Last Updated on November 10, 2023 by Fumipets
Exploring 10 Best Covered Cat Litter Boxes: A Comprehensive Guide
Covered cat litter boxes have become a popular choice among cat owners for managing odors and providing privacy for their feline friends. This summary delves into the world of covered cat litter boxes, shedding light on their benefits, considerations, and addressing common queries associated with these enclosed spaces.
Covered Cat Litter Boxes
The use of a covered litter box for your cat has several advantages. A covered litter box may help your cat with many potty problems, whether you wish to give them solitude or keep smells contained.
These tend to be categorized as self-cleaning, thus we have not included them in our evaluations. Covered cat litter boxes may include self-cleaning ones that automatically remove solids and filthy litter as they are formed. Instead, you will discover a list of the top ten covered cat litter boxes, which includes front and top entrance boxes, litter boxes with anti-tracking features, and a range of different sizes of litter boxes that are thought to be appropriate for various cat breeds and ages.
Whatever your motivation is for purchasing a covered litter box, you can utilize our evaluations to choose the model that best satisfies your litter requirements while still allowing your cat to feel at ease and enjoy using the tray.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
BEST OVERALL |
 |
Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Litter Box | Cheap Built-in odor controllers Decent size suitable for larger cats |
BEST VALUE |
 |
Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan | Big, square tray Odor door that reduces smells Made from 20% recycled materials |
PREMIUM CHOICE |
 |
Modkat Flip | Looks attractive Includes scoop and liners Large dimensions suitable for big cats |
 |
IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box | Attractive design Included scoop hooks inside The top surface acts as like a mat for wiping feet | |
 |
Nature’s Miracle Hooded Corner Litter Tray | Charcoal odor filter Convenient corner design |
The 10 Best Covered Cat Litter Boxes – Reviews & Top Picks 2023
1. Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Litter Box – Best Overall
| Type: | Front-Entry |
| Size: | 25” x 19” x 11.75” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
A simple, hooded litter box is Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Litter Box. It features built-in odor controls, yet despite its simple plastic construction, your cat will be able to open the flip-top front no matter how urgent the situation.
The tray is simple to access for cleaning, and its non-stick surface minimizes the accumulation of moist and solid waste that would otherwise harden into an immovable mass.
The tray is a fair size and can accommodate cats of all kinds and sizes. The lid of the box may become loose such that it may be knocked off by a whirling cat, however, since the latches do not always fit tightly.
It is the best overall covered cat litter box on the list because it is extremely reasonably priced, being less expensive than most of the trays on our list, and because its activated charcoal filters help decrease the aromas that would otherwise escape and fill the room.
This is a fantastic option for anyone with one or more cats, regardless of the size of the cat, but if your cat loves to whirl about and hit the sides, you may need to find a better method to fasten the lid. Alternatively, choose a separate litter box.
Pros
- Decent size suitable for larger cats
- Built-in odor controllers
- Cheap
Cons
- The lid could be more secure
- Not the best looking
2. Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan – Best Value
| Type: | Front-Entry |
| Size: | 21.5” x 17.75” x 18” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
There are many sizes available for the Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan. With its simplicity of cleaning and odor-controlling flip door, the biggest size is still among the least expensive of the ones we tested, making it the best covered cat litter box overall. Its proportions are also squarer than those of many other trays, which allows your cat to turn around and assume the ideal posture within the tray more easily.
The litter tray’s polished coating is intended to be stain- and odor-resistant and prevents smells from building up on the surface. It contains 20% recycled material. The box is appropriate for families with one or more cats and is simple to clean.
Pros
- Big, square tray
- Made from 20% recycled materials
- Cheap
Cons
- Not the best-Unappealinglooking design
- Quite flimsy
3. Modkat Flip – Premium Choice
| Type: | Top- or Front-Entry |
| Size: | 17.32” x 21.26” x 16.54” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray, Scoop, Liners |
This premium extra-large box with a top or front entrance is just one of the many sizes and configurations of the Modkat Flip. Although it is pricey, it will look nicer in your house or apartment and be more durable than the majority of the other boxes on the list. The extra-large style is suited for big breeds and multi-cat families and has about the same proportions as the Van Ness above, but it may be somewhat larger.
When configured for top entrance, even when your cat digs and burys, all the litter will remain within the box, and the rough top surface will also collect stray particles of litter on your cat’s paws. However, cats who despise the top entrance and find it difficult to adapt to that arrangement might do better with the front entry.
A scoop and liners are included in the kit. The liners securely secure within the box and make emptying and cleaning the litter more simpler. The Modkat is the most expensive litter box we have tested, making it the premium choice on our list.
