Selecting the appropriate litter box for your cherished cat is simpler said than done. Choosing one can be daunting, with selections ranging from simple trays to a sophisticated self-cleaning variety on the market.

But don’t worry, you can find various types of cat litter Boxes that will be perfect for you and your cat. 

One of the biggest mistakes many cat owners make is underestimating the significance of the best litter box. In essence, it’s not just about avoiding a mess, it is about offering your cat a comfortable environment.

The wrong box choice can result in stumbling around your house, nervousness about your pet, and irritation of yourself.

Over the years of my practice as a feline behaviorist, I have witnessed how much the choice of a litter box matters.

Many clients complained that their cat had kept having accidents and now has perfect litter habits in a litter box. Now is a good time to examine the different styles of litter boxes.

Types of CAT Litter Boxes

Cat owners have a type of cat litter Box, each designed to address the needs and preferences of cats and guardians. Here’s an overview of 12 common types of traditional litter boxes:

1. Open Litter Boxes

Open litter boxes are the oldest and most straightforward kind of cat toilets that you can purchase. These simple, uncovered trays offer a basic solution for your cat to use for bathroom purposes.

They are easily accessible, and these exposed infrastructures provide visibility, which may be preferred to the cats while eliminating themselves.

One should consider an open litter box as it is cheap and very easy to clean, and the clan does not build up in the corners of the litter box.

They offer ample space for big cats or those with mobility problems, as there are no obstructions to climbing.

However, the lack of cover means odors can spread more easily, and more active owners might find their kitten littering the area around the box.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Provides an unobstructed view of cats	No privacy for shy cats
Accommodates cats of all sizes	More visible in living spaces
Easy to monitor for health issues

2. Covered Litter Boxes

Covered or enclosed litter boxes provide a more private bathroom environment for your cat. These boxes have a hood or dome on top of the litter tray, forming a small room where your cat can defecate.

The cover assists in keeping scents within the box and stops litter from being kicked out of the box, which can be quite helpful for a cat that tends to scatter litter or burrow deeply.

Another reason many cat owners like having covered boxes is because it masks any ugly garbage that might be observed from the cat’s basket.

Certain cats enjoy having these boxes as they feel secure in an enclosed area rather than open.

What We Like	What We Don’t
It helps mask the litter box appearance	It is intimidating for some cats
Reduces litter tracking	It is quite challenging to clean thoroughly
It can make cats feel more secure

3. Corner Litter Boxes

Corner litter boxes are specifically created to be installed in the corners of homes and, hence, are ideal for homes with limited floor space.

These shaped boxes help to utilize the corners to ensure that you have set aside a proper bathroom area for your cat.

Most corner litter boxes include high sides or covers to help keep litter contained and reduce tracking.

Their shape can also offer security to cats who like to have their back area covered when using the litter box.

However, the triangular design could lead to less living space than rectangular boxes. This could be a problem for wider cats or numerous cats living together in the same place.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Optimizes room layout	Limited size options available
Often includes high sides for privacy	It is not suitable for cats who prefer open spaces
It can be less obtrusive in living areas

4. Designer Litter Boxes

Designer litter boxes are a great departure from ordinary plastic trays and are functional art that serves as cat toilets that blend with home decor. These boxes are available in different designs, ranging from simple modern enclosures to the ones that look like furniture.

The majority of original designer litter boxes are made to resemble regular tables, cabinets, or planters. It can be especially rewarding for individuals who live in limited spaces.

Despite their outstanding appearance, these boxes are sometimes more expensive than the traditional ones.

Their complicated configuration can also make cleaning more difficult.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Enhances room aesthetics	It requires more frequent cleaning
Doubles as functional furniture	Often less spacious for larger cats
It helps maintain a tidy appearance

5. Dog Proof Litter Boxes

Dog-proof litter boxes can be purchased specially designed to ensure that dogs do not interfere with your cat, her litter box, or bathroom area. Such boxes generally have a tiny door that enables cats to go in and access the litter.

One can access the majority of models and most of them are fitted with covered designs or entry systems. These boxes are placed in sections, making it difficult for the dogs to access them.

This type of litter box can be very useful when cats share the home environment with dogs.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Prevents dogs from accessing cat waste	It is difficult for older or less agile cats to use
Reduces litter scatter from dog disturbance	Often more expensive than standard litter boxes
Provides cats with a sense of security

6. Top-entry Litter Boxes

As their name implies, top-entry litter boxes are enclosures where the entry is on top, not on the side. Cats must climb onto the lid and off into the box to utilize it.

This configuration has several strengths, especially for energetic kittens throwing dirt out or digging it.

The high walls and top-entry trash chute minimize litter scatter on the ground and floors, keeping them clean.

Some of the best top-entry boxes also have a rough or hole-patterned cover that scratches the cats’ paws when exiting to reduce the amount of litter dropped. 

These boxes can also help to confine the matter for shy cats and to prevent dogs or small children from getting to the litter.

However, it is not suitable for some cats since some entries might be hard for a cat with mobility problems or for bigger cats.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Excellent at containing litter scatter	Not suitable for cats with mobility issues
Provides privacy for shy cats	Some cats may be reluctant to use them initially
Often, aesthetically pleasing design

7. High-sided Litter Boxes

High-sided litter boxes are those where there are enclosing walls that are higher than most common litter boxes.

These raised rims are designed to minimize the spread of litter on the floor and are particularly useful for handling cats.

Cats who love to dig or those who like to pee on the upper portions of the sides of the box. It also assists in preventing overspray, which makes these boxes ideal for male cats, or cats with issues that prevent them from aiming correctly.

