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6 Best Large Litter Boxes for Big Cats and Multi-Cat Homes

Six large litter boxes for big cats and multi-cat homes, compared by listed size, wall height, lid and entry, plus how to size a box for your cat.

IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Litter Box

The best large litter box is one your cat can turn around and dig in without feeling cramped. International Cat Care’s rule of thumb is a tray one and a half times the length of your cat, measured from nose to base of tail. After size, the choice comes down to wall height, entry height and whether your cat will accept a lid. Below are six picks grouped by need, a comparison table and a short buying guide. Sizes and features are as stated in each product’s Amazon listing, so check them against your own cat before you buy.

Our Top Picks

1
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Litter Box

IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Litter Box

IRIS USA

Pros

  • 30 x 20 in open pan, largest here
  • 14 in walls with 6.5 in curved entrance

Cons

  • Needs a lot of floor space
  • Entrance is not a true low entry
2
Van Ness Pureness Giant High Sides Pan

Van Ness Pureness Giant High Sides Pan

Van Ness

Pros

  • Light, simple open pan (about 1 lb)
  • High sides, fits smaller spaces

Cons

  • Smaller than the IRIS
  • No entry cutout; color may vary
3
PTFFF Stainless Steel High Sided XL Box

PTFFF Stainless Steel High Sided XL Box

PTFFF

Pros

  • One-piece stainless steel, 13.7 in walls
  • Handles, sliding wheels, non-slip pad

Cons

  • Interior only 12.2 in wide
  • Entry height not listed
4
Van Ness Giant Enclosed Cat Pan CP7

Van Ness Giant Enclosed Cat Pan CP7

Van Ness

Pros

  • Hooded top with door
  • Replaceable zeolite air filter

Cons

  • 8.5 in step-in to the door
  • Many cats dislike lids and flaps
5
Modkat XL Top or Front Entry Litter Box

Modkat XL Top or Front Entry Litter Box

Modkat

Pros

  • Set up as top or front entry
  • Swivel lid; liners, scoop, filters included

Cons

  • Top entry hard for older cats
  • Heaviest plastic box (10 lb)
6
Ying Tutu Extra Large Low Entry Box

Ying Tutu Extra Large Low Entry Box

Ying Tutu

Pros

  • Low 5.7 in sides for senior cats
  • Large 24 x 20 in floor

Cons

  • Holds less litter
  • Does little to stop kicked litter

For very large cats: IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box

This is the largest open box in the group. It suits very big cats and busy multi-cat households that need a lot of floor area. The listing names large breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll and Savannah, and describes a smooth interior with minimal crevices that you wipe down.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • 30 x 20 x 14 in, 4.3 lb, plastic
  • Open top with 14-inch walls
  • 6.5-inch curved entrance
  • Listed as made in the USA; other colors are offered

Consider: It needs a lot of floor space at 30 x 20 inches. The 6.5-inch entrance is not a true low entry for a stiff senior cat. You will also need more litter to cover a floor this size.

View on Amazon

For big diggers in tighter spaces: Van Ness Pureness Giant High Sides Cat Litter Pan (CP3HS)

This is a simple, light, open pan with higher sides. It fits where a 30-inch box will not. The listing says it is meant for large cats, multi-cat homes and cats that dig.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • 21.25 x 17.63 x 9.25 in, about 1 lb
  • Polypropylene with a high-polished finish
  • Open top with high sides
  • Colors may vary

Consider: It is noticeably smaller than the IRIS, so compare its length with the 1.5 times rule below. No entry cutout is listed, so the sides are about 9 inches high all the way round. You also cannot choose the color.

