6 Best Cat Litter Mats to Catch Tracked Litter
Compare six cat litter mats by size, double-layer or coiled design, waterproof backing and cleaning method, plus how to size a mat for your box.
By Olivia Parker
Updated November 11, 2026
The cat litter mat most likely to help is a double-layer honeycomb or textured mat that is wider than your box’s exit. PetMD notes that mats catch litter stuck to paws but do not stop cats from kicking litter, and it recommends a double-layered style with soft holes on top and a solid lower layer to contain the litter. Below are six mats compared by size, design, waterproof layer and cleaning method, followed by how to size one and keep it clean.
A mat is one piece of the fix. Placement, litter depth and daily scooping matter too, so see our guide on how to stop cat litter tracking for the full set of steps. Sizes and features below are as stated in each Amazon listing.
Cat Litter Mats Compared
| Mat | Type | Listed size (in) | Waterproof layer (per listing) | How to empty and clean (per listing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petinstinct Extra Large | Double-layer honeycomb, EVA | 30 x 22 | Yes, waterproof bottom layer | Empty litter back into the box; rinse under running water or vacuum |
| Pieviev Double-Layer | Double-layer honeycomb, EVA | 24 x 15 | Yes, waterproof bottom layer | Open the edge and pour litter back; washable, can be hosed off |
| GORILLA GRIP Coiled Mesh | Single-layer coiled mesh with grooves | 35 x 23 | Water resistant | Tip and pour back, vacuum or shake out; mild soap and water, air dry |
| Drymate Jumbo XXL | Ridged absorbent fabric | 36 x 47 | Yes, waterproof backing | Vacuum, or roll up and pour litter back; machine washable, or scrub and hose off, then hang dry |
| PetFusion ToughGrip XL | Silicone with raised ridges and lip | 38 x 26 | Yes, non-porous waterproof silicone | Fold and pour through the side spout; broom, vacuum or sponge |
| PetSafe Anti-Tracking Small | Honeycomb mesh with grooves | 20.5 x 19.7 | Yes, waterproof double-layer backing | Shake out over a trash can or vacuum |
Our Top Picks
These are grouped by the setup they suit, from a large honeycomb landing zone to a small mat for tight spaces. Check the listed size against your own box before you order.
Pros
- Double-layer honeycomb, litter collects below
- Waterproof bottom layer, sealed edges
- Anti-slip grip dots on the underside
Cons
- Needs clear floor space in front of the box
- Empty before the bottom layer fills
Pros
- Honeycomb top, litter falls into bottom layer
- Open edge to pour litter back into the box
- Waterproof, slip-resistant bottom layer
Cons
- Small, may not cover a wide box exit
- Bottom layer needs regular emptying
Pros
- Thick mesh coils and deep grooves
- Textured backing helps it stay in place
- Vacuum, shake out or wash with mild soap
Cons
- Water resistant, not waterproof
- Air dry only after washing
Pros
- Very large 36 x 47 in surface
- Absorbent fabric with waterproof backing
- Machine washable, do not bleach
Cons
- Fabric absorbs liquid, wash after accidents
- Thin and flat, holds little litter in pockets
Pros
- Non-porous, waterproof silicone
- Inner ridges and a raised outer lip
- Fold and pour through the side spout
Cons
- Heavier than foam or PVC mats (5.3 lb)
- Litter sits in open channels, sweep often
Pros
- Honeycomb mesh with deep grooves
- Waterproof double-layer backing
- Sized to sit under compact boxes
Cons
- Too small for a large landing area
For a large honeycomb landing zone: Petinstinct Extra Large Cat Litter Mat
This is a bigger honeycomb mat for large boxes or a wider landing area in front of the exit. It follows the double-layer idea PetMD describes, with litter collecting in a lower layer instead of staying on top.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 30 x 22 in, made of 0.35-inch-thick EVA with sealed edges
- Double-layer honeycomb, with litter collecting in a waterproof bottom layer
- Hundreds of anti-slip grip dots on the underside
- Listing says it works with clay, tofu, crystal, pine, corn, walnut and paper litters
- Empty collected litter back into the box, then rinse under running water or vacuum
Consider: A larger mat needs clear floor space in front of the box, and like any honeycomb mat it must be emptied before the bottom layer fills.
