Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats

There are hundreds, if not thousands of different kinds of litter boxes available today. Some litter boxes are designed to be very tough, some are designed for odor control, and some prioritize size. No matter the type of litter box you have, things get really interesting when multiple cats all share the same litter box.

The best litter box for multiple cats is often actually quite different from the best litter box for a single cat. Overall size, pan depth, accessibility, and litter containment are all features that aren’t frequently thought about in single cat households, but they’re essential to consider when finding a litter box for your family of fantastic felines.

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   Product

OUR #1 RATED

Van Ness​High Sides Cat Litter Pan

Keeps litter contained with very high sides, plenty of room for multiple cats, and is made from an easy to clean plastic.

Nature’s Miracle​Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Corner Cat Litter Box

One of the largest litter boxes available that fits nicely in the corner of a room and features a very deep pan.

Frisco​High Sided Cat Litter Box

Features a very large surface area and is constructed from a high-quality, non-stick plastic.

Van Ness​Enclosed Cat Litter Pan

A very deep litter pan and overall large size that’s enclosed to easily contain litter and bad odors.

FriscoDeluxe Hooded Cat Litter Box With Scoop

Large covered base contains odors and litter while providing enough room for multiple cats to use.

Should You Use Multiple Litter Boxes Instead?

The first thing that we must consider is the possibility of using multiple litter boxes for your family of multiple cats. While a single litter box does have its benefits (that will be discussed in the next section), there are many reasons why it would be in the best interest of you and your cat to own multiple boxes:

• Cats require space – If you’ve ever owned a cat, this fact is obvious. Cats are not pack animals, so making sure that they have adequate space is a key for a happy life. This is even more important when it comes to their bathroom space, which is a very private space already. Fortunately, cats tend to stick to a loose schedule in terms of bathroom usage, so there’s a good chance that your cats will simply use the bathroom at different times.
• Cats have turf – Not only do cats require their own territory, but they’re very protective over it. There’s a chance that if several cats all use the same box, one cat will try and be the alpha and take over control. This problem can even exist with multiple litter boxes if they’re too close together. While this isn’t a problem with some cats, it can be a problem with others.
• One box requires more maintenance – When you have several cats using the same litter box, it’s going to get dirtier a lot quicker and will require more cleaning. Fortunately, there are litters for multiple cats that are better at handling these situations, but it will still require closer monitoring.
• Hard to monitor health – Speaking of monitoring, it’s a bit more difficult to do that when your cats share a bathroom. One common way to monitor your cat’s health is by inspecting their waste — it can tell you a lot about your cat! There are also some litters that are designed to change colors in certain situations. When several cats go to the bathroom in the same place, without monitoring the box it’s impossible to tell which cat is producing which waste.
• Cats have different needs – All cats are different, too! If you have one litter box, you need to hope that it’s up to the standards of all of your cats. A single type of litter is going to be used, and this prevents you from providing each cat with a litter that’s best for them. Additionally, all cats may not agree on the design of the box, with some cats preferring a closed area and others needing an open box.

When A Single Litter Box Works Best

There are several reasons why multiple litter boxes may be a good choice. However, a strong case can also be made for a single litter box household. Some of the most common benefits of a single litter box for multiple cats are:

• Saves space – Litter boxes take up space, especially if they’re some of the more fancy ones with a cover or self-cleaning abilities. If you have a home that’s smaller or doesn’t have a lot of free space, fitting multiple boxes into it comfortably simply isn’t an easy task. One communal box will save a lot of space and keep the smell confined to a single area, not spread out around your residence!​​
• Simple to maintain – When you’ve got one litter box, you have fewer boxes that you need to monitor and keep clean. Of course, a single litter box will get dirtier quicker, but it will still generally save time only having to monitor one.
• Saves money – Litter boxes aren’t free, although we wish they were. If you’re opting to go for a more advanced litter box, the price of several of them can definitely add up. Fortunately, there are litters available that can easily handle multiple cats, so you can save a lot of money while not having many drawbacks.

How To Maintain Your Litter Box

You could have the fanciest litter box in the world, but if it isn’t well-maintained then it’s just as good as any other dirty litter box out there. There are several things that you’ll want to do regularly to keep a clean and safe litter box.

Regular maintenance is the main way that you’re going to keep your cats’ litter box clean. This allows you to keep the filth from building up and makes your cleaning job a lot easier. So, make sure that your cat’s litter box is emptied daily – especially when there are multiple cats using it. Using a sifting scoop makes this process very simple and avoids unnecessary wasting of litter.