Many high-sided boxes are designed with a lowered front to accommodate cats of all ages and those with mobility issues.

This design balances the containment of mess and the readiness to use it if left open all the time.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Effectively contains litter scatter and spray	It is heavier and more difficult to move when full
Suitable for most cats, including large breeds	It requires more litter than standard boxes
Often more spacious than standard boxes

8. Sifting litter boxes

Sifting litter boxes is intended to help clean the cats’ litter boxes less unpleasant or more efficiently. These boxes generally comprise two or three trays that can be stacked on each other.

The top tray contains holes or bars that can only allow the clean litter to drop while holding back the solid waste. To clean, all one has to do is lift the top tray to facilitate sorting the clean litter.

This system can prove greatly helpful in minimizing the time and energy that is used in practicing daily litter box care.

There is a wide range of sift boxes, starting from the open types, covered, to self-cleaning sift boxes.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Simplifies the cleaning process	It will not work well with non-clumping litter
Reduces direct contact with waste	When full, it is quite heavy, making lifting difficult
Can help conserve litter

9. Self-cleaning Litter Boxes

Self-cleaning litter boxes are advanced technologies that enable the reduction of the frequent cleaning of your cat’s bathroom. These boxes have automatic systems ranging from rakes, conveyors, or rotating drums to pick and devolve waste.

The waste is then dumped into a closed bin or a disposable bag, minimizing smells. Even some of the most sophisticated models can be linked to applications that are installed on a smartphone.

While these boxes save much time and effort in litter box cleanup. Such types of litter boxes for cats come with relatively high costs, and one may need to buy special litter or accessories.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Minimizes daily scooping and maintenance	Higher initial cost compared to traditional boxes
It helps control odors effectively	It produces noise that some cats find unsettling
Can track your cat’s bathroom habits

10. Extra-large litter boxes

These are oversized cat litter pans meant for large cats, and cats that use multiple litter trays. These extra-large boxes are usually much larger than regular litter boxes, which provide enough space for the cat.

Most large litter boxes are designed to contain scattered, spraying, and heavy-digging cats. Those cats with a messy habit of tossing litter around will benefit from extra-large litter boxes with high sides.

As with all the designed products, these boxes have numerous advantages for both the cats and owners.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Ideal for large cats or multi-cat households	Requires more floor space
Reduces frequency of complete litter changes	It is heavy and difficult to clean when full
Provides more comfort for cats during use

11. Disposable Litter Boxes

Disposable litter boxes are readily available to cat owners who do not wish to clean and attend regular checkups.

These boxes are usually created using recycled paper or cardboard material and are specifically intended for single use and disposal.

Some boxes are designed to arrive with litter, which makes them perfect for use when traveling or bringing along, especially when you are a guest at a relative’s house or when you just want to have an additional litter box.

They are also used widely in shelters and catteries, too. Temporary litter pans are comparatively light in weight, simple to fix, and do not require washing or ammonia solution.

Permanent boxes are more durable than shallow ones and may be less effective if your cats are heavy diggers.

Also, the cost implication of replacing them can be more expensive compared to constantly taking care of a conventional litter box in the future.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Convenient for travel or temporary use	Higher long-term cost compared to reusable boxes
No cleaning or maintenance is required	It is not much durable as permanent litter boxes
Often biodegradable and eco-friendly

12. Portable Litter Boxes

The portable litter boxes are small ones suitable for cats on the move for vacations, camps, or any other event. Such boxes are usually small and portable and can easily be carried from one place to another.

Some of the portable litter boxes are of the collapsible or foldable kind. Some models have built-in carrying cases or handles to make the job easier.

There are different types of carriers with removable trays, such as fabric enclosures that pop up, hard plastic boxes with lids, and inflatable bunting.

They are less large and stable than fixed ones, but they provide the cats with a familiar and clean place for defecation in unfamiliar places.

What We Like	What We Don’t
Easy to transport and store	Usually smaller than standard litter boxes
Ideal for travel or temporary living situations	It is not as durable as permanent options
Helps maintain a routine for cats while away from home

Check Out: How to Make a DIY Litter Box: Easy and Affordable Ideas

How Big Should Your Litter Box Be?

Litter box dimensions must be big enough to suit them well and help them engage with it appropriately.

Another general guideline is to take a box that should be not less than 1.5 times the length of your cat, starting from the tip of the nose to the base of the cat’s tail.

The box size needed for most adult cats to exhibit this is 20-22 inches long. A width should be not less than the length of your cat.

Sides should be 5-7 inches high, or higher depending on the cat if it sprays or kicks the litter aggressively.

Which Litter Box is Right for You?

Choosing the right litter box is very important; it depends on the cat’s behaviour and the environment in which you live.

It’s important to consider your cat’s size, age, and physical capabilities. Some cats may easily climb in and out of boxes or may require shallow boxes, while others may require those with tops or pop-open lids.

For many cats in a home, ensure many boxes are in different forms. Location also plays a role; corner or furniture-style boxes are suitable since they occupy little space in small houses.

However, if odor or aesthetics are an issue, covered or self-cleaning boxes may be best.

The Conclusion

Choosing the right litter box will not only benefit your cat’s health but also help prevent making a mess in your house. Some of the factors to look at are the size of the cat, the age of the cat, its preferences and your home, and how much effort you can put into cleaning. 

Choose between various types and try out the one that is most effective while with other people. Remember, though, that cleanliness is utmost regardless of the type of boxes that will be used.

Overall, it means that the best litter box is the one, that the cat will use without deciding to go somewhere else.

Until next time, Meow-Meow!

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