BEST SMALL LITTER BOX
If you’re looking for the best small litter box for small spaces overall, we can get right to it:
The IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box is rated the best small litter box because of its sleek design (many people report their guests don’t even realize it’s a litter box until they tell them) and its top entry, which keeps more litter, smells, and messes inside the box.
If you’d like to see a few more options and details, you’ll find them in this article covering the best small litter boxes for your cat (and for your space).
This is a list of the best small litter boxes for a small apartment, small home, or small space.
These litter boxes are some of the smallest on the market made for a cat. However, do keep your cat’s size in mind when choosing a litter box. It must be a fit for your space and your cat. You’ll find tips for choosing the right size of litter box, as well as other litter box tips in the THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SMALL LITTER BOX section.
SMALL CAT LITTER BOX DIMENSIONS
Below are the top 10 small litter boxes for small apartments, homes, and spaces. They’re ordered by width going from the most narrow litter box to the widest litter box, within the “small” litter box category.
| LITTER BOX | WIDTH | LENGTH | HEIGHT | TOP FEATURE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Ness Small Litter Pan | 10″ | 14″ | 3.5″ | Smallest and best price | Low |
| Van Ness High Sides Litter Box | 15″ | 17.5″ | 9″ | High sides | Low |
| Pet Mate Sifting Litter Box | 15″ | 19″ | 8″ | Sifting | Medium |
| iPrimio Stainless Steel Litter Box | 15.5″ | 23.5″ | 6 – 12″ | Long lasting | High |
| Iris Shielded Litter Pan | 15.51″ | 19.68″ | 10.63″ | Oval shape | Medium |
| Modkat Fliptop Litter Box | 15.75″ | 20.47″ | 16.73″ | Covered | High |
| Litter Genie Cat Litter Box | 16″ | 22.3″ | 17.6″ | Flexible Plastic | Medium |
| IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box | 16.14″ | 20.47″ | 14.56″ | Top entry | Medium |
| IRIS Corner Litter Box | 16.25″ | 20.75″ | 7.5″ | Corner-fitting | Low |
| Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box | 19″ dia | n/a | 20″ | Looks like potted plant | High |
PRICE RANGES FOR A SMALL LITTER BOX
Price ratings are based on the following guidelines:
LOW PRICE: Under $10
MEDIUM PRICE: $10 – $30
HIGH PRICE: $30 – $80
BEST SMALL & CHEAP LITTER BOX: VAN NESS SMALL LITTER PAN
The Van Ness Small Litter Pan is the smallest overall in this list of small litter boxes. The price is also the lowest.
It’s important to note: this litter box is sized for a kitten; not a full-grown adult cat.
If you temporarily need a small litter box while your cat is still a kitten, or if you foster kittens, this is the perfect choice. However, this litter box would be too small for most adult cats.
SPECS
Width: 10″
Length: 14″
Height: 3.5″
Color: Assorted (color choice cannot be selected)
Price: Low
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Size – this very small litter box is perfect for people who have just adopted a new kitten, or who foster kittens.
- Low sides – the lower sides make it easy for a small kitten to climb in and use the litter box.
- Price – this litter box is one of the lowest priced litter boxes you can find on the market.
- Finish – this small litter box has a high-polished finish that makes it odor and stain resistant, and easy to clean.
- Quality – although some reviewers did complain about the quality, many others commented that this is a good quality litter box for the price.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Size – because many shoppers don’t read the dimensions before purchasing, most bad reviews for this product are based on the litter box being too small. This litter box is not meant for adult cats.
- Quality – some reviewers found the plastic to be too thin and flimsy, sometimes even warping. It will be important not to overfill this litter box and add too much weight.
- Color – the customer does not get to choose the color of litter box. Some people were unhappy receiving a pink or purple litter box when they believed they would be receiving a blue one.
RUNNER UP IN THE SMALLEST CATEGORY: PET MATE LITTER PAN
This one bumps up into the medium price range being just over $10, however the dimensions are similar to the Van Ness Small Litter Pan. It’s perfect for small cats or kittens.
