What’s The Largest Cat Litter Box (and Why Your Cat Needs It)

Ever been baffled about how big your cat's litter box should be? You're not alone. Many cat parents often ponder whether their kitty's box is too cramped.

Let's cut to the chase: Bigger is usually better when it comes to your cat's litter box.

But why do cats prefer more room in their private spaces, you may ask? Well, we'll delve into the reasons and back them up with some cool cat science. We'll also explore some real-life models and their dimensions to give you a clearer picture.

Ever browsed through Amazon and wondered about the size of those litter boxes? We've done the legwork for you. We sifted through the various popular models and jotted down their precise sizes.

Next, we curated a list of the top 15 roomiest cat litter boxes, detailing the ups and downs of each one. This should help you make an informed, cat-friendly choice.

Why Cats Prefer A Larger Litter Box

Ever wondered why your cat seems happier with a larger litter box? We’ve done some digging to provide you with a few possible reasons, drawing from both anecdotal and scientific evidence.

In essence, cats prefer spacious litter boxes because:

• They mimic the expansive outdoors
• There's ample room to maneuver
• Larger boxes ensure more clean areas
• Cats can segregate solid and liquid waste

Let's explain each of these reasons in more detail.

The Great Outdoors Indoors

Remember, in the wild, cats don't have a tiny designated sand square for their bathroom needs. They have the luxury of choosing a new spot whenever they like, especially when their old spots get too soiled.

Although they do prefer to go in the same general area, they also like to have the ability to go in new spots when their old spots start to get full.

A larger litter box offers a hint of that expansive outdoor feeling.

Room to Twirl - A Larger Litter Box Allows Room To Turn Around

Cats need to be able to turn around when they’re using their litter box. Part of it is because they need to find the perfect spot, and the other part is they need to be able to bury their waste when they’re finished.

If a litter box is too small, then your cat may not have enough room to properly turn around. This is especially true when it comes to top-entry litter boxes and others with high sides.

More Clean Real Estate - The Larger The Box, The More Clean Surface Area There Is

Like us, cats don’t appreciate stepping into yesterday's mess. They always hunt for a clean spot to relieve themselves.

With larger litter boxes, your cat has a much better chance of finding a clean spot, especially if you don’t clean it out as often as you should (which we’re all guilty of sometimes).

Waste Segregation Space

Some cats display a peculiar habit—they like to urinate in one part of the litter box and defecate in another. A compact box, however, robs them of this preference.

If your cat consistently uses the litter box for one type of waste and elsewhere for the other, a larger box might be the solution.

The Science of Litter Box Sizing

A scientific study involving 74 cats over four weeks set out to determine if felines favored larger or regular-sized litter boxes. The larger box used in the study measured 33 inches in length—a size significantly bigger than your standard pet store offerings.

For two days following the switch, many cats showed a location preference and continued going where the big litter box was before going to the other side of the room to use the large box once again.

This proves that while cats are creatures of habit, they will change that habit to use a bigger litter box.

The Bigger Litter Box: A Win-Win for Cat Owners

It may sound surprising, but as a cat owner, you too can benefit from a larger litter box. We're not suggesting you join your cat - you can stick to your regular-sized human toilet!

Although you obviously want to make your cat happy, there are a few reasons that you also benefit greatly from having a larger litter box for your cat. Here are a couple of the ones we’ve come up with.

Less Health Risks, Lower Vet Bills

Let's start with the cat's health. Some cats are perfectionists about their litter boxes. They may refrain from using it if it doesn't meet their cleanliness standards.

Holding in for too long can lead to bladder infections or constipation, both of which are harmful to your cat.

A larger litter box offers more space for your cat to do its business. This eliminates the need for your cat to hold in, reducing the risk of health issues.

Not only does this mean a happier and healthier cat, but it could also save you money on vet bills.

The End of Litter Box Avoidance?

With over 740,000 U.S cats eliminating outside the litter box, litter box avoidance is a common headache for many cat owners. The reasons behind this behavior can be hard to pinpoint. In some cases, the issue may be as simple as a too-small litter box or short-sided design.

With over 740,000 U.S cats eliminating outside the litter box, litter box avoidance is a common headache for many cat owners. The reasons behind this behavior can be hard to pinpoint. In some cases, the issue may be as simple as a too-small litter box or short-sided design.

Your cat needs room to dig, eliminate, and bury its waste. A larger litter box gives them this space, which may encourage them to return to using the box. This can make cleaning up after your cat easier and less messy.

