There's More Cat Litter Box Options Than People Realize

Arguably the least enjoyable part about owning a cat is the litter box. That being said, obviously having a place for a cat to take care of their business is a good thing for any homeowner. You don’t want them making a mess somewhere in your home where it will have a chance to smell up the place. 

Most people think there is only one type of litter box for their cat. They aren’t aware of the many different types of litter boxes that might be better suited for their cat and his personality. Every litter box has its own pros and cons, so it's important to do your research and find one that works best for your home and your cat. Here are a few of the more popular litter box options that you can choose from.

Styles of Cat Litter Boxes

There’s quite a few different cat litter boxes out there on the market. It’s something that people often disregard and don’t think about. Some of the options include: 

An open box is a classic litter box is known by all cat owners. This is a large pan that doesn’t have a cover and is easy to fill with kitty litter. A popular choice largely because they are cheap, an open litter box is handy to use if you have several cats. The benefits of an open litter box include how easy they are to scoop out and to hide out of sight. Cats also like this design since it allows them to see what’s happening around them. The biggest drawback of the open litter box is that odors can easily escape since there isn’t anything holding them in, and that also goes for kitty litter. Having litter scattered all over your floor is the main complaint of an open litter box.

A covered litter box is basically the same as an open litter box except that it has a cover. The cover helps to keep in litter and odors and is a good choice if your cat prefers to do his business in private. You can get these models with just a basic cover or an elaborate dome design depending on your preferences. With a lid, this litter box does make it a bit harder to clean out. You will also need more space around it to ensure that you will have enough area to remove the top when cleaning and also to accommodate the bulkier design.

A disposable litter box is typically just a basic litter box pan that doesn’t come with a lid. These are cheap litter boxes that are made to be thrown away after a cat uses them. They are handy in the fact that you don’t have to clean them, and they are often made with a type of biodegradable materials. Since they are cheap and made to be thrown away, your cat can damage them easily. And they also don’t have a comfortable or stylish design if that’s important to you.

One of the best inventions in the last few years is the litter box that cleans itself. These pans (or rotary systems) can come with or without lids, but they all include motorized rakes that move through the litter box periodically capturing waste and removing it to the enclosed container. Typically, there is a sensor that activates the rake right after your cat leaves the box. A great choice for those that don’t like cleaning litter boxes, this is also a good choice for those cat owners that appreciate the lack of odors that come with a box where the waste is removed soon after your cat is done in it. The drawbacks of this litter box design are that owners often tend to just ignore it. This can be an issue if a big clump gets stuck in it, and then it can’t complete its cleaning cycle. Some cats are also afraid of the mechanism, even though the units are designed not to harm cats. And you have limited places you can place it since it needs to be plugged in to operate.

Popular Models

There’s a lot of great litter box options on the market. Some of the best ones include: 

• Nature's Miracle Litter Box - This affordable litter box can be used as either an open or closed litter box, has a large pan, and is easy to clean. Cats tend to enjoy it, especially since you can convert to meet your cat’s preferences. It also does not have a door that can bother your cat, and it comes with a charcoal filter that absorbs odors.
• Chewy Smart Cat Litter Box - Easy to keep clean, the Smart Cat Litter Box is another affordable litter box that has a simple and spacious design. This box is 1 ½ times the size of a typical box, so it will give your cat plenty of room. Made of durable plastic, it features an oversized rim that makes it easier to lift. Plus, the plan is also high and features ramped sides that decrease the scattering of litter.
• Modkat Cat Litter Box - With a modern design, the Modkat Cat Litter Box has a unique design that makes cleaning easier as well as front and top entries. There is also a rip-free, reusable plastic liner in this well-designed and attractive cat litter box. This design fits the preferences of a wide variety of kitties and includes a lid that folds back to make cleaning easier.
• Chewy Petsafe Litter Box - This self-cleaning litter box efficiently removes the solid waste from the litter box, so you don’t have to. The Petsafe Litter Box is easy to start-up and uses a dust-free and odor-absorbent litter. It also includes easy to throw out disposable trays and can track how frequently your cat uses them. The sensor rim activates the built-in rake when your cat leaves and cycles the unit to immediately clean anything your cat has left behind.