SPECS
Width: 10.5″
Length: 14″
Height: 3.5″
Color: Blue or Grey
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Size – reviewers who are fostering kittens, have a new kitten, or must temporarily keep their cat in a smaller space (e.g. in a crate for travel or when introducing two cats) are very happy with this litter box.
- Quality – reviewers are pleased with the quality of this small litter box.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Size – yes many people do complain of the litter box being too small. This size of litter box really is only fitting for kittens or smaller animals (e.g. rabbits, ferrets, etc.).
- Price – some reviewers found that although the quality was good, the price should be lower based on the small size of the litter box.
BEST SMALL LITTER BOX WITH HIGH SIDES: VAN NESS HIGH SIDES CAT LITTER PAN
If your cat likes to kick the dust up when going to the washroom or if they tend to pee high in their litter box, you may want to try a high-sided litter box like this one. The Van Ness High Sides Litter Pan has an affordable price tag and is great for small apartments and spaces because the overall size of the litter box is small, and the high-sides will help keep more litter in the litter box; important when you have a smaller space and don’t have many low-traffic areas to tuck a litter box away in.
The plastic has a high polish, making it easy to clean and it’s also stain and odor resistant.
SPECS
Width: 15″
Length: 17.5″
Height: 9″
Color: Assorted (color choice cannot be selected)
Price: Low
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Price – this litter box is one of the lowest priced high-sided litter boxes on the market.
- Polished Finish – the plastic is polished so it has a slicker finish which makes it easier to clean, and makes it odor and stain resistant.
- Recycled content – this high-sided litter box is made from Eco Ness Safe & Green 20% recycled content.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Curved edges – the front of the litter box has a curved design, which makes it harder to scrape the sides.
- Small – some reviewers found this litter box to be too small for their cat.
- Color – this litter box comes in assorted colors, but unfortunately, you don’t get to choose which color you get.
RUNNER UP IN THE SMALL HIGH-SIDED LITTER BOX CATEGORY
If the dimensions of this litter box don’t work for your cat or your space, check out 5 other high-sided litter box alternatives here.
BEST SMALL SIFTING LITTER BOX: PETMATE ARM & HAMMER SIFTING LITTER PAN
The Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Pan is a good choice for small spaces because of its smaller dimensions and how easy it is to clean the litter box. It comes with two solid pans and one sifting pan.
You fill one solid litter pan with litter and keep the other solid litter pan empty and under the sifting litter pan. When ready to clean the litter box, you simply pour all of the litter into the box with the sifting pan on top. Then you lift the sifting pan, which will sift out the soiled litter and leave clean litter in the pan below. Toss the soiled litter into the garbage and clean the now empty solid litter pan. Set the clean, empty solid pan under the sifting pan so they’re ready for the next cleaning.
It’s treated with Microban for antimicrobial protection. It also has a durable, reinforced bottom that holds up to the weight of the litter and constantly lifting the pans and pouring the contents out.
SPECS
Width: 15″
Length: 19″
Height: 8″
Color: Grey & white
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Easy to use – many reviewers noted how much easier cleaning the litter box has become with the sifting litter box.
- Easy to clean – a litter box needs to be cleaned frequently to prevent stains and odors from setting in. This task is normally put off until the entire pan of litter must be replaced. With 2 litter pans, you alternate which one is in use and can quickly clean the not-in-use pan more frequently.
- Works well with pellets – if you prefer a wood/pine pellet litter, many reviewers state this litter box works well to sift out the fine sawdust and simply scoop out the solids.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
It’s important to note: many negative reviews were based on users not properly following instructions. The sifter should not sit in the pan with litter; you’ll end up with litter clumped to the sifter and to the bottom of the solid pan. The sifter should always remain set aside and is used to simply pour litter over as it goes into the empty solid litter pan.
- Small & low – many cat owners found the overall size of this pan to be too small. If you have a larger cat, the dimensions of this litter pan may not work. Some also found the sides to be too low and that their cat was kicking a lot of litter outside the pan. A high-sided litter box may be the better option for these cat owners.
