8 Best Indoor Litter Boxes for Cats 2021

Cats prefer to be alone when it comes to relieving themselves.

Some pets are indifferent to the presence of people when they are engaged in their intimate affairs. But in most cases, owners claim that their cats are quite shy and will quickly run away without finishing the task if someone from the family enters the bathroom where the tray is located.

In solving these issues, manufacturers are happy to release multifunctional dry closets for cats, which can be used even by small breeds of dogs.

BIO what is it

A dry closet is a deep, buried tray with walls and, in some cases, doors. It looks like a house, so the cats feel quite comfortable inside. With the purchase of their own dry closet, pets stop causing harm in the corners if they were previously noticed doing so.

The large space inside the house allows you to carry out all the traditional “rituals” before going to the toilet. There's enough room to completely spin around inside, scooping up the litter in the deep tray.

The structure can be easily disassembled, cleaned and washed without the need to use chemicals.

Photo of a cat litter box

Some models are equipped with filters that block odors and prevent the growth of bacteria.

Tray with mesh

A cat litter box with mesh consists of a plastic trough into which a mesh is inserted. Liquid feces flow inside without contaminating the animal’s paws. In this option, the filler is poured under the mesh or not used at all. The cost depends on the quality of the plastic, size and reputation of the manufacturer.

Read more: Rating of the best lip fillers

Advantages:

suitable for kittens and adult animals;
thanks to the mesh, the cats' paws remain clean and dry;
affordable.

Flaws:

requires regular care;
does not prevent the spread of unpleasant odors;
not suitable for cats that like to dig;
the animal's claws may get stuck in the mesh when trying to scoop up feces.

Price range: 150 – 500 rubles.

An evaluative look at cat litter boxes: advantages and disadvantages

Closed ones used to be a necessity when transporting animals or traveling. Having appreciated all the advantages and the incredible love of cats for these convenient toilets, the owners began to purchase them for use at home. This is because closed type trays have a number of advantages:

Privacy - the closed type allows you to privacy and hide from prying eyes.

Cats will experience discomfort in their intimate activities if the litter box is located inconveniently and someone can enter at any moment. Due to inconvenience, cats may relieve themselves in another place inaccessible to household members.

Hygiene - the smell does not spread throughout the apartment, but remains inside the house; in addition, the filler does not scatter on the floor.
Accuracy - in some cases, cats may miss the edges, but this will definitely not happen with a composting toilet.

Often cats miss due to the high degree of contamination, disdaining to get their paws dirty or trying to do an important task in a free area, so the excrement ends up on the floor. To prevent such situations, the filler must be changed more often.

Cat litter with a beautiful appearance

Aesthetics – beautiful appearance and different designs will allow it to blend well with the interior.

If the arguments in favor of a closed tray are convincing, then you should know about the disadvantages before purchasing.

Cost - the price of such trays is significantly high, depending on the size and additional elements in the design.
Care - caring for them is more difficult than classic ones. It is necessary to constantly check the degree of contamination so that the pet does not stop visiting it. In addition to washing the tray, you need to wash the walls and lid of the toilet.

The disadvantages are often the size, but the following should be noted: it will not take up more space on the floor than a regular tray; its scale depends on the height of the frame.

Tray with removable side

A rectangular plastic tray with low sides is the simplest and cheapest option for a cat toilet.
It can have different shapes and sizes. This design is best suited for small kittens who can easily climb into it. Advantages:

low cost;
convenient for kittens;
ease of care;
compactness.

Flaws:

requires filler;
does not retain odor well;
requires cleaning after 1-2 visits to the toilet by the cat;
the filler can spread throughout the house.

Price range: 50 – 200 rubles.

All cats usually like this design because it resembles a box in shape and size. High sides prevent the litter from scattering while the animal performs toilet “procedures”. Some modifications are equipped with a mesh.

Advantages:

ease of cleaning;
affordable price;
Almost all animals like it.

Flaws:

not suitable for toilet training kittens;
filler must be used.

Price range: 150 – 750 rubles.

