Which litter box is best for a kitten

Lift the top tray, sift the contents so the clean litter falls below, dump the resulting waste, then put the empty tray at the bottom of the stack. Repeat as needed. This box is too big to be able to cleanly dump out litter in a small garbage can, in a Litter Genie Plus Cat Litter Disposal System , or even in a round kitchen can. And when we tried the latter, it meant carrying the tray into the next room. Even with most of the litter sifted, little bits fell through the cracks.

Even though we used the recommended Tidy Cats litter, we found that waste residue stuck to the tray after it was emptied. It has a single sifting tray that you keep sandwiched between two solid trays. When the litter in the solid tray on top is soiled, you dump it into the sifting tray, and let the clean litter fall through.

At this point, you have three trays spread out. The just-emptied one which may need to be wiped out , the sifting tray full of waste and clumps that need to be disposed of, and the solid tray with the clean-ish litter.

Just like with the Luuup, with the So Phresh, cleanly disposing of the waste from a large tray means needing to have a large garbage can or fresh garbage bag nearby.

Keeping a small garbage can or Litter Genie next to a standard box is faster, less complicated, and often less messy. We like that the Petphabet Cat Poopie Box has a clear plastic hood, because most cats are more comfortable if they can see their surroundings when doing their business. But the whole hood needs to be removed to comfortably scoop and clean the box, and this takes more time and space than with boxes that have a flip top. The plastic was flimsy overall, including the flap locks that keep the two pieces mated together.

The biggest drawback is that it looks harder to clean out than the Catit Litter Box Jumbo, primarily due to the plastic indentation at the back of the box, which owners have called out as a place urine-soaked litter can get caked and hard to scoop. Cleaning out litter boxes is no fun, and anything that makes that even harder is a major flaw. Also, the AmazonBasics box has an oval rather than a rectangular footprint—which means it takes up as much space as the Catit Litter Box Jumbo, but has less usable internal space.

Plus the AmazonBasics box has a smaller doorway for the cat to get in and out of. We love big boxes, and big boxes are great for large cats. The Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box was its first design, introduced before the flip-top version that we recommend. The top-entry version is well designed and well made: The top pivots in the middle so any tracked litter falls back inside, and the plastic is thicker and easier to clean than that of any other box we tried.

But this is a box made for people, not for cats. All 12 cats who had the chance to try the stylish top entry ignored it in favor of traditional boxes. The low entryway makes it easier for cats, including older or less-mobile ones, to get in and out. The high sides and back help contain cat messes from urine overspray and litter spills. Most cats prefer an open litter box, because they like a clear view of their surroundings—and closed lids trap smells, which is as unpleasant for a pet as it would be for you.

The best way to prevent the litter box from smelling is to scoop it daily and replace the litter every couple of weeks. If you own multiple cats, you may need multiple litter boxes, and to replace the cat litter more frequently to keep your space smelling fresh. Knowing better than to fall prey to the sunk-cost fallacy, he set aside his econ degree in to review tech for Wirecutter, work that has included projects such as using wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men for generator run-time tests.

Kaitlyn Wells is a staff writer covering all things pets and style. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love , follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family. Our pick. Also great. Upgrade pick. Modkat Flip Litter Box Pay for the looks, get some perks The Modkat Flip is the best-looking option, with seamless sides and a folding, magnetic lid for easy opening and cleaning.

Everything we recommend. Who should buy this Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes? Who should buy this. Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes? Why you should trust us. How we picked. Most cats prefer to use open-style litter boxes instead of enclosed ones, but since every cat has their own preferences, we looked at both styles of boxes.

Shape: An open litter box should have high sides to prevent urine overspraying or litter scattering. Easy to scoop and clean: You should be scooping the litter box once a day, and changing litter completely at least every two weeks. The ASPCA goes further and recommends replacing litter and cleaning boxes with soap and warm water once a week.

But bad litter boxes have crevices, ridges, and divots where clumped litter and cat waste can get stuck, making scooping and cleaning a pain. Anytime your kitten indulges in food or drink, show them the litter box. That will allow them to get adjusted to the new area without a lot of extra space to run off and potty out of the litter box. Your home is a big, new place for a tiny cat. Once you feel comfortable allowing them to free-range, offer a litter box in every room until they are acclimated properly.

