Cats spraying urine outside the walls of their litter tray or tracking litter throughout the home is why many cat owners will look for alternatives to a traditional litter tray. The go-to replacement is usually a high sided litter box.
With so many litter trays on the market, it can be confusing on which one best suits you and your cats.
Best Overall For Spraying Cats
- Petphabet Cat Litter Box ideal for...
- Removable & Clear Top Cover. high back...
- No Exploding Cat.Safe for cats to move...
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Best Overall For Non-Spraying Cats
Best For On A Budget
- RIMMED LITTER PAN: The high rim of this...
- STRONG: Features reinforced bottom rim...
- PET CLEAN UP: Swiftly clean up after...
Best Functionality
- Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System,...
- Purina Tidy Cats Breeze litter box...
- Disposable kitty litter pads lock in...
What Is A High Sided Litter Box?
High sided cat litter boxes have been designed to help keep as much litter and urine spray within the box, where it belongs.
There are many different sized litter boxes on the market and choosing the right one comes down to how your cat behaves in the litter box.
If you have a cat that loves to dig and scratch around you’ll seek comfort in a box with walls 8 – 9 inches or high.
If you have an averaged sized cat that is a high sprayer you’ll want to look for a high sided litter box with walls ideally 12 inches or higher.
Why Do You Need One?
The biggest benefit of a high sided litter box is the reduced mess your cat will be able to make from their litter box.
If you’ve tried the traditional cat litter trays and they aren’t up to the task you can look at alternatives like a top entry litter box and pair it with a cat litter mat to reduce as much mess as possible.
Typically cats like to see their surroundings when doing their business. If they’re just messy then stick to open top litter boxes.
How High Do The Sides Of Your Litter Box Need To Be?
Most of the high sided litter boxes on the market feature walls that are 9 inches in height.
This should be high enough if you don’t have a high spraying cat but, it won’t be high enough if your cat is a high sprayer.
High spraying cats will need sidewalls that are at least 12 inches in height.
If you start with an empty litter box with walls 9 inches high, and you then add the recommended minimum 2 inches of litter, those walls will now only be 7 inches in height.
The average cat stands around 9 inches in height, which is 2 inches taller than those “high side walls” on your cat’s litter box.
If your cat isn’t a high sprayer then walls 9 inches are more than enough to help contain litter.
Best High Sided Litter Box
Clean Pet Cat Open Top Large Litter Box with Shield and Scoop
The Clean Pet Litter Box comes in a high polish and includes a matching litter scoop.
Featuring an open top design, your cat will enjoy easy access and the side and back shields are high enough to protect your floors from litter spray.
The dimensions are L 19” x W 15” x H 11.75” which is quite compact rather than large. If you have a larger cat they could experience some splashback.
While it does a fantastic job of stopping litter tracking unfortunately if your cat does spray on the walls the urine has a good chance of running out the side seams as they aren’t watertight.
The high curved walls will initially stop the spray from leaving the tray but it will eventually run onto the floor.
The floor indentation will also make it harder to clean out clumping litter. Scooping litter out of the front of the box can also be tricky.
For the price, it’s still a fantastic litter box. If your cat is not a sprayer and you use non-clumping litter it’s a favorable choice.
Pros
- Affordable
- High Walls
- Easy Entry And Exit
Cons
- Not Watertight Or Suitable For Spraying Cats
- Can Be Difficult To Clean
Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System, Starter Kit
- Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System,...
- Purina Tidy Cats Breeze litter box...
- Disposable kitty litter pads lock in...
The non-hooded Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter Box System is a three part system.
You’ll receive a litter box base, a slide out tray as well as some high sided click on walls. These all click together to make the entire system come together.
You’ll also receive a 3.5 pound bag of litter pellets, a special litter scoop, and a 4 pack of Cat pads. These supplies are supposed to last you one month in a single cat household.
The non-clumping pellets allow the urine to pass onto the pad in the slide out tray helping to capture all the moisture from your cat’s urine and help keep odor to a minimum.
See below for how to set up and maintain the Purina Litter Box System.
