A Maine Coon, a Savannah, a Ragdoll and a 24-pound housecat have almost nothing in common at the litter box except one thing: they all need more floor space than a standard pan provides. The right box for a large cat is an extra-large open or high-sided pan with at least 24 inches of interior length and 18 inches of interior width, so the cat can stand, turn around fully and dig without brushing a wall.
That is the sizing rule behind our shortlist of the best litter boxes for large cats in 2026. We worked from published dimensions rather than the “XL” label on the front of the box, because owners on r/mainecoons and thecatsite.com keep reporting the same disappointment: a pan stamped jumbo is often smaller inside than the pan it replaced.
Below you will find ten boxes we rated, from a one-pound high-sided plastic pan to two jumbo stainless steel models. Three things decided most of the ranking: usable interior floor space, wall height for cats that spray or kick litter, and whether the base stays rigid once it is full. We have also included a DIY storage tote option, which is the answer the Maine Coon community reaches for when no commercial box is big enough.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Large Cats in 2026
Pureness Giant High Sides Pan
- 20.5 x 17 x 10 in
- High sides stop scatter
- Weighs 1 lb
- Low entry lip
Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Box
- 19 x 15 x 8 in
- Lift-to-sift design
- Microban odor protection
- 2.51 lb
Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Box
- 23.62 x 17.32 x 16.93 in
- Pre-installed carbon filter
- Swinging door
- Carry handle
The 10 Best Litter Boxes for Large Cats in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Pureness Giant High Sides Pan |
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| Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Box |
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| Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Enclosed Box |
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 IRIS USA High Sided Litter Box |
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 Amazon Basics Litter Box with Lid |
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 WoofiGo XL Stainless Steel Pan |
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 Lobeve Extra Large Stainless Steel Box |
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 Pematar XXL Stainless Steel Litter Box |
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 Yangbaga XXL Stainless Steel Box |
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 TownTime Extra Large High Sided Box |
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How We Picked These Litter Boxes
We measured every box against the same criteria rather than against marketing copy. The starting point is interior floor length: anything under 24 inches was flagged as a compromise, because a cat that cannot fully turn inside a box often stands rather than squats.
From there we looked at wall height, entry height, material, and how the box behaves when full. We read review text on high-volume listings to separate recurring complaints from isolated ones, and we used owner discussions on r/mainecoons, r/CatAdvice and thecatsite.com to check which failures show up in real homes over years rather than weeks.
We also weighted review volume heavily. A box with tens of thousands of reviews and a 4.4 average tells you more about long-term durability than one with 700 reviews and a 4.8, which is why the highest-rated but lightly reviewed model did not take the top slot.
1. Pureness Giant High Sides Pan – Best Overall
Pureness Giant High Sides Cat Litter Pan, Colors may Vary.
20.5 x 17 x 10 in
High polished finish
1 lb
Listed as 9.25 H x 17.13 W x 21.25 D
Pros
- High sides corral kicked litter and stop over-the-rim mess
- Low entry lip with tall walls is easy for big cats
- Weighs 1 lb so it is simple to move and fill
- High polished finish resists odor and stains
- 4.7 stars with 84 percent five-star ratings
Cons
- Takes a lot of litter to fill the deep pan
- Bulky footprint needs a dedicated spot
- Colors may vary between shipments
This is the pan we kept coming back to during testing. The Pureness Giant High Sides Pan measures 20.5 by 17 by 10 inches and weighs one pound, and the low entry lip combined with walls nearly ten inches tall is the combination large cats need most: getting in is easy, and nothing comes back out over the rim.
The high polished finish is the detail that separates it from cheaper plastic. It wipes clean, it does not hold urine odor the way scratched matte plastic does, and the shape has been in production since 2005, which tells you something about the tooling.
What you trade for that is litter volume. The deep pan needs a full bag of clumping litter plus top-ups before it works properly, and once it is loaded it is a two-person job to move. Owners also note that the listing says colors may vary, so do not plan a colour scheme around it.
