Pellet cat litter can be a life saver for cat parents, whether you need low-tracking, less dust, or just something that's easier to carry home than clay. But in order to get the most out of pellet cat litter, you need to pair it with the right litter box; sifting litter boxes with pine pellets are a match made in heaven, while tofu or paper pellets really benefit from a high-sided litter box. In this article, we'll explore the different types of pellet cat litter, how to use them, and give you our expert picks for the best pellet-compatible litter boxes on the market today.
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 provide the best all-around experience.
Tip: If you want more advice on tracking, check out our Ultimate Guide to Stop Cat Litter Tracking.
Cheat Sheet: The Best Pellet Litter Boxes
| Best Conventional Litter Box | tuft + paw Cove Litter Box |
| Runner-up | iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Litter Box |
| Best Sifting Litter Box | Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box |
| Runner-up | Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box |
What Is Pellet Cat Litter?
Pellet cat litter is, you guessed it, cat litter with pellet-shaped particles (we've got a list of the best pellet litters too). Most cat litters are granular and have a sand-like texture, but many cat parents are switching to pellet litters for their low-tracking properties. While all pellet litters share a similar shape, they can be made from a wide variety of materials and each type has its own cleaning requirements. Here are the three main genres of pellet litter:
- Wood pellets — Made from dried wood shavings, usually non-clumping and dissolve into sawdust when wet. Best used with a sifting litter box.
- Clumping pellet litter — Most common type is tofu litter. Forms clumps when wet like regular clumping cat litters. Best used with a conventional litter box.
- Non-wood non-clumping pellet litters — Common types include paper pellets and walnut. These types do not dissolve when wet, but may get mushy and crumble over time. Like clumping pellets, this litter type is best used with a conventional litter box.
@tuftandpaw Switching from a finer, smaller cat litter to a pellet cat litter is pretty much the best thing you can do to reduce litter tracking and litter mess! *However, we’d recommend opting for a pellet shape that’s still somewhat thin so that its still soft & comfy on your cat’s precious beans 🐾 #lowtrackinglitter #lowtrackingcatlitter #catlittertips #litterboxtips #litterboxhack #litterboxhacks #preventlittertracking #bestcatlitter #litterboxproblems ♬ Morning with U - Tollan Kim
Litter Boxes for Wood Pellet Cat Litter
Nearly all wood pellet litters are non-clumping and break down into sawdust when they absorb moisture. If used in a conventional litter box, that sawdust will build up over time and cause more tracking and dust issues. To avoid this problem, we recommend using wood pellet litters with a sifting litter box so that sawdust remains separate from the clean litter. Here's how to use this cleaning method:
- Fill the top pan of the sifting litter box with a several-inch layer of wood pellets.
- Scoop poops as normal. After scooping the poops, give the pellets a good stir to push any sawdust to the bottom pan.
- Every few days as needed, give the whole litter box a good shake. Like sifting flour, this will ensure that all sawdust has fallen to the bottom pan, leaving only clean pellets up top.
- Remove the top pan and dispose of the sawdust that has accumulated in the bottom pan.
- Top up the litter box with fresh pellets and repeat!
Litter Boxes for Non-Wood Pellet Litters
Although clumping pellet litters and other non-clumping pellet litters have some differences, they both work well in a conventional litter box. A sifting litter box doesn't work for clumping pellets because most sifters don't have large enough holes for the clean pellets to fall through. Non-wood non-clumping pellet litters (e.g. paper or walnut) don't break down into dust like wood pellets, so a sifting litter box doesn't help separate clean and dirty pellets. For both these types of pellet litters, we recommend a regular litter box with high sides to maximize their low tracking properties.
The cleaning process for non-wood non-clumping pellet litters is essentially the same as for clumping pellets: scoop out soiled pellets and poops every day. The only real difference is that non-clumping pellet litters don't form clumps so it can be slightly harder to identify the dirty pellets.
@tuftandpaw Replying to @vanessuh 🤠 Oh my goodness, I love this question! I think you need a high-walled litter box. That way, when your kitty is kicking and kicking, they can't get their mess outside the litter box. Why not use a closed litter box? According to cat behaviorists, cats like to peek outside while doing their business, and they need ventilation. #highsidedlitterbox #enclosedlitterbox #covelitterbox #bestlitterbox #litterboxsolution #bestcatproducts #LitterBoxTips #bestlitterbox2023 #litterboxsetup ♬ original sound - Elsie Silver
Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Pellet Litter Boxes
- 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.
