Make the litter box easy to find, enter, use, and keep clean: provide enough boxes in separate locations, choose a roomy and accessible setup, and pay attention to your cat’s response to its location and litter. A new litter-box problem can signal illness, so check with a veterinarian rather than treating every accident as a behavior issue.
1. Provide enough boxes in separate locations
A useful starting point is two boxes in separate locations for one cat, and one box per cat plus one extra for a multi-cat home. Adjust for the cats’ relationships and whether each cat can actually reach a box without being blocked. In a multistory home, provide at least one box on every level.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Idymere Stainless Steel High Sided Cat Litter Box | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Large, Scatter Shield, Black | $18.39 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Boxes lined up side by side may function as one toileting station from a cat’s point of view. Spread them through the home when possible. If two boxes must be close together, angle their openings so a cat can leave without facing another cat.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →2. Choose a box with room to turn and posture
The AAFP and ISFM guideline recommends a rectangular box about 1.5 times the cat’s length, measured from the nose to the base of the tail. The guideline also cites a study in which adult cats preferred a 34 × 15 inch (86 × 39 cm) box over a smaller one; that finding is evidence for considering generous dimensions, not a guarantee that every cat will prefer the same size.
#1 Best Overall
- Large Capacity: The Idymere stainless steel litter box measures 16.93"L x 12.99"W x 5.12"H, offering ample space for kitty, kittens, elderly cats or medium cats to do their business comfortably. This litter box is ideal for single or multiple small-cat households. The open design of this large litter box promotes air circulation and helps reduce unpleasant odors, ensuring your pets have a fresh and comfortable environment.
- Strong and Sturdy: Made of high-quality stainless steel, this litter box resists corrosion, wear, and rust. Unlike plastic litter boxes, it does not trap residue or odors, helping keep your home smelling clean. The sturdy, non-porous surface of the metal litter box prevents scratches where dirt and smells can hide, creating a healthier space for your cat.
- Easy Cleaning: The spacious stainless steel design of this cat litter box requires less frequent litter changes. The smooth surface of the litter pan prevents waste from sticking, allowing litter and debris to slide easily to the bottom for quick cleaning. It’s especially useful for cats that kick litter or urinate high, and it dries fast for simple maintenance.
- High Sides & Safe Rounded Edges: Featuring raised sides, this stainless steel litter box effectively contains litter scatter—perfect for energetic or large cats. The litter box with high sides also help prevent urine and feces from adhering to the sides. The kitten litter box with smooth, rounded edges ensure safety for your cat and make the metal litter box easy to lift without hurting your hands.
- Versatile Use & Multiple Sizes: This stainless steel litter box suits various pets, including adult cats, kittens, rabbits, ferrets, and snakes. This stainless steel box can also double as a pet bathing tub or storage container. Available in several sizes, you can choose the best fit litter tray for your pet without taking up too much space, ensuring comfort and flexibility for different needs.
Compare the usable interior length and width—not just the outside dimensions—and make sure your cat can enter, turn, dig, posture, and exit comfortably. If a standard box is too small, a large storage container or under-bed container can be adapted. Lower one side if the entry is too high for a kitten, senior cat, or cat with mobility pain.
3. Put the box somewhere quiet, accessible, and hard to guard
Choose a spot the cat can reach easily, with a clear way in and out. Avoid noisy appliances, heavy foot traffic, and places where a person or another animal could corner the cat. Keep the box away from food and water. A secluded location is not helpful if it is difficult to reach or offers no escape route.
If your cat has begun using a particular location consistently, the AAFP/ISFM guideline advises keeping a box there for at least two weeks before moving it gradually, if a move is needed. This is a troubleshooting approach for an established preference, not a reason to relocate a box that is working well.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches4. Start with unscented, fine-textured litter
Fine, sand-like, unscented clumping litter is a common starting point in the AAFP/ISFM guideline, but individual cats can prefer something else. Fragrances and deodorizers may put some cats off. If your cat rejects its current litter, offer alternatives in separate boxes so you can see which one it uses.
Depth recommendations are close but not identical: AAFP/ISFM advises at least 1.25 inches (3 cm) while noting that cats’ depth preferences vary; ASPCA describes one to two inches as a typical shallow bed. Treat these as starting points and watch your cat’s behavior rather than assuming there is one ideal depth.
5. Don’t assume covered or automatic is better
Cats vary in their preferences for open or covered boxes. Consider whether a design gives your cat enough room and allows comfortable entry, turning, and exit. Also consider how easy it is to inspect and clean. No particular style is best for every cat.
An automatic box or odor-control litter does not necessarily address why a cat is avoiding the box. If your cat rejects a self-cleaning box, ASPCA suggests trying a traditional one.
Rank #2
- MADE IN USA with global materials - The IRIS USA open top kitty litter tray offers a functional and comfortable solution to your cat's bathroom needs. With the open air kitty litter pan, getting in and out of the tray has never been easier for your cat and the tall walls keep any litter or spraying inside the tray.
- PRIVATE - This open air cat litter tray offers privacy for your cat with tall walls that form the scatter shield, offering the privacy of a hooded cat litter box with the easy access and cleaning of an open air kitty litter pan.
- OPEN TOP - The open top makes it easy for you to monitor your cat's habits and health and stay on top of when it's time to clean.
- TIDY - The cat litter pan is designed with tall walls to keep litter scattering and spraying outside the box to a minimum, meaning less clean up for you and less waste of your litter or pellets.
- GREAT SIZE - Dimensions: 19"L x 15"W x 11.75"H. Open top IRIS Cat Litter Box is designed to offer cats plenty of room and quick accessibility
6. Scoop daily and wash the box regularly
Remove waste at least once a day. The AAFP/ISFM guideline recommends washing the box every one to four weeks with soap and hot water; ASPCA recommends weekly washing as a practical routine. Use mild cleaning rather than strong or ammonia-based chemicals, which can be aversive to cats.
For accidents outside the box, ASPCA recommends an enzymatic pet-odor cleaner. Cleaning the spot can address lingering odor, but it does not identify or fix the reason the cat stopped using the box.
7. Check for access barriers and conflict
A box that is technically present may still be unusable for a particular cat. Look for high sides that are painful to climb over, a route another cat can block, or a location where the cat feels trapped. Distributed stations and a lower-entry option can help make access practical for every cat in the household.
8. Treat a new litter-box problem as a health or behavior signal
If a cat starts eliminating outside the box, do not assume the cause is behavioral or try to solve it only by changing products. Arrange a veterinary assessment to check for illness, then review box number and placement, access, cleanliness, size, litter preference, and household stress or conflict.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Straining in the box or being unable to pass urine requires urgent veterinary attention. Merck Veterinary Manual warns that straining can be a life-threatening emergency, especially in male cats.
9. Never punish toileting accidents
The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines state: “Cats should never be reprimanded for toileting in undesired locations and should never be taken to a litter box punitively.” Punishment does not establish why the cat is avoiding the box; investigate health, access, and the setup instead.
The same guidelines report that 31.7% of cats with house-soiling behavior in a 2016 study were evaluated by a veterinarian for that condition. This figure describes the cited study, not all cats that have litter-box problems.
Quick Recap
Sources and guidance
- AAFP and ISFM, “Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats”
- AAHA, “General Litter Box Considerations,” 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines
- ASPCA, “Litter Box Problems”
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Providing a Litter Box for a Cat”
- AAHA, “Elimination,” 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Leave a Reply