Last updated Apr 15, 2023
Medically reviewed by
Our Review Process
Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.After hours of research and testing over 25 litter boxes with my cats, I’ve chosen the automatic, self-cleaning Litter-Robot 4 as the best cat litter box on the market. But this litter box isn’t perfect for every cat.
Because each cat and household will have a slightly different set of needs, we’ve included a total of 11 top recommendations, each addressing different needs. You’ll find litter boxes that excel in scatter control, easy cleaning, and aesthetics. You’ll see top-rated litter boxes for senior cats, kittens, and cats who live with dogs. Across all types, sizes, and competencies, all of these boxes meet our quality criteria and performed well in our in-home tests.
In addition to learning about our top picks, you’ll learn what cats need in a litter box, get an introduction to the different types of litter boxes available on the market today, and discover the best type of litter box for your unique situation.
At a Glance: 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Litter-Robot 4
- Can be used with any clumping cat litter
- Robust and highly durable design
- Controls litter scatter fairly well
Frisco High Sided Litter Box
- Large litter bed, plenty of interior space
- High sides help contain litter scatter
- Affordably priced under $20
Litter-Robot III Connect
- Can be used with any clumping clay cat litter
- Robust and highly durable design
- Controls litter scatter fairly well
iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
- Premium non-stick coating
- Stainless steel resists odors and residue
- Generously sized with 6-inch sides
Tuft + Paw Cove Litter Box
- Compact, streamlined design
- Available 8-inch partition for privacy and scatter control
- Integrated scoop, dustpan, and hand brush
Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box
- Transparent hood allows cat to see out
- No door or flap, doesn’t lock in odor
- Available in a wide range of bright colors
Modkat Top Entry Litter Box
- Easy-to-remove reusable liner
- Dog-proof design (works for small & medium dogs)
- Controls urine spray and litter scatter very well
Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box
- Made with patented scoop-free technology
- Plastic-free, made from 100% recycled cardboard
- Reduces bacteria growth and ammonia odor
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
- Three-level sifting design for easy cleaning
- Durable plastic construction with reinforced bottoms
- Microban coating for antimicrobial protection
Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- High back contains mess pretty well
- Low front improves accessibility
Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box
- Large-capacity litter box great for multiple cats
- Comes with a dust filter built into the litter box
- Large planter conceals the litter box in plain sight
Top Picks Explained
Why Should You Trust Us?
Over the last three years, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what it takes to make a great litter box.
We’ve researched the types of litter boxes available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen top boxes. We spent over 40 hours testing these litter boxes’ sturdiness, cat-friendliness, and ability to prevent sticking and litter scatter.
In addition to research and testing, we consulted with several veterinarians to get their take on which litter boxes work best and are the most effective for cats.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the 11 cat litter boxes described below as the best you can buy.
Our Veterinary Advisors
- Dr. Danielle (Elly) Page BVSc, BCom
- Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
- Dr. Caren Carney, DVM
- Dr. Alex Crow, VetMed MRCVS
#1 Overall Best: Litter-Robot 4
After hours of testing most of the leading self-cleaning units on the market, we recommend the Litter-Robot 4 as the best self-cleaning litter box you can buy.
The result of over 22 years of automatic litter box innovation, the Litter-Robot 4 is a well-designed, robust automatic litter box that uses a rotating mechanism to separate clean from dirty litter so you don’t have to.
It stands out from other automatic litter boxes with consistent, thorough cleaning, an advanced app interface with powerful sensor integration, and easy maintenance.
Paired with the Whisker app, the Litter-Robot 4 gives you powerful insights into and control over the unit’s performance.
You’ll know how much litter is in the litter bed and in the waste drawer, receive notifications when the drawer is full, and be able to trigger cycles remotely. And in contrast to the older Litter-Robot 3, the LR4 gives you detailed weight readouts.
This means that not only can you monitor your cat’s litter box activity, but you can also track which cat is using the box in a multi-cat home. Considering that automatic litter boxes, by nature, disconnect you from what’s happening in the litter box, this is an invaluable feature.