- Messes stick to side – some reviewers found that soiled litter stuck to the sides of the solid litter pans, making them more difficult to clean.
RUNNER UP IN THE SMALL SIFTING LITTER BOX CATEGORY: VAN NESS SIFTING LITTER PAN
The Van Ness Sifting Litter Pan works a little differently than the Pet Mate one, in that the sifting tray is what the litter goes in and the empty solid pans sits under the sifting tray. When you’re ready to clean the litter, you simply lift the sifting tray, toss the soiled litter, set the sifting tray into the clean empty solid tray and then pour the clean litter in the other tray back on top of the sifting tray.
This litter box comes with a removable attachment that builds up the sides of the sifting tray. This will help keep more of the litter in the pan when your cat kicks the litter around.
The pans have a high-polish finish making it easy to clean and stain resistant.
SPECS
Width: 15.13″
Length: 19″
Height: 8″
Color: Assorted (color is not chosen by customer)
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
Positive reviews were very similar to the Pet Mate Sifting Litter Pan’s positive reviews. Many reviewers did note that they use this pan differently than the manufacture instructs, and they use it in a similar way the Pet Mate sifter is meant to be used. They place the sifting try between the two solid trays and simply pour dirty litter through the sifting tray and into the other solid tray.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Messy – when used following the manufacturer’s directions, many people found the soiled litter clumped to the sifting tray and got stuck in the little holes. The workaround is to use this sifting litter pan in the same way the Pet Mate Sifting Litter Pan is meant to be used.
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY SMALL LITTER BOX: IPRIMIO STAINLESS STEEL LITTER BOX
This litter box is made of stainless steel, so it should be the only litter box you need to buy. It won’t rust and it will resist odors and stains. You can also choose to purchase a pan enclosure with the pan, to increase the height of the sides and back and turn it into a high-sided litter box (for cats that kick their litter around or pee high in the box).
There are rubber feet on the bottom of this pan to prevent it from moving around as your cat hops in and out of it.
SPECS
Width: 15.5″
Length: 23.5″
Height: 6″ (12″ with attachment)
Color: Stainless steel
Price: High
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Stainless Steel – this material makes it durable, rust-free, and won’t absorb any odors or stains.
- Detachable Enclosure – the litter box on its own is average height, however, the attachment adds another 6” for extra high walls. You can purchase the litter box on its own, or with the encloser to add extra height.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Price – this is one of the more expensive litter boxes due to the stainless steel materials used. However, this litter box will last you a long time, which also makes it more environmentally friendly.
- Sound – in a small space, you’re likely to hear your cat scratching around the litter box. Consider the sound their nails will make on stainless steel when their scratching reaches the bottom of the pan. This may not bother many people but is a dealbreaker for some.
BEST SMALL LITTER BOX FOR AWKWARD SPACES: IRIS SHIELDED LITTER PAN
The Iris Shielded Litter Pan is oval-shaped, making it a good litter box to fit into smaller spaces. It has a lower front and higher sides and back, making it easier for cats to get in and out of, while keeping more litter in the pan; also a great feature for small spaces. The oval shape also makes it easy to scoop (with no tight corners to get into), as does the polished finish. This litter box also comes with a litter scooper.
SPECS
Width: 15.51″
Length: 19.68″
Height: 7″ at front, 10.63″ at the back
Color: Black
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Design – many reviewers love the sleek design of the oval shape and how it allows them to put the litter box in smaller spaces
- High sides – the higher sides, and even higher back, helps keep more litter in the litter box
- Easy to clean – another benefit of the oval design is that it makes it easy to scoop litter out
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Size – the most common complaint with this litter box (and reason for 1-star reviews) is that it’s too small. If you have a larger cat, check the measurements before buying. A litter box should be at least one and a half times the length of a cat to give them enough room to fully step into the pan and move around.
BEST SMALL COVERED LITTER BOX: MODKAT FLIP LITTER BOX
The Modkat Flip Litter Box has a lid that fully flips open for easy access when cleaning, and fully closed to hide soiled litter and smells between cleanings. It has a sleek design, so it doesn’t look like a typical litter box, and has a built-in groove on either side of the box to hold the scooper (which comes with the litter box). The litter box also comes with a reusable liner, which can be hooked into place. You can purchase additional liners separately.