A cat litter box with a frame is a plastic tray with a removable side attached to the edges. It is easily removable and allows you to lay a film inside, which is removed and thrown away along with the soiled contents. Depending on the model, the tray with a side can be additionally equipped with a grid.

Advantages:

makes cleaning the cat litter easier;
It's inexpensive.

Flaws:

does not eliminate unpleasant odors;
models with high sides are not suitable for kittens;
requires regular care.

Price range: 150 – 1000 rubles

Which dry toilet to choose: all design options

Before sending it to the store, it is better to immediately understand what kind of assembly a closed tray is needed, take into account the size and color in advance.

When determining the size, you need to take the current tray as a basis: if its width suits the pet, then you can safely take a closed one of the same width.

Simple plastic

It is presented as usual with high walls without a door or lid. The tray is filled with filler or covered with a grid. It looks like a box and is the most open of the other models.

High sided tray

With absorbent filters

With high walls and a lid with built-in carbon filters that trap unpleasant odors. Filters must be replaced every six months.

For additional protection against odors, some models include absorbent napkins onto which filler is poured.

Electrical with mechanical cleaning

Models of dry closets with an automatic cleaning system. As a rule, they are connected to the sewer system and water supply, and operate through an electrical supply. After a cat visits the tray, a mechanism is started that cleans the tray, after which clean litter is poured back in.

Most modern

The advantage of these models is that the frequency of cleaning is adjustable, and manual cleaning is no longer necessary. Equipping an automatic toilet with motion sensors allows you to start the cleaning process in the absence of your pet.

Built-in

Built-in interior items are designed to save space, as well as to preserve the external aesthetic appearance.

Built-in cat litter box

There are situations when it is necessary to install a litter box in a room, hallway or kitchen; the appearance of a cat litter box is not so pleasant for households and their guests, so the best solution is a tray that looks like a cabinet.

Types of cat litter

Let's start our review with the simplest models, and gradually move on to the most advanced and expensive types.

Flat plastic tray with low sides

The most common model that most cat owners buy. It is a regular rectangular plastic box. Can be used with any type of filler.

Pros:

A budget option.
Just take care.

Minuses:

The litter spills out when the cat buries its feces.

User reviews:

Christina: “From my experience, I will say that a regular plastic tray without a mesh, with clumping filler, suited me. It absorbs urine very well. My cat categorically refused to use the mesh, as well as any other fillers, except mineral. When my cat was a little kitten, we had a small tray with low sides, now the older lady has the same type of tray, just larger in size.

Flat tray with a removable mesh (grid) inside

The model is similar to the previous one, only a grille is installed inside the plastic tray. There is a small distance between the bottom of the product and the grill. The filler in this model can be poured both on the grate and under it at the bottom of the tray. Can be used without filler.

Pros:

Feces seep to the bottom of the tray, leaving the paws clean and dry.
Low cost.

Minuses:

If you use a tray without filler, it needs to be washed several times a day.

User reviews:

Valentina: “I basically don’t use filler. Spare money. My cats always go to the litter box with the bars. I try to keep track of when they go to the toilet and immediately wash the tray and grill under running water with a cleaning solution. The area around such a tray is always clean, no litter or dirt.”

Tray with high sides

The model is suitable for those pets who like to thoroughly scoop up the litter, scattering it in all directions. High sides will prevent the filler from scattering outside the tray.

Plus:

Helps keep the toilet area clean.

Minus:

Not suitable for small kittens.

User reviews:

Mikhail: “We used to buy our cats a regular tray with low sides. Can you imagine what was going on around him? When the cats began to row furiously, having completed their business, the contents of the litter box were scattered throughout the bathroom. I had to clean not only the cat's litter box, but also the bathroom. There is no such problem with this model. Even if the cat starts rowing in the tray with all his might, everything remains inside the pot.”

Tray with replaceable bags

The design resembles a trash can with a waste bag.

An ideal option for those who do not like to wash the cat's litter box and remove litter scattered on the floor. It is enough, as soon as it gets dirty, to replace the bag and the tray is clean again.

Pros:

It's easy to keep the area around the tray clean.
Ease of use.