What We Liked:
- Can be used with any clumping cat litter
- Robust and highly durable design
- Controls litter scatter fairly well
- Reliable, automatic self-cleaning performance
- Pairs with a powerful app that gives you plenty of insights
What We Didn’t Like:
- Larger cats may find it too small and cramped
- Very expensive, priced around $650
#2 Best Budget: Frisco High Sided Litter Box
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly litter box, the Frisco High-Sided Litter Box is worth considering. Affordably priced under $20, this litter box is generously sized and fairly durable. The plastic materials didn’t feel quite as robust as some of the other litter boxes I’ve tried, but it was by no means flimsy.
In terms of cleaning, this litter box doesn’t tend to have issues with litter sticking to the plastic materials and the rounded interior edges keep litter from getting stuck in the corners. I noticed some litter scatter around the front of the box because of the lowered entry, but it generally did a better job of containing litter than a traditional litter pan.
This litter box is one of the most cat-friendly models I’ve tried. Not only does it have a very large litter bed with plenty of space for your cat to move around, but your cat may appreciate the open design as well. This litter box comes in two colors and several different sizes.
What We Liked:
- Large litter bed, plenty of interior space
- High sides help contain litter scatter
- Extremely cat-friendly
- Affordably priced under $20
What We Didn’t Like:
- Litter may scatter out of the lowered entry
- Plastic materials could be sturdier
#3 Best Automatic Litter Box: Litter-Robot III With Connect
With its streamlined design and integrated scoop and dustpan, the Cove litter box from Tuft + Paw is my premium pick. Its compact enough for use in small spaces but spacious enough for your cat to use comfortably. Plus, you can purchase an optional 8-inch partition for added privacy and scatter control.
In addition to being attractively designed, the Cove litter box is durably constructed. The plastic materials feel extremely robust, and the base is nice and sturdy. It also features a matte finish that is unusual among litter boxes and gives it a modern look.
In terms of function, this litter box is easy to scoop, and the included dustpan and hand brush are nice to have. I did notice a little bit of litter scatter when I wasn’t using the partition, but nothing excessive. The primary downside with this litter box is the price tag.
What We Liked:
- Compact, streamlined design
- Available 8-inch partition for privacy and scatter control
- Integrated scoop, dustpan, and hand brush
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat expensive, priced upwards of $150
- May not control scatter as well without the partition
#4 Best For Large Cats: iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel XL Litter Pan
Most of the litter boxes you see online and in pet stores are made of plastic, so the iPrimio Non-Stick Plated Stainless Steel litter pan immediately caught my eye. Not only is it generously sized and highly durable, but it also has a non-stick coating that’s very easy to clean.
Unlike traditional plastic litter pans, this stainless-steel litter box doesn’t absorb odor. The non-stick coating helps prevent residue buildup as well, which makes your job all the easier when it comes to cleaning the litter box. Plus, the 6-inch sides are deep enough to help contain litter and urine spray.
This iPrimio litter pan earns points for being generously sized (a great benefit for larger cats and multi-cat households), though the 6-inch sides could be a challenge for kittens and older cats. That being said, it seems to be very cat-friendly overall, and the non-stick coating does seem to help control odor.
There are a few customer comments about the coating developing scratches with vigorous scrubbing, though iPrimio comments that minor abrasions are normal and won’t impair the function of the coating. Even so, it’s best to use the recommended scoop to maximize the lifespan of your cat litter pan.
What We Liked:
- Durable stainless-steel construction
- Non-stick coating reduces odor and residue buildup
- Generously sized, with fairly high sides
- Easy to clean, stands up to scrubbing and scooping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat pricey compared to other options
- High sides can be an issue for kittens and older cats
- Non-stick coating may scratch with vigorous cleaning
#5 Premium Pick: tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
For cat owners who want chic, well-built items that feel more like furniture than “cat stuff”, tuft + paw is our go-to recommendation. After testing over 25 litter boxes, we found that the Cove stood out as the most streamlined and living room-ready.
With its elegant design and integrated scoop and dustpan, the Cove is compact enough for use in small spaces but spacious enough for your cat to use comfortably. Plus, you can purchase an optional 8-inch partition for added privacy and scatter control.
In addition to being attractively designed, the Cove litter box is durably constructed. The plastic materials feel extremely robust, and the base is nice and sturdy. It also features a matte finish that is unusual among litter boxes and gives it a modern look.
In terms of function, this litter box is easy to scoop, and the included dustpan and hand brush are nice to have. I did notice a little bit of litter scatter when I wasn’t using the partition, but nothing excessive. The primary downside of this litter box is the price tag.
