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Your cat’s litter box should be a place where they can do their business in private. But maybe your dog hasn’t gotten the memo that toileting should be a private activity. Maybe they even see the litter box as their own buffet. In that case, the best option may be to upgrade to a dog-proof litter box.
While some dogs are content to snack from the side, others will climb right in. And if they can’t get at the litter box’s contents, some dogs will flip the box over entirely.
If gentle remonstration isn’t effective and putting the litter box up out of reach isn’t an option, you may need to change your litter box strategy entirely. We spoke to veterinarians and cat behavior experts to find out what features help keep dogs out of the litter box and how to choose the best option.
Best Covered: Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
Clean cat litter holds little appeal for dogs, but there’s something about cat feces some of them find downright delicious. The term for consuming feces is coprophagia. While certainly unpleasant, it can be a natural behavior for dogs—especially young dogs.
According to Dr. Mollie Newton, veterinarian and founder of PetMeTwice, “Dogs are attracted to cat waste due to its protein-rich nature.” Though occasionally eating cat poop may not harm your dog, Dr. Newton suggests that consuming cat litter can cause digestive issues for dogs.
In many cases, the simplest solution is the best one: enclose the litter box to keep your dog out.
This hooded cat litter pan from Catit is generously sized, giving your cat plenty of space to dig around. The enclosed design paired with the disposable carbon filter helps minimize odor, while a clear door enables your cat to see out of the litter box. It’s lightweight with a built-in handle for portability, and the two halves lock together.
Key features:
- Generously sized for a covered litter box
- Disposable carbon filter helps reduce odor
- Clear door allows your cat to see out
- Lightweight with a built-in handle for transport
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Best for Seniors: Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box
While covered litter boxes work well to dissuade dogs, they have a tendency to trap odor. As Stephen Quandt, a cat behaviorist and founder of Feline Behavior Associates, points out, “They also don’t let your cat scan for danger.”
The Petmate Booda Dome is a covered litter box, but its unique dome-like shape enables improved visibility and ventilation over other covered litter boxes. Instead of stepping over a threshold, your cat walks up a ramp into the litter box and steps down into the litter bed. Because the ramp slopes gently, it’s a particularly appropriate choice for senior cats.
This litter box is fairly spacious inside (but keep in mind it has a large footprint). Because it’s easy to access and comfortable to use, the Booda Dome is a favorite among our tester’s three senior cats. The disposable carbon filter helps reduce odor inside the litter box, while the uncovered opening helps air things out so they don’t become unpleasant for your cat.
Key features
- Spacious interior with a high ceiling
- Open entry for improved visibility and ventilation
- Gently sloping ramp improves accessibility
- Disposable carbon filter for odor control
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Best Top-Entry: IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
While the Booda Dome improves upon some of the shortcomings of standard covered litter boxes, small dogs may be able to walk right up the ramp and into the box. A top entry litter box has the benefit of being enclosed—but the opening on top allows your cat to poke their head out, if they like.
Easily one of the most popular top-entry litter boxes on the market, this model from IRIS features an attractive oval shape and a grooved lid. The grooves in the lid serve a similar purpose to a litter mat—catching loose litter as it falls off your cat’s paws when they exit. This litter box comes in five color combinations and two sizes. Some cat parents comment, however, that even the largest size is still a little snug inside for bigger cats.
Dr. Newton cautions against using top-entry litter boxes for senior cats. Jumping up onto the lid then down into the box can be stressful on aging joints. She says top-entry boxes are best for young, agile cats.
Key features:
- Spacious interior with a high ceiling
- Open entry for improved visibility and ventilation
- Gently sloping ramp improves accessibility
- Disposable carbon filter for odor control
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Side-Entry Pick: Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box
If jumping isn’t an option for your cat, a side-entry litter box may be a more appropriate pick. This model from Frisco can be used in two ways. Our tester uses it as a litter box enclosure, placing a smaller cat litter pan inside the multi-functional box. For larger cats, you can pour cat litter directly into the box so your cat can take advantage of the entire interior.
This covered cat litter box measures nearly 30 inches long and about 17.5 inches wide. The hinged lid makes it easily accessible for cleaning, and the opening on the side is comfortably sized for most cats. Though small dogs may be able to reach in, the overhang on the lid may be enough to discourage taller dogs from making the effort.
Though effective in keeping dogs out, Quandt notes that side-entry litter boxes aren’t always good at keeping litter in. Our tester lines the bottom with a pee pad to absorb any urine that sprays over the side of the internal litter pan.
Key features:
- Large covered litter box with a hinged lid
- Use as-is or with a secondary litter pan
- Handle cut-outs for easy transport
- Comes with a litter scoop and a hanging container
Heaviest: iPrimio Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box
Some dogs, when they can’t reach into the litter box, will knock it over entirely. Lightweight materials like plastic are great for portability, but they’re easy for dogs to manipulate. Stainless steel is a much heavier option and, as Quandt notes, “They last virtually forever.”
This litter pan from iPrimio is very large, and the stainless steel materials are quite durable. The pan features a molded rim that can be used to carry it, and there are rubber feet on the bottom to keep it from sliding around. The metal is treated to prevent rust and to resist both stains and odors.
For added protection against curious dogs, this litter pan has high walls. It also comes with a removable topper that adds another 6 inches to the height on three sides, leaving one side open for step-in access.
Key features:
- Made from durable stainless steel
- Resists rust, stains, and odors
- High walls with a removable topper
- Generously sized
Best Litter Box Furniture: Merry Products Litter Box Storage Bench
Durable materials are great, but a litter box still looks like a litter box. If you’d prefer to keep yours out of sight, litter box furniture can be a good solution. Not only does it disguise the litter box, but it serves as an added layer of protection against your dog’s entry.
