Male cats are notorious for their territorial nature. They’re liable to pee on anything they can just to mark their territory. And when it comes time to do the deed in a litter box, they’re even more likely than female felines to spray or scratch at the sides of the box. With this in mind, we set out to find the best litter box for male cats that will keep both you and your furry friends happy and healthy!
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A Quick Look At Our Favorites
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1 | Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter Box | Hidden | Buy on Amazon | ||||||||
2 | Petphabet Covered Litter Box | Covered | Buy on Amazon | ||||||||
3 | Catit Magic Litter Box | Keeps dogs out | Buy on Amazon | ||||||||
4 | Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan | Top Entry | Buy on Amazon | ||||||||
5 | Iris Jumbo Hooded Litter Box | Portable | Buy on Amazon | ||||||||
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1 | Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter Box Hidden | Buy on Amazon | |||
2 | Petphabet Covered Litter Box Covered | Buy on Amazon | |||
3 | Catit Magic Litter Box Keeps dogs out | Buy on Amazon | |||
4 | Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan Top Entry | Buy on Amazon | |||
5 | Iris Jumbo Hooded Litter Box Portable | Buy on Amazon |
Best Litter Box For Male Cats Reviews
Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter Box
The Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter Box is a hidden litter box that nicely blends into your interior. On the outside it looks like a big potted plant. No one will even know you have cats!
Its closed interior is very spacious and will fit your male cats perfectly, even if they’re a bit bigger. More importantly, it surrounds them from all sides, so digging or spraying won’t be much of an issue. To clean it, simply take off the plant part and lift off the top to reach the litter.
Considering its size of 18’’x18’’x20’’, it’s best not to put too much litter into the pan or it will be too heavy to lift. Alternatively, you might consider getting a basic round litter pan to put inside. That way, you can also use disposable litter liners and make your clean up job even easier.
The only downside that we could find with the Bundle & Bliss litter box, as with any round litter box, is that it is difficult to scoop the sides with most regular, flat litter scoops. Some male cats like to pee right at the edge of the bin and, if you’re using a clumping clay litter, you end up with solid clumps caked to the side. If that’s you, and you want to use a round litter box, be sure to get a scoop that will easily scrape the sides of the pan. It will save you a lot of time and aggravation.
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Related Post: Is Pet Insurance Worth It For Indoor Cats?
Is pet insurance worth it for indoor cats? Read this guide to learn about pet insurance for cats and calculate if it is really worth it for your indoor cat.Petphabet Covered Litter Box
The Petphabet covered litter box, which measures at 25’’x19’’x17’’, is definitely a favorite for us here at Healthy Cat Guide when it comes to covered litter boxes for male cats. While most hoods are closed and feel rather claustrophobic, the hood on this litter box is completely see through. Your cat will feel protected, but still be able to see any threats coming.
And you won’t have any excuse to leave poops lingering in the box, because they will still be able to see them. That’s a plus in our book.
Even if you decide to take the hood off, the pan is designed to be functional by itself. The back is higher than the front, so digging is no problem in this box. He can also dig his nails into it all he wants. Some scratches may appear on the surface, but the box will hold.
When it comes to cleaning the litter box, there isn’t much to it. Simply remove the hood, then scoop out the clumps or dump out the litter. Do pay mind to the placement of the hood when you put it back. If you’re not careful, you might leave a gap between the top and bottom where pee can escape.
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Catit Magic Litter Box
At 22’’x17’’x18’’, the Catit Magic litter box is bigger than the average litter box. It is nice and square, not intruding on your cat’s space and has a door to keep all spills, both solid and liquid, inside the litter box. Your boy can go to town in this box and you wouldn’t even notice.
The Catit Magic is easy to clean. It is made from durable plastic and doesn’t have any weird ridges or indentations where litter can get stuck. Scooping is effortless with this litter box, no matter how sticky your clumping litter gets.
Unfortunately, some cat owners have reported their cats cutting themselves on the sharp edge of the opening. We advise you to always check any new litter box or cat carrier for sharp edges or pieces that could hurt your cat. In the case of this litter box, it seems to be a rare occurrence and is easily solved by filing down the bottom edge of the hood. A simple nail file will do.
Another piece of advice, or warning, actually, that we need to give with the Catit Magic litter box is that it can magically make your cat disappear! Sort of …
After longer use and continued opening and closing of the litter box, it might warp a bit and cause the door to get stuck. That won’t be a pleasant experience for your cat if he’s in there. If you notice the door getting more difficult to open and close, consider taking it off completely. You don’t want your cat to get trapped and become afraid of his litter box.
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Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan
The Petmate Top Entry litter pan is a perfect choice for male cats that are extra messy. Whether they are ferocious diggers or enthusiastic sprayers, this box will keep it all contained. With a size of 20’’x15’’x15’’ it is the smallest litter box on this list, making it less suitable for larger cats. Nevertheless, it has straight corners and isn’t as encroaching as most top entry litter boxes.
It’s the perfect litter box for cat owners living in small apartments. The top lid helps to reduce odors flying around your house. But please make sure to keep it clean and use a litter suitable for small spaces, so your cat can enjoy it too. Luckily, the pan is made from durable plastic and very easy to scoop and clean.