Pros
- Includes scoop and liners
- Large dimensions suitable for big cats
- Looks attractive
Cons
- Very expensive
4. IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
| Type: | Top-Entry |
| Size: | 20.47” x 16.14” x 14.56” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray and Scoop |
Despite being a little bit smaller than the other boxes on our list, the IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box is still suited for all cats with the exception of the biggest and busiest litter box users. The top of the tray features a rough surface that will aid in removing even the most recalcitrant litter from your cat’s paws, and it has a beautiful rounded appearance. The IRIS litter box, which comes in white, black, gray, or beige, comes with a scoop that hangs on a hook inside the box. It also features built-in rubber feet that help keep the box from sliding when your cat jumps in and out of the tray.
The IRIS is a high-quality cat box, but it is not as big as some others, and the rounded sides strangely give the impression that it is. Additionally, if your cat is too energetic or forceful on the lid, it will finally collapse beneath the weight.
Pros
- Attractive design
- The top surface acts like a mat for wiping feet
- Included scoop hooks inside
Cons
- Rounded edges seem smaller
- The top will may eventually break
5. Nature’s Miracle Hooded Corner Litter Tray
| Type: | Corner Front-Entry |
| Size: | 23” x 26” x 11” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
The triangular shape of the Nature’s Miracle Hooded Corner Litter Tray makes it easy to tuck it into a room’s corner up against two walls. Since of this, not only does the tray take up less room than other designs because it fits neatly in a corner and is less visually offensive.
As a non-stick surface, the corner unit’s antimicrobial coating prevents urine and feces from adhering to the surface, making cleaning quicker and simpler. Smells are eliminated and kept from spreading into the next room using a removable charcoal filter. The filter will allegedly function for three months before needing to be updated, according to the maker.
But even with the walls, cats who urinate high will cause urine to leak out of the seams since most litter pads and liners are incompatible with the form due to the corner design.
Pros
- Convenient corner design
- Charcoal odor filter
Cons
- Can’t use pads or liners
- Difficult to clean triangle corners
6. Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box
| Type: | Front-Entry |
| Size: | 22.5” x 19” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
The stairs at the side of the litter pan on the Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box’s circular shape will clean your cat’s feet before he climbs out. This unusual combination of design elements might assist solve the issue if you have a cat that scrapes and buries excessively before treating cat litter pebbles all across the surrounding region. Additionally, it contains an activated charcoal filter to help keep the litter box from smelling.
Fastidious cats may decide not to use a covered litter pan that smells awful because they do not enjoy the scent of excrement and pee. The totally interchangeable filters aid in resolving this issue. Although the tray is big and fairly priced, the top is loose and simple to knock off since it is not fixed to the base. This may be particularly troublesome if you have a dog that enjoys exploring the contents.
Pros
- Large litter box
- Stairs offer easy access and remove litter
- Charcoal filter
Cons
- The lid is not secure
- Liners won’t fit the round base
7. Petmate Basic Hooded Cat Litter Pan
| Type: | Front-Entry |
| Size: | 18.8” x 15.2” x 14” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
The Petmate Basic Hooded Cat Litter Pan is a straightforward litter box with a flip door and hooded lid. This dish is available in two sizes, big and giant, to provide cats solitude while they relieve themselves. Although the gigantic size is equal to other trays on our list, it is pricey for a basic model.
The tray is available in steel, ink, or blue. Despite the towering walls, any cats, regardless of age or mobility, may enter because to the entry’s decreased height. The top does not fit firmly to the base and is also prone to come apart, and the door is weak and breakable.
Pros
- Reasonable price for a large tray
- Choice of 3 colors
- Low entry offers accessibility
Cons
- Jumbo tray is not that cheap
- Flimsy door
- The top doesn’t attach properly
8. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter
| Type: | Front-Entry |
| Size: | 22.4” x 17” x 18.3” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
Although it is not quite square, the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter is a sizable litter box that allows even the biggest cat to turn and circle as much as is required. It is simple to remove the hooded lid to gain access for cleaning.
Because this is appropriate for a multi-cat home, it features a carbon filter to assist keep the litter box’s inside smelling fresh and enable your cat or cats to relieve themselves in comfort and without unpleasant odors.
For its size, the pricing is fair. The litter pan is not only big, but it also has a clumsy, practical appearance. While cats may enter, they have a little bit of difficulty exiting due to the door’s propensity to stick. The lid might be challenging to lift, and the handle is not as sturdy as it ought to be for a box this size. There are other, better-quality, and more durable options available if you don’t really require the additional inch that some of the other jumbo versions provide.