What We Liked:
- Compact, streamlined design
- Available 8-inch partition for privacy and scatter control
- Integrated scoop, dustpan, and hand brush
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat expensive, priced upwards of $150
- May not control scatter as well without the partition
#6 Best Covered: Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box
Covered litter boxes minimize the spread of litter box odor through your home. They may also help contain urine spray and litter scatter better than open boxes. The Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box checks all of these boxes but has a few unique features that make it my top choice of covered litter boxes time and again.
This covered litter box has a spacious interior, so most cats won’t feel cramped while using it. It also has a transparent hood, allowing you to monitor waste buildup and allowing your cat to observe the outside world. I particularly appreciate that it doesn’t have a door, because doors and flaps tend to lock in odor.
This covered litter box is available in a range of bright colors. It’s a fairly expensive litter box, unfortunately, but it is durably constructed and easy to clean. As a covered litter box, it may feel a little small to larger cats, but small cats may not have this issue.
What We Liked:
- Transparent hood allows cats to see out
- No door or flap, doesn’t lock in odor
- Available in a wide range of bright colors
What We Didn’t Like:
- May feel a little cramped to larger cats
- Fairly expensive compared to other models
#7 Best Top Entry: Modkat Top Entry Litter Box
Buy on Modkat.com Buy on Amazon
While top entry litter boxes like this one are often the most difficult for your cat to access, they’re a lifesaver for people dealing with coprophagic dogs – dogs who eat poop.
The Modkat Top Entry Litter Box has a beautiful, highly functional design featuring an easy-to-remove reusable liner and locking swivel lid. It also comes with a litter scoop. The dog-proof design and on-trend design come at a cost – you’ll pay over $80 for this popular litter box.
This top entry litter box does an excellent job of controlling litter scatter and urine spray. Plus, with the reusable liner, it is incredibly easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about litter sticking to the bottom or sides of the box – you simply lift the liner out of the box to empty it then rinse and reuse.
Available in three colors, the Modkat top entry litter box is on the smaller side. It measures 16-by-16 inches and stands 15 inches high, so Modkat recommends it for cats no larger than 12 pounds.
What We Liked:
- Easy-to-remove reusable liner
- Dog-proof design (works for small & medium dogs)
- Controls urine spray and litter scatter very well
- Comes with an ergonomic litter scoop
What We Didn’t Like:
- May be too small for cats over 12 pounds
- Older cats may have difficulty accessing the litter box
#8 Best For People Who Hate Scooping: Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box
For those who prefer to have as little contact with dirty litter as possible, the Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box is an excellent option.
With its unique patented design, you can clean the litter box in 30 seconds or less. And so that you never have to deal with litter buildup over time, the litter box is disposable for maximum cleanliness long-term.
Like most sifting litter boxes, the Kitty Sift features a multi-level design. It consists of one solid litter box, three sifting liners, and a shield. To clean the litter box, you simply lift the top sifting liner to separate clumps and solid waste, dispose of the waste, then rotate the liner 180° and place it under the bottom sifting tray. While the longevity of the box will depend on your cat’s litter box habits, the Kitty Sift system should last for up to 4 weeks for one cat.
In addition to offering scoop-free convenience, the Kitty Sift is extremely eco-friendly. Made from FSC-Certified 100% recycled cardboard, this litter box offers a great alternative to plastic. As an added bonus, it is compostable and completely recyclable when clean and dry.
For a disposable litter box, the Kitty Sift is surprisingly durable. It is water-resistant and made from breathable materials that help keep to keep the litter dryer and the litter box fresher for longer. Plus, the shield helps contain urine spray and litter scatter better than a traditional open-style litter pan.
Overall, I was very impressed by the sifting performance, long-term cleanliness, and eco-friendly construction of this box.
What We Liked:
- Made with patented scoop-free technology
- Plastic-free, made from 100% recycled cardboard
- Reduces bacteria growth and ammonia odor
- Contains urine spray and litter scatter fairly well
- Extremely effective compared to other sifting litter boxes
What We Didn’t Like:
- High humidity may weaken the cardboard materials
#9 Best For Pine Cat Litter: Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
Sifting litter boxes frees you from having to physically scoop the litter box yourself, which no cat owner can complain about. Like most sifting litter boxes, the Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan has a three-level design. A sifting tray is nested between two standard closed-bottom boxes.