This storage bench from Merry Products features a simple but stylish design. Double doors on the front open to reveal separate spaces for a litter pan and storage. The piece functions as a bench, but you can also place cat accessories like bedding or bowls on top. Because it looks good and serves a purpose, this solution gives you plenty of options for litter box placement.
Key features:
- Doubles as storage and litter box concealment
- Front doors open for easy access
- Available in several colors
- Helps contain litter box mess and odor
Best Automatic: Litter-Robot 4
Your dog won’t be able to chow down on cat waste if there’s none to be had. That’s the beauty of an automatic litter box. Models like the Litter-Robot 4 are equipped with sensors that detect your cat’s presence in the litter box. When they leave, a cleaning cycle starts automatically. The globe rotates, sifting the litter to separate out clumps and depositing them in a discreet compartment.
The fourth iteration of Whisker’s self-cleaning litter box, the Litter-Robot 4 comes highly recommended by cat parents. Our tester found it incredibly easy to set up—it requires almost no attention other than refilling the litter bed and emptying the waste drawer as needed.
While automatic litter boxes are hard to beat in terms of convenience, Quandt notes that they have some downsides. The Litter-Robot 4 in particular carries a hefty near-$700 price tag. “They also require an electrical outlet,” says Quandt, “and may be prone to failure at some point.”
Key features:
- Automatically sifts the litter to dispose of waste
- Very easy to set up and use
- Expensive, around $700
- WiFi-enabled with smartphone app integration
Small Dog Pick: Richell PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box
Automatic models are the final word in hands-free litter box maintenance, but they’re not right for everyone. If you have a small dog at home, a little box with walls high enough they can’t reach over might do the trick. For dogs who only need slight discouragement, try this PAW TRAX litter box.
This PAW TRAX model from Richell is almost a halfway point between an open litter pan and a covered litter box. With its tublike design, it does a good job of containing litter, and the high walls keep urine from splashing out as well. There’s a lowered entry point for comfortable cat access and a grate step to help catch loose cat litter.
Though stylish in appearance, this litter box has a few design aspects some cat parents may not appreciate. Rather than handles cut into the top for carrying purposes, the rim is solid. There is, however, a recessed handle under the opening. In some households, the grate step may become clogged with wet litter and could be tricky to clean.
Key features:
- High walls keep litter in and dogs out
- Grate step helps reduce litter tracking
- Comes with a litter scoop
- Attractive, modern appearance in two color choices
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Large Dog Pick: Modkat Flip Litter Box Kit
If high walls aren’t enough to dissuade a dog big enough to reach over, you may want to put a lid on your litter box. While Quandt notes that some cats simply won’t make the effort to jump into a top-entry litter box, a front-entry model like the Modkat Flip is easily accessible. The name comes from the flip-up lid that gives you plenty of room to scoop the litter.
The Modkat Flip is made from lightweight but durable polypropylene materials. What makes Modkat litter boxes so popular is the specially designed reusable liners. Made from rip-resistant tarpaulin, the liner hangs from hooks around the rim. When it comes time to clean the litter box, you can flip the lid and scoop or remove the liner entirely.
The semi-enclosed design of this litter box is effective in containing both litter scatter and urine spray. As some users have noted (and our tester found to be true), Modkat litter boxes are a little on the small side. They may be best for kittens and small cats.
Key features:
- Flip-top lid for easy scooping access
- Reusable liner made from rip-resistant tarpaulin
- Made from durable polypropylene materials
- Effective in containing litter scatter and urine spray
Best Pet Gate: IRIS Dog Exercise Playpen with Door
If a high-sided or enclosed litter box isn’t enough to keep your dog out of the litter box, you may need to keep them away entirely. Placing the litter box on top of something is a good option, but only if your cat can access it. For older cats with arthritis or other mobility limitations, use a pet gate to wall off the litter box area.
Available in 4- and 8-panel designs, this IRIS dog exercise pen is a great choice. Make from durable but lightweight BPA-free plastic, it’s easy to move and shape as needed. Connect the ends and place the litter box in the pen or stretch it across the doorway. It even has a small door in the bottom for your cat to walk through if they can’t jump over the top.
Key features:
- Lightweight but durable BPA-free plastic materials
- Choose from 4 or 8 panels
- Stretch it out or create an enclosed pen
- Small door gives your cat easy access
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Best Door Latch: Door Buddy Door Latch Plus Stopper
Cats appreciate having a little space to themselves, especially in multi-pet households. If you’d like to section off an entire room for your cat, a door latch may come in handy. It prevents the door from opening enough to admit your dog but the opening is wide enough for your cat.
The Door Buddy door latch is specifically designed for this purpose. It’s like having a cat door, but it doesn’t permanently change or damage your door.
This door latch consists of an adjustable strap that attaches to either side of the door. Adjust the opening between 2 to 6 inches, depending on your cat’s size. The pieces attach with strong 3M adhesive to keep the latch in place, but a hook on one end makes it easy to unlock. It also comes with a foam door stopper to keep the door from closing and barring your cat’s entry.
Key features:
- Keeps the door open just wide enough for a cat
- Attaches with strong 3M adhesives
- Adjust the opening between 2 and 6 inches
- Easily lock and unlock as needed
How We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.
We prioritized cat litter boxes with high sides or lids to keep dogs out while also considering factors such as durability, accessibility, and ease of use. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.