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Danny's Cats

Litter and hygiene

Litter box entry height

Updated

What is litter box entry height?

Litter box entry height is how high a cat has to step to get into the box, measured from the floor to the lowest edge of the opening. Cornell Feline Health Center says young kittens, elderly cats and cats with mobility problems need boxes with low sides, so the figure matters most for them.

Why does entry height matter?

A high step is harder for a cat that is small, old or sore. Cornell says small kittens and cats with joint pain need a box with low sides, and Battersea says a low-entry tray can make getting in and out much easier for kittens and older cats. The AAFP and ISFM house-soiling guidelines say cats with degenerative joint disease may require a box with a very shallow opening.

The same guidelines add that, regardless of design, the opening of a litter box should allow easy access.

How do you measure entry height?

Measure from the floor to the lowest point your cat has to step over. On an open pan with a cut-down front, that is the dip in the front wall, not the top of the side walls. On a covered box it is the bottom edge of the doorway. On a top-entry box the cat climbs onto the lid, so the climb is the full height of the box.

Not every maker publishes the figure. Where it is missing, measure the box or ask the seller before buying for a cat that struggles.

What to look for

  • A published entry or front-wall height, not just the overall height
  • A cut-down front if the walls are high
  • For an older or stiff cat, the lowest step you can find

Reading the wall height as the entry height

A box with tall walls can still have a much lower front to step over, and the overall height in a listing usually means the walls. Check the entry figure, or measure the lowest point of the opening yourself.

Questions about litter box entry height

What entry height suits a senior cat?

As low as you can find. Cornell says elderly cats and cats with mobility problems need boxes with low sides, and the AAFP and ISFM guidelines say cats with degenerative joint disease may need a very shallow opening. We found no veterinary body that sets an exact number in inches. If an older cat struggles to get in or starts missing the box, see your vet first.

Can a cat stop using a box because the sides are too high?

Sides that are too high can be one reason a cat stops using a box. Battersea lists a tray that is too small or has sides that are too high among the reasons a cat may toilet just outside the tray. Cornell advises a vet check for any cat having trouble using the box consistently, because a medical cause has to be ruled out.

Where this comes up

Sources