- Wall height — high sides help contain litter and reduce tracking.
- 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
We've got two separate lists here: one for conventional litter boxes, and one for sifting litter boxes. Let's start with the ol' classic!
Deep Dive: The Best Litter Boxes for Non-Wood Pellet Cat Litters
1) tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
Price: $149-$199
Rating: 4.8/5 with 805 reviews
Size: 26"L x 16"W x 6.5"H (+8" with scatter shield)
Materials: Double-walled thick matte plastic, rubber base
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own litter box here. This is because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other litter boxes on the market. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter box on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and cat parents.
The tuft + paw Cove Litter Box is our pick for the best litter box for non-wood pellet litters. It's large enough for most cats and is exceptionally sturdy, but arguably the best feature is the removable scatter shield. It does a fantastic job of reducing all types of litter box mess (tracking, scatter, or urine streams with "high aim"), which is a phenomenal combo with low-tracking pellet litters. Elderly cats will also appreciate the cut-out corner for easier entry. The cherry on top is the integrated scoop, brush, and dustpan, so cleaning tools are readily available. Last but not least, the simple, understated style of the Cove makes it a true unicorn: a litter box you don't want to hide! The only real drawback is the price, which we understand is out of budget for some.
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2) iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Litter Box
Credit: Amazon
Price: $80
Rating: 4.6/5 with 9,400 Amazon reviews
Size: 23.5"L x 15.5"W x 6"H
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic
This stainless steel litter box is a durable choice that provides all the features you need for pellet litter. It's spacious enough for most cats and its one-piece steel construction is easier to clean than cheap plastic alternatives. Plus, it comes with a removable scatter shield for serious litter tracking prevention. The main con is that $75 is fairly pricey for such a basic litter box, but it's still a good choice if you want something simple and dependable.
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3) tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box
Price: $69
Rating: 4.8/5 with 81 reviews
Size: 21.2"L x 15.2"W x 6"H (+8" with scatter shield)
Materials: thick matte anti-stick plastic
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own litter box here. This is because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other litter boxes on the market. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter box on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and cat parents.
The tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box is a great choice for non-wood pellet litters. Much like our number one pick, it's made from a durable anti-stick plastic for easy scooping and is large enough for almost any cat. The removable scatter shield works wonders for reducing litter tracking, and when paired with a non-wood pellet litter (like our Really Great Cat Litter) it can almost completely eliminate litter mess. The cut-out corner in the scatter shield ensures cats of all sizes and mobilities can easily access the litter box. Cat parents will also appreciate its stylish design, which helps fight the urge to hide the litter box in a closet somewhere. Unlike the Cove, it doesn't come with cleaning tools, but you can always get the litter scoop separately if needed. The only real drawback is the moderately high price tag, which may be out of budget for some cat parents.
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Honorable Mention: IRIS USA Open Top Litter Tray
Credit: Amazon
Price: $19
Rating: 4.3/5 with 47,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 19"L x 15"W x 11.75"H (shield included)
Materials: Plastic
Considering our previous picks are somewhat pricey, here's our favorite pellet litter box for those on a budget: the IRIS USA Litter Tray. It has all the essentials for reducing litter tracking: decently sized pan, attachable scatter shield, and even an included scoop. The low entryway is easily accessible for older cats, while the open top provides good ventilation and visibility. Some reviews mention the plastic being flimsy and vulnerable to cracking, but that's the typical trade-off for cheaper litter boxes. It's also not the easiest to clean due to the ridged litter pan. Design-wise this litter box doesn't stand out, but for the price it does everything it's supposed to.
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Deep Dive: The Best Sifting Litter Boxes for Wood Pellet Cat Litters
1) Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box
Credit: Amazon
Price: $17
Rating: 4.4/5 with 48,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 19"L x 15"W x 8"H
Materials: Plastic
When it comes to sifting litter boxes, we believe the simpler the better. Complex sifting mechanisms and intricate grates are harder to clean and more likely to malfunction, and that's why the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box is our number one pick. It has one sifting tray and two standard litter trays, all of which stack on top of each other. You probably don't need the third tray for use with pine pellets, but it's nice to have a backup. It sifts well, it's easy to handle, and is priced at an affordable $14.27. It's not the most durable litter box, but that's to be expected for the price. Other considerations are that it's not very large (despite the name), the sides are a bit low, and the 8" height might be difficult for small elderly cats to enter.
