As the age-old saying goes, everybody poops. Humans have found effective ways of getting their body waste out of their homes by developing modern flush toilets. Most dogs have their feces thrown away by their owners on walks, so they have no care in the world. Many indoor cats use litter boxes when nature calls.
But what about a home that has multiple cats? Some pet owners will buy several litter boxes for their felines; however, this often creates work for the cat owner. The solution? You will need to find a litter box that accommodates multiple cats. This article reviews our top picks for litter boxes for households that have two or more cats.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan |
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Best Value | Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box |
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Premium Choice | Litter-Robot Auto Litter Box |
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Best Covered Litter Box | Petmate Booda Dome Cat Litter Box |
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Best Sifting Litter Box | Petmate Arm & Hammer Litter Pan |
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The 9 Best Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats
1. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan – Best Litter Box Overall
Material: | BPA-free plastic |
Covered or Open: | Covered, removable hood |
Odor absorbent: | Yes, can be used with charcoal filters |
Our overall recommendation for the best litter box is the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan. The hooded design is nothing new for litter boxes; however, the hood overlaps with the base, blocking leaks onto the floor more effectively. This litter box also has a front flap entry that you can lift for easy cleaning. With the addition of the charcoal filters, this design reduces odors. However, the charcoal filters must be bought separately, adding to your expenses. Some cats might not like the front flap entry, so practice might be needed.
- Inexpensive
- Removable hood for easy cleaning
- Leak-proof
- Must purchase extra carbon filters
- Cats may not like front flap entry
2. Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box – Best Budget Litter Box
Material: | BPA-free recyclable plastic |
Covered or Open: | Open |
Odor absorbent: | No |
Sometimes, pet owners want to get back to the basics of litter boxes. If you are looking for a solid but standard design that will not cause damage to your wallet, our recommendation is the Frisco High Sided Cat Litter box. This open design with higher-than-average sides helps prevent litter from getting kicked out by your feline, so there is less mess for you to clean up. The front of the litter box is cut lower, making it easier for cats of all ages to climb in. However, if cats start kicking litter toward the front of the box, some mess can end up on the floor. As with many open litter boxes, there is no odor control. It will be best to keep this litter box in a more private place in your home.
- Open design for easy cleaning
- Easy entry for older cats
- Can be recycled
- Potential for cats to kick out litter
- No odor control properties
3. Litter-Robot 3 Auto Self-Cleaning Litter Box – Best Premium Litter Box
Material: | Plastic |
Covered or Open: | Covered, hood not removable |
Odor absorbent: | No |
Have you ever wondered what the future will be like for household pets? Wonder no more! If you have an extra few hundred dollars to splurge, we recommend the Litter-Robot 3 Connect Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box. The center of this futuristic litter box rotates after your cat is done using it, separating the waste from clean litter. The waste gets deposited in a drawer underneath the dome. This system uses a smartphone app, allowing you to adjust when the system rotates, giving your cat plenty of time to use the litter tray before the waste is removed. The app even tells you when the waste drawer is full and needs to be emptied. One issue with this litter box is that the waste drawer is not very odor absorbent, so emptying it might be more frequent.
- Reduces time spent scooping
- Saves on litter costs
- Very large
- No odor absorbing filters
4. Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box – Best Covered Litter Box
Material: | Plastic |
Covered or Open: | Covered, removable hood |
Odor absorbent: | Can be used with charcoal filters |
The Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box is our recommendation for a covered litter box. The dome-shaped creates a larger place private for your cats, and the grooved steps leading in and out of the litter box help clean off the cats’ feet. The covering helps reduce odors wafting through your home, plus there is the option of adding charcoal filters into the litter tray to help absorb more smells. One flaw with this design is the hood. It does not have an overlapping mechanism, so leaking does occur. A mat or newspaper is recommended to be placed under this litter box to absorb waste that gets on the floor.
- Reduces time spent scooping
- Saves on litter costs
- Very large
- Not leak-proof
5. Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan – Best Sifting Litter Box
Material: | Plastic |
Covered or Open: | Open |
Odor absorbent: | No |
 For cat owners who hate to use a scoop to clean up waste, we recommend the Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan. The tray comes with a sifting pan that allows cat owners to lift the sifting pan out, making it easier and quicker to dispose of the waste. Since there is no covering on this litter tray, the odors might be more noticeable. Also, the sides of this litter box are not very high. There is the potential for cats kicking litter on the floor or urine getting out of the box. It would be a good idea to place absorbent pads or a mat on the floor to reduce mess directly on your floor.
- No need to use a scooper
- Inexpensive
- Saves on litter costs
- Not odor absorbent
- Sides are not high
6. Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box – Best Decorative Litter Box
Material: | Polypropylene; plastic plant and moss |
Covered or Open: | Covered, hood removable |
Odor absorbent: | No |
Litter box? I do not see a litter box in your home! If you have guests saying this, then the Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box has done its job. This is our recommendation for the best decorative litter box. It is designed to look like a large clay pot, so it can be placed in your living room or bedroom. Since it is covered, it provides privacy for your cats when they need to relieve themselves. The covering and vent also reduce the odors. One minor setback to this litter box is that because of the design, it is harder to scoop out waste. Removing the top will make it easier to clean, but it is more time-consuming. Also, there is the potential for leakage if your cats urinate along the sides.
