Get the scoop on cat litter boxes that are ready to do the dirty work.
You may have seen the meme — the one with the orange kitty that says, “You know what this house is missing? A box of [poop]. Let’s get a cat.” Cat litter boxes may be the unpleasant part of cat ownership, but they’re a necessary evil.
New designs make the best of a stinky situation: traditional litter boxes with high sides for maximum privacy, automatic litter boxes that do most of the work for you, and even environmental choices that allow you to compost waste where possible. We tested eight of them to help you decide on the best cat litter box for your household.
The writers, editors, and staff of betterpet are pet parents, and we know the value of accurate, trustworthy information. Because of this, the content we create is reviewed and approved by our veterinarians. We tested these litter boxes in-house, so you can trust that when we say a litter box is effective, it comes from firsthand experience.
The betterpet lab developed a set of criteria and then put TK boxes to the test to give you the most accurate data possible. Those factors included:
The $200 price tag may trigger sticker shock, but a 4.8-star rating based on nearly 400 reviews shows the Tuft + Paw Cove Litter Box is worth considering. It has a removable wall to nix litter tracking and scatter from dig-happy cats and ones that prefer to pee standing. The anti-stick plastic material keeps the box from sliding and allows for easy cleaning. Kitties love the top-entry design and removable wall.
That said, Dr. Alleyne notes that for less than $200, you can get a self-cleaning litter box like the Pet Safe Self-Cleaning Litter Box reviewed above.
A litter box is a personal product for each kitty. Though having it in the house and cleaning it (if you have to) isn’t fun and games, it would be far less fun if your cat did their business outside the litter box. The best litter box for your cat may be different from another cat. If you have several cats in your home, you may need different types of boxes for each. Consider the following suggestions when introducing your cat to a litter box.
Find a safe space. Your cat should feel safe doing their business. You want the same, right? Don’t put it in a noisy area, such as a street-facing window.
Keep it away from food and water. Think about it: It’s a bit gross to eat where you use the bathroom, right?
Consider medical conditions. Senior cats and cats with mobility issues may struggle to maneuver stairs or cramped closets. Be sure it has easy access.
Keep it clean. Get rid of poop once per day. As a general rule, replace traditional clay litter twice per week and clump litter once every two to three weeks. However, follow your cat — and nose — when deciding whether you need to perform more frequent cleanings.
👉 If your cat suddenly stops using a litter box, see a vet to get a clean bill of health. Eliminating outside of the box can be a sign of a medical condition.
The right litter box depends on your cat, but there are different designs and sizes to choose from. Some have open tops, while others are covered. Newer litter boxes are sifting or self-cleaning, eliminating the need to scoop and keeping the box tidy.
Most cats like open litter boxes. Doors and hoods can be noisy or make a cat feel cramped. However, some may like the privacy of a covered box. It may be a matter of trial and error.
Every cat is different, but we gave our highest marks to Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Advanced High-Sided Cat Litter Box. It’s an open box, can fit nearly any space, and is easy to clean. The high sides keep your cat’s litter from tracking all over your home.
