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8 Best Litter Boxes for Older Cats – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Hallie Roddy

By Hallie Roddy

Cat in a litter box As much as it pains us to see our kitties grow old, there comes a time when senior cats just can’t function how they used to. Many times, this means they start doing their business outside of the litter box and leaving unwelcome surprises for you on the floor. This is a frustrating time for everyone, including the cat. Their bodies are changing, and they don’t have any other way to tell you that their old litter box isn’t working for them anymore. If you start to notice these sorts of changes, it’s time to make your home more accessible for them in every way that you can. We have gathered the top reviews on the internet to find you the perfect new litter box for your senior kitties.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box
  • Reduces litter tracking
  • Charcoal filter
  • Multiple colors
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Nature's Miracle Corner Cat Litter Box Nature's Miracle Corner Cat Litter Box
  • Affordable
  • Low entryway
  • Easy to clean
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
  • Entrance ramp
  • Low maintenance
  • Minimizes odors
  • Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan
  • Low entry for both seniors and kittens
  • High walls
  • Curved corners for easy cleaning
  • KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box
  • Designed for seniors with hip issues
  • Wide and low opening
  • Different sizes and colors
  • The 8 Best Litter Boxes for Older Cats

    1. Booda Dome Cleanstep Cat Litter Box – Best Overall

    Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box

    Dimensions 22.5 x 22.5 x 19 inches
    Entry height 1 inch
    Material Plastic

    One of the best overall litter boxes for older cats that we have found is the Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box. What makes this box so appealing for senior cats is that the entryway starts from ground level and has a gradual ramp that makes it easy for older cats to move in and out of. The dome is perfect for owners because it stops them from having to pick up litter that their cats aren’t doing as well of a job keeping inside the litter box anymore. It’s also nice because it keeps other pets in the house from snooping around in there. However, some smaller dog breeds still might break-in.

    This box is excellent at absorbing odors because of the built-in charcoal filter. The plastic material makes it easy to clean, and the large size is suitable for all cat breeds. Better yet, there are three different colors to choose from so that it looks sleek in every home.

    Pros
    • Gradual ramp for easy climbing
    • Reduces litter tracking
    • Charcoal filter
    • Multiple colors
    • Large enough for all cat breeds
    Cons
    • Small dogs may go inside

    2. Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Corner Cat Litter Box – Best Value

    Nature's Miracle high sided corner cat litter box

    Dimensions 23 x 26 x 10 inches
    Entry height 6.625 inches
    Material Plastic

    It’s tough to find a litter box for senior cats that doesn’t take up much space, is affordable, and still lets them do their business with ease. The best litter box for older cats for the money is the Nature’s Miracle high-sided corner litter box. This box’s main attraction might be the low price, but there is more to it than that. The angles design helps this box tuck perfectly into a small corner if you’re tight on space.

    The high sides of this box prevent litter from coming out, but the entryway is still low enough that your older cats won’t struggle to get in and out of them. Even though the odd shape seems like it might be too small, it is still plenty big enough for larger breeders. The bottom of the tray is completely flat as well to make cleaning up easy.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Low entryway
    • High sides minimize litter mess
    • Large for all cat breeds
    • Fits in corner
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Must go in corner of a room
    • No protection against smells

    3. LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box – Premium Choice

    LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box

    Dimensions 25.25 x 11 x 19,5 inches
    Entry height 8 inches
    Material Plastic

    If you’re really looking for the best of the best and willing to make your money worth your while, you can’t go wrong with the LitterMaid self-cleaning litter box. This box has a self-cleaning feature on a timer that rakes the clumps into a waste tray. This keeps their boxes always clean and minimizes the number of times they go outside of the litter box.

    The most important part of this litter box design in the gentle ramp that makes it easier for senior cats to climb into. The ramp is also covered in textured material to catch loose litter. Because the waste is also scooped up right away, it eliminates a lot of lingering odors. Unfortunately, it only supports cats that weigh up to 15 pounds. This is still sturdy but not enough support for some larger breeds.

    Pros
    • Entrance ramp
    • Ramp prevents loose litter
    • Low maintenance
    • Minimizes odors
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Only for cats under 15 pounds

    4. Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan

    Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan

    Dimensions 25 x 16.75 x 9 inches
    Entry height 3.5 inches
    Material Plastic

    The Lucky Champ cat litter pan is another great choice. The low entry point with an additional step is easy for all cats to use, especially those with reduced mobility. The walls are also high to keep litter off the floor. The plastic material is easy to clean, and the corners are curved to stop waste from getting stuck in tight corners.

    While affordable, the design is the biggest downfall of this box mainly because it looks more like an actual toilet than any of the other options. The rubber grips seem to be nice, but they may detach and aren’t as easy to clean.

