The excitement of getting a new pet, whether you’re adopting or buying (but please adopt!), is usually enough to gloss over the really mundane parts. It’s easy to forget you’re bringing home living being that consumes and creates messy waste when your new little fluff ball is doing some dumb, cute thing for the first time. You’ll probably just pile a bunch of things into the cart so you can hurry home and enjoy your new pet.
For dogs, this means grabbing at the very least some doggie waste bags, or a scooper, as we outlined in our new puppy checklist post. For cats, that means a litter box. In the initial rush to grab everything you can think of, most people settle for the standard plastic pan, which is cheap and effective. But after a few days, it begins to be apparent that it isn’t the best option.
No matter how big your house is, used kitty litter is always unsightly. Additionally, no one wants it tracked all over the home. Pretty quickly, you look for ways to augment the box with items to mitigate these issues. The first step is usually adding a litter mat to keep tracking down. Soon enough, though, you’ll be looking into covered cat boxes to contains smells and mess. Top entry cat boxes are another covered solution that has its advantages.
Covered and top entry cat boxes are typically much cheaper than the other options for covering the litter. Litter box furniture enclosures are a great option , but since they are, in fact, furniture, the price tag usually reflects that. Similarly, while self cleaning litter boxes offer superior convenience, they’re both more expensive and have their own flaws. To compare the various options, read our self cleaning litter box post here and our litter box furniture enclosures post here.
To make life with your cat’s waste more livable, here are the top ten best covered and top entry litter boxes.
Covered Litter Boxes
The obvious and clear upgrade to the standard litter pan, covered cat boxes remove the mess from view and help to trap odors. They don’t completely solve the problem of litter tracking or spills, but they’re a marked improvement. The drawback to both these and the top entry boxes later on this list are that some cats hate going in confined spaces, preferring so-called “open air” to do their business. It’s hard to blame them — using a port-a-potty as a human isn’t the most ideal situation, either. Nevertheless, if your cat doesn’t mind it, your quality of life as a cat owner can be improved with the simple upgrade.
1. Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan
(Catit)
This is the basic, one-step-up improvement over a normal litter pan. The base is a large, deep pan measuring 22.4 inches long by 15.3 inches wide. The carbon filter at the top filters some odor and can be augmented with Catit Magic Blue Air Purifier refills to enhance the odor protection. Because the filter is exposed, some cats might mess with and eventually destroy it. The lid hinges on this particular unit are a weak point, but that is perhaps expected at the price point. I owned this model at one point and didn’t have any trouble, though I never tried lifting it while full, either.
You could skip the lid hinges with this much cheaper, but unfiltered Iris Hooded Litter Box. There’s also this Van Ness option which is also much deeper.
Need more options? Browse more Catit products here.
Price: $24.99
Buy the Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan here.
Pros:
- Large pan good for multi-cat households (though multiple pans is preferred)
- Filtered hood vent
- High-sided pan
- Built-in bag anchor
Cons:
- Lid latches are relatively weak
- Some cats will destroy the exposed filter
- Due to the weak latches, the handle at the top is basically useless
- Plastic somewhat brittle
Find more Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Self Cleaning Litter Boxes
If you love cats but hate litter boxes, consider our list of the top ten best self cleaning litter boxes to eliminate the hassle of cat cleanup.
Click here to read more
2. Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter
(Petphabet)
Admittedly, you’d probably choose this one for the designer colors more than anything else. If you must have a litter box in your home, it might as well be something pleasant to gaze upon. This molded plastic pan measures 24.8 inches long by 20 inches wide by 16.5 inches high. That makes it plenty large enough for multiple cats. The plastic is antimicrobial and non-stick, so routine washes will be easy. It doesn’t have a door, and that, combined with the transparent top, may make it better for cats who don’t like the dark enclosures. Additionally, there’s no door, so particularly aggressive diggers may find success in pitching litter outside the container. That being said, it’s a high-sided unit, so for the most part, the litter will stay put. The available colors include orange, yellow, red, lime green, light blue, purple, and teal.
