Best Cat Litter Box 2021: Shopping Guide &amp; Review

$ 109.00

Iris is an American company that has been delivering innovative home essentials since 1994, and they have certainly made their mark in the pet accessory industry too. This medium-sized white and beige litter box has a top opening that will be very accessible for your cat, while preventing the sand from scattering all over the place when your cat digs away.

The grooved lid further help your feline friend to clean its paws. The small scoop attached to the side of the box helps you quickly remove excrements. According to past customers, this product does a great job at keeping bad odours to the minimum. They also praised their design, that shouldn’t conflict with your elegant home decor. This litter box also offers great bang for your buck!

Modkat Flip Litter Box with Scoop and Reusable Liner

Modkat Flip Litter Box (covered)

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$ 159.00

Modkat is a New York-based brand started by cat owners, for cat owners. While they have now expanded their range of accessories, their original products were cat litter boxes, and they have received several awards for their innovative designs. This flip litter box is just as elegant as it is functional, and your cat and yourself will surely love it.

Your feline friend will easily enter through the front entry, and the tarp litter liner included will make cleaning so much easier for you. One great aspect is the flipping lid, which allows you to fully uncover the tray or keep it closed to better contain odours. The price may be higher than other products on this list, but it has so much to offer you won’t regret it. Scoop included.

ZEEZ MP3023BL11 Birba Litter Tray, Night Blue, 56x39x21cm

ZeeZ Birba Litter Tray (open)

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$ 26.99

Queensland company Prestige Pet Products developed the ZeeZ brand to provide affordable accessories for all our feline and canine friends out there. This litter tray may not the flashiest nor the most attractive-looking at first glance, but its incredible price and no-frills functionality might just be what your cat and yourself were looking for.

Its size is large enough for your pet to dig and turn, and the removable high rim is designed to keep all the litter and sand from flying onto your floor. Made in Italy, this tray is extremely easy to clean. The non-slip feet will not only protect your floor, but also prevent the litter box from moving around too much when your cat is around. This is the most affordable product on our list.

Cat Toilet Litter Box Tray House with Handle and Scoop Portable Hooded

Portable Cat Toilet Litter Box (covered)

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This wonderful portable litter house will be great to have at home for your cat, but you will love it even more if you are one of those who like to take their feline friend on all kinds of adventures. The top handle makes it easy to transport everywhere, and its light weight means you’ll only be carrying the weight of your animal!

The flipping door gives quick access to the litter box, while also providing greater privacy and tranquility. You can easily remove the hood when the time comes to clean the tray or if you simply want to give your cat a look at what’s happening around. When it’s on, you don’t have to worry about your pet: the top vents offer all the air it needs during your travels. This product comes with a scoop.

3 in 1 Self Sifting Tray Cat Litter Box Simple Stylish Antimicrobial Pet Cat Toilet Training Tray

3-in-1 Self-Sifting Cat Tray (open)

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$ 41.87

Last but not least, this traditional cat litter tray comes with a twist that will make your life a whole lot easier when it comes to cleaning your feline’s business. The three different litter trays are all made from an easy-to-clean plastic and fit perfectly together, their blue design fitting in most modern homes.

How does it work? Once your cat does its business in the tray, all you’ll need to do is sift the top tray to let the sand fall back into the bottom tray, while easily throwing excrements away into the bin. According to past customers, this product works just great. Note that one suggested avoiding this product if you use wood pellets as litter.

Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about cat litter boxes

Once you understand the character of a cat, it can become the most beautiful companion of all. However, since these animals don’t go out to do their business like dogs, a litter box is an essential item for your cat to feel comfortable at home. In the following section, we’ll look at some of the most frequently asked questions by new cat owners.

Woman resting with kitten — Cats are known for being very affectionate and playful, all the while being very independent.
(Source: Alena Ozerova: 46423368/ 123rf.com)

Is it important for a cat to have its own litter box?

One of the most striking aspects of a cat’s personality is that they are incredibly clean animals. As we mentioned earlier, they are also known to be very independent, and some kittens are extremely attached to their owners. Ultimately, you shouldn’t even have to wash your cat as these animals clean themselves constantly.

