A Closer Look at Your Cat’s Litter Box

Apart from the cat’s natural desire to move away from the offensive odor of its litterbox, you may be responsible for many litterbox problems your pet cat is having.

A cat’s sense of smell is far more sensitive than your nose.

So don’t wait to clean the litterbox until the smell offends you.

Clean the litterbox before your cat avoids it, and look elsewhere to do his elimination. 

Cats are sensitive to changes in the type of litter you’re using.

If he’s used one brand and type of litter since he was a kitten and you suddenly switch to a new brand with completely different make-up, he may avoid going into the litterbox until his old type of litter is back.

Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

There are other reasons why a cat may avoid going into a litterbox. 

If your cat has an accident in the house and you immediately toss him into the litterbox while shouting, all you do is create an aversion to it.  

Using the litterbox as punishment makes your cat want to go elsewhere to do his business.        

Placing the litterbox in the room makes your cat feel over-exposed. 

Cats like a little privacy when doing their business.  Another mistake is putting the litterbox on a porch or near a window.

Other cats and animals outdoors looking inside can distract or intimidate your cat. Re-locate the litterbox around a corner or inside the pantry and see if your cat finds it more comfortable.

Some cats are selective about where they do certain things.

Your cat may refuse to urinate and defecate in the same place. If you find one, not the other, located somewhere besides the litterbox, buying a second one is your cue.

It may seem odd that a cat wants separate potty locations, but as long as you don’t have to clean it up from the carpet, who cares? 

When there’s more than one cat in the house, they can become quite territorial about the litterbox.

The larger cat may be pushing the smaller or newer cat away from his litterbox.

Again, get a second box, and don’t argue about it. 

Just as toddlers need a potty seat and steps to use an adult potty, don’t expect a kitten to climb into a larger litter box.

He may be frustrated by the larger litterbox and the larger cat who uses it.

Get a litterbox that matches the size of your cat.

Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Select The Best Litter Box For Your Pet

Top 10 Cat Litter Box

1. Petmate Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box – This litter box features a unique dome design and steps to help reduce litter tracking. It also includes a carbon filter to help control odors.
2. IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box – This litter box has a top entry design to help prevent litter tracking and spills. It also includes a grooved lid to help remove excess litter from your cat’s paws.
3. PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box – This litter box automatically cleans itself after your cat uses it, reducing the need for daily scooping. It also includes a privacy hood and a health counter to track your cat’s visits.
4. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan – This litter box features a large hooded design to provide privacy for your cat. It also includes a carbon filter to help control odors and a swinging door for easy access.
5. Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box – This litter box has high sides to help prevent litter from spilling out. It also includes a non-stick surface for easy cleaning and is made from antimicrobial material.
6. Modkat Litter Box – This modern litter box has a sleek design and a swivel lid for easy scooping. It also includes a reusable liner and ergonomic scoop.
7. Omega Paw Roll’ n Clean Litter Box—This litter box has a unique roll-and-clean design that makes scooping easy and mess-free. It also includes a built-in litter step and a waste container for easy disposal.
8. Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan – This litter box has a hooded design to provide privacy for your cat. It also includes a replaceable zeolite air filter to control odors and a convenient handle for easy transport.
9. Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box – This litter box features a large hooded design with a swinging door for easy access. It also includes a scoop holder and a carbon filter to absorb odors.
10. Clevercat Top Entry Litterbox – This litter box has a top entry design to reduce litter tracking and spillage. It also features a non-stick surface for easy cleaning and a built-in tracking mat to catch excess litter.

Open litter pans allow for maximum ventilation.

Most cat owners prefer an open litter pan over a rimless one, as the latter tends to contain odors and keep litter inside the pan.

However, some cats prefer privacy and hide inside a litter box during stressful times.

Also, covered litter boxes are more difficult to clean and add bulk to the unit, which can take up additional space.

Regardless of your choice, there are several benefits to open litter pans.

Most cat owners also prefer open litter pans for maximum ventilation.

This is because they don’t allow the litter to trail out of the box, no matter how ferocious your cat is.

The deep design also helps contain the mess since the litter cannot fly out and spread over your carpeting.

Lastly, an open litter pan is convenient for owners with back or neck problems, as it doesn’t require a low entry point.

Open litter pans are the simplest type of cat litter box.

They are typically made of plastic and shaped like rectangular trays. They offer maximum ventilation while still providing maximum comfort.

However, these cat litter boxes may be less desirable for households with young children or dogs since their high and low sides allow frequent cleaning.

While these open pans may increase your cat’s comfort levels, they can also be difficult to keep clean.

Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Trap no odors

For many cat owners, the Holy Grail is an odorless litter box. After all, the majority of cats are eliminated inside the house.

As such, you must keep an eye on your pet, and avoiding smelling her waste is difficult. This new litter box can solve both of these issues.

A carbon filter and an odor-locked compartment are two examples of litter boxes equipped to deal with these problems.

A few extra bucks will go a long way toward buying your pet a litter box that is odor-free.

