Finding the right litter box can be a daunting task for any cat parent, but it's especially important when you have multiple cats in your home. Beyond choosing a comfortable litter box, you'll also have to consider feline social dynamics and each cat's individual preferences. It seems like a lot, but there's no reason to worry! In this article, we'll go over how to choose a litter box for multiple cats and give you our picks for the best multi-cat litter boxes on the market today.
Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. We're intimately familiar with the litter box features that are most important to cats and cat parents alike. This list is based on consultation with a veterinarian, cat behaviorist, hundreds of online reviews, and our own experience as cat parents to determine which litter boxes offer the best performance for multi-cat homes.
Tip: If one or more of your cats are kittens, we recommend cross-referencing this article with our list of the best kitten-friendly litter boxes.
Cheat Sheet: The 5 Best Multi-Cat Litter Boxes
1) tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
| Pros | excellent build quality, durable anti-stick materials, large size, h igh sides to limit tracking, easy to clean, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, stylish design, cleaning tools included |
| Cons | pricey |
| Materials | double-walled thick matte plastic, rubber base |
| Price | $149-$199 |
2) iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Litter Box
| Pros | durable materials, large size, easy to clean, h igh sides, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility |
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Cons
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pricey, heavy |
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Materials
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stainless steel and plastic |
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Price
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$145 |
3) Frisco High-Sided XL Litter Box
| Pros | affordable, high sides, extra large size, easy to clean, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility |
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Cons
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low quality materials |
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Materials
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plastic |
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Price
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$18.70 |
4) tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box
| Pros |
great build quality, durable anti-stick materials, large size, high sides to limit tracking, easy to clean, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, stylish design
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Cons
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pricey
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Materials
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thick matte anti-stick plastic
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Price
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$69
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5) PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Large Litter Box
| Pros | anti-stick coating, very easy to clean, large size, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, available in 2-packs, decent quality plastic |
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Cons
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sides don’t contain litter mess |
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Materials
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ABS plastic |
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Price
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$45 |
6) Van Ness Large Framed Litter Pan
| Pros | very affordable, accessible entry, well-ventilated, good visibility, decent size |
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Cons
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low quality materials, sides don’t contain litter mess, not suitable for large cats, ridged pan can be annoying to clean |
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Materials
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polypropylene plastic |
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Price
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$9.60 |
What Is a Multi-Cat Litter Box?
Truthfully, a multi-cat litter box is no different from a regular litter box. However, every pro and con of a litter box is amplified when multiple cats are using it, so making the right choice is of the utmost importance. A well-designed, high quality litter box will contain litter mess, prioritize cat comfort, and be easy for humans to clean, but a bad litter box will do just the opposite.
Cove Litter Box by tuft + paw - Shop Here
Types of Multi-Cat Litter Boxes
Here are your main options when choosing a multi-cat litter box:
- Open Top — a large, open-top litter box is the most universally cat-friendly design. They provide good airflow, visibility, plenty of room, and are generally comfortable and unlikely to cause litter box avoidance. We highly recommend this style of litter box, which is why all our picks fall into this category.
- Covered — covered litter boxes offer two main human-friendly advantages: they contain litter mess and trap odors. However, this means the cat using it has to deal with strong odors and a dark cramped space when they're doing their business. We don't usually recommend this style, but every cat is different and some will not object to using a covered litter box.
- Automatic — self-cleaning litter boxes are incredibly convenient for cat parents, but they have a few drawbacks. 1) they can be very expensive, and 2) their mechanical noises can be intimidating for cats. Some cat may avoid them, but if you're willing to take the risk they can streamline your litter box duties.
- Litter Box Enclosures — well-designed litter box furniture is cat-friendly and looks great in the home, but lower quality versions can cause the same problems as covered litter boxes. It all depends on the furniture itself, so we recommend choosing carefully (see our list of the best litter box enclosures for more recommendations)
@tuftandpaw Introducing the Cubby litter box 👋 Constructed from durable, odor-resistant plastic that's made to last (it won't absorb the smell of urine!) High walls help keep messes where they should be – INSIDE the litter box. Plus, they're semi-transparent so your cat to comfortably watch their surroundings while doing their business. #modernlitterbox #cubbylitterbox #litterboxsetup #catlitterbox #catproducts #catparentsoftiktok #LitterBox #LitterBoxTips #newlitterbox ♬ original sound - Ian Asher
What to Look For In a Multi-Cat Litter Box
Large Size
The ideal multi-cat litter box should be at least 1.5x the length of your largest cat and provide enough room for digging behaviors. It should also provide enough room for multiple uses in case you can't get to scooping immediately (e.g. if you're out all day). If each cat can find a clean corner to do their business, accidents are far less likely.