Need more options? Browse more Petphabet products here.
Price: $39.99
Buy the Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter here.
Pros:
- Clear top makes cats afraid of enclosures feel more comfortable
- Available in seven fun colors
- Antimicrobial, non-stick plastic
- High back to contain litter
Cons:
- Clear top doesn’t hide mess as well
- Expensive for what it is
- No filtered ventilation
- Packages sometimes missing one or more of the lid locks
Find more Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Litter Box Furniture Enclosures
If you have a cat and you're sick of looking at an ugly litter box, consider our list of the top ten best cat litter box furniture pieces.
Click here to read more
3. Cat Love Space Saver Corner Hooded Cat Pan
(Cat Love)
Ideally, your cat’s litter box will be tucked into a remote corner of your home. In the case of this design, it will literally be tucked into the corner. The shape of this pan allows you to utilize the depth of a room corner to save a little space. The large face of the box contains a sturdy door, which is removable if your cats don’t like it. The low step might be good for older cats, but does increase the likelihood of tracking or spilling. Still, you can get the clever corner construction for less than the simple Catit option. This litter box comes in green or gray and measures 22 inches by 17.7 inches by 17.12 inches.
For considerably more money, you could look at the Kitangle Modern Cat Corner Kitty box, which is made of polyethylene plastic formed into a 90 degree angle and features an optional lid. There’s also the Nature’s Miracle Advanced Corner Hooded Cat Litter Box for just several dollars more.
Need more options? Browse more Cat Love products here.
Price: $20.49 (54 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Cat Love Space Saver Corner Hooded Cat Pan here.
Pros:
- Corner shape saves floor space
- Built-in bag anchor
- Carbon filtered ventilation
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Lid latches are relatively weak
- Relatively low pan sides
- Normal box liners won’t work
- Door may get stuck (but can be removed)
Find more Cat Love Space Saver Corner Hooded Cat Pan information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Litter Brands
Use our guide to the top ten best cat litters to help make sense of the many options.
Click here to read more
4. Petmate Booda Clean Step Litter Dome
(Petmate)
Another unique approach is this Booda litter dome. To enter or exit this litter box, cats must traverse a stairway, which ensures that litter can’t be sprayed when digging and significantly cuts down tracking. While the shape presents challenges when using traditional liners or scoops, the absence of a flapping door that doesn’t just exit directly onto your floor could make up for that. The overall structure measures 20 inches by 24 inches by 19 inches and comes in this Brushed Nickel color, as well as Pearl and Titanium, though the price seems to vary depending on which of these you choose.
The Petmate Booda line also includes the Dome Pearl Litter Box, which is a more conventional option.
Need more options? Browse more Petmate products here.
Price: $23.99 (33 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Petmate Booda Clean Step Litter Dome here.
Pros:
- Ramp greatly reduces tracking
- Carbon filtered ventilation
- Very good odor containment
- Virtually dog proof
Cons:
- Difficult to dump into a trash can
- Mixed reviews on size of the actual pan; small for the overall footprint
- Unique shape makes scooping a challenge with normal scoops
- Generally flimsy build quality
Find more Petmate Booda Clean Step Litter Dome information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Dry Cat Food Brands
For the health of your frisky feline, here's our list of the top ten best dry cat food brands.
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5. Kitty A Go Go Designer Cat Litter Box
(Kitty A Go Go)
Our final entry in the covered litter box category is this refined, modern option. The enclosure here is a high-quality stain resistant plastic that looks even better in person than in pictures. The litter box sits in a slide-out tray to make litter cleaning quick and easy. Inside, there are plastic guards that direct litter back into the pan from digging cats. The description on this item says large capacity, but that is debatable. The pan itself measures 13 inches wide by 17.5 inches long by four inches tall, which we think is a bit on the small side, especially for multi-cat households. The overall structure measures 18.43 inches wide by 21.46 inches long by 15.87 inches high. That being said, if you only have one cat, this stylish but small option might be the perfect choice. In addition to this Metallic Silver, the Kitty A Go Go comes in Burlwood, Polka Dot, Flower, Glossy Black, and Leopard Print finishes.