This litter box may be more expensive, but would be worth it for those who look for good design and function in their litter box. It’s also a great option for first-time purchasers/users of a covered litter box because this lid has 3 options. You can keep the lid fully closed, for maximum privacy, flip it halfway open (if your cat doesn’t seem to be digging the covered litter box feature), or fully open (for cleaning, however, if you need to warm your cat up to this litter box, you can start with the lid fully open).
The lid functionality also makes cleaning time easier. Most covered litter boxes have a bulky lid you must unclip, set aside while cleaning, and then clip back on. This lid simply flips back. The other bonus of this design is that the litter box doesn’t have any seams where litter or urine can get into. Some people find with traditional covered litter boxes, their high-peeing cats tend to aim above the seam where the lid meets the bin.
The Modkat Flip Litter Box also has ventilation holes to ensure it doesn’t get too stuffy in there for your cat. However, consider using a dust-free or low-dust litter with this enclosed litter box so your cat isn’t breathing in dust while they’re in there kicking around.
SPECS
Width: 15.75″
Length: 20.47″
Height: 16.73″
Color: White & grey
Price: High
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Litter contained – this style of litter box keeps litter and messes inside the box. The seams of the lid being at the very top of the box also keep this litter box clean. Litter and urine can get into the seams of traditional covered litter boxes, where the cover meets the bin.
- Good for “high pee-ers” – many cats tend to aim high when peeing, which leads to urine down the outside of the litter box, or in the seams of other covered litter boxes. This one keeps all of the urine inside.
- Size – most reviewers found this litter box to be small enough to fit into small spaces, but not too small for their cat. Of course, it depends on the length of cat (a litter box should be one and a half times the length of your cat).
- Design – reviewers love the look of this litter box and how easy it is to flip the lid back when it’s time to clean.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Liner leaks – the liner is optional, so it’s not a major drawback. However, many customers found the liner leaked and urine was getting trapped between the liner and the box, which can lead to a smelly litter box and odors being absorbed into the plastic box.
- Size – some reviewers left negative reviews based on the litter box being too small, too short, or the entrance being too high. It’s important to measure your cat before purcahsing to ensure the litter box will be the right size for them (litter boxes generally should be one and half times the length of your cat).
BEST EASY-TO-CHANGE SMALL LITTER BOX: LITTER GENIE CAT LITTER BOX
What makes the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box unique is that it’s made of flexible plastic and it has built in handles. This makes the litter box easy to handle when it’s time to change the litter, and easy to funnel the litter into a garbage bag. The smaller size of this litter box and oval shape make it appropriate for small apartments and spaces.
The higher sides and back also help keep more of the litter in the box, which also makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
SPECS
Width: 16″
Length: 22.3″
Height: 17″6 on the sides, 10″ in the back, 6.5″ in the front
Color: Grey
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Integrated handles – handles make it easy to pick up the litter box to empty it.
- Flexible plastic – the plastic is flexible so you can hold the handles in one hand to create a bit of a funnel to pour the litter into the gargbage can, ensure less litter ends up on the floor.
- Antimicrobial plastic – helps resist germs.
- Curved base – no nooks and crannies means that litter won’t get stuck in any corners or ridges, making it easy to clean.
- Unique shape – its rounded shape makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Thin plastic – although the thin plastic makes it flexible for cleaning, it also makes it easier to crack. The majority of low ratings were due to the plastic cracking.
- Higher entry – although this litter box is lower in the front, it’s still 6.5” high, which may be too high if you have an older cat with mobility issues.
BEST SMALL TOP ENTRY LITTER BOX (DOG-PROOF LITTER BOX): IRIS TOP ENTRY CAT LITTER BOX
The Iris Top Entry Litter Box is a narrow litter box that gives your cat privacy while they’re doing their business. The design of this litter box makes it great for small apartments and smaller spaces because it doesn’t look like a litter box. It does a great job of keeping litter in the litter box and containing smells, while keeping most dogs out of the litter box.