Easy to Clean
An anti-stick coating and smooth basin are very handy when you have multiple litter boxes to scoop every day. Open top litter boxes are the easiest to clean and keep tabs on, whereas covered litter boxes require slightly more effort and diligence from cat parents.
High Sides
Litter tracking can get out of hand quickly in a multi-cat household, so we recommend high-sided litter boxes to minimize mess. Our list of the best low-tracking litter boxes has some more recommendations and tips in this department.
Accessible Entryway
A multi-cat litter box should have a low entryway to ensure easy access for cats of all ages, sizes, and mobilities. Our favorite designs are high-walled open top litter boxes with a cutout/lowered entryway.
Cubby Litter Box and Really Great Cat Litter by tuft + paw
What to Avoid In a Multi-Cat Litter Box
Small Size
Aside from being uncomfortable for larger cats, a small litter box will fill up with waste very quickly in a multi-cat household. This causes strong odors, is a hassle to clean, and creates an unpleasant environment for cats that can lead to litter box avoidance. In human terms, think of it like a clean bathroom at home vs a port-o-potty at a music festival—you know which one you'd rather use!
Covered Litter Boxes
We've already mentioned this, but it's worth going over one more time: covered litter boxes are cramped, dark, and trap litter box odors inside. To make matters worse, they also create the perfect environment for cat ambushes. If one of your cats is more dominant than the others, a covered litter box can enable bullying, territorial disputes, and all sorts of stress-related behaviors. Eventually, the less dominant cats may avoid the covered litter box and eliminate in places where they don't feel trapped.
@tuftandpaw talk to any cat behaviorist and theyll tell you the same thing: most cats dont like enclosed litter boxes ❌ (bear in mind, we say MOST here - all cats are different so some may not be as bothered!). For most of our feline family members, going to the bathroom puts them in a very vulnerable state. An open litter box provides them with a view of their surroundings. Plus, it helps a ton when it comes to proper airflow and light. Think about it, how do you feel every time you have to use a portapotty 🤢 Lots of humans prefer closed litter boxes to contain the smell, but long as you clean the litter box daily (as you should be doing anyways) then odor really shouldnt be an issue. #catlitterboxcleaning #catlitterbox #enclosedlitterbox #litterbox #catlitterbox #bestcatlitterbox #litterboxforcatstiktokfinds #catbehavior #catcaretips ♬ Curiosity - Danilo Stankovic
Multi-Cat Litter Box Tips
Multiple Boxes in Multiple Locations
We always recommend having more litter boxes than cats. For example, two cats should have three litter boxes, three cats should have four litter boxes, and so on. Crucially, these litter boxes should not all be in the same place. Cats prefer to eliminate in low traffic, peaceful locations where they won't be bothered by humans, other cats, or noisy home appliances. Spread the litter boxes throughout the house and across floors so wherever your cats are, a clean litter box is always accessible.
Don't Corner Your Cats!
The wrong litter box location can lead to dominant cats cornering submissive cats in much the same way as covered litter boxes. A good litter box location will have multiple entry/exit routes and offer a clear view of the surrounding room. This reduces the likelihood of ambushes and in turn reduces stress. Here are some examples of litter box locations:
- Good litter box locations — spare bedroom, quiet hallway
- Bad litter box locations — closet, corner behind a couch
Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Multi-Cat 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.
- High sides — Litter boxes with high walls help reduce litter tracking/scatter and help contain urine if your cat has high aim.
- 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
Deep Dive: The 5 Best Multi-Cat Litter Boxes
1) tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
Price: $149-$199
Rating: 4.8/5 with 511 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 multi-cat litter box on the market. It's spacious, durable, and built to a higher standard of quality than any other litter box we've tried. The basin is completely smooth and made of anti-stick plastic, which makes it effortless to clean. The integrated scoop, brush, and dustpan help on the cleanliness front too. The box itself is low and accessible for cats of all mobilities, while the added scatter shield contains litter tracking. Finally, the design is elegant and easy to match with any home decor. The only real drawback is the price, which we understand is out of budget for some.
Tip: pair the Cove with a low-dust pellet litter (like our Really Great Cat Litter) for an unstoppable one-two punch for preventing litter tracking.
| Pros | Cons |
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2) iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Litter Box
Price: $145
Rating: 4.6/5 with 9,600 Amazon reviews
Size: 23.5"L x 15.5"W x 6"H (+ 6" w/ scatter shield)
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic
If extreme durability is what you're going for, you can't do much better than the iPrimio Stainless Steel XL Litter Box. This litter box is large enough for almost any cat and the steel construction makes it virtually indestructible. It's easily accessible thanks to its low sides, and there's an optional scatter shield if you want to control litter tracking. The main drawback is the price, which has significantly increased in recent months. It's also quite heavy, so moving it around or emptying it for a deep clean will be more difficult than our number one pick.
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3) Frisco High-Sided XL Litter Box
Price: $18.70
Rating: 4.8/5 with 2,700 Chewy reviews
Size: 24"L x 18"W x 10"H
Materials: Plastic
When Frisco labels a litter box "XL", they mean it. This is the largest litter box on our list, making it ideal for chonky cats and multi-cat use. It's also one of the most affordable XL litter boxes on the market at sub-$20. If you need to get multiple litter boxes on a budget, this is a great option. We also like that it has a dropped entryway, high walls, and an open-top design. Of course, at this price point the quality isn't great—the thin plastic cracks easily and may need replacing fairly often.
| Pros | Cons |
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4) tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box
Price: $69
Rating: N/A
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 Cubby Litter Box from tuft + paw is an excellent choice for multi-cat households, especially if you prioritize build quality and style. It has many of the same strengths as our number one pick, but we edited out the bells and whistles to make it more affordable. The anti-stick plastic basin is easy to clean and doesn't absorb odors, while the low wall makes it easily accessible for kittens, adult cats, and seniors alike. It comes with the removable scatter shield which dramatically reduces litter tracking (something we really appreciate in a multi-cat home). Unlike the Cove it doesn't come with included cleaning tools, but you can always get the litter scoop separately if you need to. The only real drawback is the price which, though cheaper than the Cove, is still on the higher side for a litter box.
Tip: The Cubby pairs great with an odor-controlling pellet litter (like our Really Great Cat Litter) to help prevent both litter tracking and odors.
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Pros
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Cons |
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5) PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Large Litter Box
Price: $45
Rating: 4.6/5 with 5,600 Amazon reviews
Size: 22.6"L x 18.1"W x 8"H
Materials: ABS plastic
If you want an easily cleaned litter box that won't break the bank, the PetFusion BetterBox is a solid option. Its slightly pricier than low-end litter boxes, but it’s made from anti-stick ABS plastic which is stronger than polypropylene (the usual litter box material). The basin is smooth and curved, making scooping and deep cleaning a breeze, and the entryway is slightly dropped for easy access. Multi-cat households will also appreciate that it's available in two packs at a substantially better price point ($65 for two vs $45 for one). Unfortunately, the lower sides of this litter box don't do much to stop tracking.
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6) Van Ness Large Framed Litter Pan
Price: $9.60
Rating: 4.3/5 with 4,100 Amazon reviews
Size: 19"L x 15.125"W x 7.25"H
Materials: Polypropylene
The Van Ness Framed Litter Pan is our pick for the cat parent who needs LOTS of litter boxes. It's nothing special, but at less than $10 per litter pan you can affordably kit out a house for 4, 5, or even 6+ cats. The entryway is accessible, it doesn't block visibility, and it's comfortable for small to medium size cats.
However, there are significant drawbacks to such a cheap product. The plastic is thin and prone to cracking and the sides aren't high enough to meaningfully reduce litter tracking. The pan is ridged, making it slightly harder to clean than a smooth litter basin. Lastly, it isn't roomy enough for larger cats.
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Conclusion
There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to multi-cat litter boxes. Your decision should be based on your cats' preferences and the budget you can afford to allocate for a litter box. Our top pick is the tuft + paw Cove Litter Box because it offers everything cat parents could need in a litter box with few tradeoffs, but any of the six options we've included will serve you and your cats well. We hope this article has been helpful, and good luck on your multi-cat litter box journey!
