Changing the kitty litter box is the one task that cat owners dread. Litter boxes tend to be unsightly, smelly, and require regular cleaning. Because you are going to be spending time with the litter and the box, you want to find something that is easy and good for your cat.

There are a few different types you might be interested in. Before you buy, however, you should keep in mind that your cat might be particular about where they go. You want one that is large enough for your pet to feel comfortable in. If you have more than one feline, you’re going to want to have more than one litter box. This isn’t always possible if you live in an apartment, but it will make your life a lot easier if you can do this. I want to discuss a few different options.

Automatic Kitty Litter Boxes

Some people and their pets love automatic kitty litter boxes, but others hate them. Reasons to avoid this kind is that they are more expensive, may break down, and I had one friend whose cat’s tail got caught in the cleaning part (she was OK, but it was a bit scary for her). But many models don’t have these problems. Having something that cleans automatically will ensure that your pet always has a fresh box. You won’t have to constantly bend over to scoop it out so it is great for the busy, the forgetful, and anyone with a bad back.

I don’t have first-hand experience with these, but I decided to list a few models that are popular. These all have high average customer reviews and are top sellers.

Omega Self-Cleaning Litter Box

This isn’t really automatic, but it is so easy to use I decided to include it in this section. It doesn’t have to be plugged in so you don’t have to worry about it breaking. You don’t need to scoop if you are using it and it will prevent you from wasting clean litter. After your cat uses the box, you simply roll it to the right and then back. All of the waste will go into a tray which you pull out and dump.

You have to use clumping litter in order for it to work, but you can use whatever brand you and your pet prefer. If you get this, I recommend ordering the large size instead of the regular. Reviewers felt that the standard size would only work well for kittens and smaller cats. I have a smaller cat but I know she prefers larger boxes so I keep that in mind. This will probably be the next litter box I buy, but I’m holding off until after I move next year, because I don’t need to buy more stuff to haul across the country.

ScoopFree Automatic Litter Box

This product is popular for people who really want nothing to do with their cat’s litter boxes. There are some things that I like about this product, but it does have some weaknesses that have prevented me from buying one to try out.

First, the strengths. It uses blue crystals which absorb urine odor. Because these crystals are used, you don’t have to worry about your pet tracking litter all over the house (which is a problem I have). Twenty minutes after your cat goes to the bathroom, the rake will go across and push the poop into a compartment. You’ll need to dump this about once a week. After about 20 days (depending on your cat and how many felines you have), you throw away the tray and replace it with a new one.

But the weaknesses are also the strength. While you don’t need to fill it up with litter or dump the litter that is in it, you do have to buy replacement trays. They aren’t that expensive, but it is more frugal to go with cat litter. Also, some cats might not take to the crystals, so I would try out crystal litter in their regular tray before you splurge on the automatic box.

Littermaid Classic Automatic Box

If you are looking for a standard automatic litter box, this is the most popular brand. Littermaid has a couple of different models out, but many people agree that the classic works much better than the elite and it is more affordable at around $100.

This one is meant for single cat households, so if you have mutliple kitties you will want a different model. The motion sensor activates the rake which pushes solid waste into a disposable receptacle. This, along with some filters, keeps the odor down. You’ll want to throw out the waste weekly. When you do this, add some fresh litter to the box.

You can either plug this in or run it on batteries. The rake is removable so you’ll be able to give everything the occasional thorough cleaning.

Covered Kitty Litter Boxes

Booda Dome

This is my current litter box. It is a definite improvement over the standard rectangular ones, but I think I’ll replace it with the Omega brand next year after I move. One thing that is cool about this is its shape. Some people don’t even realize that it is a litter box. This thing is large, so it is perfect for bigger cats or multiple cat households. The dome gives it a roomy feel for your feline, so it is a good choice for anyone who has a pet who is wary of covered kitty litter boxes.

I got this because my Luna loves to throw litter everywhere. It was a mess. The walls will keep the floor around it clean. There are steps, so you know that a lot won’t get kicked out of the entrance. The steps will keep most of it in the box, but I recommend having a mat on the bottom. Some litter still gets tracked out, but not a lot.

You can put a filter on the top to help with the odor. I don’t usually bother with this since I’m happy with the job her litter does at reducing odor and it seems like an unnecessary expense. If you have a lot of pets and/or a sensitive nose, however, this is a nice feature.

Decorative Kitty Litter Boxes

While the Booda Dome is pretty cool looking, you can still tell what it is. Some people prefer to camouflage theirs so it blends perfectly with the home décor. I’ve looked at a lot of these and picked a couple of favorites. I haven’t used them, but they both have high reviews.

Mahogany Cabinet

This is a neat little mahogany cabinet that keeps the box hidden. It looks nice, provides your pet with privacy, and prevents a lot of litter being tracked around the home. It is made from wood and it is easy to clean with a damp cloth. The box goes in the bottom container and it has a top drawer where you can store a scoop.

If your cat doesn’t like using covered litter boxes, they may still like this since it is so roomier. Your pet goes in and out from an opening in the side. The front panels open for easy cleaning. While most of the mess will stay inside, a small mat placed at the opening is still a good idea. You can use a specific mat or just get a cute little welcome mat.

Planter Decorative Kitty Litter Box

This is one of the funniest things I’ve seen. I don’t own one, but I sure am tempted. At under $100, it is one of the cheaper decorative kitty litter boxes. It is made from polypropylene for durability and it has a filtered vented system to help control odor. It works well for single or multi-cat homes.

Out of over 160 customer reviews it maintains an average rating of four and a half stars. The pets like the privacy and the people like the looks. If you have a smaller home or an apartment where you can’t keep the box in its own area, this is a good solution. The plant isn’t extremely realistic looking, but it is nice and will add to your home’s looks.