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Danny's Cats

Litter and hygiene

High-sided litter box

Updated

What is a high-sided litter box?

A high-sided litter box is an open box whose back and side walls are taller than a standard pan's, to keep kicked litter and urine inside. Most have a lower front so the cat can still step in. The AAFP and ISFM guidelines say a high-sided box collects urine well for cats that stand while urinating.

What does a high-sided box do?

Tall walls catch what a cat sends sideways. The AAFP and ISFM house-soiling guidelines say a high-sided box provides some security and is effective at collecting urine for cats that stand while urinating, and the caption on one of their example boxes notes that its high back helps protect the wall.

Makers pitch the same benefit. Van Ness says its high-sided design helps prevent litter spills, and IRIS USA describes the tall walls of its XXL box as suited to diggers and high-spraying cats.

What is the downside of high sides?

Height cuts both ways. Battersea lists sides that are too high among the reasons a cat may toilet just outside the tray, and Cornell says kittens, elderly cats and cats with mobility problems need low sides. A high-sided box works best when the front, where the cat steps in, stays low.

What to look for

  • A lower front or a cut-out entry
  • Wall height and entry height listed separately
  • A length of at least one and a half times your cat's

Choosing walls that are tall all the way round

A box with high walls on every side makes the cat climb over the same height that is meant to keep the litter in. Look for a high back and sides with a low front.

Questions about high-sided litter box

Is a high-sided box the same as a covered box?

A high-sided box is not the same as a covered box. A high-sided box is still open on top, so the cat can see out and smells can escape, which is what the AAFP and ISFM guidelines and Cornell favor. A covered box has a lid and a doorway the cat must use.

Does a high-sided box help a cat that pees over the edge?

A high-sided box is made for a cat that pees over the edge. The AAFP and ISFM guidelines say a high-sided box is effective at collecting urine for cats that stand while urinating. If the habit is new, ask your vet, since Cornell says cats having problems using the box consistently should be checked by a veterinarian.

Where this comes up

Sources