All three litter pans feature a durable plastic construction with a reinforced bottom for added stability. The pans are treated with Microban for antimicrobial protection, which may help control litter box odor by preventing the growth of bacteria. It also works very well with pine litter.
When you’re ready to clean out the box, you lift out the top pan, pour the litter through the sifter, toss out the waste, and rotate the boxes. The process is simpler and quicker than the standard scoop-and-toss technique. It’s a functional halfway point between an automatic box and a traditional litter pan.
While this litter box has the benefit of being easy to sift and simple to clean, it doesn’t do much in the way of preventing litter scatter. It is, however, an affordable option and works well with most litter.
What We Liked:
- Three-level sifting design for easy cleaning
- Durable plastic construction with reinforced bottoms
- Microban coating for antimicrobial protection
- Works particularly well with pine litter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t do much to control litter scatter
#10 Best For Kittens and Geriatric Cats: Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan
The Lucky Champ cat litter pan has kitten-ready features that set it apart from the rest. It has a wide, sturdy base that won’t tip over in a room full of rowdy kittens, a high back to capture mess, and an exceptionally low front that’s accessible for tiny kittens, disabled cats, and seniors.
This is a well-built, well-designed litter box. It’s durably constructed to last a long time and it’s easy to scoop and clean. It measures 25-by-16.5-by-9 inches, making it a larger litter box. It also has rubberized grips on the side to provide sturdy handholds for moving and cleaning the box.
The downside with this litter box is its limited ability to control scatter. The low front that improves accessibility for kittens and geriatric cats also opens the door to litter scatter.
What We Liked:
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- High back contains mess pretty well
- Low front improves accessibility
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t control scatter very well
#11 Best For Small Apartments: Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box
If you live in a small apartment, floor space is at a premium and you don’t want to waste it with a smelly, unsightly litter box. This hidden litter box from Good Pet Stuff is the perfect solution. Not only does it hide your cat’s litter box in plain sight, but it doubles as home décor.
The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box features a large-capacity litter box concealed inside a real clay planter. Available in brown and gray, the planter measures 42 inches high – 55 inches with the included plant – but only takes up about 20 square inches of floor space.
This litter box is durably constructed from polypropylene and comes equipped with a dust filter. All you have to do is find the perfect place to put it, fill it with litter, and you’re ready to go. No one will know the planter conceals a litter box, especially if you’re clever about how you position it.
What We Liked:
- Wide, sturdy base for stability
- High back contains mess pretty well
- Low front improves accessibility
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t control scatter very well
What Are The Qualities Of The Best Cat Litter Box?
The best cat litter boxes satisfy your cat’s needs in a variety of ways. Let’s take a closer look at what the best cat litter boxes do that mediocre ones don’t.
The best cat litter box gives your cat space.
Litter boxes are primarily designed with human comfort in mind. That means that they’re usually small and compact enough to fit in a small room.
As a result, the average litter box leaves your cat’s head and tail over the edge. Imagine how it feels to use a litter box with barely enough room to move around in, forcing you to step in your own waste. For a creature as hygiene-conscious as a cat, this is a foul situation.
General cat care wisdom says that cats should use litter boxes that are at least as wide as they are long, from the nose tip to the base of their tail. For example, if your cat is 15” long from nose tip to the base of their tail, she will need a litter box that’s at least 15” wide and 22.5” long.
Dr. Danielle (Elly) Page BVSc, BCom tells us that “the best type of litter box is the plain plastic variety with tall sides and the largest you can buy.”
The best cat litter boxes have high sides.
Small litter boxes struggle to keep litter where it belongs. A little tracking and scattering are inevitable, but low-sided litter boxes have more problems than most. Think about choosing a high-sided litter box made specifically with litter scattering in mind.
Remember that some cats, especially females, spray urine on the sides and over the edges of the litter box. If your litter box has low sides, it’s likely that the urine will go over the edge and onto the floor. High sides help to keep everything inside of the box.
The litter box must also be easy for your cat to access.
A running start shouldn’t be a part of your cat’s litter box entry approach. Kittens and senior cats are particularly prone to problems accessing a litter box with high sides, so choose boxes with a lowered entrance for easy access.
Every litter box needs to be cleaned at least once a day. The best litter boxes make the chore easier.