Minuses:

It is necessary to regularly purchase replacement bags.
You will have to accustom the cat to such a toilet.
The bags quickly become unusable.

User reviews:

Darina: “We bought a tray with replacement bags. The seller assured us that filler is not needed for this model. But our kitty refused to go into the tray until we poured mineral filler into it. Now we use them, just like garbage bags. When it’s time to replace the filler, we simply take out the bag along with all its contents and throw it away.”

Rodion: “But this model did not suit us. The cat digs very hard, the bag immediately breaks. I had to use a tray without a bag.”

Tray house

This is an ideal option for those whose pet is exceptionally shy or fearful. It is also perfect for owners who want to eliminate any cat odor and are forced to place the cat litter box in less secluded places than the bath or toilet. The design is a medium or large sized pallet with high sides and is closed on top with a voluminous lid, has an opening for entry and in appearance resembles a house with walls and a roof.

Pros:

Localizes odor well.
Can be placed anywhere in the apartment. There are triangular models that are convenient to place in the corners of rooms.
They look aesthetically pleasing.

Minus:

High price. From 1300 to 4500 rub.
Not all cats like closed models; the animal may ignore it.

User reviews:

Albina: “Our Marquise is so shy and gentle. Until we bought her a litter box, she refused to do her business in the right place. We tried several options for trays, but nothing was right. And she liked this one. The cat hides in it so that no one can see what she’s doing there.”

Dry toilet with carbon cartridge

Convenient and super hygienic indoor cat litter box made of lightweight and wear-resistant plastic. The top folds back with a slight movement of the hand. The tray comes with a special carbon cartridge that absorbs all unpleasant odors. You can sprinkle the filler on the bottom, or you can attach a special hygienic bag for the filler.

Pros:

The tray is equipped with special anti-slip pads, so it can be placed on any surface - it will not scratch the floor and will not move from side to side.
Those who love aesthetics can change the top of the tray with lids of different colors and different designs.
Used with filler or with replacement bags.

Minuses:

It is necessary to regularly change the carbon filter and buy replacement bags if the model is used without filler.
High price. From 1700 to 3200 rub.
This design is not suitable for all cats.

User reviews:

Svetlana: “In fact, when we chose this toilet, we thought about ourselves. It looks beautiful, does not slip on the tiles, and perfectly neutralizes all unpleasant odors. But, this cover. It moves easily in both directions. If the cat accidentally covers it with his paw, he will no longer be able to get there. We did not foresee this moment. My husband removed the lid, now we use it without it.”

Model “Clean paws”

The design of the tray resembles a shell, at the entrance to which there are steps. Coming out of the tray, the cat walks along the ladder and, thus, shakes off the remaining litter from its paws. The top of the structure is equipped with a filter that absorbs unpleasant odors.

You can also use not filler, but special tabs, which are more practical and hygienic than filler.

Pros:

Aesthetic appearance.
Functionality.
Compact sizes.
Helps maintain cleanliness.

Minuses:

High price. From 3200 to 3600 rub.
Not always available for free sale.
Not suitable for all cats.

User reviews:

Lyudmila: “A toilet with steps is not suitable for all cats. Well, you first need to explain to the kitten how he should get there. Ours didn’t understand right away. Now I’ve learned it and walk with pleasure.”

Having such a “work of art” at home, your pet simply will not be able to shit on the carpet or sofa.

Self-sifting tray

To call this product of the pet industry a tray is simply too much to say. Super hygienic and sophisticated cat toilet.

All you need to do is tilt the tray to the side and the soiled filler will be poured through the mesh into a special tray. You then remove the tray and throw the waste into the trash.

Pros:

Hygiene.
There is no need to sift through used cat litter with a spatula.

Minuses:

Not suitable for cats weighing more than 8 kg.
Not all animals like the design.
High price. From 5000 to 5500 rub.
Sold only through online stores with delivery from abroad (ebay, petshop, aliexpress).

