Open Litter Box: Complete Guide to Choosing the Right One

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Links on this page go to Amazon. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and stock change, so check the listing before you order. Last updated October 7, 2026.

⚡ Quick Verdict

The short answer

Kitten or senior cat? Pick a lowered front. Digger or sprayer? Pick the tallest walls you can fit. Big cat? Check length first, because size matters more to your cat than open or covered. Want something that lasts a decade? Choose stainless steel.

📋 How We Evaluated

We scored build quality, litter containment, ease of cleaning, material durability, and fit for different cats, including size and entry height for kittens and seniors. Scores come from manufacturer specs, retailer and brand listings, and independent write-ups, not lab testing.

We didn’t use Amazon star ratings, so the scores reflect features and fit, not owner satisfaction. Check recent reviews on the listing before you buy.

Material	BPA-free recyclable plastic
Dimensions	19″ x 15″ x 11.75″
Design	Open-top, high sides, lowered front
Accessories	Onboard scoop storage

What We Found

This is a large plastic pan with walls that rise to 11.75 inches and a front section cut lower so the cat steps in instead of climbing. The listing gives 19 x 15 inches, BPA-free recyclable plastic, and a spot on the box to park the scoop.

The lowered front earns the top score. Tall walls on the other three sides hold back kicked litter and spray, while the dip keeps entry easy for a kitten or a stiff older cat. AAHA and AAFP feline guidelines say box edges shouldn’t be too high for kittens and seniors, and this shape answers that without giving up scatter control.

Size is the limit. By the AAHA 1.5x rule, a 19-inch box suits a cat up to about 12.7 inches long, and many adult cats will measure longer, so measure yours before you order. The scoop holder is handy, but check the clearance if your cat is big, since anything clipped near the entry could crowd it.

Who It’s For

Owners of kittens, senior cats and average-size adults who want an open litter box without a scatter mess. It also works as one of several boxes in a multi-cat home, where the rule is one box per cat plus one extra.

Material	Stainless steel
Dimensions	16.93″L x 12.99″W x 5.12″H
Design	Open-top, raised sides, rounded edges
Surface	Non-porous, non-stick

What We Found

The Idymere is a stainless steel pan, 16.93 x 12.99 inches, with rounded edges and a polished, non-porous surface. Waste doesn’t stick to it and the metal won’t soak up urine the way scratched plastic can.

The walls stand 5.12 inches. That’s taller than a flat tray and less than half the height of the plastic boxes above, so expect some kicked litter from a determined digger. At 16.93 inches, the 1.5x rule puts it at a cat up to about 11.3 inches, which means kittens and small adults.

Metal rings under a scoop, and some cats dislike the sound or the cold feel. If your cat has used plastic all its life, switch gradually.

Who It’s For

Owners of one small cat or a kitten who care most about odor resistance and a pan that lasts for years. Skip it for large cats and for cats that fling litter.

Material	Plastic
Dimensions	19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H
Design	Open-top, tall scatter shield walls
Made in	USA

What We Found

IRIS USA’s large open box matches the Amazon Basics pick on footprint: 19 x 15 inches, with walls up to 11.75 inches that work as a scatter shield. The brand’s own product page also lists a scoop in the box, made-in-USA construction, removable parts and few seams where litter can lodge. Confirm the scoop on the Amazon listing, since variants differ.

The tall walls keep spray and flung litter inside, and the open top lets you watch what your cat does, which is useful for catching changes in urine or stool early. The listing doesn’t mention a lowered front, so check the entry height before buying for a kitten or an older cat.

Who It’s For

Owners of medium to large cats that dig or spray and have no trouble stepping over a tall wall. Not the first choice for kittens or seniors.

Material	Stainless steel with ABS fence
Dimensions	22.83″L x 14.57″W x 10.24″H
Design	Open-top with optional lid, high-sided fence
Accessories	Included scoop, non-slip foot pads

What We Found

This is the biggest pan on the list at 22.83 x 14.57 inches, with 10.24-inch sides. The base is non-porous stainless steel, the raised fence is ABS plastic, and the lid is optional, so you can run it as an open litter box and snap the lid on later if you want a covered setup.

By the 1.5x rule, 22.83 inches handles a cat up to about 15.2 inches long, the best fit here for a big cat. A scoop and non-slip foot pads come in the box. It’s heavy, and the plastic fence isn’t as tough as full steel.

Who It’s For

Owners of large cats or multi-cat homes who want an open litter box in steel with a lid in reserve. Check the entry height against your cat’s age before buying.

Material	Premium stainless steel
Dimensions	17.32″L x 13.38″W x 5.11″H
Design	Open-top, raised sides, rolled edges
Base	Non-slip

What We Found

The KISENG is a compact steel pan, 17.32 x 13.38 inches with 5.11-inch walls, rolled edges and a non-slip base. The surface is non-stick, so cleanup is quick.

It’s nearly the same size and wall height as the Idymere (16.93 x 12.99 x 5.12 inches), so choose between them on price and recent owner feedback. Like the Idymere, it suits kittens and small cats, and no scoop is listed.

Who It’s For

Kittens, small cats and small apartments where floor space is tight. Look elsewhere for a big or enthusiastic digger.