1. Place one cat pad (soft side up) in the BREEZE Litter System drawer and slide it into the base.
2. Fill the top portion of the box with one package of litter pellets.
3. Scoop out solid waste and dispose of it daily.
4. Replace or add more pellets as needed. It’s recommended that you completely replace the pellets every month.
5. Slide drawer out to replace the disposable pad. The drawer can be rotated without touching the pad to extend pad life.
Pros
- Reduces Urine Odor
- Simple To Construct
- Easy To Clean
- Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- Litter Can Be Tricky To Scoop
- Feces Odor Is Still Present
- Not All Cats Will Love They System
- Not The Best Suited For Spraying Cats
IRIS Large Shielded Litter Pan
- PERFECT PET CARE - The IRIS USA open top...
- STYLISH - This open air cat litter tray...
- OPEN TOP - The open top makes it easy...
If looks are your thing then the IRIS black litter box will be right up your alley.
Featuring an oval design, an oval litter pan and, a shield designed to catch and eliminate litter mess.
Accessibility is okay but not great, and larger cats will struggle with this litter box. The oval design, while stunning to look at, does make it difficult to clean.
It comes with a matching litter scoop and is finished with a polished interior.
Dimensions are as follows: 19.68″L x 15.51″W x 10.63″H
Some cat owners have reported the side walls leaking over time and with heavy use, so if your cat is a constant sprayer this might not be the best choice for you.
Pros
- Looks Great
- Good Build Quality
Cons
- Hard To Clean
- Not Suitable For Large Cat Breeds
Arm & Hammer Rimmed Wave Pan Large
- RIMMED LITTER PAN: The high rim of this...
- STRONG: Features reinforced bottom rim...
- PET CLEAN UP: Swiftly clean up after...
The Arm & Hammer large litter box measures 18.7 x 15.5 x 10.6 inches.
The walls are a rimmed design that helps hold litter liners in place & reduces litter scatter and urine spray.
The litter pan has a low front entry for easy entry suitable for cats with some mobility issues.
The build quality is always good with Arm & Hammer, the reinforced bottom & rim design for durability in this pan are great.
Easy to clean and budget friendly!
Pros
- Budget Friendly
- Good Build Quality
- Suitable For Litter Liners
Cons
- Low Entry Allows For Some Litter Tracking
- Not An Incredibly Large Litter Pan
Petphabet Covered Litter Box, Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box
- Petphabet Cat Litter Box ideal for...
- Removable & Clear Top Cover. high back...
- No Exploding Cat.Safe for cats to move...
The Petphabet Jumbo litter box is a fantastic litter box that just works!
It’s big enough for two average cats or one very large cat. Yes, even a Maine Coon will be happy to do their business here.
A removable clear top cover gives you the best of both worlds as some cats love or hate hooded litter trays. With its high back design, your cat shouldn’t feel cramped once they step inside.
The dimensions are 24.8″L x 20″W x 16.5″H. Door opening size 8.2 X 7.8 inches.
It’s made from non-stick plastic, combine that and the removable cleaning of the litter box is quite simple.
The front entry doesn’t use a gate system so there is still a chance of some spillage or litter tracking but it’s very minimal.
Some cat owners have reported that their hood and pan did leak with heavy urine spray.
Pros
- Suitable For Large Cats
- Hooded Or Open, Your Choice
Cons
- Slightly Expensive
- Reports Of Side Walls Leaking
MEEXPAWS Large Stainless Steel Litter Box for Cats
- OVERALL ... 23.6”×15.7”×5.9”...
- NON STICK / ODOR CONTROL ... Stainless...
- METAL CAT LITTER SCOOP ... Large and...
Stainless Steel litter boxes are great at being stain-resistant and helping reduce odor.
The Meexpaws does a good job at this as well as being super easy to clean.
It comes as a kit, as well as the stainless steel pan, you’ll receive a metal litter scoop, a litter mat and, 3 side protection walls.
Dimensions of the pan are as follows: 23.6”×15.7”×5.9” inches, which should be suitable for most cats.
The splash guards are easy to assemble with a click-in design and are made from waterproof material. The cat litter mat provided is 35.4”×23.6” inches and helps trap litter scattered out of the box.