The actual litter box must also be cleaned, as poop and litter can get stuck to it after a little bit. The best way to do this is empty the litter box out about once a week or every other week and scrub it down with a mixture of water and vinegar for a safe yet effective cleaning. When you scoop the litter daily, this task won’t need to be done as frequently.

Finally, the litter that you use is, of course, very important when it comes to litter box cleanliness. You’ll want a litter that clumps adequately to make it easier to scoop. You will also want a litter that’s fantastic with odor control, as multiple cats using a litter box never smells fantastic. Finally, a litter that has larger grains or crystals is a bit neater and doesn’t stick to a cat’s paws easily.

What Defines The Best Litter Boxes?

Not all litter boxes are meant for multiple cats. If you choose the wrong litter box, then you could actually see some problems such as your cats not wanting to use the litter box at all! Therefore, there are a few key features of the best litter box for multiple cats that you’ll want to take into account:

• Large size – The best litter box for multiple cats is, of course, bigger than your standard litter box. This larger size isn’t so much to hold multiple cats at once — it’s more so to offer lots of room to accompany all the waste that your cats produce! This makes it more comfortable for them so that they don’t have to maneuver around the waste.
• Deep base – Cat litter boxes for multiple cats generally have a deeper base. This feature is to allow for a deeper layer of cat litter, which is essential in a litter box that gets a lot of traffic. A deep layer of litter is important because cats want to bury their waste, which is very difficult in a shallow litter box that gets used quite a bit.
• Large entrance – If you have multiple cats, sometimes they will want to use the litter box at the same time. If this is the case, then a larger entrance and exit on the litter box will make this a lot easier and more comfortable. Of course, if you’re investing in an open litter box, this won’t be a problem.
• Easy cleaning – A good amount of owners that use one litter box for multiple cats opt to spend a bit more money and get a litter box that’s a lot easier to clean. This can involve a special-shaped box for accessibility or a high-tech box that has built-in filtering and cleaning systems. These aren’t essential, but they’d make maintenance a lot easier for you.

What Is The Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats?

As stated, not all litter boxes are meant for multiple cats. The best litter box for multiple cats is sized appropriately to make the cats a lot more comfortable and make maintenance a lot easier for you. That’s why we’ve found and reviewed the 5 best litter boxes for multiple cats — to help make your decision a lot easier and more informed.

our #1 rated

OUR TOP PICK

Van Ness

High Sides Cat Litter Pan

Quality​

Value​

Our Rating

Van Ness is another prominent figure in the pet supplies space, and this litter box they’ve created is excellent. The very high sides contain the litter easily and allow for a deeper layer of litter to be laid. There is a slightly lowered lip in the front for easier access, but it’s not low enough to where it causes major litter spillage from the area. In addition to the very large size, this box has a high-polished finish that makes it odor and stain resistant and very easy to clean. It’s also made from 20% recycled content that’s 100% safe.Most cat owners love this box. Multiple cat households have no problem sharing this box, as it’s plenty big enough to contain all of their waste. Additionally, the high sides are a hit, as they allow for very minimal litter spillage with cats that dig vigorously. The sides are also very slick which makes it a breeze for owners to clean quickly.This box has the same problem almost all uncovered boxes have – it doesn’t fully contain all of the litter. While the sides are higher than most boxes that you’ll find, they’re not high enough to where they’ll entirely contain litter that’s being kicked around. However, it definitely does the trick for several well-behaved cats.

PROS​

• Very high sides
• Plastic is odor and stain resistant
• Plenty of room for multiple cats

CONS

• Doesn’t fully contain the litter

our #2 rated

Nature’s Miracle

Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Corner Cat Litter Box

Quality​

Value​

Our Rating

This litter box is a bit different from all of the other ones in this list, but that’s not a bad thing. Nature’s Miracle has created a little box with the needs of multiple picky cats in mind. First of all, the shape of this box is excellent, as it can fit nicely into the corner of a room. This makes it fit into a space easier, keeps it out of the way, and makes it more comfortable for cats. The high walls of this box help to prevent a good portion of the litter spillage, and they’re also non-stick and antimicrobial to reduce litter buildup and makes cleaning very fast and easy.Most owners say that this litter box exceeded their expectations. Households of two to three cats are more than pleased with the space that this box provides, and the high walls help to keep everything contained. Cats that have issues with peeing over the side of boxes stop having that problem thanks to the design and height of this litter box. Owners also love how easy it is to clean.Although the box is supposedly non-stick, some owners find that that’s not the case. While most owners say it’s easy to clean, a couple struggle to clean the clumps out of it. On top of this, it’s also a bit awkward to clean for a handful of owners, but more than meets the needs of most others.

