Unlike dogs, cats don’t usually need training when it comes to relieving themselves in as clean a way as can be possible considering the job at hand. Basically, cats are hygienic animals that can handle themselves when it comes to potty and indoor urination. They find a comfortable, soft and secluded area to dig where they can do their thing privately.
However, you’d often see dug up dirt around the area, specifically your lawn, backyard and garden. It’ll somehow be a little bit annoying to see the mess around the house. That’s why most cat owners would prefer to provide their feline pets with the best cat litter box to avoid any mess and giving their pet access outside their house as it can be also dangerous for their pet to roam around after they’re done with their thing.
The same thing by providing them some of the best cat litter mat, it’ll be a good way to provide a clean and healthy environment for you and your pet.
Comparison Chart
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Best Cat Litter Box Reviews
1. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
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This product is our top pick due to its portability, cleanliness, odor control, and privacy for your pet. This is a good quality, but still well priced choice. Easy carrying handle on top. Easy to remove the top. Carbon filters for odor control. Perfect for the home with multiple cats – could handle 3 or more cats at a time. Removable flap (use with or without the flap).
What’s to like about the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
The large size makes this suitable if you have more than one cat in your home. Also suitable if you’d rather clean the litter box less frequently and only have one cat. Carbon filters for odor control is a genius add on to this box. The removable door is a great feature since not all cats like to do their business in the dark; if they’re cool with the door staying on, it helps with odor control as well. When it is brand new, the inside is quite smooth and is almost like a non-stick surface which is great for cleaning (as long as it lasts).
What’s not to like about the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
The cover does stick a bit, but with regular use it will wear in and won’t be an issue. It requires jumbo bags, and they can be hard to find locally – not a problem if you purchase on Amazon though, this size fits well: Whisker City Cat Pan Liner. Due to the large size, it takes quite a bit of litter (15-20 lbs).
PROS
- checkCould be used by multiple cats
- checkOdor control litter box
- checkInterior non-stick surface
CONS
- Very large, consumes a lot of space
- Heavy and hard to lift due to its size
- Hard to look for a spot to place at home
[amazon link=”B003RQVGKC” link_ title=”CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM”]
2. Tidy Cats Cat Litter Box Kit System
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The Tidy Cats Litter Box Kit System is built by the well-known and trusted manufacturer Breeze. This system is very well priced and slightly smaller than the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan above. While it doesn’t have all the same features, it is a good compact option. All in one system – Litter box, scoop, litter, pellets. Very easy clean up. Absorbent pads available in exactly the right size. Litter plus pellets combo takes care of much of the odor issue
What’s to like about the Tidy Cats Cat Litter Box Kit System
Because it is a system, there are perfectly fitting absorbent pads, a nice holder for the scoop and a compact design. The absorbent pads are good for 1 month (per cat) so this reduces the time commitment for cleaning. 3-6 month supply of pellets is included. Pellets are actually washable and reusable, reducing cost
What’s not to like about the Tidy Cats Cat Litter Box Kit System
There is no top on this model so you can’t close it completely.Not suitable for a multi-cat household (unless you want to be cleaning it out regularly!)
PROS
- checkIncludes fitting absorbing pads
- checkComes with 3 to 6 months pellet supply
- checkPellets are washable depending on use
CONS
- Hardly reduces any odor
- Requires regular cleaning
- Good for one or a pair of cats
[amazon link=”B001411SK0″ link_ title=”CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM”]
3. Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan
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The Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan is designed for the dog + cat household. The design also ensures that there is no spillage if your cat gets a bit rowdy during bathroom breaks. The high sides take care of that! Very low price point. Can work without a liner due to its depth – if you keep a good amount of litter in there and scoop regularly, you can do without a liner. Most dogs can’t tip it over or dig around in it
What’s to like about the Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan
The deep sides make this a very clean box – no litter is getting kicked out all over the place. Dogs can’t get inside to imbibe their questionable appetites on questionable tidbits. The litter scoop hook is a handy feature. Suitable for small to large cats.
What’s not to like about the Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan
Not all cats are comfortable with top entry. If you want to use a liner, you pretty much to buy the one for that box due to its unusual shape.
PROS
- checkSecures all the litter in place
- checkScatter free litter box
- checkIncludes a scoop with a handy feature
CONS
- Entry may be hard for some cats
- It can be mistaken for a garbage can
[amazon link=”B00KVL30NC” link_ title=”CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM”]
4. Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box
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The Omega Paw Self-cleaning litter box is a uniquely designed and nice-looking litter box with a built in scoop; it’s mostly covered design is perfect for discreet contexts. Suitable for single or multiple cat homes. You simply roll the box and the unmentionables are separate by a grill and gathered into a scoop. Simply remove the scoop, pre-loaded with aforesaid unmentionables and discard.
