The best cat litter boxes
Cat litter boxes – Buying and Comparison Guide in 2022
Cats are neat, they have a keen sense of smell, they are demanding and very territorial animals, so they need a special place to eat, play, rest and to do their physiological needs, so it is important to offer them a quiet and hygienic space, being Almost mandatory to buy a cat litter box. In the market you can find a wide range of special boxes for cats, with different designs, colors and shapes, which you can use in any area of your house. Among the models most highlighted by users of the network, we present the Catit Smartsift sandbox, which has a self-cleaning system to increase practicality. In addition, it is compatible with any type of clumping litter. Another interesting option is the Curver 198859 model., a toilet box for cats with a closed format, swinging door and odor filter, which prevents odors from escaping from the box.
Opinions on the best cat litter boxes
We have made a selection with the cat litter boxes with the best references and user opinions on the Internet, to help you find a good litter box for your cat, for which we have considered its most important characteristics, its advantages and disadvantages.
Self-cleaning cat litter
Catit Smartsift
It is a self-cleaning cat litter box, since you only have to gently pull a lever to activate a mechanism that allows you to easily place the clumped waste in a removable drawer, as well as recover the clean litter so you do not have to throw it away completely. For this reason, it is considered the best cat litter box of the moment according to the opinions of many users.
It incorporates a carbon filter that allows proper ventilation, thus preventing the accumulation of bad odours. On the other hand, it is good to know that it is compatible with any type of clumping product and can even be used with Mercadona cat litter.
As for the design, it measures 66 cm wide, 63 cm high and 48 cm deep. In addition, it has a large hinged door that allows the entrance and exit of the cat without inconveniences. As if that were not enough, it incorporates a transparent window that allows you to easily see the state of the sand.
Acquiring the best cat litter box is possible if we thoroughly review the characteristics of each model. Let’s see the pros and cons of this product.
Pros
Maintenance: Cleaning is done by pulling a lever, so you don’t have direct contact with the dirty sand.
Drawer: The waste container is removable and you can put a plastic bag on it for greater practicality when emptying it.
Compatibility: It is compatible with many breeds of cats and can be used with any type of clumping litter.
Cons
Height: It can be a bit high for very heavy cats or with mobility difficulties due to age.
LitterMaid LM980
Among the best cat litter boxes of 2022, we present this new LitterMaid model, which is automatic and incorporates an internal timer that activates every 10 minutes to sweep the sand and clean it, so you will not have to sweep the waste every time your cat relieves itself.
Its cleaning system consists of an internal photocell that detects the cat for 10 seconds, resets the counter and sweeps again 20 minutes after the animal has entered; the good thing is that it does not start when the cat is inside.
This model of self-cleaning cat litter can work with a 230 V power adapter that is included, or using 4 AA batteries that you must buy separately. For its part, the waste tank is closed and the model has anti-odor bags to prevent bad odours.
LitterMaid has been ranked by many shoppers as the best cat litter box brand because it provides products designed for feline comfort. Review here the advantages and disadvantages of one of its models.
Pros
Automatic: This model is automatic since it works with a 230 V electrical adapter or AA batteries, it cleans itself and you don’t have to do anything to clean your cat’s litter.
Ramp: Includes a paw-cleaning ramp that avoids the trail of sand that the cat can leave when leaving the box.
Timer: Being automatic, this model has a timer that is activated every 10 minutes to sweep the sand without having to insert shovels to clean.
Cons
Noise: Because it is an automatic device, it makes a noise when it is in operation, which could be annoying for some users, but due to its efficient use, it is worth putting up with.
Covered cat litter
Curver 198859
If you are wondering which is the best cat litter box, the Curver 198859 model could be the answer, since it is a model with a closed format, a swinging door and an odor filter that prevents any unpleasant odor from escaping from the litter box. sand.
It is a covered cat litter box designed with striking mocha and vintage colors, made in a rattan style, ideal to place in your garden and pamper your pet with a nice litter box. Its dimensions of 51.3 x 36.7 x 31.3 cm allow it to be comfortable for the cat to use.
In addition, it is equipped with a drawer system and a shovel that allow you to change the sand easily. It also has a plastic handle that makes it easy to move the litter box to change its place.
If you don’t know which cat litter box to buy, this Curver model with its closed format offers a drawer system and a shovel that make cleaning the litter easier. Review its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Odor filter: This model includes an odor filter with activated carbon, which significantly eliminates them compared to other litter boxes.
Format: Its closed format gives the cat more privacy to relieve itself, which is very practical for the animal.
Materials: The main structure of this sandbox is made of strong rattan-style plastic, which offers strength and durability.
Cons
Exterior: Although the sandbox is closed, it is not completely hermetic, so it is not recommended to leave it outside for a long time, because the rain passes through the material and can wet the sand.
