As a cat owner, you know how finicky felines can be about where they relieve themselves. To keep your home clean and fresh-smelling and avoid messes, you’ll want to select a best self cleaning litter box carefully. The design, size, shape, and features can make or break a cat’s bathroom habits. So, what are the best cat litter boxes? We rounded up top-tier picks for every budget.
Top 10 best self cleaning litter box
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best self cleaning litter box available on the market today. Whether you’re looking for something for a young kitten or an older cat, we’re sure to have the perfect product for your pet on our list
1. Trixie Vico Easy Clean
This litter tray offers the perfect combination of discretion and ease of access. Hooded to provide privacy to your cat and to protect your floors from escaping litter pellets and waste, this litter tray also features a double-rimmed design that further protects against leakage. It also has a carry handle to make it easy to take outside to clean and refill.
Another handy feature of this litter tray is that the front portion of the hood is hinged, so when it needs cleaning you can simply lift this section rather than detaching the entire hood. It also features odour filters that neutralise nasty smells using activated carbon.
2. Petface Hooded Corner
This intuitively designed litter box can be neatly tucked away in the corner of a room. It features a semi-translucent flap entrance and an integrated carry handle for easy transportation. We love that this product also comes with a scoop and charcoal filters to help combat odours.
Our only concern is that anxious cats won’t like not being able to see what’s going on outside while they use it. Still, some pets will enjoy having a bit of privacy!
3. Nature’s Miracle
Want something even more budget-friendly? Check out the Advanced High Sided Cat Litter Box from Nature’s Miracle. Thanks to its extra-high walls, kitty litter stays inside the box.
Not only that, but the non-stick, antimicrobial material prevents buildup and caking, which makes cleaning a breeze. This litter box is also generously sized, so it’s ideal for big cats and families with multiple fur babies.
4. LitterMaid® Multi-Cat
And if your cat is a digger — forget it. You’ll be vacuuming litter mounds off your floor every day. That’s why the LitterMaid Automatic Multi-Cat Litter Box is a great choice, not only for homes with more than one cat, but also for these picky, large ones.
Built with multiple cats in mind, this box is 24 inches long and features high sides, giving your felines plenty of room to dig and move around without feeling compressed. This litter box also features a paw cleaning ramp to help cut down on litter tracking in your house.
5. PetSafe ScoopFree
Five, 10, or 20 minutes after your cat has used and exited the litter box (you get to set the timer), the automatic rake sweeps solid waste into the covered receptacle incorporated in the disposable tray and grooms the crystals so your cat has fresh litter for its next use. If a cat enters during the cleaning cycle, detection sensors automatically reset the rake’s timer. Every few weeks (in a single cat household), simply dispose of the litter tray and replace with a new one.
6. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan
The Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat litter box is our top pick on this list. The box is outstanding value and our favourite box for controlling odour around your cat litter tray. The box uses a carbon filter which will last 1 month that effectively traps and removes odours. The box also has a transparent flap for entry and exit to help contain bad smells, whilst ensuring you can see if your cat is in the box.
7. Savic Nestor Jumbo Covered
Ideal for very large cats: This jumbo-sized, covered litter tray opens at the top for quick and easy cleaning. An active carbon filter is included.
8. Iris Ohyama Hooded cat
Cats can want a private space to use the toilet and this will be perfect for them. It comes with a scoop and will fight against odours coming into your home. If you need to travel with your cat then it’s also portable, which is really unique.
9. Omega Paw Roll n’ Clean
The Omega Roll’n’Clean’s clever design makes the process of removing cat waste much quicker, simpler and cleaner and doesn’t require you to go manually scoop out any cat poop.
To use the Omega Roll n’Clean you simply roll the litter box around, this causes the litter to filter through to a separate compartment (as shown in the image above) and the cat poo will be left in the tray insert which will then be pulled out and swiftly disposed of.
