Finding the right litter box can be a challenge, especially if you have a larger cat. while the average house cat weighs around 10 pounds, some breeds can weigh as much as 15 to 20 pounds (or more). the savannah cat, for example, generally weighs between 12 and 25 pounds.
A litter box should be at least as long as your cat’s body from nose to tip of tail, and at least as wide as the length of your cat’s body, minus the tail. however, as with many things, a larger litter box is often better.
The more space your cat has to dig, the less likely it is that you’ll end up spilling litter outside the box. Also, if your cat is comfortable in the litter box, she is more likely to continue using it. our top pick for the best litter box for large cats is the petmate giant litter tray for its generous size, affordable price, and thoughtful design.
At a Glance: 7 Best Litter Boxes for Large Cats
In the comparison table below, we highlight some of the most important features of each product. you will find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
why should you trust us?
over the last three years, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what it takes to make a great litter box.
We’ve researched the types of litter boxes available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and conducted real-world tests on over a dozen top boxes. we spent over 40 hours testing the sturdiness, suitability for cats, and suitability of these larger cat litter boxes.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the 7 cat litter boxes below as the best you can buy for large cats.
how we choose
Over the past month, I’ve tried over a dozen different litter boxes with my three cats, bagel, biscuit, and munchkin. For this particular article, I mainly focused on open litter boxes that were at least 22 inches long.
I looked for litter boxes that offer enough space for large cats, most with high sides to help contain scattered litter and urine spray. I also prioritized boxes made of sturdy materials that have features that make them easy to pick up and clean.
Best Litter Boxes for Large Cats: Our Top 7 Picks
what to look for in a large cat litter box
Many popular litter boxes are available in multiple sizes, but just because a size is labeled Large or Jumbo doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable for a larger cat. you’ll need to look at the dimensions to compare different litter boxes and take into account the specific size of your cat to make an intelligent decision.
in making my selections for this list, I considered the following factors:
- dimensions of at least 22 inches wide and 18 inches deep
- robust construction to support the weight of additional trash
- high sides to contain scattered litter and urine spray
- open design for better visibility and comfort
Let’s take a closer look at each of these four qualities so you can better understand how we arrived at our top 7 reviewed picks above.
1. dimensions must be at least 22 inches wide and 18 inches long.
it makes sense that big cats need a bigger litter box, but how big is big enough? it all depends on the size of your cat but, for the purpose of this list, I was looking for dimensions of at least 22 by 18 inches. even a litter box this size might not be big enough for a maine coon, a breed that can reach lengths of up to 40 inches, but much larger commercial options are hard to find.
2. it must be of solid construction to support the weight of additional trash.
You shouldn’t have to move the litter box much, except to empty and clean it, but that’s when sturdy materials become really important. a bigger litter box means more litter, and you’ll want something that’s well-constructed enough to handle all that weight.
Look for a litter box made of rigid plastic that won’t bend or buckle. Square and rectangular litter boxes tend to be sturdier than oval litter boxes simply because the corners help maintain the box’s shape. the thickness of the material also influences the stability and durability. if you can bend the litter box when it’s empty, you may not be able to count on it holding its shape when it’s full.
3. should have high walls to contain scattered litter and urine spray.
The bigger the cat, the greater the potential for mess. however, litter scattering can be a problem no matter the size of your cat, so I always prefer litter boxes that have high sides to keep the mess inside the box as much as possible. one of my cats also tends to spray urine while standing up, so the high walls help funnel it into the litter where it easily clumps together for scoop.
4. should have an open design to improve visibility and comfort.
all but one of the litter boxes I included on this list are open litter trays. Generally speaking, open litter boxes are more cat-friendly than closed boxes, but it depends, to some extent, on individual cat preferences.
Cats like to have a constant view of their perceived territory, so being cooped up in a covered litter box makes some cats feel vulnerable. an open litter box allows your cat to see from all angles. covered boxes can also concentrate odors, creating unpleasant conditions for your cat if you don’t clean the litter box often enough.
have you sold any of the litter boxes on the list above yet? Check out some of our other favorite litter boxes on the market in our detailed guide here:
Also read: The 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes in 2022: We Tried Them All
