Get your pick of the litter box
Got a new cat? Don’t treat the litter box as an afterthought.
All litter boxes look the same—but they’re not. And if your cat doesn’t like theirs, they’ll use your furniture instead.
Litter box avoidance is the top reason cats end up in shelters.
Choose wisely. Follow these tips to pick a litter box your cat will actually use.
You’re gonna need a bigger box
This may seem like a no brainer, but the bigger your cat is, the bigger her litter box needs to be. After all, she has to fit into the box, and is going to spend some time attending to important business in there. You want to make sure that your cat is going to feel comfortable in there and will want to visit it again and again without using another place that she shouldn’t.
Cats don't like doing their business in a tiny closet. They need space to strut in, dig a proper hole, do their thing, and make a dramatic exit.
Pro tip: Measure your cat from nose to tail, then multiply by 1.5. That's the minimum size you should be looking for. Anything smaller and you're basically asking them to use your rug instead. Do the same with the width of her body also to make sure the height of the box is correct too. Make sure to leave her the latest issue of Cat Fancy, too. Just kidding — or are we?
"Covered vs uncovered litter boxes: which is better?"
Covered vs. uncovered?
The answer is simple. Cats prefer open litter boxes.
Why? Instinct. They need to see threats and escape easily when vulnerable.Choose uncovered for happier cats and fewer accidents.
To clean or to self-clean?
Self-cleaning robotic litter boxes are all the rage right now—and honestly, who can blame us? They scoop the poop for you! It’s the ultimate convenience for busy cat parents. But here’s a heads up: some kitties are a little wary of the weird noises and moving parts at first, so you might need to give them time to warm up to it.
One super important thing: not all litter works with automatic boxes. You’ll want to stick to clumping, low-dust, lightweight varieties. Good news—Fresh Step litter works perfectly with almost every automatic litter box out there. It forms nice tight clumps that the machine can easily pick up, so you don’t have to deal with messy residue.
And one last reminder: even with a fancy self-cleaning box, you still need to check in regularly. It’s the best way to keep an eye on your cat’s health. Make sure you peek at the waste bin every few days to spot any changes that might mean something’s wrong.
Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits your cat’s needs and your lifestyle.