PROS​

• One of the largest litter boxes available
• Corner shape to fit nicely into a room
• Very high walls

CONS

• Difficult for some people to clean

our #3 rated

Frisco

High Sided Cat Litter Box

Quality​

Value​

Our Rating

Frisco is one of the leading manufacturers of cat products, and litter boxes are one of their strongest areas. This extra large, high-sided litter box is one of the best possible choices for a household of multiple cats. It has a lowered front to allow for easy access, and the high sides and back do an excellent job at containing the litter and cat waste. The high walls reduce the need for a protective cover, and this makes it a much more accessible and easy to clean box. It’s constructed with high-quality plastic that has no problem standing up to scratching and digging, so it should last for years. Additionally, it’s BPA-free and recyclable, making it an environmentally conscious choice as well.Cat owners that decided to go with this litter box are very happy with their choice. They report that the high sides contain most of the litter easily, and the large surface area of the base gives plenty of room for multiple cats. Additionally, many owners like the construction of this box, noting that almost nothing sticks to it which makes it very easy to clean.The downside to this box is the lower front. While it does allow for easier access, it also gives an open area for litter to get kicked out. This problem isn’t terrible due to 3 of the 4 sides being very high, but it’s still an issue. If you do decide to go with this litter box, you may need a litter mat in the front of it.

PROS​

• Very large surface area
• High-quality, non-stick plastic
• High, strong walls

CONS

• Litter can spill out the front

our #4 rated

Van Ness

Enclosed Cat Litter Pan

Quality​

Value​

Our Rating

This second litter box by Van Ness in our list provides a few different features from their standard high sides cat litter pan. This box is also pretty large, but comes with the added benefit of having a cover. this cover does an excellent job at containing any litter that gets kicked around as well as the smells multiple cats can produce. The walls themselves are extremely high and well-polished, resulting in a finish that’s odor and stain resistant and very easy to clean.Owners of multiple cats are generally very pleased with this litter box as well! The size is more than enough for their multiple cats, and the cover locks in place to keep everything nice and contained. The floor and walls are notably very easy to keep clean, and it’s easily accessible for cleaning despite the fact that it’s covered.One issue with this box lies in the fact that the door is pretty bad. The door snaps into place, but a lot of owners have trouble keeping the door on the actual box. I personally own this box, and I have experienced the same problem. Fortunately, my cat doesn’t like the door, so keeping it off is no problem. This doesn’t help with the odor, though.

PROS​

• Very large size
• Deep litter pan
• Enclosed to contain litter and bad odors

CONS

• Door doesn’t stay attached

our #5 rated

Frisco

Deluxe Hooded Cat Litter Box With Scoop

Quality​

Value​

Our Rating

The top 3 spaces were given to open-top litter boxes, as most cats are picky and don’t want their litter boxes covered. However, if your cats are fine with a covered box, this Frisco Deluxe Hooded box would make an excellent choice. The covered top helps to contain litter and cat spray very easily, while the translucent door provides easy access and visibility for the cats inside. The cover also comes with a charcoal filter and ventilation to help cut down on the smell of multiple cats. The handle on top allows for easy transportation, and the cover comes right off when it’s time to scoop and clean the box.Owners of multiple cats state that their cats have more than enough room in the box even after several days of being unscooped. The covered lid captures most, if not all of the litter that’s kicked around, and it noticeably cuts back on bad smells. The added litter scoop is the icing on the cake for this litter box.Most owners have no issue with the quality, but a small handful do – noting that the quality of the door and latches is a bit spotty. A couple of owners have received their boxes cracked, too, but Frisco is very good in terms of customer service and deals with the problem appropriately. Other than the slight quality issues, there’s no glaring complaints with this box.

PROS​

• Plenty of room for multiple cats
• Covered top stops spilled litter and bad smells
• Added charcoal filter and litter scooper

CONS

• Some quality issues with the door and latches

Our Choice

All of the litter boxes that we have reviewed are more than suitable for multiple cats. When you’ve got a household of several felines, you need to ensure that you’re meeting all of their needs. That’s why you should take special care in picking the right litter box for your household.After analyzing all of the litter boxes available on the market, we’ve determined that the best litter box for multiple cats is the Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan.This litter box is a combination of great function and value that would make any owner happy. The high sides and deep pan ensure that the large amounts of litter are contained, and the overall size allows for many uses before it needs to be scooped and cleaned.