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8 Best Dog-Proof Cat Litter Boxes – 2024 Reviews & Buyers Guide

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Ginger cat in a litter box

Anyone who has dogs and cats has experienced it at least once; a dog with its head in the cat box, munching on the poo left behind by the cat. It’s not abnormal for dogs to enjoy eating cat poop, though. Dogs are scavengers by nature, and cats are obligate carnivores that eat tasty, high-protein food. This means that their waste is tastier to dogs than some other types of waste might be. Gross, but true.1

Not every home allows for a setup where the cat box is in a place the cat can reach but the dog can’t. We can’t all install cat doors inside our homes or guarantee the dog will always be kept out of the room with the litter box. This is where dog-proof litter boxes come in. If you have a dog that really enjoys digging for buried treasure in the litter box, use these reviews to help you find the perfect dog-proof litter box for your needs.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
  • Color coordinated litter scoop is included
  • Lid removes for easy cleaning
  • Lid is not easily removed by a pet
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box
  • Textured lid to prevent litter tracking
  • Lid can be removed or tilted for mess-free cleaning
  • Durable, recycled plastic
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Whisker Self-Cleaning Litter Box Whisker Self-Cleaning Litter Box
  • Self-cleaning
  • Carbon-filtered keeps waste away from dogs
  • Front entry is easy for most cats
  • Best for Kittens
    Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box
  • Best option for kittens
  • Covered stairs and dome shape help keep dogs out
  • Textured stairs help prevent litter tracking
  • ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
  • Runs a cleaning cycle shortly after use
  • Stores solid waste in an enclosed drawer
  • Crystal litter helps control odors for up to 30 days
  • The 8 Best Dog-Proof Cat Litter Boxes

    1. IRIS Top Entry Litter Box – Best Overall

    IRIS Top Entry Litter Box

    Check Price on Chewy
    Size: 47” x 16.14” x 14.56”
    Entry Method: Top
    Color: White and beige, black and grey, grey and white
    Automatic: No

    The best overall dog-proof cat litter box is the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box. This box allows your kitty to freely come and go through the lid of the box through a hole that is big enough for your cat but too small for most large dogs. The grooved lid helps prevent litter tracking and the overall size makes it big enough for just about any kitty to use. It includes a free litter scoop that is color-coordinated to the litter box. The lid is removable for easy cleaning, but it’s not loose enough for a dog to remove.

    Small kittens, senior cats, and cats with limited mobility may have difficulty using this box since it requires jumping in and out. Some people find the rounded interior corners difficult to cleanly scoop litter from.

    Pros
    • Allows cat to come and go through a hole in the secure lid
    • Keeps most dogs out
    • Grooved lid to prevent litter tracking
    • Color-coordinated litter scoop is included
    • Lid removes for easy cleaning
    • The lid is not easily removed by a pet
    Cons
    • May be difficult for some cats to use
    • Rounded corners may make scooping difficult

    2. Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box Large – Best Value

    Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box

    Size: 2” x 15.4” x 15”
    Entry Method: Top
    Color: Grey and white, black and white
    Automatic: No

    For tight budgets, the best dog-proof cat litter box for the money is the Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box Large. This top entry litter box allows your cat to come and go without your dog being able to squeeze its head in. The textured lid reduces litter tracking and can be removed or tilted open for easy cleaning. When you tilt the lid open, loose litter on top slides back in, making for mess-free cleaning. It’s made from durable, recycled plastic, so it should last a long time.

    This box looks similar to a storage box with a lid that snaps on, so it’s not the prettiest option for a litter box. This box also has rounded interior corners, so it may be difficult to cleanly scoop. Low mobility, senior, and young cats may have difficulty with this type of box.

    Pros
    • Best value
    • Allows cat to come and go through the hold in the secure lid
    • Textured lid to prevent litter tracking
    • Lid can be removed or tilted for mess-free cleaning
    • Durable, recycled plastic
    Cons
    • Not an attractive option
    • Rounded corners may make scooping difficult
    • May be difficult for some cats to use

    3. Whisker Litter-Robot Wi-Fi Self-Cleaning Litter Box – Premium Choice

    Whisker Litter-Robot automatic cat litter box

    Size: 25”x 27” x 29.5”
    Entry Method: Front
    Color: Beige, grey
    Automatic: Yes

    If you have a chunk of cash you can drop on a dog-proof litter box, the Whisker Litter-Robot Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box is top choice. This litter box cleans the box for you, removing all solid waste within minutes of your kitty using the box. It has a carbon-filtered waste drawer for waste to collect in, keeping your dog out of it. The front entry method is easier for most cats to use than top entry boxes. It uses Wi-Fi to allow you to keep track of your cat’s box usage via an app. You can also update settings, like how long after your cat uses the box that it runs a cleaning cycle, and monitor the status of the box itself via the app.