Pros
- Very large
- Charcoal filter
Cons
- Door sticks
- Flimsy handle
9. Frisco Top Entry
| Type: | Top-Entry |
| Size: | 23.2” x 15.4” x 15” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
The Frisco Top Entry Litter Tray is made of plastic and has a long, rectangular shape. It has a top entry and a textured cover that helps your cat remove some of the dirt from its paws before walking around and stepping in it all. The top entrance provides privacy and ensures that your cat’s poop won’t leak out of the box no matter how far up the wall it goes. The inside space should be large enough for most cats to circle and dig, while the cover can assist prevent dogs from reaching in and stealing the tray’s contents.
Even though this tray is fairly priced, the smaller breeds cannot utilize it because of how little it is. Additionally, quick-footed cats that like to leap can—and do—completely avoid the rough lid surface. Additionally, the top doesn’t always fit securely, which may result in a cat and litter box avalanche.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Textured surface to clean paws
Cons
- Small
- Cats can avoid the textured surface
- Lid doesn’t fit snugly
10. Clevercat Top Entry
| Type: | Top-Entry |
| Size: | 20.25” x 15.25” x 15” |
| Includes: | Litter Tray |
Cats that prefer to dig and kick the litter about as well as houses with litter-dipping dogs should use top-entry trays like the Clevercat Top Entry tray. The Clevercat tray’s construction prevents your cat from kicking contents out over the edge, and the rough top surface of the tray further deters your cat from making a mess out of its litter. However, this model is tiny, pricey for its size, and unlikely to be the best option for you unless you have a very little cat and enjoy the style.
Pros
- Top-entry tray
- Textured surface to prevent litter spreading
Cons
- Very small
- Expensive for the size
Buyer’s Guide
Finding the ideal covered litter box entails looking for one that complements your living space, your needs, and your cat. Large cats need more room than tiny cats, but you should also take into account your cat’s behavior, including if he circles and kicks up a lot of litter, whether he sprays the edges of the litter box, and whether he prefers to urinate outside or in a safe, enclosed area. The following are some of the most crucial things to consider while looking for a covered litter box.
Opening
A litter box may be opened in one of two ways: either via a door at the front of the tray or a hatch or hole on top.
• Top Entry – A top entry method does come with a number of advantages. Because there is no need for a seam in the tray design, it prevents litter from being kicked out and the tray should not leak liquids even if your cat stands and sprays over the edge of the tub. A top-entry litter pan may help stop the dog from entering and rummaging through the litter in a home with many pets. But not all cats are at ease utilizing a top-entry litter container, and yours could just be resistant to training.
• Front Entry – The most conventional form and shape of litter box is the front-entry litter tray. It features a front door that typically swings inward and outward on hinges, while others have an open front for convenience. These litter boxes often have removable tops for simpler cleaning.
Tray Shape
Most litter trays are rectangular in shape. This is a practical form that allows for placement against walls and in corners while yet allowing for mobility within the tray while in use. However, since there are no corners where litter and dirty litter might hide, round or spherical trays are simpler to clean. Although this design does not provide much more room over square or rectangular litter trays, so-called corner litter trays are triangular in shape. Usually, rectangular shapes are the best choice.
Filters
You’ll see that many covered litter trays come with filters. These are often created using activated charcoal, which eliminates smells and keeps the litter box from stinking. A cat may decide to go somewhere else if it dislikes the inside scent of the tray. Make sure the filter can be changed and that it is simple to get new filters.
Conclusion
You will have a good notion of the necessary size and form that best matches you, your space, and your cat’s needs if you have previously acquired litter trays. To guarantee you acquire the ideal tray for your requirements, make sure the tray is large enough, your cat feels comfortable using the design you chose, and it is simple to clean.
Because it provides a respectable amount of space for a fair price, we discovered the Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Litter Box to be the finest overall throughout the review-gathering process. The Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan is considerably less expensive and gives your cat plenty of room and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the advantages of using a covered cat litter box?
Covered cat litter boxes offer privacy for cats, control odors more effectively, and prevent litter scatter. They can be especially beneficial in multi-pet households or homes with limited space.
Do all cats prefer covered litter boxes?
Cats have varying preferences. While some may appreciate the privacy and reduced odors of covered boxes, others may feel confined. It’s essential to observe your cat’s behavior and preferences to determine the most suitable litter box.
How often should a covered cat litter box be cleaned?
Regular cleaning is crucial. Covered litter boxes should be scooped daily to remove waste, and the litter should be changed regularly. The enclosed space may trap odors more, emphasizing the importance of consistent maintenance.
Are covered litter boxes suitable for kittens?
Kittens may initially find covered boxes intimidating. It’s advisable to introduce them to an uncovered box first and transition to a covered one gradually. Monitoring their comfort level is essential during this process.
Can covered litter boxes cause health issues for cats?
In some cases, covered litter boxes may trap odors and ammonia, potentially affecting a cat’s respiratory health. Adequate ventilation and cleanliness are crucial to mitigate this risk. If your cat shows signs of discomfort, consider alternative options.