For another modern, integrated solution, you might consider the Modko Flip Litter Box Kit, which features a tall litter box, reusable tarp liner, flip lid, and a hanging scoop.
Need more options? Browse more litter boxes here.
Price: $89.99
Buy the Kitty A Go Go Designer Cat Litter Box here.
Pros:
- Modern look in designer colors
- Pull out tray
- Optional built-in sifter rake and scoop
- Plastic liners are reusable
Cons:
- Expensive
- Small
- Cats may pee in such a way that it gets under the liner
- Drawer liners are expensive (and appear to be unavailable via both Amazon and the manufacturer website)
Find more Kitty A Go Go Designer Cat Litter Box information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Treats
To give your cat a taste of something indulgent every once in awhile, here's our list of the top ten best cat treats.
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Top Entry Litter Boxes
A modest upgrade — or at least a different approach — to reducing tracking and hiding the mess, top entry litter boxes simply move the entry to the top of the container. This entirely eliminates spills from kicking and digging and goes a long way toward keeping all the litter inside the box.
6. Clevercat Innovations Top Entry Litter Box
(Clevercat)
This fairly simple option combines the toughness of a Rubbermaid-style bin with a textured tracking mat as the lid. The opening is large enough for just about any cat, and the ample box size means there’s plenty of room to dig inside. It only comes in this white color, but looks fairly inconspicuous as far as litter boxes go. The company makes their own liners to ease clean up.
For about half the price, there’s the very similar Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan, where the anti-tracking lid actually has holes in it so the litter falls back into the pan. The plastic isn’t nearly as rugged, however.
Need more options? Browse more Clevercat products here.
Price: $40.99
Buy the Clevercat Innovations Top Entry Litter Box here.
Pros:
- Tracking mat on lid keeps litter off the floor
- Large capacity
- Sturdy construction
- Blends in with home furnishings somewhat
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not ideal for cats who can’t jump easily
Find more Clevercat Innovations Top Entry Litter Box information and reviews here.
Top 20 Best Gifts for Cat Lovers
For the person on your list who has a cat (or ten), here's our list of the top 20 best gifts for cat lovers.
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7. Favorite 25 Inch Large Top Entry Enclosed Hooded Cat Litter Box
(Favorite)
This litter box takes the form of a traditional covered litter box, simply moving the entry to the top. Unlike the Clevercat design, this one can be taken apart and stacked into itself for storage or travel. The textured top helps reduce tracking somewhat, but appears to not be quite as successful as other options. Still, because the top detaches, it makes it easy to dump the litter and to clean. Available in black with an opaque top or beige with a transparent top. The overall measurements are 25 inches long by 19.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches high, with pan measurements of 18 inches long by 12.5 inches wide.
Need more options? Browse more litter boxes here.
Price: $39.99 (43 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Favorite 25 Inch Large Top Entry Enclosed Hooded Cat Litter Box here.
Pros:
- Traditional litter box shape with top entry
- Removable top makes it easier to store
- Anti-tracking surface on top
- Nine inch opening
Cons:
- Litter tracking still occurs to some degree
- Lid latches are relatively weak
- Some cats won’t use it
- Pan is proportionately small, so jumping in and out may be difficult
Find more Favorite 25 Inch Large Top Entry Enclosed Hooded Cat Litter Box information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Scratching Posts
For the love of your cat and your furniture, here's our list of the top ten best cat scratching posts.
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8. Modkat Litter Box Kit
(ModKat)
If you’re of the mind that cat litter boxes could use a designer’s touch, this might be the one for you. This has the modern appeal of similarly-pricey-but-beautiful products like the simple human line. The anti-tracking lid allows litter to fall back into the box and also swivels up for scooping. Speaking of, the included scoop hangs neatly on the outside of the unit. Though, one could see how pretty quickly the scoop could make a mess on that high-polish exterior. This is almost a perfect cube, measuring 16 inches by 16 inches by 15 inches. The tarp liner on the inside is just a bit shorter and is held in place by a fitted tension band. These liners last a good long while and are very reusable, but in the event that they reach the end of their useful life, replacements are available. It’s definitely expensive, but the nicer finish could be worth it to you.