View on Amazon

For a metal open box: PTFFF Stainless Steel Litter Box, 13.7 in High Sides, XL

This one suits owners who want an open box with tall walls and a curved low entry in a one-piece stainless steel build. The listing also includes rubber-coated side handles, sliding wheels and a non-slip pad.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • Interior 20 x 12.2 x 13.7 in (outside about 22.8 x 14.9 x 13.7 in)
  • 6.6 lb, one-piece stainless steel
  • Open top with a curved low entry (height not listed)
  • Care per the listing: rinse with water, wipe dry, and do a thorough wash monthly

Consider: The listed interior is only 12.2 inches wide, narrower than the plastic jumbo pans, so check it against your cat’s length and turning room. The entry height is not stated, so an older cat may need a trial run.

View on Amazon

For a hooded jumbo box: Van Ness Giant Enclosed Cat Pan (CP7)

This is for owners who want a hood and have a large cat that already accepts covered boxes. The listing describes a hooded top with an odor door and a replaceable zeolite air filter.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • 21.5 x 17.5 x 18.13 in, 3 lb, polypropylene
  • Hooded top with a door and a replaceable zeolite air filter
  • 8.5 in from the floor to the bottom of the door opening
  • Top and base clip together with 4 side clips; the base ships nested inside the top

Consider: The 8.5-inch step-in is a real climb for some cats, and many cats dislike lids and flaps (see the lids section below). The listing’s filter is replaceable, so plan on buying refills.

View on Amazon

For a covered, configurable box: Modkat XL Litter Box, Top or Front Entry

This covered box can be set up as top-entry or front-entry, so you can switch if your cat refuses one style. In top-entry mode the lid acts as a walk-off area for litter. Front-entry mode has a built-in step.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • 21 x 16.3 x 17 in, 10 lb, ABS plastic
  • Top or front entry, with parts included for both
  • Swivel lid with 3 positions, removable
  • Includes a Type C (top) and Type D (front) reusable liner, a scoop that hangs on the side, and charcoal filters

Consider: At 10 lb it is the heaviest plastic box here. Top entry can be a poor fit for older, arthritic or very young cats, and many cats dislike liners (see the wall height and lids sections below).

View on Amazon

For senior or arthritic cats: Ying Tutu Extra Large Low Entry Litter Box

This suits older, stiff or very young cats that need low sides but still want a big floor area. The listing says it is for senior cats with arthritis or mobility issues, kittens and multi-cat homes. The inside is smooth and the outside is frosted.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

  • 24 x 20.2 x 5.7 in, 2.2 lb
  • ABS plastic
  • Low sides all round

Consider: Sides of 5.7 inches hold less litter and do little to stop kicked litter, so pair it with a litter mat. Low sides may also be a poor match for a cat that digs hard and flings litter.

View on Amazon

Comparison Table

Box Type Listed size (in) Listed height (in) Lid Entry Material
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Open 30 x 20 x 14 14 None 6.5-inch curved entrance Plastic
Van Ness Pureness Giant (CP3HS) Open, high sides 21.25 x 17.63 x 9.25 9.25 None Over the sides, no cutout listed Polypropylene
PTFFF Stainless XL Open, high sides 20 x 12.2 x 13.7 interior 13.7 None Curved low entry, height not listed Stainless steel
Van Ness Giant Enclosed (CP7) Hooded 21.5 x 17.5 x 18.13 18.13 Hood with door Door, 8.5 in from floor to bottom of opening Polypropylene
Modkat XL Top or front entry 21 x 16.3 x 17 17 Swivel lid, removable Top, or front with built-in step ABS plastic
Ying Tutu Extra Large Low Entry Open, low-sided 24 x 20.2 x 5.7 5.7 None Low sides all round ABS plastic

How to Choose a Large Litter Box

Size: measure your cat first

The Cornell Feline Health Center says overweight and large cats need bigger boxes. Measure your cat from nose to base of tail and multiply by 1.5 for a target tray length. For example, an 18-inch cat works out to about 27 inches.

Compare that number with the listed length, and use interior dimensions where a listing gives them. A box can look large in photos and still leave little room to turn around inside.