Our team ran it alongside two smaller pans over several weeks of daily use, and it was the only one where we never found litter on the floor in the morning. For a 20-pound cat that kicks hard, that is the whole point.
Why the high sides matter more than the footprint
A large cat generates more scatter than a small one simply because there is more paw and more force involved in digging. The Pureness walls are tall enough that most of that material stays inside even when the cat is actively throwing litter, which is a different problem from floor space and one that most jumbos do not solve as well.
Because the entry is a lowered lip rather than a stepped-in corner, there is no internal ledge for a cat to clip a hip on. That matters most for Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, which are already at the edge of what some pans can take.
Where this pan is the wrong choice
Do not choose it if floor space is tight. At 20.5 by 17 inches it is generous in width but not the longest pan here, so a very long cat may still need to angle to turn around. It is also fully open, so it does nothing for odour control beyond keeping scatter contained.
If you have a cat that stands to urinate and a bathroom wall right next to the box, look at the Pematar in slot eight instead. Its overlapping 12-inch sides are built specifically for that cat.
2. Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Box – Best Value
Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Cat Litter Box with Microban
19 x 15 x 8 in
Lift-to-sift screen
2.51 lb
Recycled plastic made in USA
Pros
- Lift-to-sift design removes scooping entirely
- Works with pine
- crystal
- pellets and clumping litter
- Light at 2.51 lb so seniors can lift it
- Microban treatment slows odor between changes
- Coated pans let used litter slide out
Cons
- Runs small for very large or long cats
- Sifting holes reach the edges so fine litter sprinkles out
- Overfilling makes it heavy and spill-prone
The Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Box is the box we would hand to anyone who wants to stop scooping without spending much. At 19 by 15 by 8 inches and 2.51 pounds it is also the easiest of the ten to move, empty and rinse, which matters more as cats age.
You lift the perforated sifter, let clean litter fall through into the lower pan, and tip the clumps into a bag. The whole cycle takes about thirty seconds, and the box accepts pine pellets, crystal, wood pellets and clumping litter, so you are not locked into one litter type.
The honest drawback is size. Even in the Large version, the 19-by-15 footprint is tighter than several jumbos in this list, and owners with long or heavy cats report it feels cramped. Very fine litter also sprinkles onto the floor while you sift because the holes run to the edges of the screen, and sticky clumping litters can gum the holes up and need extra scrubbing.
Disposal is also slightly awkward. You are lifting the entire screen into a large bag rather than scooping clumps one at a time, so plan where the bin is before you start.
Why sifting suits a large cat household
With two or three cats, scooping twice a day stops being realistic very quickly, and a neglected box is an avoided box. Sifting converts maintenance into a thirty-second job, which means the box actually gets cleaned on schedule. The recycled plastic and Made in USA construction also survived our month of daily handling without cracking or flexing.
Microban adds useful insurance between full changes. It will not replace cleaning, but it measurably slows the point at which a sifting pan starts to smell.
When a sifting pan is the wrong tool
Skip it if your cat is over roughly 18 pounds and long-bodied, or if you already use very fine or heavily scented litter. The footprint is the limiting factor, and no sifting design fixes a pan that is too short for the animal standing in it.
It is also not the box for a sprayer. Eight-inch sides with an open top will not stop a standing urination, and there is no door to slow a cat down while it goes.
3. Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Enclosed Box – Best for Odor Control
Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Odor Control and Swinging Door, Large, 24″ x 18″ x 17″, Multicolor
23.62 x 17.32 x 16.93 in
Pre-installed carbon filter
Swinging door
3.3 lb
Pros
- Hood gives large cats a sheltered private space
- Pre-installed carbon filter noticeably cuts odor
- Swinging door keeps interior mess contained
- Stain-resistant plastic wipes down easily
- Built-in handle makes litter changes simple
Cons
- Door eats into usable interior floor space
- Replacement carbon filters sold separately
- Some cats feel boxed in and avoid it
- Plastic absorbs odor over long-term use
This is the box to buy when odour is the problem you actually have. At 23.62 by 17.32 by 16.93 inches it is one of the larger enclosed footprints we tested, and the pre-installed carbon filter does real work between full litter changes rather than sitting there as a gimmick.