User reviews:

Inga: “We ordered this miracle of foreign technology on eBay. So we liked him according to the descriptions. We waited for about a month. Goods arrived. We thought that such a tray would be easier to keep clean. Somehow the cat didn’t really appreciate the purchase. At first I was even afraid to approach him. Probably, we need to get used to such complex structures from a young age.”

Automatic litter box for cats

This is the real dream of all cat owners. All that is required from the cat owner is to purchase this miracle of technology and connect it to the water supply, sewerage and electrical network. The toilet will do the rest itself. Here we have described in detail how an automatic cat litter box works.

Pros:

Equipped with sensors that recognize that the cat has gone to the toilet.
Cleaning begins automatically a few minutes after the animal has left the toilet.

Minuses:

A very expensive model. From 10,000 to 35,000 rubles.
Some cats are scared by the sound the litter box makes when cleaning.

User reviews:

Stanislav: “When we built our house, we wanted everything in it to be the best. No expense was spared. We bought and installed an automatic toilet for our cats in the bathroom. You need to see how the whole process happens there. At first I stood and admired it. Cats have retrained over time. At first, I had to put regular trays next to this one so they wouldn’t miss it.”

Oster dry toilet - the best litter box for cats

A modern high-tech cat toilet is equipped with a forced air filtration system, which allows you to completely get rid of unpleasant odors. The design has an original “space” design.

The toilet is controlled using buttons on the dashboard. An indicator light tells you when it is time to replace the carbon filter. Air circulation in the toilet is carried out using a silent fan.

The Oster dry closet is equipped with an electronic odor elimination device. The device can work with any type of filler. Product dimensions: 58x46x49 cm.

Plus: Large sizes are suitable for large breed cats.
Disadvantage: filters need to be changed every 2 months.

Price: 7999 rub. Buy

How to choose a good closed tray

Before purchasing a dry toilet for your pet, you should consider the following criteria:

Age - the ability to climb into the tray is taken into account, for example, kittens are recommended to select trays with a shallow tray and an open type, adult cats require a deep tray and a closed type.
Cat size - most litter boxes have standard sizes that are suitable for cats of different breeds; as for large ones, it is better to select specialized litter boxes designed for Maine Coons, shrouds.
Place and area of location - to save space in small apartments, corner trays are good, saving space, but comfortable to use.
Design - it is not so easy to predict which shape will best suit your pet, so when choosing a design, you should evaluate the internal space and ease of further cleaning.
Build quality is one of the important qualities, because unreliable fastenings can become unusable over time, which will make all other qualities of a closed one lose their charm. All elements must be tightly and securely attached to each other and easily detached. The pull-out tray should have an easy operating principle.

Closed toilet with ventilation holes

Quality of plastic - before purchasing, high-quality material is checked for chips, scratches, damage, there should be no such thing. The smell of the material is checked; it should not be caustic, pungent or unpleasant. You also need to pay attention to the holes intended for ventilation; some models do not have them, but absorbent filters are required.
The company-brand in choosing a litter box for a cat is not as important as the quality of the materials; Japanese toilets have a good reputation, they have original designs, odor protection and high-quality materials that will last for many years.

Chinese manufacturers are less in demand. The quality of the materials is not suitable for long-term use, and the structures and fastenings often break and come into poor appearance.

The best indoor toilets in the mid-price segment

Toilet house for cats Curver PetLife, 513940cm

Rating: 4.9

First place is given to a durable and comfortable design, in which an animal of any age will feel comfortable, and the owner will appreciate the practicality and ease of care. For small breeds and kittens there is an additional step for entry. Environmentally friendly plastic used in production meets safety requirements. It will not affect the health of the animal and will not have a negative impact on the environment, since it does not contain toxic or harmful substances.

The toilet is easy to disassemble and assemble. After closing, the casing is attached to the tray using special clamps. The tray slides out easily. At the top of the body there is a storage compartment for the scoop, which is used for collecting solid waste. The model has a handle for transportation. The interesting design makes the house not only a practical item in the home, but also a unique interior decoration.

Curver PetLife has released a product with an expanded color line. It features anthracite, creamy brown, dark gray, brown and beige shades that will harmoniously fit into rooms with light and dark decor.