Remember, health problems are often the root cause of litter box avoidance. If your cat is missing the box, your first step should be a vet visit. Once health problems are ruled out or addressed, you can then focus on behavioral aspects.

Read more:

• Litterbox Problems? Here's Why You Should Call Your Vet
• How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide

Top 15 Spacious Litter Boxes: Cat Owner’s Dream

You don't need to spend hours hunting for the biggest litter box on the market - we've already done that for you! We've found and evaluated 15 of the largest litter boxes available. All you have to do is pick the one you think is best for your furry friend.

We've measured the interior of each litter box to calculate the surface area. The measurements we used only include the litter pan itself. For self-cleaning boxes, we've adjusted the numbers to consider only the usable area.

There are no round litter pans on our list because, despite having similar widths to some large boxes, their round shape means they offer less usable space than a rectangular box.

As you may notice, there aren’t any round litter pans on our list. That’s because they tend to be the same width as some of the largest ones, but because they’re round, they end up offering less usable space than a rectangular box.

Now, let's explore these giant litter boxes! First up:

15. iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Cat Litter Box

14. Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan

Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 21.5 x 17 x 19 inches (55 x 43 x 48 cm)
• Surface area: 365.5 sq. inches (2365 sq. cm)
• Volume: 7326 cubic inches (120,024.3 cubic cm)

Pros:

• The swinging door keeps odors down.
• Coated in a finish that prevents staining and odor buildup.
• Works with any clumping litter.
• It's low maintenance.

Cons:

• Multiple trays make it heavy even when empty.
• Can get very messy if not used properly.

The Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan is the perfect solution for people who hate scooping. Be sure to keep the sifter in the empty tray rather than the one that’s in use to avoid clumps getting stuck to it and you’ll be golden!

13. So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box

This is the second smallest litter box on our list, but it’s still a great option if you’re looking for a large and simple litter pan for your cat. It has a reinforced bottom which will help it last longer. Its open design is ideal for most cats so they can feel safe while taking care of business.

So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open with rimmed or hooded options
• 22 x 17 x 5 inches (56 x 43 x 13 cm)
• Surface area: 374 sq. inches (2408 sq. cm)
• Volume: 1870 cubic inches (31,304 cubic cm)

Pros:

• It's inexpensive and durable.
• Familiar design to cats.
• Works with any type of litter.

Cons:

• Have to buy the hood separately to convert it to a covered litter box
• Not the largest litter box available

Overall, the So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box provides an inexpensive option for a large litterbox. To add to it, you may also get the rim attachment or hood.

12. PetMate Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan

Only slightly bigger than the previous one on our list, this hooded litter pan has plenty of room to accommodate your cat. It’s made with Microban, a substance that helps eliminate the growth of bacteria and mold, providing a safer, cleaner, and more pleasant-smelling bathroom for your furry friend.

PetMate Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 24 x 19 x 18.5 inches (56 x 46 x 47 cm)
• Surface area: 396 sq. inches (2576 sq. cm)
• Volume: 7326 cubic inches (121,072 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Provides privacy for shy cats.
• Cover easy to remove for cleaning.
• Large opening for easy access.
• A carbon filter eliminates odors.

Cons:

• Some cats may not like a covered litter pan.

The Petmate Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan works well for owners that need to have it in a high-traffic area of their home but don’t want to see or smell the dirty litter box.

11. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan

With a large litter pan area and door opening, this litter box is perfect for larger cats or multiple-cat homes. It also has a built-in filter holder in which you can place carbon filters that trap odors to keep your home smelling great.

Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 22 x 18 x 17 inches (56 x 46 x 43 cm)
• Surface area: 396 sq. inches (2576 sq. cm)
• Volume: 6732 cubic inches (110,768 cubic cm)

Pros:

• High sides keep litter inside.
• Locking tabs keep the box together but are easy to remove to clean.
• Provide privacy for your cat.
• Removable door flap.

Cons:

• An unprotected filter allows curious cats to get at it.
• Does not work for cats that spray.

When it comes to a well-designed litter box that’s easy to use for the cat and easy to clean for you, the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan ranks high.

10. PetFusion BetterBox

This large litter box has several features that make it a great choice for a multiple-cat home. It has a low entry so elderly cats and kittens alike can get in and out. For your sake, it has a non-stick surface so you don’t have to worry about scraping clumps off the bottom.