10. Rosewood Romeo Cat Litter Tray
If you have a slightly larger budget then a great option is the Rosewood Romeo Front Opening Hooded Cat Toilet. This model includes a large swing door which is ideal for the easy removal of waste, and the open front design makes this tray particularly suitable for using crystal and clumping litters.
How to Choose best self cleaning litter box
In this section, we’ll break down the main factors you should consider when picking up a cat litter box. These include the style, the size, and how easy it is to clean – which is probably the most crucial feature!
Decide on the Style, Based on Your Cat’s Personality
The first thing to consider is the style of litter box that you think will be best for your cat. There are generally two main styles: open and enclosed. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type.
Open Trays Are Better for Older Cats or Anxious Felines
An open tray is the best choice for those with an anxious pet. While they do like privacy when it comes to toilet time, nervous kitties still like to see what’s going on around them – this allows them to feel safer. If you have an older cat, an open box will also be easier for them to get in and out of.
One thing to be aware of when buying an open box is whether the sides are large enough. This is because cats can sometimes scatter litter or overspray if the sides are too small, meaning you may end up having to clean the floor or walls surrounding the tray! We’ll discuss this aspect in more detail later in the buying guide.
Enclosed Boxes Are Ideal for Nimble, Carefree Cats
As we mentioned, cats like their privacy when they go to the loo, so if you have a carefree cat who doesn’t suffer from anxiety then an enclosed litter box is ideal. This style avoids the issue of any debris being launched onto the floor, and usually keeps odours contained nicely.
Just make sure that your cat is nimble and a regular size (or smaller than average), as older or taller cats will find it tricky to get into the box without contorting their bodies.
The Larger Your Cat, the Bigger the Box Should Be
You might be wondering how big to go when buying a new litter box, especially if you live in a small space. Ideally, it should be 1.5 times as long as your cat and the width should be the length of your cat, minus their tail. Whilst this is primarily to provide them with an appropriate-sized squatting spot, it also means there’s less chance of mess being left for you to clean up!
Unfortunately, many boxes and trays available in major online stores do not meet this threshold. To make things easier for you, we’ve tried to select the largest ones possible for our ranking – for both your cat’s comfort and your peace of mind!
Height Is Important When Buying an Open Tray
Height isn’t much of an issue if you’re planning on purchasing an enclosed style box. When buying an open tray though, you’ll definitely need to consider the height of the sides.
A product with sides that are 12-17 cm tall should work fine for cats that aren’t particularly messy when it comes to using the loo. If, on the other hand, you have a rowdy feline who likes to make their presence known on the potty then we’d recommend going for a product with higher sides of around 20–30 cm.
However, when opting for a box with higher sides, you’ll need to consider the level of mobility that your pet has. For example, older cats with limited mobility may struggle climbing onto the tray, so we would recommend getting a product with low sides instead. After all, even if they do create a bit of mess, it’s better that they’re able to get onto the litter box provided.
Self-Cleaning Boxes Save Time but They Have a Few Downsides Too
Self-cleaning boxes are a modern invention that seem to be very popular, and for a good reason – they save a lot of work! With a special kind of litter that clumps together and automated mechanisms that detect soiled particles before moving them to a covered part of the tray, they eliminate both waste and odour.
However, there are some downsides to this seemingly magical device. Firstly, self-cleaning boxes are expensive – not just the initial purchase of the tray itself, but also the “clumping” litter that costs more than regular kitty litter.
Secondly, some cats are easily startled by the automatic mechanisms and may become too scared to use the fancy tray that you’ve just spent all your hard-earned cash on. If you know your pet is jumpy, you’ll probably want to avoid this type of litter box.
Lastly, regardless of how unpleasant scooping is, it does provide a unique opportunity to spot any changes in your cat’s stool or pee, which could help to reveal any developing health issues. This might be something to bear in mind if you have an older pet or one with underlying health conditions.
Conclusion
When buying a cat litter box, it’s important to provide a safe, hygienic, and comfortable place for your pet to do their business. Although we know cats can be fussy, we’re sure you’ll be able to find the best self cleaning litter box for your feline friend right here!