Pros
- All In One Kit
- Waterproof Walls For Spraying Cats
- Stainless Steel Pan
- Comes With Metal Litter Scoop
- Comes With Litter Matt
Cons
- Some Urine Spray Will Leak Onto Mat
- Doesn’t Come With Litter Pads
Van Ness CP2HS Large High Sides Cat Litter Pan
- Ideal for cats who like to dig
- High polished finish that is odor and...
- Ideal for cats who urinate “high”;...
Made in the USA, the Van Ness litter box is a simple, affordable, and very popular litter box. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
You’ll want to go for the largest option they have as the “normal” tray has a very small base pan. It’s only suitable for kittens up to about 8 months old; the interior base is that small.
The pan dimensions are listed at 17.5 in length x 13.5 inches wide, however, when properly measured the pan is 19 inches in length and almost 15 inches in width.
The sides are listed at around 9 inches but given their slight curve, they measure at around 7-8 inches in height with only the rear being 9 inches.
This means after filling it with 2 inches of litter, the average sized cat that stands and sprays when peeing could potentially miss hitting the sides and make a huge mess.
It’s not all bad though, the build quality of this litter box is really good and if you’re just looking to eliminate mess then it’s great. The stain and odor resistant polished finish is a nice touch and makes it super easy to clean.
Pros
- Budget Friendly
- Easy To Clean
- Made In The USA
Cons
- Not Suitable For Large Cats
- Not Suitable For Spraying Cats
- Easily Tipped Over
Petmate Giant Litter Box
- OPEN-TOP KITTY LITTER BOX: This large...
- KEEPS LITTER CONTAINED: The durable...
- PET CLEAN UP: Swiftly clean up after...
Cats who don’t want to use covered litter boxes will appreciate Petmate’s Giant Litter Pan.
Made with durable plastic, Petmate’s Giant Litter Pan features a sloping design lowered towards the front. This helps cats get in and out of the box easily but will also allow some litter tracking.
The pan measures 25.56 x 18.3 x 10.02 inches and weighs about 2 pounds. If this size doesn’t suit Petmate offers a range of different sizes to suit your application.
Pros
- Very Large
- Simple Design
- Good Build Quality
Cons
- Will Require Large Amounts Of Litter
- No Odor Control
Buying Guide
High sided litter boxes are great at keeping litter mess to a minimum. They can also help if your cat regularly sprays on your walls or is urinating on your bed/furniture.
Below are some more tips on how to choose the right litter box for your cat.
Choosing The Right Size
A good rule of thumb is to use a box or tray that’s as wide as your cat from their head to the beginning of their tail and one and a half times the length of your cat.
This will ensure they have plenty of room to find a comfortable spot to do their business without stepping in any previous stools.
Your cat should be able to easily enter and exit a litter box. The side walls should also be strong enough to support most of your cat’s weight.
Look for wall heights of about 8-12 inches. If your cat is a high sprayer, you’ll want walls that are 12 inches at a minimum.
The ideal height for an entry/exit hole is 4-6 inches unless your cat has mobility issues.
If your cat has any mobility problems you’ll want to make sure the entry/exit height is 2-4 inches.
Size is one of the biggest reasons cats won’t use a litter box and why many cat owners complain. Make sure you triple check the litter box measurements before buying.
Wall Height
In addition to the height of the boxes’ sidewalls, your cat’s personal preference or condition will play a big part in determining the right for you and your cat.
For cats that aren’t “high sprayers,” or don’t constantly kick litter out of their boxes, a box with walls around 6–9 inches high will be suitable.
If your cat is a “high sprayer,” or “kicker,” or has a hard time aiming then you’ll want the sides to be tall enough to eliminate the risks. You’ll also want one that they can comfortably get in and out of.
Look for boxes with three sides that are 12 inches or taller. That should be enough to prevent the average sized cat pee, or litter from collecting on your floor.
The entrance to these boxes needs to be about 5 inches high. The lower the height, the better because your cat can just walk out rather than jump out and scatter litter everywhere, though that does also run the risk of spilling.
Cat’s Health & Mobility Issues
For young kittens or older cats with joint pain, arthritis, or other mobility problems you’ll need a litter box with very low entry and exit heights. Typically 1-2 inches if possible.
Here is your best option below.
