Best Litter Box for Large Cats

Whether they’re a super-sized Maine Coon or a tiny Singapura, most cats need something more spacious than the apartment-friendly litter pans found at, ironically, “big box” stores and pet retailers.

Nature’s litter box has no sides and it fits every cat perfectly. Cats restricted to indoor litter boxes, however, often have to contend with cramped spaces.

Smaller boxes mean rapid accumulation, an increased risk of stepping in your own waste, and, for large cats, cramped, uncomfortable spaces.

Believe or not, there are rules of thumb for finding a litter box size that works for your cat. We have researched and narrowed down the options for you so you can choose the best litter box for your cat that will leave minimal mess and provide the most comfort.

How big should your large cat’s litter box be?

Today’s cat care wisdom dictates that cats use a box that’s 1.5 times as long as they are (minus the tail) and about as wide as they are long. This allows them to turn around and move freely. If the average cat measures 18 inches from nose to base of tail, that leaves a comfortable 9 inches of extra space.

I don’t think it will be practical for most large cat guardians to follow the 1.5x rule and I’m not sure that it’s completely necessary. Why? It’s an unsophisticated formula that overestimates a large cat’s space requirement.

Let’s say you have a massive Maine Coon measuring 25 inches from nose tip to the base of their tail. According to the 1.5x rule, you’ll want a litter box that’s 37.5 inches long.

This rule suggests that large cats don’t just need more space than small cats – they need more extra space, which doesn’t make much sense.

ALSO READ:  Best High Fiber Cat Food: What You Should Know

Compared to the 9 inches of extra space that the 1.5x rule affords the average cat, your Maine Coon gets 12.5 inches of extra room. Sure, that’s nice – but it’s certainly not necessary or practical.

Furthermore, big litter boxes are hard to find. Even a more conservative 34 inch litter box is a rare find. You may as well fill your bathtub with litter and forget about trying to find a litter box that’s nearly 40 inches long.

Consider alternative litter boxes.

Plastic underbed storage containers make great litter boxes for large cats, plus they come without the love-of-a-pet markup. That said, the low-profile under-the-bed design isn’t a great fit for cats who tend to aim high. These containers don’t usually exceed 4-6 inches in height.

If you have a little time on your hands and a DIY streak, you might prefer to make your own litter box out of a plastic storage container. You can adapt the container to suit your unique needs and choose a size that’s perfect for your cat. These storage containers dwarf standard litter boxes, making them perfect for large cats and multiple cat homes.

This detailed video shows you how to make your own litter box for large cats using a standard plastic storage container.

It’s a good idea to choose clear plastic containers. If you use one with opaque sides, it might feel more like a trap than a safe, comfortable place to do their business.

Avoid hooded litter boxes for large cats.

An open litter box allows your cat to extend their head and tail over the edges. They can’t do that in a hooded box. Hooded boxes are uncomfortable for many cats of all sizes, and they’re particularly cramping for large ones.

But remember that high sides can help.

Some cats, especially females, tend to urinate against the side of the litter box, or, if they’re tall enough, over the edge. If your cat does this, a litter box with high sides can help to keep the urine contained.

Top 4 Best Litter Boxes for Large Cats

Litter Box Price Dimensions Rating
Petmate Giant Litter Pan with Microban, Bleached LinenPetmate Giant Litter Pan with Microban, Bleached Linen
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$$ 27 x 19.5 x 9.8 inches 5 stars
Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large 24-inFrisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large 24-in
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$$ 24 x 18 x 10 inches 5 star
Nature's Miracle Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Cat Litter BoxNature’s Miracle Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Cat Litter Box
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$$ 22.8 x 17.8 x 11 inches 5 stars
Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan, GiantVan Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan, Giant
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$ 21.25 x 17.75 x 9 inches 4 stars
ALSO READ:  Best Grain Free Cat Food

Petmate Giant Litter Pan with Microban, Bleached Linen Review

27 x 19.5 x 9.8 inches

Petmate Giant Litter Pan with Microban, Bleached Linen

This litter box is one of the biggest on the market, but it could be a little bit better. The scoop and supplies caddy is four inches wide – taking up space and not increasing the functional area of the design. If you include the width of the tool caddy, this litter box measures a total of 34.8 inches long. Imagine if all of that space was available for your cat’s use.