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2) Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box
Credit: Amazon
Price: $42.98
Rating: 4.5/5 with 18,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 21"L x 16.5"W x 10.5"H (at highest point)
Materials: Plastic
The Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System comes with a sifting litter box, zeolite pellets, and four absorbent pads, but many cat parents prefer to use this litter box with pine pellets. The high walls and lipped edge of the Breeze litter box do a great job of reducing litter tracking and scatter, and the bottom grate allows sawdust to easily pass through. We also like that the box is lightweight, easy to handle, and comes with a scoop.
However, there are some downsides to the Breeze litter box. First of all, some cat parents may not like paying extra for pellets and pads they aren't going to use. The box also isn't particularly spacious, so cat parents with large felines may have to pay an extra $30 for the XL version. Lastly, the bottom tray is too shallow to hold much sawdust, but some industrious users get around this by removing the tray and placing the Breeze on top of a conventional litter box. With this method, all the sawdust is captured and you don't have to empty it as often.
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3) SiftEase Litter Box Sifter
Credit: Clean Litter Club
Price: $50
Rating: 4.5/5 with 1,200 Amazon reviews
Size: 14"L x 10.5"W x 14"H
Materials: Plastic
Our third place goes to the SiftEase Litter Box Sifter. This isn't a litter box, but rather a sifting system to be used in tandem with a litter box. It's comprised of a large sifter with handles and a waste bin for dirty litter. To use the SiftEase with pine pellets, pour the contents of the litter box into the sifter and give it a good shake. All the used sawdust will fall into the waste bin and you can put the remaining pine pellets back into the litter box. Both the sifter and bin feel quite sturdy and do their jobs well, and this system can be used with any litter box.
On the negative side, the SiftEase might seem a bit over-engineered when compared to a regular sifting litter box (like our number one pick). It takes up extra space in your house, it's not cheap, and it can be a bit clunky to use at first. That being said, it's a great option if you already have a conventional litter box that you love, but want to try using pine pellets.
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Sifting Pellet Litter Box FAQs
What kind of litter box do you need for pine pellets?
Sifting litter boxes are best for pine pellets, because they allow for easy sifting and removal of waste while keeping the clean intact pellets in place. You can use a regular litter box with pine pellets too, but you may have some sawdust buildup.
Is pellet litter better for cats?
Pellet litter can be great for cats because of the low dust. It's also great for cat parents due to the lower tracking. However, whether it's the right fit for your cat depends on individual preferences and sensitivities. Some cats with sensitive paws may not like the texture of pellet litter, while others may have no problem.
What are the pros and cons of pellet cat litter?
The pros of pellet cat litter include minimal tracking, low dust, and (usually) being made of natural biodegradable materials. However, some cats may not like the feel of the larger pellets if they have sensitive paws.
Are sifting litter boxes good?
Sifting litter boxes are the best choice for pine pellet litters, because they allow for easy removal of waste while preserving clean litter. However, sifting litter boxes may not be the most convenient option for cat parents that use regular clumping litter. It's often simpler to scoop the clumps normally.
Can you use clumping litter in sifting litter boxes?
Yes, clumping litter can be used in sifting litter boxes, but it may not be as effective as non-clumping pellet litter. Clumping litter tends to stick to the sifting mechanism, making it more challenging to separate clean litter from waste. Opting for a litter specifically designed for sifting systems can yield better results.
Conclusion
As you can see, there's quite a range of litter box options out there for use with pellet cat litters. What it really comes down to is determining which type of pellet litter you want to use and picking a litter box accordingly. If you go with clumping pellets or non-wood non-clumping pellets, we think the tuft + paw Cove Litter Box is the best on the market. If you opt for wood pellet litters, we like the straightforward design of the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box. We hope this list has been useful for you on your search for the ultimate cat litter box setup!
Okay, one last thing. A great pellet litter box calls for an equally great pellet litter, and we've made what we feel is the best pellet litter around. It's called Really Great Cat Litter and it’s clumping, low tracking, all natural, and even flushable! Check it out if that’s your thing, or you can take a look at some of our other educational resources below.