Savic Nestor White-Grey
For those who want to renew the cat’s litter box, this Savic model can be a great alternative, because it has a modern and elegant design with rounded corners, ideal for placing it in the bathroom of your home, where your spoiled pet will have a discreet and hygienic place to relieve yourself.
This covered cat litter box is available in different color combinations, such as white and gray, white and green, or white and black, which you can choose according to your decoration preferences. It is very spacious and comfortable, thanks to its dimensions of 38.7 x 55.9 x 38.1 cm, ideal for large cats.
The front part of this cat flap has hinges that greatly simplify litter cleaning, thanks to its dome-shaped design. In addition, it is reasonably priced, being recommended by many as the best value for money cat litter box.
It is a comfortable litter box, made with quality materials and backed by what is, for many, the best brand of cat litter boxes. Therefore, we present the advantages and disadvantages of this model:
Pros
Format: It is a closed sandbox with a dome format, elegant and modern with rounded corners, which you can choose between three varieties of colors.
Filter: This model includes an activated carbon filter that neutralizes bad odors from the litter box.
Hinges: The front part of the box is held by two fairly robust and resistant hinges, which make it easy to open the lid to clean the sand.
Cons
Maintenance: Although this cat flap is odorless to the outside and very hygienic, it is important to constantly maintain the litter, to avoid the accumulation of residues that later make the cleaning task more unpleasant.
XXL cat litter box
Savic Nestor Jumbo
Cats are very neat animals and do not need much attention, but cleaning the litter box where they relieve themselves is not a very pleasant task, especially if our cats are large breeds, so it is advisable to buy a litter box for xxl cats to avoid the inconvenience and inconvenience of cleaning a small box.
In this context, the Savic brand Nestor Jumbo litter box is ideal for large cats, as its comfortable dome-shaped design and its measurements of 66.5 x 48.5 x 46.5 cm allow odors and dirt remain hidden, being very easy to clean to maintain the hygiene of cats.
If you still have doubts about which is the best cat litter box, this model may be the solution, because it is large, comfortable and has a storage tray with a carbon filter to reduce odors. For these reasons, we invite you to know its pros and cons.
Pros
Size: This model has a jumbo size, especially for large cats, such as Angora, Bengali, Siamese, Persian, among others.
Material: It is made of highly resistant and durable plastic, with perfect finishes and can be easily disassembled for maintenance.
Hinged roof: This sandbox incorporates a hinged roof that is released through its tabs, easily lifting to access the sand and clean the droppings with a shovel.
Cons
Door: Although the door is hinged, apparently it does not close completely, but this does not affect its operation.
GPGP10533
Another interesting model of xxl cat litter box that is highly recommended among caregivers is the GP10533. It is a wide sanitary tray that has dimensions of 57 cm long and its base is 40 cm, and it is also one of the cheap litter boxes that you can find.
It has a practical outer frame that prevents urine from spilling out of the tray, nor does the litter come out, since the highest side measures approximately 20 cm, while the entrance area is about 11 cm high, for making it very easy to use for cats of any size. In addition, its rounded shape makes it more difficult to get out of the sand.
On the other hand, this litter box is made of good quality plastic, quite resistant and durable, and the upper part can be fitted through convenient tabs, which is ideal for cleaning the box.
This model is one of the cheapest in our selection, ideal for those who have tight budgets, but want to pamper their cat with good quality products:
Pros
Design: This model has a traditional design that includes a large rounded tray, which gives the cat greater freedom of movement.
Dimensions: With dimensions of 57 cm long and a base of 40 cm, the cat will have the perfect size to go around as it needs to dig.
Colours: You can choose this model in four different colours: grey, blue, pink and brown, which is perfect to combine it with the decoration of the room where the sandbox is located.
Cons
Sand: Despite its extra large size, the sand can still leak out of the container, but in less quantity.
Cat litter box
Upp Mit Schublade
It is a decorative and useful drawer at the same time, since it serves as a litter box so that your pet has a place to relieve itself without negatively affecting the aesthetics of your home. Although it has a modern look, it is also minimalist, so it can go with any style.
This cat litter box is made of wood from sustainable forests, so it has an FSC certificate. In addition, it has a robust construction that supports up to 90 kg of weight for durability. Also, it can be used as a cat bed, as it offers enough space. In this sense, it measures 57.8 cm wide, 63.5 cm high and 62.2 cm deep.
Likewise, it incorporates an additional drawer in the upper part, which is used to store different household objects or the cat’s own accessories. For this reason, it is considered a multifunctional piece of furniture.
Some users think that this is the best cat litter box of the moment. However, we recommend that you analyze in more detail the positive and negative characteristics of this model before making the purchase.
Pros
Versatility: This piece of furniture can be used as a litter box or cat bed, but it also has a pull-out drawer to store small items.
Decorative: It has a modern but sober design at the same time, so it can be combined with any decoration.