    Pros
    • Low entry for both seniors and kittens
    • High walls
    • Curved corners for easy cleaning
    Cons
    • Less attractive design
    • Rubber handles not secure

    5. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box

    KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box

     

    Dimensions 24 x 20 x 5 inches
    Entry height 3 inches
    Material Plastic

    This litter box is designed specifically for senior cats that need extra help getting in and out of the tray. The opening is extra wide and only three inches tall. This is great for those with joint problems; however, the walls are also short and don’t prevent litter from flying out.

    This box comes in two different sizes depending on your cat breed. There are also three different colors to choose from. This box is a bit more expensive but is targeted for older cats with more health issues than others.

    Pros
    • Designed for seniors with hip issues
    • Wide and low opening
    • Different sizes and colors
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Doesn’t stop litter tracking
    • No odor prevention

    6. Frisco Open Top Cat Litter Box

    Frisco Open Top Cat Litter Box

    Dimensions 19.75 x 15.13 x 9.5 inches
    Entry height 5 inches
    Material Plastic

    If you’re really trying to stick to a low budget, one of the cheapest options out there for older cats is the Frisco open-top cat litter box. While the price is great and it has high walls to keep litter inside the box, it also has one of the highest entry points on the list, making it harder for older cats to maneuver. It does come in two different colors, but there are reports that the low price reflects the cheap material as it isn’t the sturdiest of all the options.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • High walls
    Cons
    • Flimsy material
    • Tall entryway

    7. Whisker World Designer Litter Box

    Whisker World Designer Plastic cat litter box

    Dimensions 21 x 14 x 8 inches
    Entry height 4.5 inches
    Material Clear plastic

    Litter boxes are anything but good-looking. This Whisker World litter box is one of the few sleek models that looks modern and clean. It has extra-tall walls that keep litter and urine inside the box, and the entryway is lower for senior cats to climb into.

    Other than the pretty design, the open concept of it doesn’t contain any odors. You can also see through the material, which may be more unappealing than anything else. However, you do see if you missed any spots during cleanup.

    Pros
    • Sleek design
    • Tall walls
    Cons
    • Doesn’t contain odors
    • Clear material that makes waste more visible
    • Expensive

    8. Van Ness Cat Litter Pan

    Van Ness Cat Litter Pan

    Dimensions 14.88 x 18.38 x 5 inches
    Entry height 5 inches
    Material Plastic

    This is the absolute cheapest option out there, and it comes in four different sizes. However, cheap isn’t always best. Even though the low-sided design of all four walls is good for easy entry, this makes it even easier for waste to make it outside the box. The material is flimsy, and it doesn’t do a good job of holding odors in. If you’re only looking for something easy for your older cats to get in and out of, this could be a good choice for those on a budget.

    Pros
    • Very affordable
    • All walls are low
    Cons
    • Flimsy
    • Doesn’t contain odors
    • Lots of messes outside of box

    hepper-single-cat-paw-divider-e1614923017121Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Litter Boxes for Older Cats

    Older cats have many more health issues than younger ones that makes moving in and out of their boxes a significant problem. If you really want to stop them from going to the bathroom out of the box, or even just make the experience more enjoyable, you must know what you’re looking for.

    Ease of Entry

    The most critical aspect of boxes for senior cats is the ability to get in and out of their boxes with ease. Many older cats have hip and arthritis issues that make big movements more painful than when they were young Low-sided boxes or entryways and necessary for older cats.

    Chinchila persian cat using toilet litter box
    Image Credit: catinsyrup, Shutterstock

    Minimal Messes

    Nobody likes having to clean up litter and other waste from the floors. Look for products that have high walls or other features that help keep the litter where it is supposed to be and stop you from grabbing the broom and sweeping up messes every day.

    Reducing Odors

    Many cat owners agree that the only downside to owning a cat is the smell of the litter box. Charcoal filters are a great way to keep these smells contained. If those types of boxes are out of your price range, look for some that have a cover so that they are completely open to seep through the rest of your home. Also, only buy litter box materials that are easy to clean.

    If you're tired of all the smells and stains that come with pet parenting, you should check out the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. Okay, it's our product, so we may be biased – but we love it so much, we just have to share it! It permanently removes even the very worst smells and stains, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
    • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
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    Aesthetic

    The look of the litter box isn’t the most important design feature, but a lot of people enjoy having something that doesn’t scream, “Look at this ugly cat toilet!” Thankfully, there are many litter box designs that feature good looks and functionality together.

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    Conclusion

    Our older cats have given us years of happy memories, and why not make their last few years with you as painless and easy as possible? Switching out their old litter box for something more reasonable is an easy way to show them how much you love them. For the best overall litter box for older cats, go with the Booda Dome Cleanstep box. If looking for something more reasonably priced that works just as well, the Nature’s Miracle high-sided litter box is the best overall value. Now that you have options, skim through these reviews to see which will make your senior cat the happiest.

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