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Cat Litter Box

Litter box problems are one of the most common reasons cats go outside the box, and many come down to the box itself: too small, badly placed, too few of them or the wrong style for the cat. This guide explains the main types of litter box, how to size one for your cat, how many you need and where to put them, and what to check before you buy.

Types of litter box

Compare open litter trays, covered litter boxes and top-entry boxes, and check the internal dimensions rather than the outer size.

How big should a litter box be?

A widely repeated guideline from cat behaviour specialists is that the box should be at least one and a half times the length of the cat from nose to base of tail. For an average adult cat that is often around 22–24 inches (56–61 cm) — larger than many standard boxes sold. Large-breed cats such as Maine Coons may need an extra-large box or a repurposed storage tub with an entry cut into one side. The cat should be able to turn around and dig without touching the sides.

Browse extra-large litter boxes if your cat is big or tends to perch on the rim.

How many litter boxes do you need?

The “one per cat plus one” guideline is common advice from vets and cat welfare organisations. Boxes placed side by side count as one location to a cat, so spread them around the home, including one on each floor in multi-level homes.

Where to put the litter box

• Somewhere quiet and easy to reach, away from noisy appliances like washing machines.
• Away from food and water bowls — cats prefer not to eliminate near where they eat.
• With a clear view and more than one escape route, especially in multi-cat homes where one cat may guard a doorway.
• Not in a closed room the cat can be shut out of.
• Kittens and older cats need boxes close to where they spend their time.

Litter and box pairing

Most cats prefer fine, unscented, clumping litter about 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) deep. Change litter types gradually by mixing the new with the old. Browse cat litter.

Self-cleaning litter boxes

Automatic boxes use a rake, rotating drum or sifting mechanism triggered by a sensor after the cat leaves. They can reduce daily scooping, but check the size of the entry and inside chamber, the weight threshold of the cat sensor (important for kittens and small cats), noise levels, whether they need a specific litter, the cost of waste bags or trays, and how easy they are to clean fully. Introduce them slowly, with the mechanism off at first. Monitoring your cat’s urine and stool output is harder with a self-cleaning box, so pay attention to any change in habits.

See self-cleaning litter boxes.

Cleaning routine

• Scoop at least once a day, ideally twice.
• Top up litter to keep a consistent depth.
• Empty and wash the box with mild, unscented soap and water every one to four weeks, depending on litter type.
• Avoid strong-smelling cleaners, ammonia and phenol-based disinfectants, which can put cats off and some of which are toxic to cats.
• Replace plastic boxes when they become scratched and hold odours.

When a cat stops using the box

A sudden change in litter habits can be a sign of medical problems such as urinary tract disease, which can become an emergency in male cats that strain and pass little or no urine. Contact a vet first. If health problems are ruled out, look at box cleanliness, size, type, litter, location, number of boxes and stress in the home.

Who this guide is for

Cat owners choosing a new litter box or solving litter problems. We explain types, sizes and placement; we do not run hands-on tests. Check each product’s internal dimensions, materials and compatibility on the merchant page.