Until your kitten gets into the swing of things, leave a small amount of poop or a pee spot in the litter box. The smell will remind them where they need to go each time they get the urge. Each time your kitty goes to the potty in their new box, reward them accordingly. Offer a favorite treat or a fun toy. Instead of scolding your cat, try to maintain patience and understanding. It encourages good covering behavior and caters to their natural impulse to bury their waste.

Most kittens will get the hang of this right away. Cats have natural impulses to bury and cover their waste—how polite. So once you introduce them to a suitable box that they can use freely, they will soon want to use nothing else. Most kittens are fully litter trained by 8 weeks, but it can be a long process for some. Have patience, use positive reinforcement tactics, and always buy the right supplies.

While there are tons of options on the market, here are the best types of litter boxes for kittens. Self-cleaning litter boxes are designed to reduce odors associated with cat boxes. This way, you can go a bit longer in between cleanings. When you first start out with litter training, it is best to always leave a little waste behind as a scented reminder for your kitten.

Traditional litter boxes are typically made of anti-stick plastic and basic properties that do the intended job. Many of these options are just a standard plastic base without hoods, covered entries, or extra bells and whistles. These selections are meant to accomplish one task—providing your cat with adequate bathroom space. Hooded litter boxes are positive for both owners and cats alike.

As a kitten, feeling vulnerable while doing their business can make them find more favorable spots to go—like under your bed. With a hood, they can feel safer and more relaxed during the process. Kittens are downright tiny when you bring them home. At first, they might not be too keen about jumping into a dark box to do their business. A low-entry point allows them to step inside with ease, making the process more seamless.

We do need to note that this can lead to additional tracking, so make sure you secure the front of the box with a protective mat. Disposable litter boxes are a great training tool. You can start them off with this type since it provides biodegradable qualities and helps to teach them where to go.

After the first several weeks, you can transition to a long-term litterbox of your choosing. Even though a litter box might seem like a simple item without much thought, there are a few types to avoid if you have an early learner. Top entry litter boxes are designed to allow cats access through the top portion of the hooded box. It eliminates a lot of tracking and keeps smells to a minimum. These boxes are terrific to keep bad smells contained inside of the box without leaking into the rest of the house.

However, with kittens, they might not be strong enough to push through the door. Or, they might feel confused or uneasy with this type of entryway. These boxes are best suited for experienced litter box users. Hopefully, these honest reviews help you select the best option for your young little cat so they can grow with healthy bathroom habits.

It provides adequate security without any tricky entry points or dark spaces. It prevents litter flicking, too—which is common among kittens. Ultimately, we think it has every feature you need for litter training success.

It comes with all the basics to get you started, so you trim down on cost right away. Plus, it provides an easy-access open concept for your newbie, so they know where to put their waste without searching. No matter what you choose, remember to be patient while your kitty learns where to use the bathroom. Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too — Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds.

Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs. Skip to content. Nov 02 Simple entry Provides security while using the bathroom Easy to clean Comes with scooper. No special features. All-in-one kit Low entry Bolstered snap-on Affordable.

Might not need all the extras. Self-cleaning system Comes with litter Odor control. Not all kittens will like the litter. Fits in corners Low entry point Antimicrobial plastic.

They should have ample space to move and dig around in it, without having to step out. As a general rule, the correct size litter box should be at least as long as your cat, from their nose to the tip of their tail when extended , and its width should be at least as wide as your cat is long with their tail not extended. And your cat's personality and "condition" will partially dictate the hight of the boxes they need.

So feel free to go either way here, or to test it out by giving your cat a selection of boxes to choose from. Just be ready to adapt if your cat starts giving you indications of a clear preference one way or the other. There are many self-cleaning boxes on the market now, and it can be tempting to drop a little extra cash for the convenience of a box you never have to scoop.

But as inconvenient or unpleasant as you might think it is to scoop litter boxes each day, it will be far less convenient or pleasant when your cat is startled by their automatic litter box and becomes too scared to use it. The thing that most often fits the bill is actually a large, plastic under-the-bed clothes storage box. I love using the inner drawers of the the ones linked here , as they've got great dimensions for most cats: approximately 27" long, 15" wide, and 4.

Especially as a cat ages, getting in and out of their litter box can cause another set of problems and a whole lot of discomfort as many cats over 7 years old have arthritis. These first two box options fit the bill, with three high sides and one lower one. PetFusion Large Litter Box.