KittyGoHere Litter Box Senior Cat Litter Box
- SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR DOGS: This dog...
- GREAT ALTERNATIVES FOR WORKING FAMILIES:...
- OPEN TOP LITTER PAN: Open top litter pan...
It measures 24″ L, 22.5″ W, 8″ H, but it only stands 2.5″ from the front. For added protection, you should use this with a good litter mat or pad.
Hooded Vs Uncovered Litter Boxes
There’s no right or wrong answer here as individual cats have different preferences.
A study by Ross Researchers tested 28 cats, each given two litter boxes and 78% used the uncovered litter trays.
So while “most” cats will prefer an uncovered litter box over a hooded litter box there is no real way of telling without experimenting.
As a rule of thumb, a hooded litter box should be 1.5x the size of your cat if not more.
The downsides to uncovered low side litter trays are of course the mess and the possibility of other pets getting into the litter tray.
Pet owners have reported dogs getting into the litter and making a huge mess or eating the cat feces. A huge no, no for pet owners.
They also present a hazard to toddlers who are curious enough to go digging around for hidden treasure.
That’s why some cat owners will opt for a hooded or top entry litter box. They offer your cat privacy and also prevent any unwanted guests.
On the other hand, the downside to a hooded or top entry litter box is, not all cats will feel comfortable stepping into them and they can be quite expensive.
Pro Tip: Covered litter boxes aren’t suitable for cats suffering from arthritis or asthma.
Frequent cleaning with a cat litter scoop is important as the odors are trapped inside and our cats are far more sensitive to odors than we are.
Plastic or Stainless Steel Material
Most litter boxes will be made from plastic and are pretty durable these days. Look for ones that are BPA-free and made with food-grade plastics.
Alternatively, cat owners have started to use stainless steel trays as they last a lot longer, are stain resistant and help keep odor to a minimum.
You don’t have to buy an expensive stainless steel “cat tray”, instead look for a very large stainless steel steam/baking tray.
Just make sure the dimensions are suitable for your cat using the rule of thumb.
Front Vs Top Entry Litter Boxes
Top entry litter boxes burst onto the scene and became an instant hit with cat owners.
They are loved for their ability to not only look good but provide a functional way of really reducing litter tracking and spraying throughout your home.
The downsides are not all cats like going into a dark hole to do their business. They can also be a little cramped for even an average sized cat and if they are heavy sprayers they could get a lot of splashback, YUK!
They’re also quite costly compared to a normal litter tray.
Front entry litter boxes tick most of the boxes that top entry litter boxes do with the only real difference being, you guessed it, the entry!
That difference can make or break your experience though. The front entrance is far more likely to let out any spray or litter being flicked around by your cat.
It’s a personal preference for not only you but your cat also. Both will offer a reduced amount of litter tracking and spraying in your home.
Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
They are easy to use and convenient but, they do come at a price. Some of which can be an extraordinary amount of money.
Another major drawback to automated litter boxes is the noise. If your cat is a little skittish they could be put off by the noises these things make.
Also like any electronic appliance, there is also a possibility it can break or have some sort of issue.
If you have a senior cat and rely on checking their stools to monitor their health this isn’t going to be the litter box for you.
It’s not all bad though and some cat owners will swear by a self cleaning litter box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Teach A Cat To Stop Spraying?
It’s possible to train and discipline cats, however, teaching your cat to stop spraying is incredibly difficult.
Why Does My Cat Stand To Pee?
If your cat doesn’t have behavior problems there could be a few reasons they stand to pee.
- Joint Pain – Look to see if they squat then stand during peeing
- UTI or Urinary Tract Pain
- Marking Territory
Can A Litter Box Be Too Tall?
Yes, if the sides are too tall and your cat finds it difficult to get in and out of, they might be reluctant to use the litter box.
How Often Should I Clean Or Scoop The Litter Box?
You should be cleaning any stools daily using a litter scoop and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.
Let’s Wrap It Up
You need to keep your cat’s specific requirements in mind when choosing the right litter box.
Remember, if you’re wanting a high sided litter box for a high spraying cat, you’ll need one with sides higher than 12 inches.
Stick to the buying guide in this article and you should be able to narrow it down to a couple of options.
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 13:34 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API