Arm and Hammer Sifting Litter Box – Is It The Best?

Are you looking for the best sifting cat litter box solution that can save you time and money? Cats are clean creatures that prefer us to scoop after each use and wash out the box regularly, but this can become a chore for most busy pet parents.

Many cats love nothing more than to kick their kitty litter everywhere which makes a mess and can be a daily hygiene hazard. And those little bits of cat litter get everywhere don’t they! Super annoying! 

So to minimize cleaning up and to save you oodles of time we’re going to be talking about sifting litter boxes and how they can make your life a lot easier! To start things off, our top pick and a great all rounder would be the Arm and Hammer sifting litter box.

Arm and Hammer Sifting Litter Box

Why Get a Sifting Litter Box?

You might be wondering if a litter box with a sifting tray is actually worth it. In general, a sifting litter box can help make cleanup easier and quicker. Since it is easier to clean waste, you'll be able to clean more regularly. And cats love a clean litter box.

There are a few things to consider before buying such as features, benefits, how to choose the right sifting litter box, and how to train your cat to use it. Cats are finicky so we need to make sure we choose the right products and transition any changes gradually.

Easier to clean

There's no need to scoop the box. The sifting tray does the work for you. Cat waste solids are sifted through all at once. Now you won't have to dig around and scoop individual clumps. The sifting tray might help prevent litter clumps from getting stuck to the box. Of course, choosing this box solves the clumping vs non-clumping litter issue for you since you're going to be using clumping.

This feature would make cleaning the box easier and faster. This would come in handy for me while I clean litter boxes at work!

Less waste

Since solids are sifted out, you'll keep more of the clean litter in the box. This is helpful to preserve your litter and make it last longer. Less waste of clean litter will keep cats happy because the box will stay fresh longer. You might find that you don't have to add new litter to the box as frequently.

Less smelly

The cat's sense of smell is strong, and they prefer a clean and less smelly box. Using a sifting litter box ensures that all waste is removed from the box in one motion. This feature is great because cats might not use the box if it is too smelly. The antimicrobial protection also helps prevent odor-forming bacteria. This is crucial for litter boxes.

Better hygiene

Cats like to dig and bury their ‘toilet business’, and scratches on the litter box can promote bacteria growth. Petmate's large sifting litter box is made with antimicrobial protection. This can help prevent bacteria buildup and also controls odor. Cats will appreciate a cleaner and more sanitary box.

Quicker to maintain

A sifting cat litter box is quicker to maintain because all litter waste is removed in one shot. This feature gets rid of the hassle that most pet parents face with their litter box cleaning routine. 

Instead of mining for waste, you'll be able to remove it more easily by lifting the sifter tray from the box. The waste can be removed much quicker with the sifting tray versus manually scooping individual clumps.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Using a Sifting Cat Litter Box?

Of course, we need to consider any disadvantages to using a self sifting litter box. The point of an upgrade in litter box supplies is to make cleanup easier and quicker. Some pet parents might be on a budget, like me, and want an easy solution that is budget-friendly. 

We also need to keep in mind that cats are clean freaks. Regardless of which box we choose, proper maintenance is a must.

They need maintenance

All litter box supplies should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria buildup. A clean litter box can help prevent behavioral and health issues in cats. Sifting litter boxes might require more maintenance because the sifting tray is larger than a litter scoop. 

You might find that a sifting tray is more difficult to clean than a litter scoop because of its size, and there are more sifting holes.

There are more pieces that come with this sifting litter box, and each needs to be cleaned regularly for optimal performance. I always make sure to get in between the sifting holes of my litter scoop, and this takes more time if it is not cleaned weekly. There are two boxes that come with this product, and both should be cleaned regularly.

Not for kittens

A litter box with a sifting tray might not be a good choice for kittens because they tend to have higher sides. This might be difficult for kittens to get in and out of. If cats are not comfortable getting in and out of the litter box, they will not use it. It would be better to get a smaller litter tray for kittens and then perhaps upgrade to a large sifting litter box when your kitten is an adult.

More expensive to buy

Some large sifting litter boxes are more than $20, a few are over $40, and automatic sifting litter boxes are in the range of $100. This is expensive considering that a few large non-sifting litter boxes are less than $15. Since these are made of plastic, it's recommended to replace them frequently as well. This can add up in the long run.

How to Choose a Sifting Litter Box

There are a few things to consider when looking for the best sifting cat litter box. We need to factor in what cats prefer as well as what is possible based on our budget and lifestyle. Some cats prefer hooded boxes for additional privacy, and most cats prefer large boxes that have more room for turning around.

Most pet parents value the ease of use and might prefer an automatic sifting litter box that does the work for them. Overall, we all want a solution to keep the litter box area clean and a routine that is easy and sanitary for our cats.

Size

You'll have to consider the size of the box based on your cat's age and health conditions. If you have a kitten or a senior cat, it might be better to choose a smaller sifting litter box with low sides. A low-sided litter box will make it easier for kittens and elderly cats to get in and out of the box.

However, if your cat digs his way to the basement every time he uses the box, then a high-sided jumbo sifting litter box would be a better choice. Cats also like the ability to turn around in the box so you may want to choose an extra large sifting litter box if you have a bigger kitty.

Hoods

Some cats like a hooded sifting litter box for additional privacy and to feel safe when they do their business. Hooded boxes also help prevent litter tracking and mess around the litter box area. If you choose a hooded sifting litter box, make sure the hood can be removed easily. 

All pieces of the self sifting litter box need to be cleaned regularly to prevent odor and bacteria buildup. This is definitely a big consideration when you want an easier cleanup routine. A few hooded sifting litter boxes also tend to cost more.