But at 27 x 19.5 inches, this is still a hefty box and appropriate for large cats. The high sides help to prevent overshooting, while the lowered front makes the box accessible for any cat.

According to the company, you can fill this litter box with over 30 lbs of litter. One Chewy reviewer said that they used 65 lbs of litter in it.

A Microban coating helps to prevent staining and stops odor-causing bacteria growth, helping to keep the litter box fresh. While a large box helps to make cleaning easy, the curved corners and curved front edge may make scooping a challenge.

Pros

  • Deep and spacious litter box appropriate for large cats
  • Features a caddy for extra trash bags, litter scoop, and other supplies
  • Has an open design so that your cat won’t feel cramped
  • Microban coating helps to prevent staining and odor

Cons

  • Curved corners and front edge may make thorough scooping a challenge

Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large 24-in Review

24 x 18 x 10 inches

Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large 24-in

This litter box is big enough to accommodate most large cats and has high sides to prevent spraying over the edge. This design also helps to contain litter inside of the box, allowing you to spend less time sweeping around the litter box.

It’s made from BPA-free plastic and is available in two colors – navy blue and grey.

While the sides and back are 10 inches high, the front is a lower 6 inches for easy cat access. The open design makes it comfortable for your cat to use and easy for you to clean.

Pros

  • Large box with high sides
  • The box is available in navy blue and warm grey colors

Cons

  • One reviewer disliked the low front, saying that it allowed their cat to kick litter out of the box
ALSO READ:  Best Vegan Cat Foods: We Recommend Adding Meat...

Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Cat Litter Box Review

22.8 x 17.8 x 11 inches

Nature's Miracle Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Cat Litter Box

This litter box emphasizes depth, but it’s also more spacious than many other products on the market, making it a good choice for large cats. The 11” sides are balanced by a lowered front that allows all cats to enter with ease.

Handles are built in on both sides of the litter box, making it easy for you to lift and transport.

It’s made from non-stick plastic, discouraging sticky litter buildup. The antimicrobial coating helps to stop bacteria growth.

Pros

  • A spacious litter box
  • High sides help to prevent spraying and scattering
  • Antimicrobial coating helps to minimize odor
  • Features handles

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • The entryway may be too low for some cats

Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan, Giant Review

21.25 x 17.75 x 9 inches

Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan, Giant

This litter box is available in two sizes – large and giant.

The giant size might be adequate for your large cat. In contrast to the deeply lowered entrances of most of the other products on this list, the Van Ness litter box’s entry area is only slightly lower than the other sides.

This makes it an ideal choice for cats who tend to miss the top of the box or scatter litter over the edge. According to Van Ness, the litter box has a polished finish that’s odor and stain resistant.

The litter box is made in the United States from 20% recycled content.

Pros

  • Relatively large pan
  • High sides help to keep cat spray and litter inside of the box
  • Highly affordable

Cons

  • Might not be large enough for the biggest cats

A healthy litter box situation is one of the keys to a happy home.

If your cat’s litter box isn’t working for them, they’ll let you know. And no one – human nor feline – is happy when the cat stops using the litter box. For that reason, it’s essential to choose the right litter box and create a bathroom environment that suits your cat’s needs.

Whether you take the DIY route or select the biggest litter box on the market, litter pans of all sizes work best when you remember the basics. Provide one box for each cat in the house, plus one extra – and remember to place one on each floor of the house. Put the litter boxes in quiet, low-traffic locations where your cat can do their business in peace.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *