Best High-Sided Litter Boxes to Prevent Tracking in 2024

As cat parents, we know that litter tracking is one of the most frustrating aspects of life with cats. But don't worry! There are plenty of great litter boxes out there that can help reduce tracking and make your home look and feel waaaay cleaner. In this article, we'll give you our picks for the best low-tracking litter boxes on the market.

Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. Over the last couple years, we've spent countless hours determining which litter box features are most important to cats and cat parents alike. To compile this list, we consulted a cat behaviorist, veterinarian, and hundreds of customer reviews to figure out which litter boxes do the best job of reducing litter tracking.

This article is part of our blog series on litter tracking, all of which you can find compiled in our Ultimate Guide to Stop Litter Tracking.

Cubby Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here

Cheat Sheet: Our Top 5 Low-Tracking Litter Boxes

1) tuft + paw Cove Litter Box

Pros	Excellent build quality, durable materials, large size, easy to clean, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, stylish design, scoop & dustpan & brush included
Cons	Pricey
Materials	Double-walled thick matte plastic, rubber base
Price	$149-$199

2) MEEXPAWS XL Stainless Steel Litter Box

Pros	Durable litter box materials, large size, easy to clean, accessible entry, well-ventilated, scoop included, litter mat included, decent visibility, comes in multiple sizes
Cons	Flimsy scatter shield, pricey, clunky design
Materials	Stainless steel, plastic
Price	$88

3) IRIS USA Open Top Litter Tray

Pros	Affordable, large size, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, scoop included
Cons	Low quality materials, ridged pan makes cleaning harder
Materials	Plastic
Price	$19

4) Modkat XL Litter Box

Pros	Large size, top & side entry, liner & scoop included, clean design
Cons	Pricey, some fragile components, semi-covered, limited visibility
Materials	Plastic
Price	$180

5) Petmate Top Entry Litter Box

Pros	Affordable, easy to clean
Cons	Low quality materials, top-entry only, semi-covered, poor visibility, limited ventilation, not the cutest design
Materials	Plastic
Price	$30

How Does a Litter Box Prevent Tracking?

When it comes to managing litter tracking, most cat parents rightfully look for a low-tracking cat litter, but that's only half the battle—the second most important thing is choosing the right litter box. Of course, all litter boxes are supposed to keep litter contained, but in our experience there is a huge difference between a well-designed litter box and a poorly designed one.

There are four main types of litter boxes that can help with litter tracking. Let's get into it!

Cove Litter Box by tuft + paw

Large High-Sided Litter Boxes

Using a roomy, high-walled litter box is arguably the best choice you can make when it comes to preventing litter tracking. A perfect litter box should be as long as your cat (from nose to tail) and have high sides to contain scatter when your cat digs or jumps out. Cats are much more likely to cause a mess if their litter box is too cramped or has low walls. Ideally, there should also be a low entryway so your cat can enter easily. This is especially important for elderly and arthritic cats who have mobility issues.

We prefer open litter boxes over covered ones because they don't trap odors, allow good visibility for the cat, and remind cat parents to clean daily. When a cat's waste is kept out of sight, it's easier for cat parents to ignore or forget to clean the litter box.

@tuftandpaw an oddly satisfying litter box unboxing 👀 the cove is a modern litter box backed by cat behaviorists ✅ but don’t let the minimal aesthetic fool you… it’s loaded with design details that are a total game changer. it comes with a built-in scoop, brush and dustpan (best litter scoop ever, we might add), and also has high walls that dramatically help to reduce litter tracking (great for cats who like to p33 standing up or aggressive diggers). The secret sauce is its durable anti-stick plastic that makes cleaning *so* easy. We also left an open top, which is recommended by cat behaviorists so that cats feel comfortable while doing their business. #modernlitterbox #bestlitterbox #bestlitterboxever #covelitterbox #litterboxsetup #litterboxcleanup #catproducts #catparentsoftiktok #catparents ♬ original sound - tuft + paw

Top-Entry Litter Boxes

Top-entry litter boxes take the idea of high walls a step further. They're a great way to prevent tracking, but they have a few downsides for cats. First of all, there's often no side entryway available for cats with mobility issues. Second, top-entry boxes block the cat’s view of their surroundings so they may be anxious to use it and more likely to be ambushed by other cats in multi-cat households. Finally, since these litter boxes hide the mess from human eyesight, people often neglect cleaning them regularly. That being said, if your cat likes to pee standing up, then a top-entry litter box might be the best way to contain the mess.