PetFusion BetterBox at a Glance:

• Open
• 22.5 x 18 x 8 inches (57 x 46 x 20 cm)
• Surface area: 405 sq. inches (2622 sq. cm)
• Volume: 3240 cubic inches (52,440 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Curved sides are inviting to cats and make cleaning easier.
• The open design feels more natural for a cat.
• High walls keep litter in.
• Made of durable plastic.

Cons:

• Cats may fling litter from the low opening.
• The slippery surface can prove difficult for elderly cats.

All in all, the PetFusion BetterBox works for cats of all ages who don’t like covered boxes. If you do have a home with multiple cats, we recommend you order the set of two to make sure all of your cats have a place to go.

9. AmazonBasics Hooded Cat Litter Box

If you want a cat litter box with plenty of bells and whistles, you came to the right place. This pan has a door flap and carbon filter to keep the odors from infiltrating your house, and a large opening so that any cat can go in and out as they please.

AmazonBasics Hooded Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 23.5 x 18 x 16.5 inches (60 x 46 x 42 cm)
• Surface area: 423 sq. inches (2760 sq. cm)
• Volume: 6979 cubic inches (115,920 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Removable door in case your cat isn’t a fan.
• Snaps are sturdy enough to keep them together but still easy to remove for cleaning.
• Made with heavy-duty plastic so it lasts.
• Works well with any type of litter.

Cons:

• Crevices on the back wall can become clogged with waste.
• Replacement filters are difficult to find.

Altogether, the AmazonBasics Hooded Cat Litter Box has a lot of conveniences to offer a cat owner and is already well-loved by cats and owners as well.

SIGN UP FOR THECATSITE'S EMAIL UPDATES >

8. So Phresh Scatter Shield High-Back Litter Box

This is another example of a simple litter box that’s also effective. Your cats will love its large size and low entry point, and you’ll love its slick surface designed to be easy to clean. It also has high sides which help keep everything where it’s supposed to be.

So Phresh Scatter Shield High-Back Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open
• 24 x 18 x 10 inches (61 x 46 x 25 cm)
• Surface area: 432 sq. inches (2806 sq. cm)
• Volume: 4320 cubic inches (70,150 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Long-lasting and low entry point for kittens and older or arthritic cats.
• A slick surface makes cleaning easy and reduces bacterial buildup.
• Open design that reminds cats of being outside.

Cons:

• Over-exuberant cats can toss litter out of the low side.
• It can’t be easily converted into a covered box.

All in all, the So Phresh Scatter Shield High-Back Litter Box solves the problem that owners of large or multiple cats face with a simple yet effective solution.

7. Richell PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box

If you’ve got one of those cats that can’t seem to get the knack of the litter box and keeps dropping things over the edges, then you need a litter pan like this one. This has high sides so that even the biggest cats won’t miss the pan.

Richell PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open
• 27 x 18 x 12.5 inches (61 x 46 x 25 cm)
• Surface area: 432 sq. inches (2806 sq. cm)
• Volume: 4320 cubic inches (70,150 cubic cm)

Pros:

• High sides that prevent messes.
• Durable and long-lasting material.
• The slick surface makes cleaning a breeze.
• Low entry point.

Cons:

• Relatively expensive.
• The low side may still allow for messes to occur.

The Richell PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box is large enough for multiple-cat homes or larger breeds of cats and helps you out with slick surfaces that don’t allow anything to stick to it.

6. Petmate Open Litter Pan

For young, enthusiastic diggers, even a box with one low point can mean constantly having to clean up messes that just aren’t staying inside the box. That’s where this litter pan comes in, with all four sides being high so everything stays in.

Petmate Open Litter Pan at a Glance:

• Open
• 25 x 18 x 10 inches (64 x 46 x 25 cm)
• Surface area: 450 sq. inches (2944 sq. cm)
• Volume: 4500 cubic inches (73,600 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Fits up to 30 pounds of litter, which means less frequent changes are needed.
• Durable plastic saves you money on replacements.
• The sloped area in the front allows most cats to enter easily.
• Keeps litter and other messes inside the box.

Cons:

• High entry point makes it unsuitable for elderly cats and young kittens.
• Extremely heavy when filled with litter.

If you want to solve the problem of accidental spills and misses from big cats or those who need extra space in the litter box, the Petmate Open Litter Pan is the answer.

5. Eiiel Extra Cat Litter Box

With this litter box, you can solve more than just the problem of having a large enough litter box for your big cat or multiple cats. It is made of high quality food grade ABS material, odorless, and durable

Eiiel Extra Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open
• 24 x 17.3 x 9.8 inches (69 x 43 x 25 cm)
• Surface area: 459 sq. inches (2967 sq. cm)
• Volume: 4590 cubic inches (74,175 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Tall sides all around keep litter inside.
• Open design provides a natural feel for cats.
• High quality material helps reduce bacteria and therefore odors.

