper Mat
This large, double-layered litter mat collects clinging litter through large holes in the top layer. The bottom layer is lined with a urine-repelling plastic film that prevents stains and lingering odors. For extra mess protection, you can insert a puppy pad under the top layer — a good solution for senior cats who sometimes miss the litter box.
Features of note:
- Lightweight rubber is easy to lift and shake out
- To clean, simply shake off and/or rinse clean under a showerhead
- Extra large size measures 30 inches x 23 inches. Also available in Small and Jumbo
6. Gorilla Grip Jumbo Cat Litter Mat
Looking for a jumbo litter mat for your jumbo cat(s)? This double-sized mat from Gorilla Grip is big enough to span two side by side litter boxes or surround one like a litter-trapping island. The slip-resistant backing prevents the mat from sliding around on the floor, so litter and debris stay put right where your cat’s feet fall.
Features of note:
- Design features deep grooves and mesh to capture litter
- Soft, comfortable material is gentle on sensitive paws
- Shake off, vacuum, or rinse in the bathtub
- Measurements: 47 inches x 35 inches
7. Microfiber Cat Litter Mat
If textured mats are too rough on your cat’s paws, then this microfiber litter mat is the perfect solution. Thousands of strands gently massage your kitty’s feet to catch all kinds of litter and lock it onto the mat. While the top is soft and comfy, the bottom is waterproof and anti-slip, protecting your floor from wetness. Best of all, this microfiber litter mat is machine washable. Be sure to let it air-dry instead of putting it in the dryer.
Features of note:
- Material is so soft, it can even be used as a pet bed
- To clean, shake off excess litter and toss it in the washing machine on cold
- Comes in several colors to match your decor
8. Fresh Kitty Foam Litter Mat
This is my personal choice for the best litter mat in my home. The bright colors and fun design are what first caught my eye. But the lightweight ribbed foam and extra-large size are what really sold me. This soft mat catches and contains loose litter without irritating kitty feet. Plus, it’s affordable and is sold in quantities of one to four so you can stock up for multiple litter boxes.
Features of note:
- Ribbed foam is easy on floors and cat feet
- Easy to clean: just shake out and rinse
- Extra large at 40 inches x 25 inches
- Also useful as a mat under rodent or bird cages
9. Multi-Purpose Boot Mat Tray
This boot tray isn’t specifically labeled as a litter mat, but as you can tell from the promo photo above, it works as one. Why might you use a boot tray as a litter mat? Several reasons. This durable plastic tray has a high rim to contain liquid spills, the textured surface helps remove clinging litter from furry paws, and you can take it outside and hose it down should any truly disgusting messes show up.
Features of note:
- Has large surface area of 30 inches x 15 inches
- Made from recycled material that stands up to serious messes
- Easy to clean
- Sold in packs of two. Use the extra under another litter box or as a food and water tray to contain mealtime messes
10. WePet Cat Litter Mat
I’ll be honest: this litter mat is similar to others on the market. It has a slip-proof backing and waterproof coating, and the mesh material captures litter and keeps it in place. Reviewers say it works well to reign in litter tracking. But the main reason this cat litter carpet stands out? Cattitude. We just love that cheeky message! You can also get one that says “Dogs have owners; cats have staff.”
Features of note:
- Deep grooves around edges trap any liquid messes before they can seep onto the floor
- Flexible coils brush your cat’s paws to remove litter
- Phthalate- and BPA-free vinyl is non-toxic and easy to clean
More products for cat lovers
10 Automatic Cat Litter Boxes for Happy Cats
17 Gorgeous Cat Litter Box Furniture Options
The 6 Best Automatic Cat Feeders