Litter boxes are so important for cats specifically because they love to be so clean. This space allows you to easily collect their stool. It’s actually very rare for a cat do its business outside of its litter box.

Keep in mind that you need to keep your cat’s box clean for it to be comfortable.

How often should I change the sand?

You must throw away solid excrements every day, but how often you should change the sand mostly depends on the type you’re using. Once a week will be plenty enough if you have absorbent or non-agglomerating sand. In any case, you can clean it if it starts to smell before the end of the week.

Certain sands, known as agglomerating, can be used up to a month. That being said, we recommend you to always collect excrements and wet spots, while adding a bit more clean and dry sand. Plant-based litters should be changed much more often: every three days generally, or at most five.

Charles DickensEnglish Writer and Novelist

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?”

Is changing the sand the only hygienic measure to follow?

In short, no. When you completely replace the sand, we recommend you to wash the whole litter box and use disinfectant that is not harmful to your cat. Here’s our little tip: set a thin layer of baking soda underneath the sand, which will help collect the bad smells.

It is sometimes advised to use gloves to clean your litter box. If you prefer not to, washing your hands thoroughly afterwards is another great option. Remember to remove the wettest spots every day; this is key for the welfare of your pet, and of course for yourself.

Adorable grey cat near litter box indoors. Pet care — Cats absolutely need a litter box for their hygiene.
(Source: Belchonock: 107226522/ 123rf.com)

How should I prepare the litter box for my new cat?

Did you just buy or adopt a new kitten? When the time comes to place its litter box, we recommend a calm corner in a ventilated area. Remember that it tends to smell. It should also be placed in a room where the door is always open, since cats like to always be in control. And for hygiene’s sake, please keep it away from their food.

Besides that, the quantity of sand in the tray is also very important to consider. In that regard, it is recommended to completely fill it so that your cat can easily bury its faeces, which they love doing. These felines tend to be extremely intuitive and will learn by themselves how to use their litter box. If you want, you can stir clean sand in front of your cat so it’ll know where to do it.

How can I avoid bad smells?

We’ve already mentioned that a small layer of baking soda could help reduce the strong smell of your cat’s urine. Using a covered litter box is also a great option if your feline friend is fine with this. Some filters available on the market will retain the bad odour. Perfumed sands also exist, but be careful that they are not too strong for your cat.

Ultimately, maintaining extremely good hygiene is very important, in particularly for your animal. In the event that you have to go away for a few days, give your keys to someone you trust so that they can keep the space equally clean. As mentioned earlier, self-cleaning litter boxes exist; they are very modern, but much less affordable.

What if my cat doesn’t use its litter box?

If you have a small cat, make sure it can actually climb into the box. In other words, don’t buy a product that is too high. If the litter box is the right size, it is advised to take your pet and place it on the sand if you catch it doing its business elsewhere. Since cats are intelligent animals, this should help yours understand where its toilet actually is.

Older cats who still urinate or defecate outside of their litter box may have one of two problems: either a health condition that prevents them from containing themselves, or they simply don’t like their box. This may be because it isn’t clean enough, or that its location isn’t to their liking, or because they’re not happy with the sand. This may happen, for instance, if you use perfumed sand.

little kitty inside a litter box — Remember that not all cats like or are comfortable with covered litter boxes.
(Source: Thorsten Nilson: 106914199/ 123rf.com)

Why does my cat mark the house with urine?

Your cat could also be urinating outside of its litter box because it’s marking its territory. While this is rare, it may still happen, and all cats – male or female, sterilised or not – can do this. They can mark your own bed or clothes, which can become a big problem.

This phenomenon tends to happen when the cat has difficulty accepting something new: a new home, a new family member, or a new furry friend in the house. As mentioned earlier, your cat could also be urinating outside of its tray because of a medical condition. This is why you should consider taking your feline friend to the vet when it starts marking its territory in your home.

The truth is that your house belongs to your cat; you simply pay the mortgage.

What precautions should I take with a litter box?

If you are pregnant or a pregnant woman lives in your house, it is extremely important to stay away from it. There is a risk of contracting a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis, which is passed on through cat faeces.

