No one likes litter messes, but they seem like an inevitable part of cat ownership, right? Your cat always walks into their litter box, does their thing, and then comes out with litter on their feet and between their little kitty toes.
Your cat then strides across the living room floor, onto your couch, or even on your bed, tracking gritty litter with them. They repeat this multiple times a day, whenever they have to use the bathroom, really.
If you’ve always wished there was a better way to contain your cat’s litter messes, then wait until you see this list of top-entry litter boxes. With the way your cat enters and exits the box, you can finally stop sweeping up nasty litter clumps from your floors and carpets all the time. We’re even including a helpful Q&A at the end of this article, so keep reading! You won’t want to miss it.
What Is a Top-Entry Litter Box?
The design of a top-entry litter box minimizes litter messes exceptionally well. To use the box, your cat enters from the top, hence the name top-entry. Then they drop down into the box, go to the bathroom, and climb their way out when they’re done.
These boxes often contain holes inside that let the litter settle to the bottom from the top. All this results in much fewer litter messes tracked throughout your home or apartment. You’ll have to bust out the dustpan far less often, and kitty won’t feel any litter between their toes. It’s great for both of you!
The Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes
Now that we’ve explained what a top-entry litter box is, you’re probably thinking of getting one for your cat. If so, look no further. This comprehensive list from Amazon offers plenty of options.
AmazonBasics Hooded Cat Litter Box
Our first pick from AmazonBasics is simple, inexpensive, but totally effective. The top of this litter box comes off so you can get in there and clean up all of kitty’s messes. When you want to reattach the top of this box, just snap it right back into place.
The textured roof will hold onto the litter your cat would normally track as they leave their box. This hooded top-entry box measures 20.1 inches by 15.4 inches by 15 inches. It has a spacious opening that cats can fit in, but not dogs.
The taller walls will never let urine leak out or excess litter spill. Its neutral color should match most décor, too.
Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
If you have a fancier cat who enjoys the posh things in life, don’t let them go without this Modkat top-entry litter box. With its sleek plastic base, you won’t mind showing this box off. It’s tall, with a height of 15 inches. It’s also 16 inches wide and 16 inches long with an entry diameter of nine inches.
The Modkat won awards for its design and has appeared in many a publication. It was even on the TV show My Cat From Hell. As soon as you see it, you’ll understand why. Modkat’s box has a swivel lid that you can close to reduce unwanted odors. You also get a hanging litter scoop for quickly dealing with messes. Modkat even includes their own brand of reusable liners to go in the box. You can get three months of clean with a single liner, and they never rip. Yes, even if your kitty scratches on them.
You can choose from two colors for your Modkat top-entry litter box: white or black.
Nature’s Miracle Top-Entry Litter Pan
Want another no-frills box? Try this one from Nature’s Miracle. It measures 25.5 inches by 8.8 inches by 20 inches and weighs about four pounds.
Ideal for a single cat, this plastic box looks more like the traditional litter box your kitty already uses. It’s about as long as it is tall, but that just means your cat’s adjustment period should be shorter.
IRIS Top-Entry Litter Box
Another highly-rated pick from many a cat owner and Amazon shopper, the IRIS top-entry box has the looks and the functionality. For instance, your box comes with a scooper for cleaning up soiled litter.
You can select from two sizes, medium or large. The medium box measures 12.20 inches tall, 13.39 inches wide, and 17.32 inches long. If you get the bigger box, it’s 14.56 inches tall, 16.14 inches wide, and 20.47 inches long. Inside the box, kitty gets lots of space, as the interior measures 14 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 20 inches long. At the most narrow part of the box, there’s a width of 13.5 inches and a length of 17.5 inches.
This appealing box has a chic, rounded design. The opening is nine inches tall and 10.5 inches wide, so kitties of all sizes should fit, but not dogs. IRIS’ box also has a grooved lid that keeps litter from coming out of the box from your kitty’s toes. The rubber feet at the bottom of the box won’t skid. Even if your cat gets a little rough as they do their bathroom thing, your top-entry litter box shouldn’t tip.
You can pick from several awesome colors, including seafoam/white, beige/white, brown/orange, white/gray, gray/dark gray, white/black, and gray/black.
Petmate Top-Entry Litter Pan
Another top pick for your kitty is this top-entry litter box by Petmate. It’s recommended you use Petmate’s Top Entry Litter Pan Liners to truly keep litter from getting tracked onto your floors or carpets.
The box has several features that make it so worthwhile. These include the recycled plastic base, an eco-friendly choice. It also has rounded edges for safety and cleaning, a hook for your scooper, and a textured lid. This practically wipes down your kitty’s feet so they leave the box with less litter.
This top-entry box measures 20.3 inches by 15.1 inches by 15.2 inches. It weighs less than four pounds and comes in an appealing pearl white and brushed nickel color scheme.
DADYPET Top-Entry Double-Door Litter Box
This double-doored litter box from DADYPET has two points of entry for a cat: a traditional front entry door (which revolves) and a top entry door. The activated charcoals that come in the box will keep those stinky bathroom smells from invading your home. You’ll also have fewer leaks thanks to the high-edged tray.
You get a swinging door stopper, a U-shaped cover, an upper cover, and a cat toilet with your order. The entire thing measures 21.6 inches by 18 inches by 19.3 inches. It’s a little heavier than some of the other boxes, as it weighs more than seven pounds.
Petsfit Double-Decker Litter Box Enclosure
The other week, we wrote an article about litter box benches or enclosures. This top-down box from Petsfit combines the best of both worlds. It has the fancy look of a litter box bench with entry from the top.
Read more: 9 Litter Box Benches You Should Check Out
The enclosure has a giant square-shaped opening at its highest point as well as a second circular opening inside. When fully assembled, it measures 21 inches by 23 inches by 25 inches. It’s much heavier, too, clocking in at 35 pounds.
With more than one story, you could let two cats use this top-down litter bench. If you have just one spoiled kitty, they’ll enjoy their own private hideaway here. You can even add your own litter box at the bottom if you feel so inclined, just make sure it’s 19 inches by 22 inches by 17 inches or smaller.
You will have to assemble this box, but it includes pre-drilled holes to make the job easier. The Petsfit double-decker litter box enclosure comes in either white or espresso.
PetnPurr Top-Entry Litter Box
Do you want something a little cuter than the top-entry litter boxes we’ve covered so far? Then you’ll want to check out this PetnPurr box. It comes in such cheery pastel colors as bright white, light pink, and mint green.
Besides its adorable looks, this box works very well for all your cat’s bathroom needs. You get a scooper with your order, and it has little heart-shaped openings, too! The hood, which boasts a wide bowl opening, lets your cat jump into and out of the box and maneuver freely as needed.
The PetnPurr box measures 18.5 inches by 18.5 inches by 13.8 inches. It’s made from plastic that’s both free of BPAs and eco-conscious. The tall hood will keep messes to a minimum. When it comes time to clean, just raise up the hood and get to work.
Clevercat Top-Entry Litter Box
Our final pick comes from Clevercat. It’s an Amazon’s Choice product, so you can trust in this box for all your cat’s potty hygiene. It has a huge hole with a diameter of nine inches for your kitty to enter. The textured roof will catch the litter your cat tries to drag out and into your home.
With fewer bathroom smells and no dogs able to get into the box, it’s no wonder Clevercat took home an award for their top-entry litter box design. It measures 20 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches and weighs four pounds.
FAQs
What are the benefits of a top-down litter box?
Top-entry litter boxes have countless benefits. Once you get one for your kitty, we think you’ll agree. Those benefits include:
- Dogs often can’t fit in these boxes, thus deterring them from trying to get in.
- Your cat can adjust to a top-down litter box within a few days or weeks, even if they’ve used traditional litter boxes their whole lives.
- You never have to worry about accidental litter dumps coming out of the box if you have to move it.
- The boxes are taller rather than wider, so they fit in tight spaces better.
- You don't have to see the litter, which can make your home feel cleaner and more appealing.
Can a cat hurt themselves using one of these boxes?
You may have some concerns about your cat being able to get in and out of a top-entry litter box easily. Most of the time, these boxes aren’t nearly as tall or deep as you think. Yes, they’re taller than the average traditional litter box, which has more length and width. Still, it’s not like your cat’s jumping into a black hole.
If your cat can reach a couch, chair, or bed without pain or difficulty, then they should fit into a top-entry litter box with no problem. As we mentioned in the last section, it generally doesn’t take too long to get your cat to adjust to this new box. Once you both get used to it, you may decide to never go back!
I have 4 cats, sometimes 5 and a chihuahua who loves to take out what the cats put in the litter boxes. It is something we have tried to break him of for 4 years! I finally got rid of the 3 main boxes and replaced them with IRIS top-entry litter boxes and I am so happy to report the kitties love them and the chihuahua can’t get to them! No more surprises on the stairs! No more litter tracked on the floor!! Why didn’t someone think of this before? Top entry litter boxes are the best and I will recommend them to all my friends with cats…and dogs! It’s just way healthier.
Thank you for sharing the experience with us, Terry!