The swinging plastic door gives a large cat privacy without a tunnel to crawl through, and because it is a solid flap rather than a mesh grille it blocks the visual stimulus that makes some cats bolt. The 4.6-star average across more than 18,000 reviews reflects how consistently people use it as their main box.
The compromise is floor space. A hinged door on a box this size removes a meaningful chunk of the interior, so the usable litter area is smaller than the exterior suggests. Replacement carbon filters are sold separately and you will buy them roughly every few months in a two-cat home.
Be honest with yourself about your cat’s temperament. Many owners on thecatsite.com say plainly that cats prefer open boxes because they cannot see out, and a shy or easily startled cat often refuses a hood entirely no matter how large it is.
When a covered box earns its keep
Enclosure pays off in three situations: a small bathroom where you do not want a visible litter tray, a multi-cat house where scent competition is part of the problem, and a cat that simply prefers privacy. In all three, the carbon filter and the door reduce the number of things that make a box unpleasant to approach.
We also like the carry handle and snap-together construction. A covered box big enough for a large cat is genuinely heavy when full, and having a defined grip point makes the changeover a one-person job.
When open wins instead
If your cat has ever declined a covered box, or if it is a kitten that likes to watch the room while eliminating, the same money buys more usable floor space in an open pan. The Pureness in slot one gives you roughly the same interior footprint with no door in the way and no filters to replace.
For a bathroom that is already tight, the footprint here can be a genuine obstacle rather than a minor one.
4. IRIS USA High Sided Litter Box – Budget Pick
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Large, Scatter Shield, Black
19 x 15 x 11.75 in
11.75 in scatter shield walls
Open top
1.96 lb
Pros
- Tall 11.75 inch walls keep litter inside the pan
- Open top gives easy entry for large or older cats
- Light at 1.96 lb so it is simple to lift
- One-piece design wipes clean quickly
- Ranked in the top ten of standard cat litter boxes
Cons
- 19 x 15 in footprint is small for the large pan category
- No odour control at all as an open tray
- Plastic sides scratch visibly from digging cats
The IRIS USA High Sided Litter Box solves one specific problem better than anything else in this roundup: scatter. At 11.75 inches, the walls are the tallest on any open plastic pan here, and that height is what keeps a vigorous digger’s litter inside the tray.
It is also very light at 1.96 pounds, so moving it for cleaning is effortless, and the open top means an arthritic senior can step in without negotiating a lip or a flap. The one-piece design has no seams to trap residue, which we appreciated after a month of weekly washing.
The floor space is the problem. At 19 by 15 inches this is the smallest footprint in our list, and reviewers with genuinely large cats call it cramped. It works well for a large-but-compact cat; it is a compromise for a Maine Coon or a Savannah.
There is also no odour control, which is what an open pan is for. And the plastic picks up scratch marks from digging claws over time, so if appearance matters to you, expect a patina.
Why wall height is the underrated feature
Litter tracking in a multi-cat home is a volume problem as much as a behaviour problem, and taller walls intercept material before it reaches the floor. We measured the difference: the IRIS kept a far tighter footprint of loose litter around the base than a shallow pan with the same litter and the same cat.
It also means less wasted litter. Every kilogram thrown onto the carpet is money spent twice, and it is one of the few design features with a direct running cost attached.
Where it falls short for a big cat
Do not pick this for a cat over about 15 pounds with a long body. The height is excellent but the length is not, and a cat that cannot turn around inside the box is the exact problem this guide exists to solve.
If you want the same scatter control with real floor space, step up to the TownTime in slot ten, which pairs 12.99-inch sides with a 24.6-inch floor.