Need more options? Browse more ModKat products here.
Price: $89.99 to $99.97 (29 to 36 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Modkat Litter Box Kit here.
Pros:
- Modern, attractive look
- All-in-one kit includes scoop
- Reusable tarp liner
- Anti-tracking lid
Cons:
- Expensive
- On the small side
- Some find that their cats stop burying their litter
- Some cats won’t use it
Find more Modkat Litter Box Kit information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Carriers
Before your next trip, either vacation or to the vet, consider our list of the top ten best cat carriers for maximum cat comfort and owner convenience.
Click here to read more
9. Iris Top Entry Cat Litter Box
(Iris)
For roughly one-third the price of the ModKat, Iris makes another modern-looking litter box, this time in the shape of an oval. While the grooved anti-tracking lid doesn’t drop litter back into the box, it does look pretty nice and certainly doesn’t read as a kitty liter box upon first glance. It measures 20.47 inches long by 16.14 inches wide by 14.56 inches tall, which is about average for a cat box size. Available colors include this orange creamsicle option and white.
Need more options? Browse more Iris pet products here.
Price: $34.50
Buy the Iris Top Entry Cat Litter Box here.
Pros:
- Refined design
- Grooved anti-tracking lid
- Dog deterrent
- Easily removable lid
Cons:
- May take awhile to ship
- Some cats won’t use it
Find more Iris Top Entry Cat Litter Box information and reviews here.
Top 10 Best Cat Beds
To give your cat the best conditions for fitting in all those cat naps, consider our list of the ten best cat beds.
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10. DIY Top Entry Cat Litter Box
(Sterilite)
You may have noticed that all of these are basically a box with a hole in the top. If you’re thinking you can do that yourself, you’re probably right. There’s nothing stopping you from trying before spending the money on a more-expensive option. Depending on how you want to approach it, you’ll need the following items:
- Plastic box — something heavy duty and large will work best, like the Sterilite 18 Gallon Latch and Carry
- Utility knife — Stanley makes a good one
- Optional: Anti-tracking material — there are several options for this, such as Duck Brand Select Grip Shelf Liner
- Optional: Adhesive — you could glue the liner into place, or use Velcro so it’s removable
- Optional: Sandpaper — to smooth out the edge of the opening you’ve cut
Simply measure and cut a hole in the lid (nine inches in diameter should be plenty), apply the shelf liner to the top of the lid as an anti-tracking mat, and fill with litter. If you wanted a scoop hook, the 3M Command Wire Hooks are a perfect addition. It’s a pretty straight-forward project that shouldn’t take much longer than 15 minutes. If you want a huge litter box, you could go with something like the Rubbermaid Roughneck 50 Gallon Storage Box, but that’s probably overkill and the lid pattern will make it more difficult to cut.
Need more options? Browse more storage boxes here.
Price: Depends on your choice of box and optional extras, $12.50 at the cheapest in our example
Buy the Sterilite 14467406 18 Gallon/68 Liter Latch and Carry Pack of Six here.
Pros:
- Saves you money
- Choose the right size box for your home
- Customizable
- Wide array of color and material choices
Cons:
- Will require tools and elbow grease
- Unlikely to have the refined look of nicer purpose-built options
- If it doesn’t turn out well, you may end up buying a pre-made one, anyway
- Some cats won’t use it
Find more Sterilite 14467406 18 Gallon/68 Liter Latch and Carry Pack of Six information and reviews here.
If, as you’re contemplating litter box options, you’ve also yet to decide on a litter, we have a post discussing the best litter brands here. Otherwise, pick them out a new toy from our list of the top 25 best which covers the whole range from simple to involved.
Top 10 Best Cat Trees
If you have a cat set on destroying your furniture, consider the top five cat trees to give them their own place to enjoy.
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