Resistance: It is a robust product with a solid construction, capable of supporting up to 90 kg of weight for greater durability.
Cons
Glue: You may need glue to improve mounting, however, it is not included in the package.
Closed litter box for cats
Rotho MyPet
If you are looking for a closed cat litter box, this Rotho model can be a good alternative to help your pet relieve himself, because it is a large box, with a hinged door and activated carbon filter, which is why many think it is the best cat litter box
This model has a large and deep shell, making it ideal for large cats. In addition, in the upper part it has a handle to facilitate the transport of the litter box and in the back part it has a support for the shovel.
Thanks to the hinged door, the cat has more privacy to relieve itself, although you must be careful and mount the lid correctly so that the swinging system works properly.
Rotho’s MyPet is made of polypropylene, which is a type of plastic that is highly resistant to use and has a long useful life, making it a litter box that will last you a long time. Here we leave you its pros and cons.
Pros
Hidden odours: Thanks to the large hood and integrated exchangeable activated carbon filter, odors remain hidden.
Easy cleaning: To facilitate cleaning the litter box, the lid can be completely removed.
Closure: This model has strong click-type closures on both sides to keep the litter box hermetically closed.
Cons
Door: It may happen that the door is ajar and does not close very well, but in that case you would have to turn it upside down so that the clearance is reduced a little.
Guide to buying a cat litter box
If you liked some of these litter boxes for your cat, before deciding to buy it is important that you take into account the main characteristics that a good litter box should have, since our feline friend is very demanding and territorial. For this reason, we have prepared a complete guide to buying the best cat litter box.
Shopping guide
Sandbox format
One of the main benefits of raising cats is the natural disposition that these animals have towards cleanliness, so it is advisable to place a litter box for them that gives them the privacy they need to carry out their physiological activities in a hygienic and safe way, which will minimize odors and cleaning work.
But when we compare cat litter boxes, we realize that these accessories come in a wide variety of formats and sizes, designed to discreetly handle feline droppings and clean them quickly and easily.
In this sense, we find models that have a simple tray, where you can easily access the sand to clean it or see what state it is in. There are other litter boxes that include a frame at the top, which is perfect to prevent the cat from spreading the litter outside the tray or leaving traces of urine around it, being very useful because they allow you to put a bag to remove the litter already used.. Regardless of the model you choose, you will surely find a cheap one.
You can also find those tray-type models that incorporate an upper cover, ideal to give the cat more privacy when going to the bathroom, because they are completely closed and have a swinging opening so that the cat can enter and exit without problems. Of course, depending on the model you choose, this will affect how much the litter box costs, because if it is large, includes the shovel for collecting feces or has anti-odour bags, the price will be higher but you will save time and work. cleaning will be less heavy, so if you have the budget it is an investment that is worth making.
sandbox materials
Most of these cat litter boxes are usually made of materials made from different plastics, especially the tray that contains the sand, as well as the cover in the case of closed models, but you always have to check that it is Made of a resistant, durable material that can withstand the use that the cat gives it, as well as the constant changes of the litter.
In models that include top covers, it is necessary to verify if the built-in door is made of break-resistant materials. It is also necessary to check if the sandbox comes with anti-odor filters in the upper part, because that way it prevents bad odors from leaving the area where the sandbox is located, which will be very useful to keep the place more neat and pleasant..
You can also find other models of covered sandboxes made of wood, which have a cabinet or small cabinet design, with a luxurious and striking appearance, which incorporate a cat litter tray inside and include a discreet door, ideal to hide the presence of this accessory in the room.
Cleaning
Finally, we must talk about the cleanliness that the sandbox should have, both inside and outside, because a sandbox in poor condition and full of dirt is a risk of disease for your pet or for your children at home, being recommended clean this accessory constantly to maintain proper hygiene.
In the case of open trays, you have the facility that you can see the sand directly for the removal of feces, making it easier to clean them. There are also models that are self-cleaning, which contain a sieve to strain the sand and the residue remains in that area, passing the clean sand to the tray.
In other cases, the trays have automatic systems that work with a power adapter or batteries, which allows us to clean the sand mechanically without having to do it ourselves, making the job easier. Remember that you should always check the trays, change the sand from time to time, and from time to time wash the trays with a mild neutral soap to eliminate odours.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to clean the cat litter box?
If it is a conventional litter box, it is advisable to have a shovel at hand to be able to remove the droppings easily. You can’t let many days go by without cleaning the tray because the smell can be very unpleasant, even in closed litter boxes. Try to wash the tray with a neutral disinfectant to reduce bad odours, avoid any product that could be harmful to the cat. It is also important to change the sand from time to time, to renew it and prevent the proliferation of bacteria and viruses that can make the cat sick.
Q2: Which is better, closed or open cat litter box?