Cons:

• The curved area in front could lead to accidents.

If you are in need of a litter box for a large cat or multiple cats, the Eiiel Extra Cat Litter Box is right for you.

4. Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box

This is another litter box that streamlines the cleaning process so you don’t have to get up close and personal with your cat’s dirty litter. Instead, simply roll the entire box to the side, set it flat again, and pull out the tray filled with clumps.

Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 20 x 23 x 20 inches (51 x 58 x 48 cm)
• Surface area: 460 sq. inches (2958 sq. cm)
• Volume: 8740 cubic inches (141,984 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Incredibly simple and sanitary litter removal process.
• Covered design limits foul odors.
• High sides keep the litter inside.
• Comes with a mat to prevent litter from being tracked throughout the house.

Cons:

• Only works with clumping litter.
• It can become a huge mess if things go wrong.

The Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box offers owners a quick and painless way to clean their cat’s box and it gives cats a large, private area to do their business.

3. Petphabet Covered Litter Box

If you need a litter box that fits 2 cats at the same time, this is the one for you. What sets this one apart from other covered boxes is that the top cover is clear, so light easily penetrates the box, but odors are still kept inside.

Petphabet Covered Litter Box at a Glance:

• Enclosed
• 25 x 19 x 17 inches (63.5 x 48.2 x 43.2 cm)
• Surface area: 475 sq. inches (3060.7 sq. cm)
• Volume: 8075 cubic inches (132,222.24 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Made with durable materials.
• Deep pan allows cats to dig and less frequent changes.
• The clear cover gives cats privacy and light.
• Non-stick sides that make scooping easy.

Cons:

• The hood fits loosely so it may come off easily.
• The entire hood must be removed to clean the box.

With high sides that keep litter where it belongs and an open design that allows cats to feel like they’re outside, the Petphabet Litter Box with Lid is a huge litter box that could work for you.

2. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box

Designed with senior cats in mind, this massive litter box would work well for any large cat that has excellent aim or else kittens.

Since the sides are so low, it may also be used for cats that are having trouble using the litter box as this feels very much like going in the great outdoors.

KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open
• 24 x 20 x 5 inches (61 x 51 x 13 cm)
• Surface area: 480 sq. inches (3111 sq. cm)
• Volume: 2400 cubic inches (40,443 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Extremely low entry works for all cats.
• Works with all types of litter.
• The large size is great for multiple-cat homes.
• Reminds cats of going outside which can solve some litter box issues.

Cons:

• Low sides make accidents more likely.
• The open design may lead to odors.

Whether you have tiny kittens or elderly arthritic cats, the KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box will help ensure that they’re able to go exactly where they need to go.

1. PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Nobody likes scooping cat poop, and the less often you have to remove it, the better. Once you get this box set up, all you have to do is sit back and relax and let it do its job. After a couple of weeks, remove the litter and you’re ready for another few weeks of freedom!

PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box at a Glance:

• Open or Enclosed
• 27.6 x 19.1 x 16 inches (70 x 48 x 29 cm)
• Surface area: 522.5 sq. inches (3360 sq. cm)
• Volume: 6009 cubic inches (97,440 cubic cm)

Pros:

• Minimal maintenance requirements.
• Covered design helps keep litter inside.
• Effective odor control.
• It can help identify cat health problems early with its built-in health counter.

Cons:

• Clumps can get stuck in the raking mechanism.
• It can only use clumping litter.

By counting how often your cat goes, the PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box can help alert you to health problems, making it great for anyone who wants to monitor their cat’s health closely.

The Largest Cat Litter Box - More than just size

Now that we've looked at the largest litterboxes in the market, you may be wondering if you should be ordering the very largest one possible for your cat.

So is that your next step?

Changing an existing litter box can be a big decision. Before you get rid of a box that works, consider adding a second box. Buy the largest litter box you can afford and place it next to the current box your cat uses. Now, give Kitty a few weeks and see if there's a preference.

Avoid sudden changes and don't remove a box before you know for sure your cat prefers the new one. Especially if it differs from the original in aspects other than size.

And remember, if you're not sure, you can always start a thread in the Cat Care Forum and let us know about your specific situation. Our members would be happy to share their own experiences and offer you advice and support.

SIGN UP FOR THECATSITE'S EMAIL UPDATES >

Note: We may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page.