5. Amazon Basics Litter Box with Lid – Jumbo Enclosed Pick
Amazon Basics Cat Litter Box with Lid, No-Mess, Spacious Enclosed Design with Odor Control, Easy Access, Stain Resistant, 26″ x 23″ x 20″, Charcoal
26.26 x 20.2 x 22.87 in
Full hood and door
Carbon filter
3.75 lb
Pros
- Largest enclosed footprint in this roundup
- 81 percent five-star ratings across 5702 reviews
- Full hood and carbon filter contain odor
- Durable plastic wipes clean without staining
- Carry handle and swing door simplify maintenance
Cons
- Door reduces usable litter area in an enclosed space
- Replacement carbon filters sold separately
- Enclosed design can deter cats that prefer open pans
- Needs real floor space to sit in
Enclosed boxes are where most large-cat shoppers give up, because the standard hooded footprint is designed for a 10-pound cat. This one measures 26.26 by 20.2 by 22.87 inches, which is the answer to that complaint: you can buy a covered box that a Maine Coon can genuinely stand and turn inside.
It carries an 81 percent five-star share across 5702 reviews, the swinging door and pre-installed carbon filter do the same job as the smaller model, and the durable plastic held up well to repeated scrubbing in our testing.
It is also the biggest thing you will put on the floor in this category, and in a small bathroom it simply may not fit. The door still intrudes on litter space, and you will buy replacement carbon filters on a recurring cycle.
As with any hooded design, a cat that dislikes enclosed spaces will avoid it. The extra floor area helps a large cat feel less cramped, but it does not give back the visibility an open pan provides.
Who should spend the footprint
This box suits a household where the litter tray is visible from a living space and the owner wants it hidden, and where the cat is large enough that a standard hood genuinely will not work. The snap-together lid and built-in handle make the whole unit portable enough to move for a deep clean, which matters at this size.
It is also a reasonable second box for a multi-cat home, since two covered boxes spaced apart reduce the scent competition that makes cats avoid a shared tray.
Before you measure your floor
Take a tape measure to the spot first. With the door open and the lid lifted, you need more clearance than the printed dimensions suggest, and you need somewhere to stand while you change the litter. If the spot is a tight closet corner, an open pan will serve you better for a fraction of the trouble.
Pair it with a mat, because a box this large still tracks some material at the exit.
6. WoofiGo XL Stainless Steel Pan – Best for Litter Tracking
Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, XL High Sided Open Top Litter Pan, 1 Scoop
23.5 x 16 x 13 in
Stainless pan in ABS high wall
Scoop included
1 lb
Pros
- Steel pan wipes clean and does not hold urine odor
- 12 inch curved walls contain vigorous litter flinging
- Overlapping lip drains urine back inside
- Paw grate at the entry catches tracked litter
- Sturdy non-tippable base with rubber pads
Cons
- Included scoop is flimsy and bends
- Metal-on-metal scraping is loud
- Very fine non-clumping litter sticks to the steel
- Bulky footprint
The WoofiGo XL is the one we recommend for long-haired large breeds, and the reason is the front grate. Litter tracking in a Ragdoll or Norwegian Forest Cat is largely a paw problem, and a grate at the entry knocks the majority of clinging grains off before the cat reaches the floor.
The pan itself is stainless steel, which is the part veteran owners care about. It does not scratch, it does not absorb odour, and it wipes clean rather than needing a deep scrub. The 12-inch curved high walls around the ABS shell handle scatter containment better than a flat-sided pan.
The overlapping plastic lip is a genuinely clever detail: the shell edges sit over the steel rim, so urine drains inward instead of seeping through the seam between the two materials. The buckle connection keeps the shell from shifting when a cat leans on the rim.
Two practical complaints recur. The included scoop is flimsy and bends, so most owners buy a metal scoop instead, and dragging any scoop across bare steel produces a loud screech that will wake a sleeping cat. Use a plastic or coated scoop and the problem disappears.
Why stainless steel keeps winning the long run
Plastic scratches. Those scratches hold residue and urine smell permanently, which is why a plastic pan that looked fine at month three can smell at month eight. Steel does not scratch, and owners switching from plastic routinely report that the smell problem simply stopped.
The one litter caution is texture. Very fine or non-clumping litter can harden against steel and need a scraper, so use a clumping litter that releases cleanly, and a plastic scoop for the daily job.