Some kittens prefer the open litter box, because they can look around while they do their bowel movements and it can be easier and more comfortable to clean, since you have the sand and feces in sight, although it is a problem due to the bad odors that are given off and for those cats that like to dig and spread the litter outside the tray.
For its part, a closed litter box gives the cat more privacy when it comes to relieving itself and is more effective because it better contains odors and the release of sand to the outside, but there are cats that feel overwhelmed inside them and have fear, being necessary to remove the entrance door so that they feel safe. It is also good if you have small children at home, because it is more difficult for them to come into contact with the sand.
Q3: Where to put the cat litter box?
The cat litter box should be placed in a quiet place where the animal can relieve itself without disturbance, because at that moment it feels vulnerable, preferably in a ventilated place, it can be near a window or on the terrace. In addition, it must be separated from the eating area, or from the cat’s rest and play area, because otherwise it will not be used.
Q4: Is a throwaway cat litter box worth it?
No. It turns out that throwaway litter boxes are usually very expensive, especially if you have several cats at home, since you have to buy one for each animal and leave a spare litter box, so it is expensive to have to constantly buy disposable litter boxes But we explain how they work.
This type of disposable litter box is made of cardboard and its structure is a closed box with an opening for the cat to pass through, it has sand inside and the cat can use it comfortably. To change the sandbox you just have to close it and throw it in the trash, without having to manipulate the sand.
Q5: What is a cat litter box with strainer for?
The strainer in the cat litter box is very useful for manually sifting the litter, because the feces and urine pellets remain in the sieve area and do not pass into the litter box, you only have to collect the balls with waste daily, which makes the cleaning process easier and faster without much effort, keeping the sand always clean.
Q6: Is there a cat litter box without litter?
Yes it exists. It is a mechanical box that includes a belt that transports the waste and eliminates it through the drain, cleaning itself. These types of appliances require connection to a water pipe, it can be a toilet, sink or washing machine, as well as to an electrical network. It has a sensor that detects the presence of the cat and after a while it is cleaned automatically.
Q7: How does a self-cleaning cat litter box work?
The sandboxes that clean themselves can be of two types: the manual, which includes a strainer in the tray to sift the sand, you pour the sand over that strainer and the waste remains on that surface, from where you can throw it in the garbage bag. The automatic model can work with a manual lever that activates the waste cleaning system, or it can use electricity or batteries, being activated through a movement sensor that detects when the cat enters the litter box and after a while it activates the sand sweeping system extracting the excrement.
Q8: Is there an odorless cat litter box?
Does not exist. The only way to keep the cat litter box odorless is by constantly cleaning the tray, changing the litter and neutralizing odors with a special anti-odour product.
How to use a cat litter box
A cat litter box is a product designed so that the cat can do its physiological needs in a comfortable, hygienic and safe way. It consists of a tray, usually made of plastic, which can be open or closed, where a good amount of sand is added and the cat can dig, defecate or urinate, and then cover its waste. Below we explain in a simple way how you can use a cat litter box, to always keep it clean and neat for your feline friend.
Choose the right sandbox
The first thing you have to do is choose the litter box that you think is right for your cat, since each model has a particular format and its use can be very different. So it is advisable to read the user manual that includes the product so that you become familiar with the instructions given by the manufacturer and know the characteristics of the model, as well as the usefulness of its accessories if included. Keep in mind that the size of the tray is important, so the litter box you choose must have adequate dimensions that allow the cat to move comfortably to make its bowel movements.
Locate the litter box in a suitable place
Cats need privacy and tranquility to go to the toilet, so it is advisable to place the litter box in a quiet, ventilated place that is little trafficked and without much noise, it should also be easily accessible for the cat, preferably near a window or terrace, away from the area where you eat, play or rest.
place the sand
When you have already assembled the tray in the litter box, you have to add the cat litter, it being recommended that it reaches a maximum thickness of about 7 cm so that it completely covers the surface of the litter box. Remember that the cat before defecating digs the sand to open a hole, deposits its feces and then covers it.
On the other hand, it is important that you look for special cat litter in stores, with clumping litter being the favorite of owners and caregivers, because it mixes with the moistened sand forming a ball with the waste, absorbs odors and is easier to clean. cleaning. Once the litter is placed in the hygienic tray, the cat can now use it with total comfort.
Maintenance and cleaning
To clean the litter box, it is recommended to shake the tray slightly so that the lumps of litter with feces and urine emerge, tilting the box backwards. With the dustpan, begin to remove the waste from the tray, place it in a bag and throw it in the trash can. It may happen that the sand is caked on the edges of the tray and you should try to remove it very carefully so that it does not join with the clean sand.
If the tray is very dirty or has a bad smell, it is recommended to remove all the sand and wash the box with water, using vinegar to disinfect. The sand must be completely changed at least every two weeks to prevent the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.