Typical odor eliminators use harsh chemicals and fake perfumes. OdorTrap uses natural ingredients and is made without parabens, alcohol, or phthalates.

You can place this litter box odor trap in your Litter-Robot waste drawer and enjoy a clean litter box without the smells.

With its enclosed carbon-filtered waste drawer, this product effectively removes unwanted smells.

Purchasing the right cat litter is important to controlling the odor in the box. While odor-reducing litter may be a good idea initially, several options are better than none.

A litter with a clay-based clumping material is the best choice to keep odors in check. It is also more environmentally friendly. This type of litter traps bacteria and is biodegradable.

While many cat owners prefer to buy scented litter, cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and do not appreciate the perfumes they smell.

Using natural ingredients to keep a litter box odor-free is the best option for you and your cat. This method is simple, safe, and economical.

And, unlike other solutions, baking soda will not repel your cat.

You’ll love it!

And your cat will be thankful you’re taking the time to make it a sanitary environment for him.

Provide ample room for your cat to eliminate

You should provide your cat with sufficient space for optimal litter box use.

If you have more than one cat, you can set up several litter boxes and have a “Litter Box Cafeteria” so your cat can choose the most comfortable substrate.

Your cat will use the box that it prefers to eliminate. You can also provide plenty of extra litter boxes around the house to accommodate different-sized cats.

Ideally, placing the litter box where your cat will use it more often would be best.

A small litter box for a kitten is perfectly suitable, but a large litter box for a grown-up Maine Coon cat will require more space.

Besides, a larger box will encourage your cat to use the box more often. So, be sure to set up your cat’s litter box accordingly.

Once your cat uses the litter box, you should change its location every few days. Choose a quiet corner of the house, away from any areas your cat might be tempted to relieve.

Avoid placing the litter box near a cat’s food or drinking bowl. Changing the location frequently can disrupt the routine.

A litter box should be cleaned weekly, and the litter should be replaced at least once a week.

If your cat refuses to use the litter box, he might have a health problem.

A medical issue such as urinary blockage can cause serious and life-threatening problems. Therefore, don’t treat his or her behavior with harsh punishment.

Contact a veterinarian and get the right treatment. The Animal Clinic of Council Bluffs can help you determine the cause and treat the problem accordingly.

Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Avoid enclosed litter boxes.

Considering buying an enclosed litter box for your cat? There are several reasons to do so. For one, cats like to go to the bathroom in privacy.

Enclosed litter boxes also help to contain unpleasant odors. They can be entered from the front or a circular opening on the top.

Other boxes have plastic flaps over the openings, which you must push through to access the box. Here are some of the best choices.

Another reason to choose an open litter box is that a cat is less likely to feel trapped by a cover. Cats have an excellent smell, and covering them up creates an unpleasant smell.

The downside of an enclosed box is that cats may not be able to see where they are going, making them more apt to eliminate elsewhere.

An uncovered litter box will also provide more privacy for the cat. If you’re not careful, your cat might eliminate outside the box.

The third reason to avoid enclosed litter boxes is that cats will feel scared to use them. In addition to scaring the cat, an enclosed litter box makes it more difficult to empty the tank.

It would be best if you always chose a litter box large enough for an adult cat.

Ensure the walls are not too high for your cat to jump inside it, and the opening is low enough that your cat won’t have to jump in to reach the box.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s hygiene, you should consider purchasing a self-cleaning litter box. These boxes can be convenient for long periods, but your cat will probably hate them.

If you have more than one cat, you may need to consider purchasing self-cleaning litter boxes. However, it would be best always to consider the cost of such boxes.

You may find yourself paying a fortune for an enclosed litter box.

Training your cat to use a litter box.

When training your cat to use a litter box, you should start by providing a small, confined area where your cat can scratch.

If you can provide treats for your kitten every time she uses the litter box, she will be likelier to use it.

Once she understands the motion of scratching, she will quickly learn the correct place to do her business.

You can then gradually give your cat more freedom and allow her to explore her new territory.

Cats are also attracted to litter-like areas, which makes them more likely to grasp the training process quickly.

Nevertheless, many cats have accidents and relapses, but these are normal and easily corrected. As long as you provide lots of love to your new cat, you’ll be on your way to toilet-training success.

It’s time to enjoy your new pet!

Try a different location once you have a cat that hasn’t used the litter box in a while.

Try placing the kitten in the litter box after every meal. If your cat has an accident outside the litter box, interrupt its activity and take him straight to the litter box.

Praise him when he uses the litter box. If he doesn’t use it in the same spot, you might need to move it or change the type of litter.

After establishing the litter box, introduce your kitten to a treat or other positive reinforcement.

Your kitten will respond well to praise or punishment, so it’s important to reward good behavior with rewards.

You are changing the litter regularly, and scooping the litter box once a week will help your kitten associate the box with the litter box.

Make sure to use the appropriate litter every time. Use an enzymatic cleaner if you don’t want to wait for your kitten to learn.