Cat Litter Boxes & Accessories

Cat Litter Boxes and Accessories

Choosing the best litter box for your cat or kitten is a crucial step in becoming a pet parent. Selecting a cat litter box might seem like a simple task—and it certainly doesn’t need to be difficult—but there are lots of options to consider. Your cat deserves a place to do their business that feels comfortable and convenient. There are multiple types of cat litter boxes and pans available, and you might choose a covered litter box, self-cleaning litter box or disposable litter box. The Petco litter box options make it easy to decide—you’ll have detailed descriptions and pet parent ratings to guide you toward the best decision for your home and cat.

FAQs About Cat Litter Boxes and Accessories

Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?

Cat litter box preferences aren’t one-size-fits-all—for either cats or their pet parents. In general, there does not appear to be one style of cat litter box preferred by all cats, so find what works for you and your feline. While some cats like to do their business in an unenclosed box to keep an eye on their surroundings during the vulnerable activity, others may prefer privacy. And for your preferences, a covered litter box may make the most sense for your home if containing odor and mess is particularly important—for instance, in small apartments or shared rooms. Any new cat litter box you bring home may require a short period of adjustment for you and your cat, but the odds are that your cat will accept a covered litter box just fine.

How do self-cleaning litter boxes work?

A self-cleaning litter box—or automatic cat litter box—has the potential to make life much easier for pet parents. But how do these seemingly magical contraptions work? First, the litter box is filled with clumping litter. A sensor detects when your cat has entered the litter box to do their business. After your cat leaves, litter clumps are automatically raked into a disposal bin or tray while loose, clean litter remains in the box, ready for your cat’s next visit. The waste bin can then be emptied periodically when it becomes full.

Do automatic cat litter boxes work?

An automatic self-cleaning litter box seems almost too good to be true, but these next-level cat litter box accessories work well. The key is finding an automatic cat litter box that’s the correct size and shape for your cat—and your home—and following operation instructions carefully. It’s worth noting that a self-cleaning litter box may be more expensive than other cat litter box accessories, but many pet parents are happy to pay the extra cost for the great convenience it offers.

How big of a litter box does my cat need?

Choose a cat litter box that’s 1.5 times as long as their body—measured from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. This ensures that your feline has enough room to move around, turn around and find a comfortable spot. Remember that during litter box training for your kitten, you’ll probably need a smaller box with shorter sides that your young kitty can step into easily. And if you have more than one cat, you’ll need an additional cat litter box for every feline in the family or one designed for multi-cat homes.