Price

Most pet parents are looking for budget-friendly solutions. I know I am! Typically, plastic boxes need to be replaced more frequently because it tends to trap more bacteria than steel or ceramic materials. Keep in mind that you'll need to clean more frequently to cut down the cost of replacing boxes.

So, if you prefer to spend less money on a litter box, you might end up spending more money in the long run. Cheaper materials might not make sense in the grand scheme of things if you have to replace them yearly anyway.

Style

There are litter trays, enclosed boxes, top entry boxes, and electronic boxes to choose from. Do you prefer to have a low-sided or high-sided box? Low-sided boxes make getting in and out of the litter box easier for your cats. But, low sides might mean more tracking litter in the litter box area.

A high-sided box might prevent this mess around the area, but your cat may not like getting in and out. An enclosed or top entry litter box can help keep litter inside. However, your cat might not fancy these styles because they cannot turn around in them as easily. Top entry and enclosed boxes might be more difficult for senior cats to use as well.

Electronic design is available

There are electronic sifting litter boxes on the market too. These automatic boxes sift and clean themselves which removes your litter box scooping chore completely. Automatic sifting boxes have a sensor that detects when the cat leaves the box. 

Most have a rake that sifts through the tray and removes solids. There is a compartment that traps the solids that would need to be dumped and cleaned regularly.

Some electronic sifting boxes work better with non-clumping litter and some are designed for clumping litter. Keep in mind that cats prefer clumping litter. Clumping litter tends to stay fresher since all waste is removed. I've also found that the rakes tend to get dirty when sifting through stool. So, this would be another piece of the litter box that needs to be cleaned regularly.

Maintenance

A lot of pet parents are searching for litter box solutions that save time. Keep in mind that no matter which litter box you choose, every piece needs to be cleaned at least weekly. Remember, the longer you let it sit, the longer it will take to clean.

A sifting litter box might come with more pieces, and the sifting tray itself is larger than a scoop. A litter scoop might be easier to clean because it's smaller and has fewer grooves than a sifting tray. An automatic sifting box might remove the chore of scooping, however, you will still need to dump and clean the compartment that collects the waste.

Training Your Cat to Use the Sifting Litter Box

Cats thrive on routine and can get stressed easily with new changes. It's important to introduce changes to your cat gradually to avoid behavioral and health issues. Make sure you are patient and keep your cat's best interest in mind.

You should keep the old litter box set up the same way and give your cat the option to use the new litter box. Cats like to have options and control over their supplies.

A Large sifting litter box is MUCH better

A jumbo sifting litter box boxes is much better because it gives your cat room to move around inside the box while they dig and cover their business. Cats like to feel comfortable in their bathroom, just like we do. A large litter box can also help prevent track litter and mess around the litter box area.

Keep box accessible

Both the new and old boxes should be easily accessible for your cat's use. Keep the litter box in an area that is not crowded. Also, make sure it is set up so that your cat can enter and exit easily.

If your cat cannot get to the box easily, there is a higher chance he will refuse it. Remember that the location of the box should not be changed because cats prefer their routines to stay the same.

Keep AWAY from their food and drink

Litter boxes should never be in the same area as your cat's food and water bowls. This is very unsanitary for your cat and you too. Cat waste particles can be tracked easily and land in food and water. Your cat can ingest this on his next meal. The waste can travel to your kitchen sink and infect you as well.

A quiet area is best

The best place for litter boxes is in a quiet and low traffic area of your home. Cats like privacy and silence when doing their business. This helps them feel safe and comfortable when they are most vulnerable. Place the litter boxes in an area that isn't near doorways, loud neighbors, or places that are closed off.

What Are Other People Saying about Using a Sifting Litter Box?

I've scoured the internet to see what other people have to say about using a large sifting litter box. Most reviews seem rather positive about the ease of use. A lot of people say these sifting boxes are much easier to clean than traditional litter boxes.

Many agree that scooping the litter box every day can be exhausting so the benefits of using a sifting litter box are a complete game-changer for a lot of pet parents. This product is highly recommended by a lot of reviewers because they love it, and, more importantly, their cats love it too.

Benefits of Using a Sifting Litter Box for Pine Pellets

There are definitely some benefits that are worth considering. Especially if you are using pine pellet cat litter.

Benefits of Using a Sifting Litter Box for Pine Pellets

There are a few alternatives that offer similar and different features to the Petmate Arm & Hammer large sifting cat litter box. Some alternative products might have added benefits to certain pet parents like cost, ease of use, and style.

Let's compare three different alternatives to see if they fit your lifestyle.

Van Ness Sifting Litter Box: CP5 Easy Clean

The Van Ness CP5 Easy Clean dry siftinglitter box has the same size dimensions as the Petsafe Arm & Hammer product mentioned above. Van Ness sifting litter box also has the same amount of trays. It comes with two bottom tray boxes and the sifting tray that goes on top.

This sifting tray has a more enclosed frame which can help prevent litter from coming out of the box as your cat digs. The Van Ness box is more expensive, and there are no clear added benefits aside from a more pronounced frame on the sifting tray.

Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System

Purina offers an all-in-one litter box system including the box, litter pellets, and sifting litter box liners.This box is longer and higher which would be good for adult cats that like more space in the box. The higher sides might not be a good choice for kittens and senior cats.

It is more expensive, however, it comes with litter and pads that claim to prevent ammonia odor and last up to one month. The litter is non-clumping which is a drawback because cats prefer litter that clumps.

Final Thoughts on the Sifting Litter Box Solution

If you're looking for easy litter box solutions then the Petmate Arm & Hammer large sifting litter box might be for you. There is less maintenance involved which can help save time.

However, keep in mind that no matter which litter box you choose, proper cleaning is required on a weekly basis to prevent bacteria buildup.