    This box goes for a premium price, so it’s not in many people’s budget. Some people report having difficulty training their cat to use an automatic box due to the risk of noise and movement with the cat nearby, although it should not go off with the cat in the box. It won’t be able to keep your dog out of the box before it runs its cleaning cycle, so it’s possible for your dog to still get into this box.

    Pros
    • Self-cleaning
    • Carbon-filtered waste drawer keeps waste away from dogs
    • The front entry is easy for most cats
    • Wi-Fi connection and app allow you to monitor your cat’s usage of the box
    • Cleaning cycle can be adjusted to specific time frames after use
    Cons
    • Premium price
    • May be difficult to train some cats to use it
    • Dogs may still get to waste before the cleaning cycle runs

    4. Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box – Best for Kittens

    Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box (1)

    Size: 5” x 22.5” x 19”
    Entry Method: Front
    Color: Pearl linen, titanium, nickel
    Automatic: No

    If you need a kitten-friendly box that also keeps your dog out, the Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter box is the best option. This dome-shaped box has a set of covered stairs for your cat to enter and exit by. Unless your dog is Inspector Gadget, it will be unable to reach its head all the way back and into the box. The textured stairs help reduce litter tracking, and the front entry stair method is extremely easy for cats of all ages and mobility statuses to use. There is space at the top of the dome for a filter to help control smells.

    This box is quite large and due to its dome shape, it takes up a lot of space, so it is difficult to hide or camouflage in a home. The rounded interior corners can be difficult to clean litter from. The interior size of this box may be too small for large cats to properly use without a mess.

    Pros
    • The best option for kittens
    • Covered stairs and dome shape help keep dogs out
    • Textured stairs help prevent litter tracking
    • The front entry is easy for most cats
    • Space in the top for a filter to reduce smells
    Cons
    • Takes up a lot of space
    • Doesn’t blend into home décor
    • Interior may be too small for large cats to use

    5. ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Auto Self-Cleaning Litter Box

    PetSafe ScoopFree Original Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Ultra

    Size: 5” x 19” x 16.5”
    Entry Method: Top
    Color: Blue and grey
    Automatic: Yes

    The ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box is another good self-cleaning option at a lower price. This covered box senses your cat in it and runs a cleaning cycle after use, scooping all solid waste into an enclosed drawer. The crystal litter for this box absorbs urine and helps control smells for up to 30 days for a single cat. The top entry and rapid cleaning cycle after use both work to keep dogs out of the box. It also has a built-in health counter so you can track your cat’s litter box usage. The lid is textured to prevent litter tracking.

    This litter box can only use ScoopFree crystal litter trays, which can become expensive, especially in a multi-cat home. It’s recommended to keep this litter box unplugged until your kitten is at least 6 months of age, and the top entry may be difficult for some cats to use.

    Pros
    • Runs a cleaning cycle shortly after use
    • Stores solid waste in an enclosed drawer
    • Crystal litter helps control odors for up to 30 days
    • Built-in health counter helps you track your cat’s box usage
    • The textured lid helps prevent litter tracking
    Cons
    • Can only use ScoopFree crystal litter trays
    • Litter trays can become expensive quickly
    • Must be left unplugged for kittens under 6 months of age
    • May be difficult for some cats to use

    6. Smarty Pear Leo’s Loo Covered Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

    Smarty Pear Leo’s Self-Cleaning Litter Box

    Size: 6” x 24.8” x 26”
    Entry Method: Front
    Color: White
    Automatic: Yes

    The Smart Pear Leo’s Loo Covered Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box is another solid automatic litter box option for keeping dogs out of your cat’s poo. It features a large display and easy setup, as well as usage tracking. It automatically removes solid waste after use and deposits it into a filtered drawer to help prevent smells. Ambient lighting allows for ease of use at night, and it operates more quietly than most household appliances.

    This litter box comes at a premium price and is likely out of most people’s budget. Although front entry, the entrance is relatively high on this box. While there is a small step, it won’t be super helpful to kittens and low-mobility kitties. The waste drawer on this model is small, so it needs to be emptied frequently, even with just one cat.