For one standard box with pour-back emptying: Pieviev Cat Litter Mat, Double-Layer
A compact honeycomb mat for a single standard box. The listing’s edge design lets you lift the mat and pour the collected litter straight back into the box.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 24 x 15 x 0.6 in
- Double-layer honeycomb: litter falls through the top holes and collects in the bottom layer
- “EZ open edge” for pouring litter back; bottom layer is waterproof and slip-resistant
- Soft, washable EVA that can be hosed off
- Listing says it works with many litter types and with hooded and self-cleaning boxes
Consider: At 24 x 15 in it is small and may not cover a wide box exit, and the bottom layer needs regular emptying.
For easy vacuuming in place: GORILLA GRIP Cat Litter Mat
A single-layer coiled-mesh mat with a large surface that you can vacuum without moving. Litter drops into the grooves between the coils.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 35 x 23 in
- Thick mesh coils on top plus deep grooves to collect litter
- Textured backing to help it stay in place; listing describes it as soft on paws
- Water resistant (listing says it is designed not to let liquids pass through)
- Tip and pour litter back into the box, vacuum or shake out; deep clean with mild soap and water and always air dry
Consider: The listing wording is water resistant, not waterproof, and it is air dry only. It is also a single layer rather than the double-layer style PetMD describes, so it needs frequent vacuuming or shaking out.
For multi-box corners: Drymate Cat Litter Box Mat, Jumbo XXL
This very large fabric mat suits a corner with two boxes side by side, or anyone who wants a machine-washable option. Check the size in the listing, because Drymate also makes smaller sizes.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 36 x 47 x 0.13 in, 1.9 lb, made in the USA
- Ridged design with channel grooves; absorbent non-woven polyester top (at least 50% recycled content) with a liquid-bonded waterproof backing
- Slip-resistant backing
- Vacuum, or roll up and pour excess litter back into the box
- Machine washable, or scrub with soap, hose off and hang dry; do not bleach
Consider: The fabric absorbs liquid instead of shedding it, so plan to wash it after accidents. It is thin and flat, so it does not hold much litter in pockets.
For a wipe-clean surface: PetFusion ToughGrip Cat Litter Mat, XL
A non-porous silicone mat for owners who prefer to sweep, vacuum or sponge the surface rather than wash fabric.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 38 x 26 x 0.4 in, 5.3 lb
- Non-porous, waterproof silicone with elevated inner ridges and a raised outer lip
- Litter stays in the surface recesses; clean with a broom, vacuum or sponge
- Fold the mat and pour litter back through the side spout
- Anti-slip traction; the maker recommends placing it against the box exit in portrait orientation, and a 12-month manufacturer warranty is listed
Consider: It is heavier than foam or PVC mats, and because litter sits in open channels on top, it needs regular sweeping.
For small spaces and compact boxes: PetSafe Anti-Tracking Cat Litter Mat, Small
A light, small honeycomb mat for tight spots. The listing says it is sized to sit fully under compact boxes, or by a doorway or laundry area.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- 20.5 x 19.7 x 0.25 in, about 1 lb
- Honeycomb mesh with deep grooves on top and a waterproof double-layer backing
- Listing says it works with clay, crystal and other litter types, and with any box
- BPA-free materials, per the listing
- Shake out over a trash can or vacuum
Consider: It is too small to give a large landing area in front of a standard box.
How to Size a Litter Mat
No published standard sets litter mat sizes, so this is practical guidance rather than a sourced rule. Aim for a mat that is wider than the side of the box your cat exits from and long enough that your cat takes at least one or two steps on it after leaving the box. Measure the floor space first, since a big mat that crowds the box or blocks the path to it creates a new problem.
- Measure the exit side. Use the width of that side of the box, then add a little extra on each side.