The plastic is BPA free and the unit has non-skid rubber feet so as your cat leaps off the box, they won’t be pushing it around the room.
The oval shape of this litter box makes the inside really easy to clean; no corners or divots for the litter to get stuck in. There is also an oval-shaped entrance on the top, which is 9″ in diameter at its most narrow point and 10.5″ in diameter at its widest. There are ridges in the lid, which allow the litter left on your cats paws to drop back into the litter box as they’re exiting.
The Iris Top Entry Litter Box also comes with a matching litter scoop with a built-in clip to hang the scooper on the side of the box.
THIS LITTER BOX IS NOT IDEAL FOR:
- Senior cats with mobility issues – if your cat has a hard time jumping up or down, this litter box may deter them from using it.
- Dusty litters – consider a dust free litter such as a pellet litter or a low-dust litter if you prefer clumping litters. You don’t want your cat to breath in all the dust that can get trapped in the box as they move around.
SPECS
Width: 16.14″
Length: 20.47″
Height: 14.56″
Color: White/Soft Pink, Dark Grey/White, or Black/Grey
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Litter contained – the feature most reviewers rave about is that they no longer have litter being kicked outside of the box. There are grooves in the lid, which will help catch even more of the litter that is stuck to their paws when they jump out of the box. However, there will always be some litter your cat tracks outside of the litter box area.
- Smells contained – many customers reported this litter box helped keep the litter smells down in their small space. It’s important to scoop the litter box every day to help with odors as well (your cat doesn’t like a smelly litter box either).
- Design – this litter box is more visually pleasing than most litter boxes and comes in neutral colours. Many reviewers suggest it doesn’t look like a litter box and house guests had no idea what it was.
- Dog proof – although it’s not 100% dog-proof, the lid and smaller enclosure does help deter dogs from getting into the cat’s litter box and finding the treasures they burry.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Quality – a few reviewers found the newer version of this litter box to be of lower lower quality, and the lid not holding the weight of their cat. However, other reviewers with cats weighing 12 – 20 lbs reported not having the same issue. It’s important to secure the lid in place after cleaning the litter box daily. You may also consider this alternative design by IRIS.
- Small scoop – not a deal breaker for most reviewers but it was mentioned by some that the scooper is too small.
- Messes – while this litter box does a great job of containing the litter, some reviewers mentioned their cats step in their pee or poop when jumping out of the box, which then gets tracked outside of the litter box.
ALTERNATIVE IRIS TOP ENTRY LITTER BOX DESIGN:
This litter box is made by the same company, however the design is a little different. It’s a couple inches more narrow, which may be perfect if you have a smaller cat and smaller space. And the design of the lid is different. Instead of ridges, this lid has holes for the litter left on your cat’s paws to drop back into the litter box. The lid also sits on top of the litter bin, instead of being set inside; this would make the lid sturdier, which is ideal if you have a larger cat.
SPECS
Width: 14.75″
Length: 20.50″
Height: 14.38″
Color: Black/Grey or Grey/White
Price: Medium
RUNNER UP FOR SMALL TOP ENTRY CATEGORY: PETMATE TOP ENTRY LITTER PAN
Although the design of this top entry litter box isn’t as sleek as the IRIS top entry litter box, it serves the same purpose; your cats jump onto the lid to enter and exit the litter box, keeping more litter in the box.
It’s a little more narrow than the Iris Top Entry Litter Box but is slightly taller.
The PetMate Top Entry Litter Pan does not come with a litter scooper, however, the litter pan does have a hook to store your litter scooper on the side of the unit. It also has a grated lid to catch some of the litter left on your cat’s paws.
SPECS
Width: 15.07″
Length: 20.29″
Height: 15.2″
Color: Grey with white lid
Price: Medium
MOST LOVED FEATURES
This top entry litter box has similar positive reviews in regards to keeping the mess and smell in the box. In addition to those features, reviewers also appreciated:
- Easy cleanup – the lid is hinged, making it easy to open and close, it also has holes in it so more of the litter falls back into the pan, or can be scraped into it.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Flimsy lid – although the way the lid sits on the bin (as opposed to set into the bin like the IRIS litter box), some reviewers found the lid and hinges to be flimsy.
