6 best cat litter boxes in 2023, according to veterinarians

Feb 08, 2024

In the U.S., around 80% of cats spend their days indoors, according to a recent survey published in “Animals,” an international peer-reviewed journal devoted entirely to animals, including zoology and veterinary sciences. So for indoor-only pets, it’s important to provide a suitable place for them to go to the bathroom. That’s where the litter box comes in.

While not necessarily a glamorous purchase, litter boxes are essential for any cat, and it’s important to find the right one to encourage proper bathroom behavior. “Most commercial litter boxes are way too small,” said Dr. Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB, owner of Calder Veterinary Behavior Services, adding that the size, depth and accessibility of a litter box all can affect whether your cat uses it as intended.

To help you find a litter box that’s suitable for your pet, we consulted with veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior. Each offered guidelines on what key elements to look for when shopping for a litter box, including smart and budget-friendly options and those for senior cats. Based on their advice, we compiled a list of highly rated options we believe are worth considering.

While comparing litter boxes, our experts recommended keeping the following factors in mind:

Using the guidelines provided by our experts, we compiled the following list of highly rated litter boxes for indoor cats. Each of the boxes are 22 inches or longer, and they’re deep enough to hold 3 or more inches of litter. You’ll need to consider your cat’s size to select the option that will be most comfortable for them.

Pros: Affordable, high sides, low entry point

The Frisco High-Sided Cat Litter Box meets all of the criteria set by our experts, and it’s a favorite among pet owners, with a 4.8-star rating from more than 2,500 reviewers on Chewy. The box is 24 inches in length, making it an appropriate size for most cats, and the walls are 10 inches high, preventing litter from being kicked out when your cat is digging and containing waste, even if your cat doesn’t fully squat while eliminating. The front wall of the litter box has a lowered entry area that makes it easy for your cat to climb in, yet the wall is still high enough to accommodate several inches of litter.

Size: 24 x 18 x 10 inches | Material: Plastic

Pros: Inexpensive, lightweight

Cons: No entry point, smaller than other options

I use the PetMate Basic Litter Pan as a secondary litter box for my 1-year-old cat, and it’s a popular option thanks to its low price point. This box has a simple design with 6.5-inch walls, and it’s able to contain most of the litter, though some does occasionally spill over the sides when my cat is digging. I also like that the box is lightweight when empty and easy to wash out with soap. My cat is fairly small, measuring around 14 inches from nose to tail, so the litter box’s 22-inch length is suitable for her needs, but it may be too cramped for larger animals.

Size: 22 x 16.6 x 6.5 inches | Material: Plastic

Pros: Spacious, low entry point, includes scoop and scoop holder, covered design

Cons: Hinges can break

Some cats prefer an enclosed litter box for privacy, and the Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box is a large option with high walls and a hinged lid. It’s nearly 30 inches in length, making it suitable for larger animals, and the entry point is 6 inches high, allowing you to fill it with 3 inches of litter or more. This litter box comes with a plastic litter scoop, as well as a removable scoop holder that you can hang off the side of the box, and the lid swings open, providing easy access to the interior for daily maintenance and cleaning.

Size: 29.73 x 17.5 x 17.64 inches | Material: Plastic

Pros: Extra-low entry point, spacious design

Cons: Litter can't be as deep, fairly expensive

The Shirley K’s Senior Cat Litter Box has a large 30- by 30-inch form that will give your cat plenty of room to take care of their business. The front wall of the litter box has an entry point that’s just 3.5 inches high, making it more accessible for older cats or those with limited mobility, and the other walls are 9 inches to trap material that’s kicked around. Overall, the design is basic and easy to use, and while it is more expensive than other options, it’s also one of the largest litter boxes we found.

Size: 30 x 30 x 9 inches | Material: Plastic

Pros: Inexpensive, suitable for large or multiple cats, customizable

Cons: Requires modification

It can be challenging to find a litter box that’s big enough for a large cat, and in these cases, our experts recommend making one from a plastic storage container. “They come in a better variety of sizes and heights, and you can cut an opening in them,” said Dr. M. Leanne Lilly, DVM, DACVB, assistant professor at Ohio State University’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. If there are sharp edges after cutting, you can file or sand them down for the safety of your cat.

The Sterilite Plastic Latching box is more than 32 inches long and 19 inches wide, making it a suitable option for big cat breeds. Not only is it larger, but it’s also more affordable than many jumbo litter boxes, which is beneficial if you need to set up multiple bathroom locations throughout your home.

Size: 32.125 x 19.125 x 13.75 inches | Material: Plastic

Pros: Automatically sifts waste, app informs you of waste levels, enclosed carbon-filtered waste drawer reduces odors

Cons: Very expensive, may scare some cats

If you dislike litter box maintenance or your cat is fussy about having a clean box, an automatic model like the Litter-Robot 3 will remove waste almost immediately after your cat goes to the bathroom. I’ve used this automatic litter box for several years with multiple cats, and while it is quite expensive, it’s made my daily routine much easier. I love that I don’t have to scoop the box every day — instead, it simply sends a notification to my phone when the lower waste drawer needs to be emptied.

While the convenience is a major selling point of automatic litter boxes, our experts explain that not all cats may take to these products. “Automatic litter boxes may work for some cats, but bear in mind they may be scary for others,” said Lilly.

Size: 27 x 22 x 29.5 inches | Material: Plastic

There are a huge number of litter boxes available today, including options in all shapes and sizes. However, litter boxes aren’t a one-size-fits-all product, and the best box for your home will depend largely on your cat’s size and bathroom preferences. Our experts recommend looking at the following factors to find a litter box that’s well suited for your pet:

Closed litter boxes are often appealing to cat owners, as they keep waste out of sight and prevent litter from being kicked around, but cats themselves often prefer open boxes. “Statistically, cats prefer uncovered litter boxes with no liner to get caught in their nails,” said Lilly.

Some cats do like the privacy offered from an enclosed litter box, so you may want to try one. You can set up a covered litter box as a secondary bathroom location to see if your pet is willing to use it.

You’ll want to have multiple litter boxes in your home, even if you only have one cat. “It is important to have at least one more litter box than you have cats,” said Calder, adding that for one cat you’ll want to offer two litter boxes, for two cats three litter boxes and so on. This encourages healthy elimination behavior: “Cats often like to urinate in one place and defecate in another,” said Lilly.

The best option is a quiet location that’s easy for your cat to access. Our experts said to avoid putting litter boxes near noisy appliances or in the same space as the cat’s food or water dishes.

When setting up multiple litter boxes, you’ll want one on each floor of your home. Calder said that litter boxes should be “in multiple locations around the house — not lined up in a row.” If there are several litter boxes in close proximity, your cat will likely view it as one bathroom space.

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Camryn Rabideau has been covering pet products for more than six years, and she’s lived with four different cats over the past decade. While researching this piece, she consulted with two veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior, and she sorted through dozens of popular litter boxes online to find options that best fit criteria suggested by the experts. She’s personally used two of the litter boxes included in this list, as well as a variety of other models that she doesn’t recommend.

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.