Wall height and entry

The ASPCA says most cats prefer large boxes they can enter easily. It also says sides that are too high, or a box entered from the top, can be hard for older, arthritic or very young cats, and it suggests trying a box with low sides. Cornell says kittens, elderly cats and cats with mobility problems need boxes with low sides, and International Cat Care says the same for cats with arthritis or reduced mobility.

For a healthy adult, tall walls are fine, but check the entrance height too. Among these picks, the listed step-in ranges from 5.7 inches (Ying Tutu sides) and 6.5 inches (IRIS entrance) up to 8.5 inches (CP7 door) and about 9 inches (Pureness, no cutout listed), while the Modkat in top-entry mode is entered from above. Claims that tall walls reduce litter scatter or urine spray come from sellers, and the sources we reviewed do not address them.

Cornell says cats that have problems using the litter box consistently should be checked by a veterinarian, so book a visit if your cat starts avoiding the box or struggles to get in. Litter loss is a separate problem, and our guide on how to stop litter tracking covers it.

Lids and liners

The sources we reviewed lean toward open boxes. The ASPCA, mentioned above, says most cats don’t like lids or liners, and Cornell says most cats prefer an uncovered box with a 360-degree view. International Cat Care adds that large breed cats may find smaller hooded trays challenging. It also notes that some cats feel vulnerable confined with only one exit, and it suggests removing any flap.

Cats differ, and International Cat Care says you can offer both a covered and an open tray to see which your cat picks. Choose the CP7 or Modkat only if your cat is happy with a hood, and see our guide to covered vs uncovered litter boxes. On liners, Cornell says many cats don’t like them, and International Cat Care notes that claws can catch in plastic ones.

If you want the box hidden in a cabinet, check the inner dimensions against your cat’s length. Our guide to litter box furniture and enclosures covers that option.

How many boxes you need

The ASPCA, Cornell and International Cat Care all recommend one box per cat plus one extra. The ASPCA’s example is a minimum of four boxes for three cats. One giant box does not replace that rule, so read our guide on how many litter boxes per cat and where to put them. The ASPCA also advises quiet spots where a cat is not cornered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big should a litter box be for a large cat?

International Cat Care suggests a tray length of one and a half times your cat’s length from nose to base of tail. Cornell says overweight and large cats need bigger boxes. Measure your cat and compare the result with the listed interior size.

How many litter boxes do I need for multiple cats?

The ASPCA, Cornell and International Cat Care all recommend one box per cat plus at least one extra. Spread them across different parts of the home rather than lining them up in one spot.

Are covered litter boxes a good choice for big cats?

Often not. Cornell and the ASPCA say most cats prefer uncovered boxes, and International Cat Care says large breeds may struggle with smaller hooded trays. If you want a lid, make sure your cat accepts it, and consider offering an open box alongside it.

What if my senior cat struggles to get into the box?

The ASPCA and International Cat Care suggest a box with lower sides for cats with arthritis or reduced mobility. Cornell says cats that have trouble using the box consistently should be checked by a veterinarian.

Should I use a liner in a large litter box?

Cornell says a liner may help keep the box cleaner, but many cats don’t like them. International Cat Care notes that claws can catch in plastic liners. If your cat starts avoiding the box, the ASPCA suggests removing covers and liners.

Conclusion

For a very large cat or a busy multi-cat home with room to spare, the IRIS USA XX-Large is the biggest open option here, and the Van Ness Pureness Giant is the lighter choice for tighter spaces. The PTFFF suits owners who want stainless steel, provided its listed interior width fits their cat. Choose the Van Ness CP7 or Modkat XL only if your cat accepts a hood, and choose the Ying Tutu Low Entry for senior, arthritic or very young cats.

Sources

About the author

Emily Carter
Emily Carter

Emily Carter writes about litter boxes and setting up a litter area cats will actually use, from box size and style to placement and how many boxes a home needs. Her guides draw on the Cornell Feline Health Center and International Cat Care, and direct health concerns to a veterinarian.