    Pros
    • Large display, easy setup, and ambient lighting
    • Usage tracking
    • Filtered waste drawer
    • Self-cleaning
    • Operates quietly
    Cons
    • Premium price
    • High entrance
    • May be difficult for some cats to use
    • Small waste drawer means frequent emptying and cleaning

    7. Kitangle Top Entry Cat Litter Box Large

    Kitangle Top Entry Cat Litter Box Large

    Size: 25” x 17.75” x 16.5”
    Entry Method: Top
    Color: Black, grey, white
    Automatic: No

    The Kitangle Top Entry Cat Litter Box Large is a good option to keep dogs out of the box because it fits perfectly into a corner. The top entry is near the back of the box, putting it far away from the reach of most dogs. It’s high-walled and helps contain smells. It has a wide entrance, allowing most cats to come and go. The lid is easy to remove for cleaning.

    Since it’s a top entry box, some cats may struggle to use this box. The curved internal wall on the front may make scooping litter difficult. The top of the box is smooth, so it doesn’t do as well to catch litter as textured options. Although it fits in a corner, this box is quite large and does require a bit of space.

    Pros
    • Fits in a corner
    • Entry is too far back for most dogs to reach
    • High walls and lid help contain smells and urine leakage
    • Wide entrance
    • Lid removes easily for cleaning
    Cons
    • May be difficult for some cats to use
    • Curved internal wall may make scooping difficult
    • The lid isn’t textured
    • Requires quite a bit of space
    • Premium price

    8. Good Pet Stuff Hidden Cat Litter Planter

    Good Pet Stuff Hidden Cat Litter Planter

    Size: 36” x 19” x 19”
    Entry Method: Front
    Color: Terracotta
    Automatic: No

    The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Cat Litter Planter is a nice option for keeping your dog out of the litter box if you have a corner to face the box into. This is an open front box that is disguised to look like a large potted plant. It has a large opening that a dog could easily fit its head into. However, if you have a space where you can face the box toward a corner or a wall so that the cat can still come and go but the dog can’t get into the box, it could work well. The high walls and overlapping track between the lid and base keep urine and smell inside.

    A dog committed to getting into the litter box could get into this, even if you faced it into a corner. Some people report their cats chewing on the faux plant and moss. This box takes up a lot of space, so it isn’t for many households or small spaces, and the high entrance may be difficult for kittens to use.

    Pros
    • Disguised as home décor
    • High walls and overlapping tracks prevent urine leaks
    • The large opening is easy for most cats to use
    Cons
    • The opening is large enough for most dogs
    • Cats may chew on the faux plant and moss
    • Takes up a lot of space
    • High entrance may be difficult for kittens to maneuver through

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    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog-Proof Litter Boxes

    Why Should I Bother with Keeping My Dog Out of the Litter Box?

    Although it’s gross for dogs to eat poop, many people feel like it’s not a huge deal. Most of the time, it isn’t, but it can be. There are a few good reasons you should work to keep your dog out of the cat box. The first is the risk of parasite and disease transmission. Intestinal worms and certain types of dangerous infections can be passed through fecal matter, so if your cat somehow acquired something, it would be passed to your dog.

    Another huge reason to keep your dog out of the cat box is that dogs tend to put their mouths on us and our things. Whether licking our faces or hands or chewing on household items and toys that we then pick up, we routinely come into contact with our dog’s mouths. This opens the risk of disease and parasite transmission to us as well.

    Allowing your dog to get into the litter box encourages bad behavior and is of no benefit to your dog. It can also cause your cat to feel stressed about its litter box, which can lead to inappropriate urination and defecation in your home.

    Choosing the Right Dog-Proof Litter Box to Meet Your Needs

    Choosing the best litter box for your cat that also keeps your dog out means you’ll have to consider your cat’s age, size, and mobility. Cats with decreased mobility due to age or medical conditions will likely have difficulty using a top entry litter box. Small kittens may also struggle with this type of box. Kittens that are learning to use a litter box will need a box that is easy for them to maneuver in and out of to prevent messes and accidents. Be patient with your cat as you transition to or add a new box. Cats can be picky and may not take to the new addition right away.

    Final Thoughts

    The best overall option for a dog-proof litter box is the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box, which is functional and works well for many cats. If you have a kitten, the Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box is a great option due to its ease of entry for cats, while still keeping dogs out. If you’re interested in a high-quality automatic litter box, the Whisker Litter-Robot Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box is the best option for its functionality and features. No matter what you choose, be patient with your cat as it adjusts to a new box and work on training your dog to leave the litter box alone.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock

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