Choose litter boxes with smooth inner surfaces that make scooping simple. Avoid boxes with hard-to-clean designs, including inside curves, ridges, and valleys. All of these features collect waste and make your job more challenging. Avoid litter boxes with square corners, as well – these are also difficult to clean out completely. Some litter boxes have non-stick and antimicrobial coatings, which help to manage odors.
Types of Litter Boxes
The litter box is a straightforward product – but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. The litter box selection ranges from nondescript plastic pans to alien-looking automatic sifting machines. Let’s take a closer look.
Sifting Cat Litter Boxes
Sifting litter boxes are the less technologically-advanced cousin of the automatic litter box. Although they don’t do all of the cleaning for you, sifting litter boxes eliminate the need to scoop out the box – they essentially scoop themselves.
These litter boxes work best with clumping litter since this type separates into dirty clumps and clean granules. They’re also the best choice for people using pine pellet litter, which breaks down to sawdust after it comes into contact with moisture. The sifter separates the used dust from the fresh pellets, extending the life of the litter.
Uncovered Cat Litter Boxes
Over the course of about 70 years of commercial litter box evolution, the litter box has seen a few technological advances, but the standard plastic litter pan still reigns supreme. Uncovered litter boxes are usually cheap and easy to find in stores.
This is the classic litter box. It’s just a pan that holds your cat’s litter. It’s easy to clean, easy to access, and a popular choice among all types of cat guardians. Cats naturally want to keep an eye out for threats while they use the litter box, and uncovered boxes make area surveillance easy.
Covered Cat Litter Boxes
Covered cat litter boxes capture the smell inside of a litter chamber, minimizing the amount of waste odor that spreads through your home. In addition to minimizing odor, covered litter boxes help to curb litter scattering. Because the hood disguises the functional part of the litter box, they’re popular among people who want to minimize the appearance of a litter box in their home.
Although human interests are the primary reason people opt for using a covered litter box, sometimes misconceptions about feline preferences also play a role in their use. It’s easy to assume that because people appreciate seclusion while using their bathrooms, cats want the same privacy. Being trapped in the litter box doesn’t make cats safe – it makes them vulnerable.
The covered cat litter box has also been criticized for encouraging laziness. Critics say they make cat guardians ignorant of waste accumulation. In addition to hiding the problem, covered litter boxes trap smells inside a small space. It’s a situation sometimes compared to a public portable bathroom – an unclean stench chamber. For an animal with an acute sense of smell and a love of good hygiene, this could be intolerable.
All this being said, many cats happily use covered litter boxes throughout their lives. This study showed that cats demonstrated no preference for open or covered litter boxes.
And Dr. Alex Crow, a practicing vet at the Buttercross Veterinary Centre in Nottinghamshire, England, agrees that the difference between covered and uncovered litter boxes is not as big as you might initially think.
He says that “some people might say there is a major difference between open and closed litter boxes, but this is not necessarily true. Most cats simply want a clean place to use the bathroom, and the hood is only really convenient if you don’t want other animals or children to get into it. The hood can help with the amount of litter dust in your home which might be something you want to consider.”
If you clean out the box once a day or more, a covered cat litter box can be an aesthetically superior alternative to the traditional open litter tray.
Automatic or Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes
Automatic or self-cleaning litter boxes are a good fit for people who hate the process of cleaning out the litter box manually. Typically, this type of litter box has a sensor that detects the presence of a cat. After your cat uses the litter box, a sifting or raking mechanism automatically separates clean from dirty litter. The waste then enters a storage drawer, where it remains until you’re ready to discard it.
Automatic litter boxes cost more than less advanced products, and they come with an increased risk of malfunctions, but they’re a good investment for someone with a busy schedule or a procrastination streak.
Dr. Caren Carney, DVM, recommends automatic litter boxes for picky cats with strong constitutions. She says that “automatic litter boxes are good for the picky cat that wants a pristine box all the time because the box is always clean.
But they can be noisy, so some cats may be scared of them. Many of the automatic ones require an extra layer of upkeep for the owner, including cleaning parts, and a risk of a big mess in the case of malfunction.”
Top Entry Cat Litter Boxes
Visually, top entry boxes are one of the most chic styles available. Instead of walking into the litter box from an entrance at the front or sides of the box, your cat drops down into the litter through an entrance hole on the top.