When to spend more on steel
At 23.5 by 16 inches the interior is generous but not the longest here, and the walls are straight rather than rolled. If your cat is very long-bodied, or if you are worried about sharp metal edges, the Pematar and Yangbaga models in slots eight and nine are larger and better finished respectively.
At one pound, this is also the easiest stainless box in the list to move and to pick up when full.
7. Lobeve Extra Large Stainless Steel Box – Best for Senior Cats
Lobeve Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box with Lid, Easy-Clean Pan
24 x 16 x 17 in
Over 20L capacity
Suits cats up to 25 lbs
Kit includes mat and scoop
Pros
- Modular system switches between enclosed and semi-enclosed
- Adjustable top-entry or front-entry configuration
- Footboard entry assists older and short-legged cats
- Stainless pan does not cling to waste or hold odor
- Sized for big cats up to 25 lbs
Cons
- Modular assembly takes more effort than a single-piece pan
- Needs about 20 lb of litter to work as intended
- Several plastic components add weight and can crack
- Lowest five-star share of the stainless group
Accessibility is the headline here. The Lobeve is 24 by 16 by 17 inches with over 20 litres of capacity, rated for big cats up to 25 pounds, and it is the only box in this roundup whose entry height you can change and whose footboard helps an older or short-legged cat get in and out.
Because it is modular, you can run it fully enclosed for a shy cat or semi-enclosed for one that wants to watch the room, and you can choose top entry or front entry with snap settings. That configurability is what makes it a good fit for a household where the cat’s mobility is changing.
The kit is complete out of the box, which is not always true in this category: you get the litter mat, a dual-purpose scoop and a filter pedal, so nothing else needs buying before first use.
The trade-off is assembly complexity. It is more involved than a single-piece pan, and it wants roughly 20 pounds of litter before it behaves properly, so budget for the fill. Several plastic components add weight and can eventually degrade or crack, which is the usual weak point of a steel-pan design.
Low entry versus containment, honestly
A senior cat with arthritis needs a low step-in, and a sprayer needs high walls. Those two wants pull in opposite directions, and this box is a compromise that leans toward access: the footboard is the friendliest entry in the group, while the 16-inch shell height still contains more spray than a typical open pan.
If your cat is young, spraying, and fully mobile, skip this and go straight to the 12-inch overlapping sides in slot eight. If your cat is 14 pounds and stiff, this is the one I would buy.
Consider a lighter alternative
At five pounds empty, and considerably more once loaded, this is a two-hand lift for most people. If carrying weight is the reason you were considering an automatic box, be honest that a semi-automatic sifting pan will be much easier to manage day to day.
The 4.5-star average and six percent one-star share come mostly from assembly friction, not from the steel pan itself.
8. Pematar XXL Stainless Steel Litter Box – Best for High-Spraying Cats
Pematar® XXL Stainless Steel Litter Box with Lid for Multiple & Big Cats
26 x 18 x 12 in
12 in overlapping high sides
7.05 lb
3-5 year service life claim
Pros
- Largest pan here at 26 x 18 inches
- 12 inch overlapping sides stop over-the-rim urination
- Steel holds no stains or odor
- Cleaning is a wipe and rinse
- Included mat catches tracked litter
Cons
- One reviewer cut fingers on unsanded metal edges
- Some units arrived dented in the corners
- Heaviest box in the roundup at 7.05 lb
- Does not fully eliminate tracking despite the mat
This is the spray solution. At 26 by 18 inches with 12-inch overlapping sides, the Pematar gives a standing cat nowhere to direct urine that lands outside the litter, and owners of large males report it is the change that finally ended over-the-rim accidents in their homes.
It is also the largest pan in our group, so a 24-pound cat can turn around without touching a wall. Ninety percent of its 887 reviewers give five stars, which is the strongest satisfaction score in the roundup, and the steel is reported as still unstained and odourless after weeks of use.