BEST SMALL CORNER LITTER BOX: IRIS CORNER LITTER BOX
The shape of the IRIS Corner Litter Box allows you to save space by placing it in a tight corner. The sides are higher than an average litter box, which will help contain some of the messes made by a cat that likes to kick, or one that likes to aim high when peeing.
SPECS
Width: 16.25″
Length: 20.75″
Height: 7.5″
Color: Navy
Price: Low
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Shape – reviewers found new places to put their litter box thanks to the corner design of this one. Some found it was the perfect shape and size for inside closets, cabinets, and small rooms.
- Higher sides – many reviewers appreciated how this litter box had higher sides than their previous litter boxes and how they help keep more litter in the box. They also found it to be larger than they expected.
- Price – this litter box also comes with a litter scooper, so at its low price point, many reviewers found it to be a good deal.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Size – many reviewers found this litter box to be too small for their cat.
- Hard to clean – some reviewers were annoyed by the sticker the manufacturer put in the bottom of the pan, which leaves a sticky residue behind. They also found soiled litter stuck to this litter box.
BEST SMALL LITTER BOX THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A LITTER BOX: GOOD PET STUFF HIDDEN LITTER BOX
Although the Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box may not be considered small, it is great for small spaces because it doesn’t look like a litter box. It looks like a clay pot with a plant in it. It has a filtered vent system (at the top, under the faux moss), which helps control dust and odors. The top of the pot separates from the bottom to make it easy to scoop and change litter.
SPECS
Width: 19″ diameter
Height: 20″ to the top of the pot, 42″ to the top of the plant
Color: Beige
Price: High
MOST LOVED FEATURES
- Design – the feature reviewers love the most is the pot and plant design that disguises the litter box. Many people spray painted the pot to match their home decor, changed the moss to pebbles, or changed the faux plant. Many also turn the door towards a wall or corner so guests can’t even tell it’s a litter box.
- Dog deterrent – when the door of this litter box is turned towards a corner, it can leave enough room for a cat to sneak back there, but keep dogs away from the litter box treasures.
- Size – many reviewers commented on how spacious the litter box is.
MOST DISLIKED FEATURES
- Fit – the pot splits in the middle creating a bottom and top. Some reviewers mentioned that the top part does not fit properly on the bottom.
- Quality – some reviewers were disappointed in the quality of the fake plant and the faux clay pot. However, many customers got creative and spray painted the pot and added to or swapped the faux plant.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SMALL LITTER BOX
The following are features and elements you’ll want to consider before buying a small litter box:
CAT’S SIZE
Although your apartment or house may be tight on space, a smaller litter box isn’t always the best option. In general, a litter box should be one and half times the length of your cat, to give them enough room to turn around in the space. They also need head room if you’re going for a covered litter box, so keep the height of your cat and the litter box in mind before purchasing.
If a litter box is too small for a cat, they may end up refusing to use it, spilling their messes over the sides, or going beside the litter box if another litter box isn’t available.
HEIGHT
Some cats tend to pee high, which leads to cat pee spraying over the edge of a litter box. If your cat falls into this category, consider a litter box with higher sides, or one that’s enclosed. There are several high-sided options here, and the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box is the top choice among many cat owners.
Higher sides are also preferable if your cat likes to kick a lot of litter around before and after going to the washroom.
If you’re choosing a high-sided litter box, keep the entrance height in mind if you have a cat with mobility issues.
ENTRY
If you have an older cat that doesn’t like to jump as much as they used to, or have a younger cat with mobility issues, look for a litter box with a lower entrance. If your cat has trouble stepping in and out of the litter box, they may end up going beside it, instead of in it.
COVERED OR UNCOVERED
A study found that most cats don’t have a preference when it comes to covered or uncovered litter boxes; they’ll use both over a period of time. Of cats that do have a preference between covered or uncovered litter boxes, the results were evenly split.
