5 Best High-Sided Cat Litter Box For Messy Cats

Cats May 13, 2022
Written by | Updated Apr 8, 2024
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5 Best High-Sided Cat Litter Box For Messy Cats

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A cat litter box is designed to contain certain things – cat litter, of course, as well as waste in both liquid and solid form. The problem is that your cat digs around in the litter before and after doing its business, which means that some of it sticks to its paws and ends up all over the floor.

If your cat is a particularly vigorous digger, it may even fling litter out of the box. One of the simplest things you can do to mitigate both of these issues is switch to a high-sided litter box.

In this article, we’ll talk about tips for preventing spills and tracking and provide some insight into choosing the right litter box for your cat. We’ll also show you our top 5 picks for the best high-sided litter boxes for cats.

Compare Best High-Sided Cat Litter Box For Messy Cats

Overall Best
Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan

1. Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan

Best Hooded Corner Litter Box
Nature's Miracle Just For Cats Advanced Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box

2. Nature's Miracle Just For Cats Advanced Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box

Best Affordable
Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box

3. Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box

BEST REGULAR HIGH-SIDED LITTER BOX
IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield

4. IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield

Best For Multiple Cats
Petmate Litter Pan

5. Petmate Litter Pan

Type
Open
Type
Hooded
Type
Open
Type
Open
Type
Litter Pan
Size
17.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches
Size
27x23x20 inches
Size
24x18x10 inches
Size
19x15x11.75 inches
Size
22.05 x 16.55 x 6.5 inches
Features
High sides, stain-resistant
Features
Hooded, corner, charcoal filter
Features
High-sided, deep, extra-large
Features
Connectible shield, polished interior
Features
Eco-friendly Plastic

What To Look For In A High-sided Litter Box?

Shopping for a high-sided litter box might seem easy – you just need to look for a box with taller walls than average. What you may not realize, however, is that there are other factors to consider and you need to think about the details to make the best possible choice for your cats.

Here are some important things to look for in a high-sided litter box:

  • Size – If you’re worried about litter being flung all over the place, choose a slightly larger box so your cat has more room to dig. Size is particularly important if you have multiple cats.
  • Cover – Adding a cover to your litter box gives your cat a little more privacy and may help to contain litter and urine spray as well.
  • Entrance – When choosing a high-sided litter box, make sure the entrance is still at a manageable height for your cat.
  • Shape – High-sided litter boxes come in all shapes and sizes, so think about where you want to put the litter box before choosing a shape.

Our Top Picks For The Best High-Sided Cat Litter Box For Messy Cats

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a high-sided litter box, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best high-sided litter boxes for cats.

Overall Best
1.

Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan

Product Info

  • Type: Open
  • Size: 17.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches
  • Features: High sides, stain-resistant
Pros
  • Very affordable price tag
  • Odor- and stain-resistant for easy cleaning
  • Minimizes litter scatter and urine spray
Cons
  • Entrance may be too high for very small cats and kittens
  • Materials may be less durable than more expensive models
Not only is the Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan one of the best high-sided litter boxes, but it is also one of the most affordable. It comes in two generous sizes perfect for large cats and multi-cat households, both of which are odor- and stain-resistant. These boxes can accommodate several inches of litter while still leaving room for your cat to dig. What more do you need?
Best Hooded Corner Litter Box
2.

Nature's Miracle Just For Cats Advanced Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Hooded
  • Size: 27x23x20 inches
  • Features: Hooded, corner, charcoal filter
Pros
  • High sides to accommodate more litter
  • Replaceable charcoal filter for odor control
  • Space-saving corner design
Cons
  • No handle for easy cleaning/transport
  • Liquid may leak through the seams with spray
Many litter boxes take up a significant amount of floor space, especially when you start getting into the bigger sizes. The Nature’s Miracle Advanced Hooded Corner Litter Box is another story – it features a unique shape designed to fit in a corner. Plus, it is hooded to give your cat an extra degree of privacy while also doing a better job to contain litter and urine spray. As a bonus, it has a replaceable carbon filter to help minimize litter box odor.
Best Affordable
3.

Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Open
  • Size: 24x18x10 inches
  • Features: High-sided, deep, extra-large
Pros
  • High sides to contain litter with less spray/fling
  • High-quality plastic materials for durability
  • Cleans easily with soap and water
Cons
  • May not contain odors as well as hooded litter boxes
  • High sides may be difficult for smaller cats
You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot on a high-sided litter pan, even if you need one that’s big enough for large or multiple cats. The Frisco High-Sided Cat Litter Box is very affordable, and it is made from durable, high-quality plastic. It has high enough sides to contain litter and waste, but the entrance isn’t so high that the average cat has trouble stepping over it. It comes in a variety of different sizes as well, so you can choose the best one for your cat.
BEST REGULAR HIGH-SIDED LITTER BOX
4.

IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield

Product Info

  • Type: Open
  • Size: 19x15x11.75 inches
  • Features: Connectible shield, polished interior
Pros
  • Very affordable for a 2-piece kit
  • Polished interior easy to clean
  • Shield adds height to the sides for less mess
Cons
  • Connection points may wear out over time
  • Entrance may be too high for kittens and small cats
If a regular high-sided litter box still isn’t enough, try the IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield. The litter box itself is very deep (11.75 inches) with the added bonus of a shield to further prevent litter and urine spray from exiting the box. The interior is polished as well to keep things from sticking and to make your job of cleaning the litter box as easy as possible.
Best For Multiple Cats
5.

Petmate Litter Pan

Product Info

  • Type: Litter Pan
  • Size: 22.05 x 16.55 x 6.5 inches
  • Features: Eco-friendly Plastic
Pros
  • Compatible with litter liners for easy cleaning
  • Very affordable price tag
  • Built-in handles for moving and cleaning
Cons
  • May be too high for some cats to jump into easily
  • Less sturdy and durable than some models
If a regular high-sided litter box isn’t enough to prevent your cat from flinging litter or spraying urine, you might try another approach – a top-entry litter pan.

These litter boxes are completely enclosed to contain the litter (and other things) more effectively. Plus, the top entry feature makes sure that more litter falls off your cat’s paws as he exits to minimize tracking. The Petmate Litter Pan is affordably priced and the generous size is great for multi-cat households.

Tips For Preventing Spills And Tracking

If you’re a cat owner, dealing with cat litter is a fact of life. Not only do you need to buy it and lug it home from the store, but you need to keep it on hand and constantly scoop the litter box to keep things fresh. You shouldn’t be surprised if you find litter on the floor after all of this, but there are things you can do to prevent your cat from flinging extra litter out of the box to help things along.

Here are some simple tips for controlling spills and tracking:

  • Switch your litter box. Sometimes switching to a litter box with higher sides or larger dimensions is enough to reduce spills.
  • Choose a different litter. Some cat litter is heavier than others and heavier litter with larger granules tends to track less – it may also be more difficult for your cat to fling it around.
  • Add a lid or shield. If you don’t want to buy a new litter box, try adding a lid or a shield to give the sides more height to help prevent spills and spray.
  • Place your box somewhere else. If you have exhausted all other options, you might consider one last resort – placing your litter box inside a larger tub to contain litter and waste.

In addition to choosing a high-sided litter box to contain litter and waste, you might consider adding an extra layer of protection with a litter mat to capture litter as your cat leaves the box.

Final Remarks

Choosing a litter box sometimes require a bit of trial and error. Cats are notoriously picky, so you may not know which litter box your cat will prefer until you try one (or several). When choosing a litter box, just keep in mind the features you want – like high sides to contain litter fling and urine spray. From there, consider the options and choose the best one within your price range.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a high-sided litter box, try out one of the top 5 best options we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!

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Kate Barrington is avid pet lover and adoring owner of three cats and one dog, her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. She has been writing about pet care and pet products since 2010
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