Some owners have experienced some problems with the lid, though. It seems that it doesn’t always have a very tight fit with the pan. If this happens to you, and you can’t return or exchange it, try using a lashing strap to attach it more securely. This will also help keep the litter inside in case your cat happens to tip it over.
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Iris Jumbo Hooded Litter Box
The Iris Jumbo Hooded Litter Box is a sturdy, covered box that will fit even bigger male cats. It is sized at 21’’x19’’x17’’. The square shape gives your boy enough space to get in and turn around before he does his business. The door keeps all litter nicely inside if he starts to do some digging, reducing the chance of the litter being spread through your house.
The nice thing is that your cat is surrounded from all sides by this litter box. Spray will have no chance to get out. On top of that, it is very easy to clean. When it’s time to change out the litter, you can use the robust handle at the top to carry it to your bin. Just don’t make it too heavy for lifting by filling it with too much litter.
One downside to this litter box is that it is very closed off. It has no window or grate to let in any light, so it’s very dark in there. If your cat is on the skittish side, this might not be the best litter box for him.
At the same time, there have been some reports of the door getting stuck after longer use. If you use the Iris Jumbo litter box, please check the door regularly. We wouldn’t want your cat to accidentally get stuck in there. If you are experiencing problems, you can consider removing the door completely.
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Our Favorite: Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter Box
The Bundle & Bliss Secret Litter box doesn’t just protect your walls and floors from your cat’s pee attacks, it also looks pretty! I wouldn’t mind having that in my house, even if I didn’t have cats. Whether your boy is big or small, he will have no trouble getting in or out. And with a separate litter pan inside, it is a breeze to keep clean.
Litter Box Habits Of Male Cats
You might not be aware of it, but male cats actually have different habits than female cats when it comes to using the litter box. Let’s go over the most striking differences found in a recent study into feline litter box behavior.
More Digging
The first notable difference found between male and female cats is that males have a stronger tendency to dig. They do this primarily before they start urinating or defecating and some are rather vigorous at it.
It’s also interesting to note that male cats tend to dig with two paws, while females prefer to use only one paw. Digging with two paws displaces a lot more litter at a time, so this behavior increases the chance of litter getting kicked out of the litter box.
More Scratching
Males generally have bigger paws, and claws, then their female counterparts. And they know how to use them! Male cats display more scratching behavior and are more prone to destroying things in the process. They may scratch the bottom of the pan, the sides, the wall, or the floor next to the litter box.
The source of this behavior lies in a cat’s need to mark its territory. Glands between the toes leave behind their scent, making others aware of their presence. Males in particular tend to do this to establish dominance and attract nearby females.
Less Squatting
As is the case with humans, male cats are more reluctant to pee sitting down. Female cats normally have no problem squatting before they release, but the boys can be stubborn. The consequences of this habit for you as their caretaker are not to be overlooked.
If your cat doesn’t lower its behind when urinating, there is a big chance that you will end up with puddles of pee next to your litter box. These can be devastating to both your floors and your health. Cat urine doesn’t just smell like it was brewed by Satan himself, it can actually contain bacteria that will make you very sick. So you want to limit your exposure to it, no matter what.
More Spraying
All cats, both female and male, can and do spray. However, male cats are again far more likely to do it, for the same reasons that they like to scratch more. It’s all about territory and letting others know they’re there.
Where you might be tempted to overlook a puddle every now and then, spraying takes things to another level. If you have a cat that sprays, you want to do everything you can to prevent them from hitting your walls, curtains, furniture, plants and everything else they feel a need to claim as their own. Read our guide on the Best Litter Box For Cats That Spray for more tips specific to your situation.
What To Look For In A Litter Box For Male Cats
Because of their specific habits, male cats need special consideration in terms of their litter boxes. Here are the main things you need to keep in mind.
Durable
First and foremost, your litter box has to be durable enough to withstand their big, scratching claws. So if you were thinking of using an old cardboard box, you’re out of luck.
The best material for a litter box for large, destruction-prone males is a thick plastic, or stainless steel. Our preference goes to plastic over stainless steel, because most of the litter boxes out there that are marketed as stainless steel are not actually stainless. Many cat owners report oxidation and even holes from corrosion after only a few months of use.
High Sides
Another important aspect of litter boxes for male cats is the height of the sides. Of course, you don’t want to completely box your cat in. He still needs some room in there to turn and pick a comfortable spot. Nevertheless, you want the sides to be at least as high as he is. This will prevent him from peeing over the side and kicking out the litter.
If he also likes to spray, a hooded litter box is the best choice. All the mess will be contained in the litter box, leaving less for you to clean. Just make sure that you clean it more often than you would an open litter pan. Otherwise the odors stay trapped under the litter box cover and may damage your cat’s health.
Good Odor Control
Tying in with the last point is the need for good odor control. Covered litter boxes are definitely the best when it comes to reducing odors, for you. Remember, your cat still has to go inside the litter box. If it gets too smelly, he might refuse. Look for a litter box with some filtration in the hood, preferably with a carbon filter that catches the odors.
While it is important to pick a litter box that doesn’t allow smells and bacteria to spread into your home, good odor control for the most part comes down to keeping your litter box clean. As boring or disgusting as it may be, you need to scoop out any pee or feces as soon as possible. Clean out the entire pan at least once a week when using a conventional litter. This is the best way of protecting your cat and your family.