Covered Litter Boxes

Covered litter boxes can dramatically reduce tracking, but like top-entry boxes they are not always the most cat-friendly. A cat in a closed box has little to no view of what's happening outside and is unable to escape the odors inside. For cat parents, cleaning may become less frequent due to the out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality. However, covered litter boxes provide easier access for elderly cats when compared with their top-entry counterparts.

Litter Box Enclosures

Litter box enclosures come in various forms, from a DIY plastic container to chic home furniture. The idea is to form a barrier around the original litter box that limits litter tracking—and looks attractive too! As long as the enclosure is adequately ventilated and not too small for your cat, they can be incredibly helpful for managing litter messes. Just remember to scoop everyday and avoid the out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality.

Haven Modern Litter Box Enclosure by tuft + paw - Shop Here

Litter Box Location Matters!

Regardless of what kind of litter box you have, where you put your litter box makes a huge difference for litter tracking. Try placing the litter box it in a room that's separate from where you mostly spend time. Rooms on lower levels or with raised door frames will offer extra protection against scattered litter, and smooth floors are much easier to clean than carpets. Above all else though, always ensure that your kitty can easily access their restroom!

Other Ways to Stop Cat Litter Tracking

Choosing a well-designed litter box can work wonders for reducing litter tracking, but it's only one of the tools at your disposal. Here are four more essential tips for controlling cat litter tracking in your home...

Choose a Low-Tracking Litter

If you're looking for a low-tracking litter box, we definitely recommend getting a low-tracking litter to match. This basically boils down to finding a pellet litter that's as dust-free as possible. The larger pellets will be less likely to cling to your cat's fur and paws, and low dust content will keep their paws clean and prevent a layer of dust from settling on your floor. Our favorite style is tofu litter, but wood pellets and paper pellets will also do the trick.

Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw - Shop Here

Use a Litter Mat

A litter mat is a smart solution to limit the amount of litter tracked throughout your home. These mats come in various shapes and sizes, from professionally made options crafted out of rubber or silicone, to creative DIY alternatives like an old bath mat or small rug. Some are better than others, but any mat for catching stray litter particles is better than none.

Trim Long-Haired Cats

Long-haired cats have tufty paws and easily tangled fur, which causes them to track more litter than short-haired cats. A great way to reduce this issue is by carefully trimming your cat's fur in strategic spots (e.g. butt, paw pads, and anywhere they contact litter when squatting). Always use electric clippers with a safety guard—NEVER SCISSORS—when grooming your feline friend. If you lack confidence in trimming yourself or prefer professional results, seek help from local groomers for an expert cut!

Keep a Broom and Dustpan Nearby

Taking care of your cat's litter tracking is way easier when you have the right tools on hand. To stay on top of tracking, keep a broom and dustpan nearby so that cleaning up only takes a couple seconds. Some high-end litter boxes—like our Cove Modern Litter Box—even come with built-in cleaning tools to make sweeping up effortless. If you have a carpeted floor, opt for a small vacuum instead to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Low-Tracking Litter Box

Build quality — A good litter box should be sturdy and made from durable materials.
Size — From a cat's perspective, the bigger their litter box, the better. A good litter box should be as long as your cat from nose to tail and provide enough room for them to easily turn around.
High sides — Any litter box that reduces tracking should have high sides to catch litter scatter.
Cat-friendly design — This includes ventilation, visibility, and how accessible the litter box entryway is.
Ease of cleaning — how easy it is to scoop, change the litter, and clean residue out for the box.
Style — Cats don't care much about aesthetics, but it sure is nice for cat parents! We love a litter box that does its job well and is easy on the eyes.
Price point