The Best Litter Boxes
As much as we love our feline friends, one not-so-glamorous chore comes with being a cat parent: the litter box. Yes, the litter box itself is a great invention for our indoor friends. However, things can get rather messy. There’s the odor, the litter particles making their way onto the floor, and the scooping. Nonetheless, it's our duty to make sure our cats are always healthy and happy.
What to Look For
In order to find the best litter boxes on the market, we asked ourselves three questions: Is this litter box’s design good for all types of cats? Is it easy to clean? Does it effectively contain messes and smells? Our favorite litter box was Pet Mate’s simple sifting pan, which is about as universal and easy to use as they come — and the budget-friendly price helped convince us, too. But on the other end of the price spectrum, we loved Pet Safe’s self-cleaning litter box, which makes your life easier and your cat’s bathroom time more pleasant. Read on below to see the rest of our picks and why we liked each of them so much.
Pet Mate Sifting Litter Pan
There aren’t many things more tedious than cleaning out your cat’s litter box. Without a doubt, it’s a chore that’s constantly on the “I’ll do it tomorrow” list. Well, Pet Mate just made your life a lot easier with this sifting pan that pretty much takes the work out of the cleaning process. Simply toss the litter into a sifting pan, shake it out, and voila — the box is clean.
Pros:
- The sifting pan isn’t just convenient — it will also save you a bunch of money on cat litter.
- If you’re keen on using pine pellets as a cheaper alternative to traditional litter, you’ll be glad to know that they work well with this pan.
Cons:
- Wet litter will sometimes stick to the bottom of the tray. Though it’s a minor inconvenience, it’s annoying nonetheless.
Iris Top Entry Cat Litter Box
It’s never fun to walk across a floor that’s covered in cat litter particles. We cringe at the thought of the crunching sound on the soles of your shoes — that is, if you’re lucky enough to be wearing shoes. But thanks to Iris, you can avoid disaster and enjoy clean floors while providing your cat with one of the best litter boxes on the market. Thanks to this box’s top entry, your cats can climb right in, do their business, and hop out, leaving your floor free and clear.
Pros:
- Even some of the most premium litter boxes on the market omit an essential feature that this one includes: non-skid rubber feet. Thanks to that, this litter box won’t slide around the room and potentially tip over when your cat uses it.
- The grooved lid also helps keep your home clean. That’s because the texture helps remove litter particles from your cat’s claws as they climb out of the box.
Cons:
- The lid can sometimes collapse into the box, so you’ll need to check on it once in a while.
PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Say goodbye to scooping
Tired of scooping cat litter every day and cleaning the litter box every week? Yeah, it’s not a fun process, but we do it to keep our feline friends happy and comfortable, and PetSafe understands this. That’s why they released their self-cleaning litter box that automatically removes waste with a built-in raking mechanism. Not only does this eliminate odors, but it also saves you from having to clean and replace litter every week. All you have to do is remove the disposable tray at the bottom.
Pros:
- The self-cleaning design makes this litter box a great low-maintenance option, especially for busy folks who work outside of the home.
- The health counter keeps track of how many times your cat goes to the bathroom, which is great if you need to track such metrics to monitor your cat’s health.
Cons:
- Convenient as this litter box might be, it’s not the best at trapping odors.
Muyee Foldable Cat Litter Box With Lid
Have potty, will travel
Animal lovers have all been faced with that one conundrum: what do you do when it’s time to travel? If traveling involves hitting the open road, then Muyee has you covered. Cats aren’t the biggest fans of being plopped in a car, but this portable, top-entry litter box will help ease some of the anxiety. Once you arrive at your destination, this box will help alleviate your cat’s stress, as it’ll provide them a safe space to do their thing. The box is also sturdy enough that it can be used in your home, too, making it a multifunctional item.
Pros:
- The top-entry design prevents messes, which is obviously more important than usual while you’re traveling.
- As long as your cat isn’t an enthusiastic digger, this pick will work well for everyday use at your home, too.
Cons:
- This is smaller than your average litter box, so it’s not ideal for larger cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when purchasing a litter box?
For one thing, you’ll want to make sure that it’s the right size for your cat. Some of the options for litter boxes today really are impressive, from top-entry units to self-cleaning ones. It’s more of a dealer’s choice, as some folks don’t need all the gadgetry and opt for an old-school classic box. But the most important thing is that you and your cat are happy.
Does more expensive mean better quality?
In some circumstances, yes. But that can also backfire at times since the more mechanical litter boxes have a better chance of breaking down at some point. Yes, a cost-effective box can easily crack, but it’s also hassle-free to replace. However, a self-cleaning box may be ideal if you have a few feline friends running around.
About the Author
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Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.