Dogs can sometimes eat cats’ excrements, so prioritise a covered litter box if you also have a canine friend at home.

Out of comfort for your cat, its tray should be kept away from its food. For your own comfort, keep it away from the kitchen; terrible smells can sometimes come out of it, even if it is covered. This may not be so appetising during meal times. In addition, it is recommended to leave your cat when it’s doing its business, and to change the litter box around once every year.

What should I do during holidays?

Cats aren’t too keen on changing their environment. Yes, they are much more independent than dogs, and allow us more free time. But taking them along with us on trips can be a real headache. This is why the most advised option is to give your key to a trusted friend that will clean the litter box and feed your feline.

If you really want to take your cat on holidays, it may be possible, but this ultimately depends on your animal’s personality. In that case, you may not want to transport the litter box from home with you, and you’re in luck: travel-specific models are available. You can find foldable products made from waterproof material or from cardboard, that your cat will use a few days before you have to throw it away.

Man in knitted sweater holding ginger cat. — Remember to keep the litter box away from your cat’s food and water for obvious hygiene reasons.
(Source: Konstantin Aksenov: 49129324/ 123rf.com)}

Shopping Criteria

Ultimately, choosing the perfect litter box doesn’t only come down to your needs, but also to those of your favourite fluffy friend. Cats are creatures of habits and you should always respect their different obsessions. We’ve designed the following section to give you all the information you need to get the best quality and value for money from your litter box.

Style: covered or open?
Sizes
Shapes and colours
Additional options

Style: covered or open?

Covered models tend to be more frequently used due to the bad smells, but open litter boxes are more affordable. Some cats also find themselves more comfortable with the latter, since they love having control over everything happening around them. This is naturally more difficult inside a covered tray.

On the other hand, the cover provides greater security and serenity, making these models more suitable for many felines. In the end, the model that is most appropriate for your cat will greatly depend on its personality. The good thing about covered litter boxes is that the sand will more easily remain clean.

curious cat looking up, studio shot — Follow our advices in case your cat doesn’t understand where to do its business.
(Source: Maria Itina: 50797251/ 123rf.com)

Sizes

A litter box should naturally be big enough to fit your pet, or be even larger if you have several fluffy friends. These animals have a tendency of imitating each other, which may lead them to do their business at the same time. While some claim that a big tray is enough for both cats, certain experts believe that each should have their own.

You probably already know that these animals simply love digging! They also have the habit of twirling while doing so, which means that a bigger litter box will always be better for them. That being said, it may result uncomfortable if you have a small place for.

This is why it is recommended to simply focus on your cat’s size when buying a product, in particular if you decided to opt for a covered model.

Shapes and colours

The most common shape for these items is rectangular. While they represent the vast majority of models available on the Australian market, that doesn’t mean that there is no space for innovation and new shapes. In some cases, triangular products may be more suitable for some parts of your house, and your cat may even prefer it. Circular litter boxes also tend to be more attractive.

Nowadays, you can even find some models that are designed to look like other objects so as not to stand out from your home decor too much – like a flowerpot shape, for instance. Regarding colours, this tends to be much more of an issue for the owner than for the cat, and you should be able to find something to your liking quite easily. There are many options on the market, and you can choose from the colours that predominate in your home.

Additional options

Besides the litter box where you cat will be able to do its business inside the house without causing too much discomfort for anyone, other products can be used to complement it. Most have to do with maintaining the cleanliness of the tray and the space surrounding it. These complements and their uses are the following:

Complement	How to use it
Scoop	Used to collect the faeces. This should be done after each deposition. It can also help with the full cleaning of the litter box.
Mat	It can be placed under the tray to prevent it from moving around too much. If you set it by the litter box, your cat will be able to clean its sandy paws to keep your home clean.
Deodoriser	It will neutralise the unpleasant smells of the tray, and can actually help prolong its useful life.
Hygienic bags	They are designed to be placed on the litter box. Durable models will avoid urine accumulation and combat bad odours. They will make cleaning faster and easier, and prolong the use of the tray.
Rack	It should be place inside the litter box, and all you have to do is lift it and collect both excrements and the sand balls agglomerated by the urine. Simply throw them away and put the rack back inside the tray.