Covered litter boxes can be ideal for smaller spaces to help contain more of the mess and hide soiled litter.
If you are going to go with a covered litter box, ensure the height of it is tall enough for your cat, and considered there will be a few inches of litter in there too.
It’s also important to use a no-dust or low-dust litter, and to clean and change the litter regularly. Messes can be out of sight, out of mind with covered litter boxes, so if needed, set reminders until you’ve built a habit of cleaning the litter box daily.
OTHER LITTER BOX OPTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES
When placing a litter box in a small space, what’s important to most people is that it works for their cat and that it isn’t unsightly, doesn’t smell, and there isn’t constantly a mess around it.
A few other options if the litter boxes on this list aren’t a fit for you, your cat, or your space are:
- SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES
- COVERED LITTER BOXES
- FURNITURE LITTER BOXES
- CAT LITTER MATS (Here are the best ones to reduce litter tracking)
TIPS FOR KEEPING A LITTER BOX IN A SMALL APARTMENT
The following are answers to commonly asked questions regarding placing a litter box in a small apartment or small space.
WHERE SHOULD I PUT A LITTER BOX IN A SMALL APARTMENT?
Most importantly, you want to put your litter box where you cat is going to be most comfortable using it. If your cat doesn’t use the litter box, you’ll have a whole other problem on your hands.
Cats like their litter boxes to be in a quiet, private spot, that’s easy to access whenever they need to.
You’ll also appreciate a litter box being tucked into a quiet corner of a small apartment. If you put it in your main bathroom, not only will it be humid (which encourages bacteria to grow and smells to linger), but you’re also going to be stepping on pieces of litter each time you go to use the washroom or step out of the shower.
You may find it best to tuck the litter box into the corner of a room that’s the least used in your house, or a closet. You can purchase an easy to install kitty door like this one, which will allow you to keep the door to the closet closed but give your cat access to their litter box.
Or, if you’re renting and your landlord won’t allow you to cut a small hole in a closet door, you may consider taking a closet door off, and using a tension rod like this one, to hang a curtain, which will allow your cat to access the litter box at all times, without you having to leave a closet door open.
There are 5 unique ideas for how to hide a litter box in a small apartment here, while ensuring your placement of it isn’t deterring your cat from using it.
HOW DO I KEEP LITTER FROM GOING EVERYWHERE?
If you have a cat, litter outside the litter box is inevitable. Here is a complete guide with lots of tips to reduce kitty litter from tracking.
Cats scratch around in their litter box, jump in and out of it, and have those cute little toe pads that litter can easily get stuck between. No matter which type of litter you use, you’re bound to have some litter tracking outside of the litter box.
However, there are many products to help reduce the amount of litter that ends up outside the box. You may try:
- LOW TRACKING LITTER
- PELLET LITTERS
- COVERED LITTER BOXES
- TOP ENTRY LITTER BOXES
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN THE LITTER BOX?
When you’re in a small apartment, small house, or small space with a litter box, the more frequently you clean it the better.
The general rule of thumb is to scoop soiled litter out of the litter box once per day. But if you clean it right after your cat uses it (not always possible, I know) and place the soiled litter in a sealed bin, like this Litter Genie Pail, you’ll have an easier time keeping litter smells at bay.
HOW DO I GET RID OF CAT LITTER SMELL IN MY APARTMENT?
In a small space, cat litter smells are even more potent. There are a few tips to help you get rid of and reduce odors.
- Try a pellet litter (as opposed to dusty clay litters)
- Scoop the litter box frequently
- Use a litter bin like this one to trap odors in the bin
- Try sprinkling a small amount of baking soda in the bottom of the box (no where it will come in contact with your cat’s paws)
- Change the litter frequently (each type of litter will have its guidelines)
- Wash the litter box with each litter change (odors can stick to plastic litter boxes)
- Replace plastic litter boxes yearly or try a stainless steel litter box, like this one
- Wash the litter scoop
- Invest in an air purifier like this one
I hope this article has been helpful in helping you find a small litter box for your small apartment or space 🙂