- Check which sides your cat uses. If your cat steps out over more than one edge, look for a larger or square-ish mat.
- Account for box size. International Cat Care says a litter tray should be about one and a half times the length of your cat. A bigger box usually calls for a bigger mat.
- Measure enclosures too. If the box sits inside furniture, measure the opening, and see our guide to litter box furniture and enclosures for how those setups work.
- Plan for more than one box. For several boxes in one spot, one jumbo mat can work, but how many litter boxes per cat, and where to put them matters first.
Pair the mat with the rest of the setup
The ASPCA recommends a box location that is easy to reach and away from heavy traffic, and one to two inches of litter. PetMD adds that litter shallower than 1.5 inches makes cats struggle to cover waste, which can mean more digging. Litter type can change how much clings to paws, so read our guide to types of cat litter before switching.
The litter box maker Litter-Robot says in its own blog that a mat with a textured surface helps shake litter off paws. Cat preferences matter more than tidiness, so change litter gradually and let your cat choose.
If your cat avoids the mat
If your cat avoids the mat, or starts going outside the box after you add one, remove the mat or try a different style. The Cornell Feline Health Center advises that cats with problems using the box should be examined by a veterinarian, so talk to your vet if it continues.
Cleaning the Mat
Follow the instructions that come with your mat. The methods below are from each Amazon listing, and not every maker lists washing steps.
- Petinstinct: empty collected litter back into the box, then rinse under running water or vacuum.
- Pieviev: pour litter back through the open edge. The listing says the mat is washable and can be hosed off.
- GORILLA GRIP: vacuum or shake out. Deep clean with mild soap and water and always air dry.
- Drymate: vacuum or roll up and pour litter back. Machine wash, or scrub with soap, hose off and hang dry. Do not bleach.
- PetFusion: clean with a broom, vacuum or sponge, or fold and pour litter through the side spout.
- PetSafe: shake out over a trash can or vacuum.
Empty the mat before the lower layer fills, and keep scooping the box daily, as both the ASPCA and Litter-Robot advise. A mat that is full of litter will not catch much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cat litter mats actually work?
They help with litter that clings to paws, but they do not stop kicking. PetMD says a double-layered mat with a holed top layer and solid lower layer is the style to look for. Pair it with correct litter depth and daily scooping for the best results.
What size cat litter mat do I need?
As general guidance, choose a mat wider than the box’s exit side that gives your cat at least one or two steps on it. Larger boxes and cats that exit from several sides usually need a larger mat.
Do I need a waterproof litter mat?
It is not required, but several listings describe a waterproof backing or bottom layer, which is designed to keep spills from soaking through. Fabric mats like the Drymate absorb liquid, so they need washing after accidents. If accidents outside the box become frequent, ask your veterinarian.
Is a honeycomb mat better than a textured one?
Honeycomb mats move litter into a lower layer that you pour back into the box. Coiled or ridged mats hold litter in grooves on the surface, so you vacuum or sweep them. Pick based on how you prefer to clean.
Should the mat go under the box or in front of it?
For most standard boxes, place it against the exit side. The PetSafe listing describes its small mat as sized to sit fully under compact boxes, so follow the listing for that style.
Conclusion
For several boxes or a wide exit, the Drymate Jumbo XXL and PetFusion XL cover the most floor, Petinstinct is the larger honeycomb option, and Pieviev suits a single standard box. Gorilla Grip is easy to vacuum in place, PetFusion wipes clean, and PetSafe fits small spaces. Choose by your box size and cleaning preference, and let your cat’s comfort decide whether the mat stays.
Sources
- PetMD: Why Do Cats Kick Litter Everywhere?
- Litter-Robot blog: How to Stop Litter Tracking
- ASPCA: Litter Box Problems
- International Cat Care: Choosing a litter tray for your cat
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling
About the author
Olivia Parker explains cat litter types, cleaning routines and common litter problems such as tracking and peeing outside the box, in clear, accessible language. She draws on the ASPCA and the Cornell Feline Health Center, and recommends a veterinary visit first when a cat's litter habits suddenly change.