Best Extra Large Litter Boxes (2024): 8 Large, Larger and Largest!

There are a few things that you rush to buy when you first become a cat parent. 

Food and treats are obvioulsy a must-have. Toys for your new kitty and a scratching post will stop them from tearing up your furniture. You might even splash out on a harness for leash training. 

However, the most valuable purchase of all will be your litter box. A cat uses their toilet facilities daily, so help them out a bit! And that includes getting a litter rake and a cat litter mat! 

A litter box is your cat’s bathroom – and you’ll be glad that they have the right one. 

Just like you would avoid going to a bathroom that was too cramped, awkward, or smelly, your cat will probably give those toilets a pass too. That means they’ll have to find somewhere else to do their business – and you'll find your cat pooping on the floor or even your bed!

Why Do Big Cats Need Extra-Large Cat Litter Boxes

To state the obvious, if your cat is a large breed (maybe a Maine Coon or a Bengal, or just a big fella!) then they will need on of the largest cat litter box options that you can find.

It's simple. If they're big, then the litter box needs to be large too, so that they have 'room to manouevre'!

There are a few things that all large cats want from their litter boxes. Your pet will need enough litter so that they can dig in to cover up their mess. Your kitty also requires something easy to get in and out of. Most importantly, though, your feline friend will need to fit in their litter box. 

You probably wouldn’t be happy if your family asked you to squash into a tiny box just to go into the bathroom. If you have a larger cat, then you need a larger litter box too. 

I have two big cats: a Savannah (F5) and a Maine Coon. Neither one fits well into a standard litter box. Remember, your litterbox can’t just be the same size as your cat, either. 

Your furry friend needs to be able to stand up, turn around, and move freely in their bathroom. 

Even if you don’t have a huge cat like me, a larger litter box can be a good shout. Larger litter boxes mean that your kitty is less likely to trod in their waste when you don’t clean the litter every hour. 

Plus, a larger space reminds your cat of the great outdoors – where they usually go to the bathroom. 

Ideally, the perfect litter box will be the same size as your cat’s body, then half again. You can also shop for something that’s the full length of your cat’s body, from nose to tip of the tail.

While there are a lot of things that can prompt bathroom problems for cats, a small litter box is one of the most common. If you’ve had issues with your cat going to the bathroom outside of the litter box, buying them a larger space could be the first step towards a solution. Always ensure they have fresh and clean litter! 

How to Choose the Right Large Litter Box

So, how do you choose the perfect extra-large litter box for your big kitty?

It’s not always easy. 

Like people, cats have different preferences. Some like litter boxes with high sides so that they dig freely without accidentally tipping the tray. Other kitties might prefer completely enclosed spaces that are a little more private. 

The best thing you can do is start experimenting and find out what works for your cat. 

The first choice you’ll need to make is whether you need an open or enclosed litterbox. 

In an ideal world, you’d probably go for a closed litter box, as it’s not very appealing to see your cat’s waste out of the corner of your eye whenever you walk past. However, if your cat refuses to go in an enclosed space – that’s not going to work. 

Uncovered boxes can be a better option for cats that don’t want to feel like they’re trapped in a small space. Open litter trays are also more effective when you want to clean your litter tray regularly. You can easily get in and scoop out any clumps or waste. 

Enclosed options, on the other hand, are less likely to fill your home with that unappealing smell. Closed boxes need to be cleaned regularly to prevent a build-up of bacteria. That means fully cleaning the whole tray, litter box liner and the litter content – not just scooping. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that the opening is big enough for your cat to get in and out without any trouble.

Remember, if your cat ever seems to be developing arthritis, or asthma, which might make it difficult for them to go in enclosed spaces, you may need to switch to a new litter tray.

Of course, the lower the sides or the more open the litter box, the more likely that your cat will also spray and flick litter all over the floor. This is especially true of larger cats!

A vacuum for cat litter (or a robot vacuum for litter) will obvioulsy be useful to pick that up, but the more you can keep in the box in the first place, the better!

Dimensions and Height: What’s Best for Your Kitty?

Once you’ve chosen between an enclosed or open litter box, it’s time to think about the dimensions. As we mentioned above, the best length for a litter box is usually the same size as your cat, then half again. If you’ve got a bigger cat, then you’re going to need a pretty huge litter box. 

Trust me when I say finding a Maine Coon litter box without some creativity is pretty tough. Usually, you just have to opt for the longest and tallest options available. 

Don’t make the mistake of buying a regular litter tray when your kitten is still young. It’ll last for a while, but cats grow pretty quick. If you can’t find a similar style of litter box that’s bigger for your fully-grown cat, you might have to train them into using a new tray all over again. 

When it comes to choosing the right height for your cat’s litter tray, we’re referring to the height of the walls. If your cat isn’t a “sprayer”, then you can usually go for something around 5-inches high. 

If you have a cat like mine who prefers to stand up and pee everywhere, then you’ll need higher walls. The good news is that higher walls on a litter tray can have other benefits. For instance, there’s less kitty litter mess from your cat kicking litter everywhere. 

Another bonus? Your cat isn’t going to accidentally squat over the side of the litter tray and pee on your floor. It happens.

Older cats, cats with mobility problems, or cats with arthritis will need litter boxes with lower walls, so they can get in and out easily.

The Best Extra-Large Litter Boxes

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – what are the best extra-large litter boxes out there?

Here are a handful of our favorites.

Final Thoughts on Buying a Large Cat Litter Box

Large cat litter boxes are a must-have if you have a bigger cat. However, having a more spacious bathroom for your feline friend can be a good idea regardless of their size. Extra space means more comfort for your kitty, and less cleaning required from you. 

My favorite option of the various cat litter trays we’ve looked at today is the PetFusion large litter box. Despite being relatively simple, this cat litter tray is a delight to use. The high sided litter box design reduce spraying and litter scattering, while the box itself is easy to clean! 

Which extra-large cat litter box will you be using?

Just to end on, we know there are a million and one types of cat litters out there, so hop over and check out our articles on Clumping vs Non-Clumping litters. Also, watch the video in our Pretty Litter review to see if that health monitoring litter might be right for you. These may help you make a more informed choice.