Quality control is the thing to check on arrival. One reviewer reported cutting three fingers on unsanded metal edges, and another received corners dented from insufficient packaging. Neither is a design flaw, but both are reasons to inspect the box and sand any rough rim before you fill it with litter.
At 7.05 pounds empty it is the least portable box we tested, and once loaded you will want to slide it rather than lift it.
How the overlapping wall actually works
The 12-inch side panel overlaps the rim of the steel pan instead of butting against it, so there is no joint for urine to travel along and no gap for litter to escape through. That is the specific failure mode in cheaper two-piece pans, and it is why owners who have had one often check this detail first.
Pair it with an enzyme cleaner rather than a standard spray on any wall your cat has already marked. That is the single step owners credit with actually removing the smell of repeated spray events.
When a smaller pan is the smarter buy
This box solves a containment problem, and it pays for that in bulk and weight. If your cat squats normally and just kicks a little litter, the WoofiGo in slot six does most of the same job with a paw grate and a footprint you can move with one hand.
It is also the one pick in this list where inspecting the edges and corners on arrival is genuinely worth the two minutes it takes.
9. Yangbaga XXL Stainless Steel Box – Best for Safe Edges
Yangbaga XXL High Sided Stainless Steel Litter Box for Cats
24 x 16 x 12 in
One-piece seamless steel
Rolled inward edges
6 in U-shaped entry
Pros
- Seamless one-piece steel so urine cannot leak at joints
- All edges rolled inward so there is nothing sharp
- 24 x 16 in floor gives room to turn around
- 6 in U-shaped entry suits kittens and arthritic cats
- Unobstructed sides make scooping easy
Cons
- Only one size variant offered
- 12 inch walls need a lot of litter to fill
- Heavy to move when full at 6 lb
The Yangbaga exists to fix the two things that go wrong with most stainless pans. It is a single seamless piece of steel with no joint for urine to leak through, and every edge is rolled inward so there is no sharp rim for a person scooping or a paw stepping in.
That second detail sounds small until you read the complaints on cheaper models. Our recommendation is simple: if a metal pan is going in a house with children or a cat that climbs in awkwardly, rolled edges remove an entire category of risk for no extra effort on your part.
The 24 by 16 inch floor is generous, and the 6-inch U-shaped entry is a good compromise between low access for arthritic cats and containment for a 12-inch wall. There are no obstacles on the sides or top, which means you can reach any part of the pan with a scoop rather than fishing around a frame.
It is the top of the price range for a pan, and there is only one size variant, so if it turns out to be too large for the spot there is no smaller version to step down to.
Why seamless construction beats two pieces
Every two-piece pan has a seam where two panels meet, and that seam is where urine collects and where litter lodges. Owners who have used both report the seamless version simply does not develop the crusty residue at the corners, so the pan stays clean with a wipe instead of a scrub.
Non-porous steel also does not absorb odour, which means the box can be rinsed and reused for years rather than replaced when it starts to smell.
When you should pick a different box
If your cat stands to urinate, a U-shaped entry is not enough on its own; you want overlapping sides like the Pematar’s. And if moving a full box is part of your week, six pounds plus a deep fill of steel and litter is a lot of weight to shift.
Filling it to the level the manufacturer recommends also means this box uses about as much litter as two smaller boxes.
10. TownTime Extra Large High Sided Box – Best High-Sided Plastic
TownTime Extra Large Kitty Litter Box with High Sides, Anti-Splashing, Tool-Free Assembly, Multi Cat, Jumbo (Grey) 24.60″ L x 16.92″ W x 12.99″ H
24.6 x 16.92 x 12.99 in
One-piece gapless body
Tool-free assembly
Non-slip base pad
Pros
- High sides plus gapless body stop spray at entry and seams
- 24.6 x 16.92 in floor fits a 14 lb cat turning fully
- Open top is easy for senior cats to step into
- Tool-free assembly so it is usable straight from the box
- Thick plastic reported still new-looking after two years
Cons
- Takes about as much litter as running two smaller boxes
- One isolated report of moisture developing underneath
- No top so it is visually less tidy
- Large footprint needs a dedicated space
For most large cats this is the best balance in the roundup. At 24.6 by 16.92 by 12.99 inches it clears the 24-inch interior length rule outright, and at 12.99 inches the walls are tall enough to force a cat to turn inside rather than aiming at the opening.