This type of litter box is harder for cats to access, so it’s not a great choice for cats with mobility issues. It’s also speculated that this type of litter box may place undue stress on cats’ joints.
Remember your cat’s unique needs.
Veterinarian Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM emphasizes that your cat’s needs come first, saying that “no matter how great a litter box may be, it’s completely worthless if your kitty doesn’t like it. Some important considerations to keep in mind are whether or not your cat has any health issues.
Things like arthritis can make it hard to climb into a tall-sided litter box and make one with low sides or a lower door the best option. Some cats may prefer the privacy of a covered litter box, while others will get scared by one. Automatic litter boxes may frighten some cats, yet be the best choice for those fastidious ones.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best cat litter box for odor control?
If your cat’s litter box has an odor problem, look at yourself first. Ensure that you’ve been cleaning out the box at least once a day. If a diligent cleaning routine leaves the litter box still smelling foul, choosing a new litter box could help.
Some litter boxes have non-stick and antimicrobial coatings that help to minimize the amount of waste that sticks to their inside surfaces. These coatings also help to minimize the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Others feature carbon filters that capture odors before they can enter the room.
Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?
Every cat has their own unique preferences in terms of litter boxes, but there are some benefits to choosing an enclosed versus an open litter box.
Enclosed litter boxes provide a higher degree of privacy, with the added benefit of containing odor and litter scatter better than an open box. The downside is some cats may find an enclosed box too cramped. Large breeds in particular may be more comfortable in an open litter box.
Though there are pros and cons for each option, limited research suggests most cats don’t really have a preference when it comes to open or closed litter boxes. Researchers at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine completed a study in 2012 that revealed that 70% of cats showed no preference for one kind of litter box over the other.
What’s the best cat litter box for large cats?
If you own a super-sized Maine Coon or massive Chausie, it can be a struggle to find an adequate litter box. Litter boxes are usually undersized for average cats, and the search is even more challenging for a large cat.
Covered litter boxes are out of the question for large cats. While even small uncovered litter boxes allow your cat to extend their head and tail over the edges, a covered litter box has restrictive side walls that make your cat feel cramped. Look for big, sturdy uncovered boxes.
Because huge litter boxes are rare, many large cat guardians choose to make their own litter boxes or use plastic storage containers instead.
What’s the best litter box for multiple cats?
In a multiple cat home, the litter box has to handle increased box activity while also facilitating healthy relationships.
The standard recommendation is that you install as many litter boxes as you have cats, plus one. One cat needs two litter boxes and twelve cats need thirteen. In addition to accommodating your multiple cats with numerous litter boxes, choose sizable boxes that can handle heavy use. A big cat family creates plenty of waste, and it takes large litter boxes to handle that.
Remember that multiple cat households have a uniquely feline social hierarchy. As a central part of daily life, the litter box can get involved in territorial spats and social dominance games. A dominant cat may block a submissive family member inside of the litter box, forcing them to stand in their own waste. This is a frightening and humiliating experience and can send the conflict on a downward spiral.
For this reason, avoid placing your litter box in a corner and don’t use covered boxes in a multiple cat home.
What’s the best cat litter box to keep dogs out?
Some dogs love eating smelly little cat treats from the litter box.
This is at once disgusting to watch, unsanitary, and potentially dangerous. Choosing the right box can prevent your dog from invading the litter box. Several designs can help to keep your dog out of the litter box. One is a top entry box, which keeps small dogs from accessing the waste area. Other boxes have both an inner and outer entry, preventing larger dogs from probing into the box.
If you don’t want to give your cat a covered litter box, there are other options for keeping your dog out. If your cat is agile and comfortable jumping, take advantage of their vertical mobility and put the litter box on a counter or large shelf that your dog can’t access.
What’s the best cat litter box for small apartments?
Having a small home doesn’t mean you need to cut back on litter box space. Instead of saving space by choosing a small box, choose one that can multitask.
Litter box furniture enclosures double as storage areas and shelving, allowing you to maximize your space. Because these pieces make functional decorative accents, they have more placement options than the average litter box.
While it’s usually a good idea to place your litter box in the bathroom, laundry room, or other discreet area, multifunctional boxes can go almost anywhere. Regardless of how limited your space is, try to place the litter box in a low-traffic area where your cat will have a stress-free elimination experience.