What’s to like about the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The ease of scooping makes this box one of the more sanitary options. If you don’t have the budget for an electric box, this is a fantastic option.
What’s not to like about the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box
If you end up needing to scoop inside (cat isn’t feeling well and it shows in the litter box) the opening isn’t super comfortable to reach inside (since it was designed to be self-cleaning). Not suitable for very large cats.
PROS
- checkProvides more sanitary options
- checkSelf-cleaning
- checkA good alternative for electronic litter box
CONS
- It may be hard to manually scoop if the box fails to clean itself
- Has a small entry for large felines
[amazon link=”B000LVGL1A” link_ title=”CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM”]
5. CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
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The CatGenie cat box would be like giving your pet their own bathroom stall. It is closely hygienic to your bathroom as well. With a touch of a button, you can simply let the box clean flush your pet’s waste and clean itself up. Suitable for single or multiple cat homes. You simply roll the box and the unmentionables are separate by a grill and gathered into a scoop. Simply remove the scoop, pre-loaded with aforesaid unmentionables and discard.
What’s to like about the CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
The ease of scooping makes this box one of the more sanitary options. If you don’t have the budget for an electric box, this is a fantastic option.
What’s not to like about the CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
The price isn’t viable for most people; more suitable for wealthier people with less time to spare. Maximum 2 cat household. If you’re looking for a covered litter box, this isn’t for you.
PROS
- checkIt is self-cleaning
- checkVery spacious for different cat sizes
- checkVery easy to use
CONS
- Does not have any cover
- Does not have any odor-reducing feature
- Luxurious cat litter box alternative
[amazon link=”B008JGIYVE” link_ title=”CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM”]
BUYER’S GUIDE
When you’re shopping for a cat litter box, there are several things you want to keep in mind. Consider how many cats you have in your home, size of your cat(s), amount of space you have available, if you have a multi-species home, and various other considerations. Here are the top points you want to keep in mind:
Key Feature 1: Single or Multi-cat home
Many brands have multiple sizes, so there is very often a size that will accommodate your needs, whether you have one cat or many. If you have a single cat, there’s nothing wrong with getting a slightly large litter box to reduce the number of times you need to clean it out and enhance cleanliness as well.
A large box for a single cat won’t require the same amount of cleaning since the waste will spread out more.
The jumbo size boxes are fantastic for the large cat family, and a variety of options exist to make it very possible to maintain a clean home while having more than one cat
Key Feature 2: Odor
Odor is a key consideration when choosing the best cat litter and the right box for your home; no one wants a smelly home! Thankfully, there are several lines of defense:
- Lid/door: Having a lid or door can greatly reduce the odor, so a model that isn’t open top makes sense in many cases for indoor use. Not all cats like a door though, so it is worth checking out options that have a removable door in case your cat or cats likes ease of access. Some cats prefer privacy when relieving themselves, so a door is perfect for more than just odor blockage.
- Type of Litter: The type of litter you use is also important since not all types clump properly or dehydrate solids quickly enough to reduce odor
- Ease of access for scooping: This might not be as intuitive, but we unconsciously avoid tasks that aren’t easy, or we don’t like.
Scooping Litter isn’t usually high up on people’s list of favorite things to do, so buying a litter box that makes this task faster/easier in any way is only going to help you do it more often, reducing bad odors.
Key Feature 3: Size of your cat or cats
You want to make sure that your cat or cats can quite easily access the litter box so they are not impeded when trying to relieve themselves. Also, a comfortable box is most likely to be appreciated by your cat, so something spacious and able to accommodate them easily is what you’re looking for.
That said, a large box can be heavy to move so that is something to keep in mind as well: you want to find the right balance.
Key Feature 4: Electric litter box vs self-cleaning vs regular
Electric Litter Box Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Less labor intensive – can be as simple as removing a bag once a week
- Automates most of a non-pleasant job
- Very clean models make it viable for almost any room in the house
Cons:
- Quite a bit more expensive than manual models
- More moving parts, more can go wrong; need to choose carefully
Self-Cleaning Litter Box Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- It’ll save you a lot of effort and labor relative to cleaning and maintenance
- The cartridges used by self-cleaning litter boxes are compact and space saving.
- 1 yr. supply of cartridges saves far lesser space compared to a 1 month supply of plastic from regular litter boxes
Cons:
- The mechanism of self-cleaning litter box and electric litter box will most likely encounter some problems with overtime use
- It costs more than double to triple price from a regular litter box
Regular Litter Box Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- It’s far more durable compared to litter boxes with moving and cleaning mechanisms
- The price at an affordable range than electric and self-cleaning litter boxes
- The simplicity of the regular litter boxes are mostly what people are comfortable with due to its classic design and use
Cons
- You’d have to handle an unpleasant job yourself, cleaning the litter box
- It’ll have you obligated to keep the litter box clean after use to avoid accumulation as well as cats won’t use it the next time if you forgot to clean it
You will have to deal with the odor considering that you need to take it out yourself
Key Feature 5: Amount/Type of Space
Litter boxes have very compact dimensions where space consumed is not really an issue. Although you might want to find a location where your cat could have privacy or they wouldn’t bother using it. Other cat peeves you also need to consider is putting the litter boxes near where they eat or sleep, and hangout, crowded room full of people and more importantly, they won’t use it if it’s dirty. Relative to keeping it clean, a self-cleaning or electric litter box can be quite helpful.
The space also refers to the area to where your cat can fit comfortably doing their thing. Don’t opt for some advanced design litter box that couldn’t fit the size of your cats. They won’t bother troubling their selves adjusting to the size of your litter box. Always make sure it has enough space for your cat to sit comfortably.
Key Feature 6: Size/Shape of Litter Box
This is the key especially for larger litter boxes, or ones made by lesser known brands. For example, not only do you need to consider how many cats will be using the litter box, but if you’re going to use a liner, it is a bit hard to find properly fitting liners for some of the Jumbo, or specialty
Litter Box F.A.Q.
How to cat litter box train?
Cats have a natural instinct to do eliminations in sand and soil. They’d dig up and cover it before and after. Litter boxes are almost the same thing where cats would understand the purpose of it. Unlike dogs and puppies, you do not need to train intensively nor does some house break. That’s the great thing about cats. You only need minimal effort in communicating with cats and at a pleasing tone to avoid any aggravations during adjustments. However, you do need to follow some considerations when it comes to location. Avoid noisy, crowded and non-private areas as they would want to have their alone time when doing their thing.
Why does my cat pee outside the litter box?
Pointing out what the reason covers wide possibilities. The cat may experience some discomfort and anxiety where it does habits far from its normal routine. Some pet owners would get cat calming collars to relieve their pet. It can also be some medical issues where it always fails to reach the litter box on time due to uncontrolled bladder or urinary tract infection. You also might want to consider checking if your litter box is dirty, used by other home animals, location and the type as there are some litter boxes not designed for urinary needs of your cats.
Where to put cat litter box in small apartment?
Basically, anywhere with privacy would work. An area less crowded and noise would be an ideal place. Some even put their litter boxes inside the bathroom, keeping the doors open to provide open access for their cats but it’s kind of a drag leaving your bathroom open all the time. Litter boxes are fairly small and space saving. Put it somewhere within reach of your cats and possibly a secluded area where they can do their thing in quiet and in peace. Just place a mat under the litter box so they can clean litters of their feet.
Can cats share a litter box?
There are some occasions or instances that multiple cats at home would share the same food plate or litter box. But that’s a rare case. It can bring quite a stress to your feline pets during elimination. It would cause discomfort where you’d end up with a great mess. It is greatly advised by many to have 1 litter box for each cat. However, the case is different when you let your cats roam outside the house and allow them to dig up sand or soil to do their thing.
Why isn’t my cat using the litter box to poop?
If there are no problems with the location of your litter box, then the issue would be that your cat is experiencing some problems. It may be stress, anxiety or some medical disorders that would get them off their usual routine and avoid elimination on their litter box. You can check it out with your vet to address the issue. Other concern would be cat’s instinct where if they are using the litter box for urination, they might want or demand another litter box for pooping.
Why did my cat quit peeing in litter box?
The issue would be closely the same with Question 5. It can either be some medical problems, anxiety or stress. It can also happen if you changed the location of your litter box where your pet needs to readjust itself from its usual comfort or the new location have some issues with noise, crowd or accessibility. The same with Question 5, some cats would also prefer a separate litter box for peeing and pooping. This situation can also indicate to have your litter box checked if it needs replacement, fixing or cleaning. You might also experience this kind of problem with cats and cat cages. If the problem persists and you have eliminated non-medical issues, you might want to get your pet checked to your trusted veterinarian and see if it has some medical problems.
Why did my cat stop using the litter box?
There are a lot of things to consider. The greatest issue would be medical problems with cats where your pet has problems with eliminations. But that would be thinking of the worst. Other things you need to check are the litter box location and situation. It may seem private at first but as you add several cats and other home animals, the house becomes crowded and noisy. Relocating the litter box to a comfortable location can help assessing the problem. Additionally, litter box may be in severe situation where it’s an indication to get it replaced.
FINAL VERDICT
Relative to your problem, sometimes it is just caused by stress and anxiety. Cats have a tendency to have abnormal routines when they are anxious or in stress. Helping them out to relax and relieving their stress can help with your problem.