Skye Blake here, ready to share with you all you need to know about the humble litter box… how exciting! (hehe)
There are many litter boxes on the market today, along with scoops, mats and other accessories.
As a curious cat, I’ve followed the trails for these various boxes, from typical plastic to fancy “self-cleaning”, so you can decide what works best for you and your cats.
Let’s start with the classic…
The information here is for general knowledge… always see your vet with questions about your cat’s individual needs.
Who Is Skye Blake?
Skye Blake, Cat Info Detective, is a curious cat researcher (not a veterinarian) who sniffs out expert, reliable sources about cats, studies their information, then passes it on to you!
Sometimes there’s not enough evidence for easy answers, so Skye gives you all sides, explains the situation as thoroughly and clearly as possible, and links you to experts on each page.
Sources are given at the bottom of each page so you can do more snooping.
Traditional Open Litter Boxes
When people think of a litter box, these are typically what they picture.
Most open boxes come in plastic and stainless steel. Some are now made with fiberglass or resin but aren’t always available.
Stylish boxes are available for people who hate ugly ones.
Plastic is cheapest but must be replaced over time since it absorbs odors.
There are various grades of plastics, so some are better quality, sturdier, and less absorbent than others.
Manufacturers often recommend replacing them every 6 months, but that depends on the amount of use and when it starts to smell bad.
Replace them when the smell doesn’t go away after cleaning.
Metal is durable but some cats (and people) don’t like the sound of scratching when claws hit the metal.
Open boxes have sides that range in height from about 5″ to over 10″, some with a low 2-3″ entrance for kittens or arthritic cats.
Bear in mind that the rule of thumb for litter boxes is to have 1 for each cat + 1 extra on every level of your house.
Buying 4 plastic open boxes is a lot cheaper than 4 automatic self-cleaning boxes!
Low-Sided Open Box
(USEFUL FOR KITTENS, SENIOR, DECLAWED, OR ARTHRITIC CATS)
There are various medical conditions that can affect a cat’s ability to easily and painlessly get in or out of a box.
Arthritis is a common problem in older cats and is just as painful for them as it is for people.
Young kittens and declawed cats also find the low-sided boxes beneficial.
Pay attention to this because if your cat connects pain with the litter box, she’ll find somewhere else to go. Not what you want!
Low-sided boxes come with 2-3″ sides, which may be fine for your cat to get in and out easily, but if you have a mad litter flinger, these won’t contain it all… a frustrating situation!
Some people use a storage box with tall sides and cut a low entry in the front.
That gives you the low entry your cat needs and high sides to help contain litter.
Yes, the litter can still come out the front, but it’ll be a lot less… hey, you can’t have everything!
Another option is to have a regular box with a ramp for your cat to easily walk in and out.
Just be sure the side isn’t too high for your cat to easily exit since there’s no ramp on the inside.
See “Ramps” below for a few options.
High-Sided Open Box
High-sided open boxes help contain litter mess and are good for a stand-to-pee cat or a mad litter flinger.
The large ones also work well for large breed cats like Norwegian Forest Cat or Maine Coon.
Longhaired cats are often sensitive to their fur brushing against the sides (especially in a covered box), so having boxes at least 1 1/2-2 times the size of your cat is very important.
You can make your own from storage containers (see “The diy Litter Box“) or buy ready-made ones (see the list below).
Some regular size boxes have the option of a shield that can work well for those who need higher sides.
Just be sure the shield doesn’t leak where the base meets the box.
Litter Box Options
I make a small commission on some of the links below… and I get to share profits with qualified cat rescues!
Check descriptions and reviews carefully for any products you wish to buy… quality, sizes, colors, etc., can’t be guaranteed by anyone but the manufacturer.
Plastic Open Boxes – 5″ Tall or Greater
Some of these boxes come in different sizes and/or have accessories that come with them.
Stainless Steel Open Boxes – 5″ Tall or Greater
Low-Sided Boxes – 4″ Tall or Less
Ramps
Ramps are useful to help your kitty get into a regular or high-sided box (if your cat likes it, of course).
There are some that come with a litter box but not sold separately.
Ramps can be hard to find but here are a few.
If you’re handy you can make one… kitty will have a custom-made entryway!
Purrfectly Clean Paws® Anti-Tracking, Scratcher, Cat Litter Box Ramp
Types of Litter Boxes & Accessories
Related Pages of Interest
Sources
Sources used on this website are either primary or secondary.
Primary sources are always preferable and have the most reliable information because they’re original and directly referenced.
Scientific abstracts and data are good examples of primary sources.
Secondary sources are weaker because they usually consist of opinions or articles that give no sources of their own.
However, sometimes they refer to primary sources.
When I use secondary sources, most are those with some authority, such as veterinarian or cat behaviorist books and articles.
List of Sources
Disclosure
I make a small commission on some of the sources listed below if you choose to purchase them from here.
Some products listed link to companies that sell them, whether or not I make any money.
“16 Stand-Out Cat Litter Box Furniture Options to Fit Your Style”, The Dog People
“77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat“, by Susan M. Ewing, Fox Chapel Publishers International, Ltd., 2018
A-K
“The Best Kind of Litter Box for Longhaired Cats“, by Jet Perreault, Petful, Dec 5, 2014
“Cat Speak“, by Bash Dibra with Elizabeth Randolph, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., New York, NY, 2003
“The Cat Whisperer“, by Mieshelle Nagelschneider, Bantam Books, The Random House Publishing Group, New York, NY, 2013, www.bantamdell.com
“Cat Wise“, Pam Johnson-Bennett, Penguin Books, an imprint of Random House LLC, New York, NY, 2016
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting & Owning a Cat“, by Sheila Webster Boneham, PhD, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., New York, NY, 2005
“Decoding Your Cat” by American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, editors: Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB; Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB; Carlo Siracusa, DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York, NY, 2020
L-Z
“Litter Box Happiness for Cats of All Ages”, Dr. Sophia Yin, CattleDog Publishing, January 25, 2017
“Litter Box Solutions for Aging Cats”, Litter Robot
“Litter Training”, Kitten Lady
“The Special Needs of the Senior Cat”, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center
“Total Cat Mojo” by Jackson Galaxy with Mikel Delgado, PhD, Tarcher Perigree, Penguin Random House, LLC, New York, NY, 2017
“Think Like a Cat, How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat – Not a Sour Puss“, by Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Penguin Books, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, New York, NY, 2000, 2011
“What’s the Best Litter Box for Senior Cats”, FitSeer.com
“What Your Cat Wants”, by Francesca Riccomini, Thunder Bay Press, Octopus Publishing Group, San Diego, CA, 2012, www.thunderbaybooks.com
Product Sources
Updated February 19, 2023