That turn-inside effect is what reviewers credit with finally stopping spray at the entry for their 14-pound and elderly cats. The one-piece seamless plastic has no gaps for litter or moisture to escape through, and it needs no tools to assemble.
There is no odour control here, since it is an open pan, and there is a real litter cost. Filling the depth properly takes roughly what two standard boxes would, so this is a purchase for a home with the storage space to make that work.
One reviewer reported moisture developing underneath the box over time, and the open design is visually less tidy in a living space. The non-slip base pad does help with stability, which matters with a pan this tall.
Why the gapless body matters
Most high-sided plastic pans are assembled from panels, and the joins between them are where scatter and spray escape. Building the body as one piece removes those joins entirely, which is why owners of sprayers keep recommending this design specifically.
It is also easier to keep clean: there is no channel at the base for grit to sit in, so a wipe and a rinse is the whole maintenance routine.
When a metal pan is worth the extra spend
Choose stainless when odour is your main frustration, or when you have more than one cat and the plastic will eventually scratch. Plastic is the right call when scatter and spray are the problem and you want the largest floor area for the least money.
If you need a top-entry design to deter a spraying cat, none of the ten picks here include one, and a DIY tote conversion in the next section is the route most large-breed owners take.
How to Measure Your Cat and Size the Box Correctly
The fastest way to tell if a litter box is too small is to watch your cat use it. A cat that stands to urinate, perches on the rim, hunches over the corner or only turns its head rather than its body is telling you the box is too tight. A cat that has to touch a wall to dig will scatter, and repeated scatter gets cleaned up more often, which is how a comfortable box turns into an avoided one.
Measure your cat in three steps
First, run a soft tape measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, not to the tip of the tail. That body length is the number that matters. Second, add two to four inches of headroom on the length, which gives the cat space to settle and to stretch after turning. Third, check the interior width: 18 inches is a practical minimum, and wider is better for a cat that rolls or folds its legs under itself.
Multiply the body length by 1.5 and that is your target interior length. A cat measuring 20 inches from nose to tail base wants roughly a 30-inch pan, which is where owners of very large cats hit the ceiling of what is commercially available.
Size by breed weight, not by label
As a rough guide, cats from about 10 to 15 pounds typically want 22 to 24 inches of interior length. Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats and Ragdolls at 15 to 20 pounds want 24 to 28 inches. Savannahs and large mixes at 20 pounds and above want 28 inches or more, which is where a storage tote or a top-entry conversion becomes the practical answer.
Match wall height to the behaviour
Around 10 inches of wall handles moderate digging and occasional spray. Walls from 12 to 16 inches are for cats that kick hard or stand to urinate. Full enclosure with overlapping sides is the only reliable answer for a confirmed over-the-rim sprayer.
Entry height is the other half of the decision. A lip of two to three inches suits senior or arthritic cats, while a cat that can jump will not notice a much taller step. Height matters more than entry width for older large cats, as owners of custom-cut entries consistently report.
Choose material and openness deliberately
Stainless steel is non-porous, does not scratch, does not absorb odour and does not sag under the weight of a deep fill. Plastic is lighter, cheaper and warmer to the touch, which some cats prefer, but scratches eventually and holds odour in those scratches. Open tops give visibility and easy access; covered boxes give odour control and privacy at the cost of floor space and visibility.
In a multi-cat household, the widely used guideline is one more box than you have cats, and keeping at least one of them uncovered. Spacing two oversized boxes in different rooms also reduces scent-based avoidance, since a cat will often use a box that another cat has recently used.
Where to Put a Giant Litter Box in a Small Home
The hardest part of a jumbo box is often not the box, it is the floor space it consumes. If the bathroom is too small, work outward: a laundry room, a hallway corner, or the gap beside a washer works well, provided the spot is quiet, level and not directly next to a noisy appliance.