Advantages

for all cat breeds;
fabric odor filter;
easy cleansing;
convenient transportation.

Flaws

not identified.

Veterinarians' opinion

Doctors suggest creating comfortable conditions for your beloved pets. Most cats experience discomfort in the presence of people when they need to relieve themselves, which creates additional stress and delays the process, which later affects incontinence or constipation.

Plastic closed with translucent door

There are also animals that often suffer from genitourinary diseases or intestinal diseases, for whom it is not so easy to go to the toilet in an open tray the first time. An enclosed composting toilet helps pets lead a better quality of life and use the litter box when necessary.

Closed dry closet

A house-shaped tray is an excellent opportunity to make your pet comfortable. A closed dry toilet for a cat is easy to maintain and does not require any additional financial investments.

It perfectly retains the smell inside, preventing it from coming out.

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When the cat begins to bury, the litter will not fall out and create trouble.

The cat will not be able to miss such a toilet, unlike an open litter box.

The disadvantage of such a dry closet is its price. To many it will seem too high and unjustified. In a pet store, such a tray will cost you 12-13 thousand rubles.

Terms of use

Perhaps the cat will not be happy with the first meeting with the new litter box, but after that it will certainly appreciate the usefulness of the innovation.

In order not to frighten the animal, but to help it get used to the new toilet, it is necessary to place it next to the usual litter box for the first time; sooner or later the cat will become interested in the new thing.

Having poured the filler inside, you can wait for the cat to decide to visit the house. If the design has a door, it can be removed or left open. If you are especially wary, you can remove the top cover when the cat starts going to this tray, and gradually install the removable elements back.

Each tray has instructions and recommendations for use that you should read. If the model has cleaning filters, you need to follow the shift schedule so that the smell does not spread in the apartment, does not scare the pet and does not create conditions for the growth of bacteria.

Moderna Trendy Cat Cats In Love with carbon filters
Cleaning, washing the tray, and replacing the litter must be done regularly. If there is a mesh inside, it should be washed at least 2 times a week. Depending on the design of the toilet, different periods of general cleaning are recommended, which can be found in the instructions.

The best indoor toilets for cats in the premium segment

Toilet house for cats CatGenie 120 60x50x55 cm

Rating: 4.9

The leader in this category is the house, recognized as the best among premium models. It is fully automated, connected to water supply and sewerage. The pet owner does not need to waste time on cleaning; the “smart” toilet will do everything itself. It has several modes: sensor, timer and manual. Multi-stage cleaning lasts half an hour and consists of sifting, rinsing, rinsing and drying.

The design and consumables are absolutely safe for animals and the environment. Hypoallergenic plastic granules are used as filler, which do not need to be changed. One package is enough for 4-6 months of use. The granules do not clog pipes and decompose within 1 year. Cartridges with cleaning agent are used for disinfection.

The cleaning time can be set as desired. The model is equipped with an animal presence sensor and child protection. According to reviews, cats adapt very quickly to the new toilet, feeling calm and comfortable in it. Many breeders note that the cost is offset by the fact that there is no need to buy filters and absorbent granules for several months.

Advantages

full automation of cleaning;
reusable safe filler;
connection kit;
individual settings.

Flaws

high price.

Feedback from buyers of cat toilets

Buyers' opinions agree on one thing: the house has become cleaner. Also, there is no odors from the cat litter box, noise insulation , especially at night, from the process of cats burying litter inside the house. Some note its decent appearance : the toilet area for cats is hidden and does not attract attention. Cleaning is carried out less frequently , but it takes a little more time than if there was a simple classic pot.

If your cat is skeptical about everything new, you shouldn’t buy an expensive attribute right away; it’s enough to start with an inexpensive closed tray for the purpose of training, and then purchase an improved model if the cat really likes an individual toilet.

Types of dry closets and their principle of operation

A dry toilet for cats is, first of all, hygiene for the entire room and a separate place where your pet can relieve itself without polluting the house.

They started selling dry toilets on the pet products market not so long ago, but in a short period of time they were able to prove their practicality and indispensability for animal owners.

The most common options at the moment are: