Covered vs Uncovered Litter Boxes: Which Is Better?

Many cats prefer an uncovered litter box, but it depends on the individual cat. The Cornell Feline Health Center says most cats prefer an uncovered box that lets odors escape and gives a 360-degree view of their surroundings. One small study, however, found no significant difference overall between covered and uncovered boxes when both were scooped daily. The surest way to settle it in your home is to offer both and watch which one your cat uses.

The table below summarizes the trade-offs. Sourced details are in the sections that follow.

What cats tend to prefer

Veterinary and shelter guidance leans toward open boxes. The ASPCA says most cats don’t like box liners or lids on their boxes. Cornell’s guidance, quoted above, gives the same reasoning: from a cat’s point of view, a cover holds odors in and limits what the cat can see.

The research is less one-sided. In a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 28 cats took part and 27 were analyzed. Each cat had one covered and one uncovered box, and the boxes were scooped daily. Overall there was no significant difference in use, and only 8 cats showed a clear preference, 4 for covered and 4 for uncovered.

The authors concluded that when boxes are kept clean enough, with scooping at least once a day, most cats do not seem to prefer one style. They suggested letting cats try several box types, including covered ones, to learn each cat’s preference. A summary from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior adds that “blanket recommendations for uncovered litter boxes are not necessarily justified.” Keep in mind that the study was small, so it does not settle the question for every cat.

Pros of covered boxes for people

Most of the appeal of a lid is for the human. Cornell notes that people tend to like covers because they reduce odor and litter scatter, even though a cat may see the same cover as something that holds odors in. A hooded box also hides the contents from view, which some households prefer in a living area. For other ways to keep litter in the box, see how to stop cat litter tracking.

If looks are the main reason you want a lid, an enclosure that hides an open box is another route. See this guide to litter box furniture and enclosures for that option. Whatever style you choose, a lid is not a substitute for regular cleaning, so check how often to change cat litter to build a routine.

Downsides for cats

International Cat Care points out that many owners choose covered trays because they believe the trays give cats privacy. The same article lists several problems. Odor trapped inside can make the box less appealing to a cat, and some cats feel vulnerable in a small space with only one exit, particularly in multi-cat homes. Large cats may find smaller hooded trays hard to use, and a flap on the entrance can deter use, so removing it is worth trying.

A cat that is cornered in a box by another cat has no easy way out of a hood. If one cat is ambushing another near the boxes, an open design with a clear view and more than one way out removes that problem. If your cat starts going outside the box at all, remove the lid first, then talk to your veterinarian, because medical problems can cause litter box trouble and cats do not always look sick.

How to let your cat choose

The most reliable method is a simple comparison. Set a covered box and an uncovered box side by side in the same quiet spot, and use the same litter in both so the box style is the only difference. If the covered box has a flap, take it off for the trial. Scoop both boxes daily, because a dirty box can skew the result.

Then watch for a while. If your cat uses one box clearly more than the other, keep that style. If your cat uses both, either is fine, and you can pick the one that suits your home. If your cat ignores both, the litter may be the issue, so read about types of cat litter before changing boxes again.

Multi-cat homes

The usual rule is one box per cat plus one extra. The ASPCA advises one box per cat plus one, placed in quiet spots that are easy to reach, away from busy walkways, and not right next to food bowls. Spreading the boxes around the house, rather than lining them up in one spot, also keeps one cat from easily blocking access to all of them.

Multi-cat homes are a good place to mix styles. Having at least one open box gives a nervous cat a way to see and leave quickly. For placement ideas, see how many litter boxes per cat and where to put them. If daily scooping across several boxes feels like too much, the self-cleaning litter boxes guide covers options built for multiple cats.

Size matters more than the lid

A box that is too small is a bigger problem than the choice between covered and open. International Cat Care says cats prefer a tray with enough space to move around. It gives the ideal tray length as one and a half times your cat’s length from nose to the base of the tail, and notes that many standard-sized trays are too small. If your cat has already started going elsewhere, see why a cat pees outside the litter box.

To apply that, measure your cat from nose to the base of the tail with a soft tape, multiply by 1.5, and compare the result with the inside length of the box you are considering. This matters most with hooded boxes, where the lid also limits headroom. Cats with arthritis or limited mobility do better with low sides, and kittens will need a larger box as they grow.

Covered Box Enclosures

If you choose a covered setup, these enclosures hide a standard box inside furniture. For more detail on each pick, see our guide to the best litter box furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are covered litter boxes better for cats?

Not necessarily. Some guidance says most cats prefer open boxes, while one small study found no overall difference when boxes were scooped daily. Because individual cats differ, offer both and let your cat decide.

Should I take the flap off a covered litter box?

Often, yes. A flap can put some cats off using the box, so removing it is an easy first adjustment, especially for a cat that hesitates at the entrance.

How big should a litter box be?

Larger than most standard boxes. Measure your cat and use the size section above as your guide, and choose a roomier box if your cat is large.

Does a lid keep litter box odor under control?

A lid may keep smell out of the room, but it holds the smell inside the box where your cat has to use it. Daily scooping does more for a fresh box than any cover.

My cat stopped using the box after I switched to a covered one. What now?

Remove the lid and flap, or put an uncovered box back next to it, and see whether your cat returns. If the problem continues, talk to your veterinarian to rule out a medical cause.

Sources

• International Cat Care, Choosing a litter tray for your cat
• Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling
• ASPCA, Litter Box Problems
• Grigg EK, Pick L, Nibblett B, Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, Research Study: Litter Box Preference in Domestic Cats

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