Choosing the right cat litter box can be a surprisingly tricky task for cat owners. Whether you have a petite kitty or a large cat, finding a litter box that fits their size, habits, and your home setup is crucial. A well-chosen cat litter box keeps your feline friend comfortable while helping you manage cleanliness and odour control. This guide walks you through types of cat litter boxes, size options (including large and extra large cat litter boxes), odour-control solutions, and useful accessories like cat litter mats and deodorisers - plus direct product links to trusted options available from Canine & Co in South Africa.
Understanding Different Types of Cat Litter Boxes
Open vs. Covered Cat Litter Boxes
Cat litter boxes generally come in two main styles: open trays and covered boxes.
Open litter trays offer easy access and good ventilation, ideal for cats who dislike feeling confined. If your cat prefers an open setup, consider the Petmate Basic Litter Box (available in multiple sizes) or a simple tray like the Moderna Arist-O-Tray Litter Box.
Covered litter boxes provide extra privacy and can help contain odours and litter scatter. If your home needs better mess control, a hooded option like the Moderna Flip Cat Litter Box can be a good fit (especially for cats that kick litter).
Speciality Cat Boxes
Specialty litter boxes are designed for convenience, odour control, and lifestyle needs. If you want easier cleaning, a sifting litter box can reduce daily scooping time - see the Moderna Lift to Sift Toilet Litter Box. If you’re managing tracking and scatter, higher-sided boxes like the SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox can help keep litter inside.
For a broad view of styles (open trays, hooded boxes, high-sided designs, and more), browse the Cat Litter Boxes collection.
Choosing the Right Size: From Compact to Extra Large
Why Size Matters
The size of your cat litter box impacts both comfort and cleanliness. Cats should be able to enter easily, turn around, dig, and squat without feeling cramped. Standard trays often work for small to medium cats, but larger cats frequently do better with big, higher-sided designs—like the roomy SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox or larger sizes of the Petmate Basic Litter Box.
Selecting Large and Extra Large Cat Litter Boxes
If you have a large cat (or a cat that sprays or kicks litter), look for extra floor space and taller walls. The Moderna Lift to Sift Toilet Litter Box is available in larger sizing options and is designed to minimise mess while simplifying cleaning. For open, high-sided containment, the SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox is a strong choice for cats that need more room.
Odour Control and Hygiene Solutions
Effective Cat Litter Odour Control
Daily scooping and regular full tray cleaning are the basics, but odour-control products can make a noticeable difference - especially in smaller homes or multi-cat households. For a quick spray solution, try the Simple Solution Cat Litter Tray Deodoriser. If you prefer a powder deodoriser that neutralises smells in litter and pet areas, the Pheroma Litter Odour Powder is another practical option.
If you’d like to support odour control through litter choice too, consider an odour-focused clumping litter such as Diamond Feline Deodorise Master Cat Litter.
Keeping the Area Clean
- Use a litter mat: Place a mat outside the tray to catch stray litter and reduce tracking. Popular options include the Petmate Litter Mat, the Petmate Foam Litter Mat, or the larger SmartCat Ultimate Litter Mat.
- Choose a higher-sided box if scatter is a problem: The SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox is designed to help contain litter inside the box.
- Refresh the environment regularly: Use an odour neutraliser like Simple Solution Litter Tray Deodoriser between deep cleans.
Integrating Cat Litter Boxes into Furniture
Benefits of Cat Litter Box Enclosures
Cat litter box enclosures can help hide the litter area and reduce odours and scatter in shared living spaces. Many cats also prefer the added privacy. If you want a more discreet setup, consider pairing a tidy enclosed box (like the Moderna Flip Cat Litter Box) with a litter mat and odour spray to keep the area cleaner.
DIY and Ready-Made Cat Litter Cupboards
If you’re DIY-inclined, a cupboard conversion can work well if you ensure ventilation and easy access for cleaning. A practical approach is using a high-sided box (like the SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox) plus a large mat (like the SmartCat Ultimate Litter Mat) to manage scatter inside the enclosure.
Useful Accessories for a Better Litter Box Experience
Choosing the Right Cat Litter Box Mats and Pads
A cat litter mat is one of the easiest upgrades to reduce tracking. If you want a soft, flexible surface that traps litter as your cat exits, try the Petmate Litter Mat. For larger coverage areas (especially for big boxes or high-traffic spots), the SmartCat Ultimate Litter Mat offers a generous footprint.
Additional Helpful Accessories
- Odour control spray: Simple Solution Cat Litter Tray Deodoriser
- Odour neutralising powder: Pheroma Litter Odour Powder
- Odour-focused clumping litter: Diamond Feline Deodorise Master Cat Litter
Tips for Maintaining Your Cat Litter Box
Cleaning Frequency and Best Practices
Maintaining a clean cat litter box supports your cat’s hygiene and encourages consistent litter habits. Scoop daily and do a full litter change and tray wash weekly (or more often for multiple cats). Use mild soap and warm water, and avoid strongly scented cleaning products that may deter your cat from using the box.
Dealing with Multiple Cats
For multi-cat households, many vets recommend one litter box per cat plus one extra. Large boxes can help, but separate boxes often reduce territorial stress. Consider mixing styles (one open, one covered) and placing boxes in different areas. For size-flexible options, the Petmate Basic Litter Box comes in multiple sizes, and the Moderna Lift to Sift can simplify cleaning when you have more than one cat.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Ideal Cat Litter Box
Choosing the right cat litter box means balancing your cat’s size, privacy needs, and your home environment. Whether you choose a simple open tray like the Petmate Basic Litter Box, a higher-sided option like the SmartCat Ultimate Litterbox, or an easy-clean solution like the Moderna Lift to Sift Toilet Litter Box, comfort and cleanliness are key. Don’t underestimate the impact of accessories like the Petmate Litter Mat and odour control options like the Simple Solution Litter Tray Deodoriser. Browse our full Cat Litter Boxes collection to find a setup that suits your cat and your home.
