Hi fellow travelin’ felines! Skye Blake here with info about a great travel helper… the collapsible litter box.
Anybody who takes a trip knows there isn’t much space in just about any type of transportation they take.
So, when a cat is out traveling how does one carry a litter box, among all the other necessary supplies?
Let’s find some answers…
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.
The Traveling Litter Box
Some clever people have been working on the problem of traveling with litter boxes.
So far, they’ve invented two options… collapsible and disposable boxes, each having their own pros and cons.
Discover more about disposable boxes at “The Disposable Litter Box“.
For now, let’s see what collapsible boxes can do for the travelin’ cat.
Let’s start by reviewing what we cats need and what humans need from litter boxes while traveling together.
There are many different types of trips and modes of transportation available, so both may need different litter box setups for different trips.
For example, traveling for weeks or months in a recreational vehicle (RV) requires sturdier litter boxes, while moving cross-country and being in a car for a couple days needs something portable or disposable.
If your cat’s not going to be using the great outdoors for her litter box, you should plan ahead and decide if taking your regular box makes sense or if it’s better to take at least one collapsible and/or some disposable boxes.
Whatever you decide, be sure to keep the same litter your cat likes to use. Introducing new letter while on a trip could be disastrous!
If you have to use something different, ease your cat into it for a few weeks at home before your trip.
Some people recommend liners, but they often are a problem since your cat’s sharp claws can easily poke holes and/or shred them, making them useless for containing the mess.
Don’t forget extra litter and a scoop!
What Cats Want
- A quiet place to go in safe territory
- A box where he can stand up, turn around and cover his business (1 1/2 times the size of your cat)
- The same litter he uses at home
What People Want
- A convenient litter box setup for easy disposal of waste
- Portability – easy to pack and carry
- Easy to clean or just throw away
Pros & Cons of Collapsible Litter Boxes
Pros
- Some collapse and fold into roughly wallet size
- Zipper top (like a suitcase) keeps litter in while on the road. It also keeps waste in and odors to a minimum until you can rid of it
- Some are versatile and can be used as a bed or storage for cat toys, etc., if not needed for litter
- Foldable firm sides that hold their structure when in use, but fold to fit in a suitcase.
- Lightweight
- Many come in different sizes
- Usually made of nylon or other materials that are easy to clean
Cons
- Some have softer sides that can let litter spill out when a cat uses the box
- Need to be cleaned periodically (some can be machine washed). Seamless construction is easiest to clean
List of Collapsible Litter Boxes
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.
If you’re interested in more info about litter boxes, litter, and related items, click the trails below…
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.
“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