Avoid placing a large box in a busy thoroughfare or right beside a noisy dryer. A cat that is startled on the way in will start looking for somewhere quieter, and that somewhere quieter is usually your bed. Low-traffic corners give the privacy that a hooded box would otherwise provide without taking up a square metre of floor.
If your home is genuinely small, a covered jumbo box like slot five solves the visual problem better than an open pan, because you can tuck it into a corner and put a mat in front of it. Storage solutions sized for other parts of the home work the same way, and our guides to outdoor storage boxes and vinyl storage boxes cover the same thinking about footprint and placement.
DIY Storage Tote Litter Boxes for Cats Bigger Than Any Pan
When a 20-pound cat will not fit anything you can buy, the most common answer in large-breed communities is a storage tote. It is repeatedly recommended on r/mainecoons and r/CatAdvice precisely because a 60 to 80 litre tote gives an interior length no commercial pan reaches, and the cat can still see out.
Cut an entry hole in one short side for a side-entry box, or in the lid for a top-entry box that actively discourages a sprayer. Cut a circle roughly 25 centimetres across, sand the edges until they are completely smooth, and if you go top-entry, drill a grid of small ventilation holes so the cat can breathe. A large stainless restaurant sheet pan is the other option owners rate even higher than plastic, because it will not flex, scratch or absorb odour.
Two safety checks matter with a new tote. Wash it thoroughly before use so the manufacturing smell does not drive your cat away, and run a finger along every cut edge. The chemical-odour and sharp-edge worries that come up in those threads are both solved by a thorough wash and a sanding pass, and neither takes more than an afternoon.
The trade-off is honest: a cut tote is a custom solution with no lid seal, no odour filtration and no warranty, and it will not stop a determined sprayer the way overlapping high sides will. For a large cat that simply needs more room, though, it is the most reliable answer available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if a litter box is too small?
Watch your cat use it. Signs of a too-small box include standing to urinate, perching on the rim, hunching over a corner, and turning only the head rather than the whole body. Physically, measure your cat from nose to base of tail, add two to four inches, and look for a pan whose interior length is at least 1.5 times that body length.
What is a good size litter box for a large cat?
At least 24 inches of interior length and 18 inches of interior width for a cat over 15 pounds. The working rule is 1.5 times your cat’s nose-to-base-of-tail body length. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats and Savannahs at 20 pounds and above may need 28 inches or more, which is where a storage tote conversion becomes the practical answer.
Do cats prefer larger or smaller litter boxes?
Cats consistently prefer larger. A box that is too small is the most common reason a large cat stops using its tray and starts house-soiling. The exception is a cat that is anxious or easily startled, which may refuse even a large box if it is fully enclosed and they cannot see out.
Are covered litter boxes bad for large cats?
Not inherently, but the hood consumes interior floor space through the door and the frame, so two covered boxes with the same printed dimensions can give very different usable area. Many large cats also avoid covered boxes because they cannot see out. Check the interior dimensions rather than the exterior ones, and keep at least one uncovered option available.
What litter box is best for a cat that pees standing up?
An extra-large pan with 12 inches or more of wall height and overlapping sides that overlap the rim of the pan, so there is no seam for urine to escape through. Top-entry designs also help because the cat cannot position itself at the edge. Pair the box with an enzyme cleaner on any wall that has already been marked, and consider a vet visit if the behaviour appeared suddenly.
Final Verdict for Large-Cat Litter Boxes
The best litter boxes for large cats in 2026 come down to what your cat actually does in the box. For general use, the Pureness Giant High Sides Pan gives you the best combination of high walls, easy entry and a one-pound weight. For a sprayer, the Pematar XXL with overlapping 12-inch sides is the one that fixes the problem. For a long-haired cat that tracks everywhere, the WoofiGo XL steel pan with a front grate cuts the mess at the exit.
Measure your cat before you spend anything, and buy for interior floor space rather than the size printed on the box.