- Style can blend with most décor
- Design reduces litter from being kicked out
- Offers privacy
- Harder to clean because of shape
- Can leak from the sides
7. Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan Cat Litter Box – Best Top Entry Litter Box
Material: | Blend of pre-consumer recycled plastic |
Covered or Open: | Covered, lid removable |
Odor absorbent: | No |
 Our recommended litter box is the Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan Cater Litter Box if your cats are notorious litter kickers or urine sprayers. Top entry litter boxes solve many problems that come with open litter boxes. Besides the entry directly on the lid, the entire box is enclosed, ensuring that urine and litter remain inside. The easily removable lid is also textured, helping clean your cats’ feet after they are finished using it. However, because this is a top entry litter box, it is not recommended for very young kittens, cats with mobility issues, or very large cats. The design does not make it easy for those types of felines to use.
- Design prevents litter and urine from getting on the floor
- Offers complete privacy for cats
- Not suitable for all cats
- Large, bulky
8. Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded Litter Box System – Best Pellet Litter Box
Material: | Plastic |
Covered or Open: | Covered, hood has a sliding door |
Odor absorbent: | Yes |
If you want to try an entirely new type of litter box for your cats, we recommend the Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded Litter Box System. This litter box was designed for pellets instead of the standard cat litter. The pellets help separate the liquids from the solids. The solids sit on top of the pellets to be scooped out, and the urine passes through the pellets to a liner in a bottom tray that you remove, dispose of, and replace with a new liner. The benefit of this system is not having to deal with traditional litter that cats can track around the house, as well as not having to replace pellets often. Some cat owners dislike the idea of throwing away liners because it is wasteful. Also, purchasing liners is an extra expense.
- Eliminates cats tracking litter
- Can replace pellets monthly
- Easy-to-open lid
- Must buy specific pellets
- Liners are wasteful
9. Ohmaker’s OhmBox Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box – Best Steel Litter Box
Material: | Stainless steel |
Covered or Open: | Open |
Odor absorbent: | Yes |
If you are looking for a standard litter box made with higher quality materials, we consider the Ohmaker’s OhmBox Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box. While this looks like a basic open litter tray, the selling point is that it is made with stainless steel. The benefit of this material is that steel does not absorb odors as many plastic boxes do. The stainless steel also does not rust or stain, making this a long-lasting litter box. This litter box also has padded feet to protect your floor. Since this litter box is open, cats could kick out litter. There might be some extra cleaning involved outside of this litter box.
- Long-lasting material
- Does not absorb odors or stain
- Sides are not very high
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Litter Box for Multiple Cats
Multiple Litter Boxes or Multi-Cat Litter Boxes?
Some cat owners are unsure if they should have one extra-large litter box for multiple cats or if they should have multiple litter boxes. It all boils down to the cats and cleanliness. If you have multiple cats, one benefit of having a multi-cat-capable litter box is reducing the amount of cleaning up you must do. One box, one place to clean!
However, having a litter box for multiple cats does not mean you can let their waste pile up. Would you want to use a toilet that has been used by many people and has not been cleaned in the past few days? Neither does your cat. In fact, the cat might find another place to urinate or poop in your house. This is the main reason your cat might use the rug as its toilet – their litter box is filthy.
Like people, cats want a clean place to do their business. If you have multiple cats, the extra-large litter boxes are a plus because of the space. Cats will not be stepping on each other’s urine or feces while trying to find a spot to relieve themselves.
The best option is to have multiple extra-large litter boxes. Many homes have toilets on each floor. When you got to go, you got to go! The same goes for cats. If you live in a multiple-story home, have a litter box on each floor. Check each litter box daily to ensure that your cat has a clean and sanitary place to use.
Tips When Buying a Litter Box
When choosing a litter box, the main consideration is your cats and their needs. Cats have different personalities and preferences, so what works for one of your cats might not work for the other. Here are some tips to consider when deciding on a multiple cat litter box.
- Think about the physical needs of your cats. Some litter boxes, like the top entry ones, are not great for cats with mobility issues. Make sure the entrance to the litter boxes is easy and accessible.
- Consider how your cat urinates.If your cat is an un-neutered male, you might find that they urinate on the sides of the litter box. Unless the sides of the litter box are high, urine will be sprayed out. Think about covered litter boxes with interlocking sides to prevent spilling.
- Where you place the litter box. Some litter boxes have odor-absorbing properties, so they will not be as unpleasant to have in main rooms or hallways. However, some basic litter boxes are uncovered so that the smells will be more obvious. This means that you want a less public place for the litter box.
- Ease of cleaning for yourself. Some litter boxes can be cleaned quite easily. However, some covered litter boxes are a bit harder to clean. Think about your physical needs and what you can do to provide a sanitary place for your cats to relieve themselves.
Conclusion
With all the different litter boxes on the market, it still might be hard to choose the best one for your multiple cat household. The Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan is a great one to start with, as it is covered, has an odor filter system, and prevents leaks. The Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box is another great choice as cats of all sizes can easily get into the litter box, and the high sides keep litter and urine contained more effectively. Happy scooping!
Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
- 1 A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
- 2 The 9 Best Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats
- 2.1 1. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan – Best Litter Box Overall
- 2.2 2. Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box – Best Budget Litter Box
- 2.3 3. Litter-Robot 3 Auto Self-Cleaning Litter Box – Best Premium Litter Box
- 2.4 4. Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box – Best Covered Litter Box
- 2.5 5. Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan – Best Sifting Litter Box
- 2.6 6. Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box – Best Decorative Litter Box
- 2.7 7. Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan Cat Litter Box – Best Top Entry Litter Box
- 2.8 8. Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded Litter Box System – Best Pellet Litter Box
- 2.9 9. Ohmaker’s OhmBox Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box – Best Steel Litter Box
- 3
- 4 Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Litter Box for Multiple Cats
- 5 Conclusion