Material	Plastic
Dimensions	14″ x 10.5″
Weight	Lightweight
Design	Open-top, rimmed edges

What We Found

The Petmate is a plain, shallow plastic pan, 14 x 10.5 inches, with a rimmed edge. By the 1.5x rule it suits a cat up to about 9.3 inches long, which is a kitten. The listing doesn’t give a wall height, and a pan this shallow won’t stop a digger.

It’s light and easy to move, and it costs little. It also scratches quickly, and a scratched plastic floor holds odor.

Who It’s For

Budget buyers with a kitten or tiny cat, and anyone who needs a cheap spare.

How Big Should an Open Litter Box Be?

The AAHA and AAFP feline guidelines say a litter box should be at least 1.5 times the length of the cat, measured from nose to the tip of the tail. They also note that most commercial boxes fall short of that, which is why they suggest larger storage containers for some cats.

Some retailers measure only to the base of the tail, which gives a shorter number. Use the stricter nose-to-tail-tip method if you can. Divide the box length by 1.5 to find the longest cat each pan suits.

Open Litter Box vs Covered: What the Research Says

Cat forums treat this as settled, and the studies don’t. A 2012 Ross University study, as reported by Litter-Robot, let each cat choose between an open and a covered box and found most cats had no preference. A 2020 field test by Villeneuve Beugnet and Beugnet, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, used 13 cats and then 12. With equal floor area the cats leaned covered, but not strongly enough to count at the usual threshold. When the covered box was about 17% bigger, the preference cleared that threshold.

Read that carefully. The cats were likely choosing floor space, not the hood. Both samples are small, so treat the results as a nudge. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines say only that size and open or covered design may matter to some cats.

Thinking about a self-cleaning model instead? See our open vs automatic litter box comparison, or weigh the open litter box pros and cons before you decide.

Open Litter Boxes for Kittens and Senior Cats

An open litter box is the easy choice for the very young and the old, and the entry height decides how well it works. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines say edges shouldn’t be so high that a kitten or a senior cat can’t get in and out easily.

For more picks by age, see our guides to the best open litter box for kittens and the best open litter box for senior cats.

How to Stop Litter Scatter in an Open Litter Box

Scatter is the main reason people give up on an open litter box. These steps help in roughly the order of effect.

1. Choose taller walls. An 11.75-inch pan holds back far more than a 5-inch one, though it costs you an easy entry unless the front is lowered.
2. Don’t overfill. A deep bed invites flinging. Fill to a moderate depth and adjust until your cat digs without throwing it out.
3. Put the box against a wall, or in a corner, so one or two sides are blocked.
4. Add a textured mat at the exit to catch litter from paws.
5. Scoop daily. A full or dirty box makes cats dig more and perch on the edge.
6. Try a different litter. Some owners find heavier granules scatter less, though your cat’s preference comes first.

If your cat sprays, see the best open litter box for high sprayers. If sifting out waste is the daily chore you dread, try an open sifting litter box.

Plastic vs Stainless Steel Open Litter Boxes

Plastic gets scratched by claws and scoops, and the grooves can hold urine residue that cleaning doesn’t always reach. Stainless steel resists that wear, which is the main reason owners switch. The tradeoffs are cost, noise and the cold feel some cats dislike.

Odor is the biggest worry for most owners, so see our pick for the best open litter box for odor control.

What to Look For Before Buying an Open Litter Box

Match the box to your cat first, then to your room. These checks stop most returns.

Assess Size and Accessibility

Measure your cat from nose to tail tip and multiply by 1.5. Lower entry points help kittens and older cats, while high sides contain scatter, so look for a lowered front. In multi-cat homes, use larger boxes and more of them to cut territorial stress.

Prioritize Material Durability

Plastic is light and cheap but can hold odor once it scratches. Stainless steel resists odor and lasts longer at a higher price. Consider your cat’s digging, because a determined digger can score plastic quickly.

Evaluate Containment Features

Wall height and rim shape control scatter. Rimmed edges and non-slip bases cut mess and keep the box from sliding. Open tops need a little more cleaning than hooded boxes, because nothing hides the waste.

Consider Maintenance and Cleaning

Smooth, non-stick surfaces make daily scooping faster, and an onboard scoop holder keeps the tool in reach. Avoid deep seams and textured floors where waste can lodge.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

• ✅ Measured my cat nose to tail tip and multiplied by 1.5
• ✅ Checked the entry height against my cat’s age and joints
• ✅ Picked wall height for my cat’s digging style
• ✅ Planned a quiet, reachable spot with an escape route
• ✅ Counted boxes: one per cat plus one extra
• ✅ Chosen plastic or steel on price, odor, and noise tolerance

Where to Put an Open Litter Box

Location affects use as much as the box. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines advise quiet, convenient spots that give the cat a way out, spread across the home.

• Pick a quiet corner away from the washer, the dryer and heavy foot traffic.
• Keep the box away from food and water bowls.
• Give the cat a clear exit so it never feels cornered by another pet.
• Put boxes on every floor of a multi-level home, in different rooms.
• Block dog access with a baby gate, since open waste is within reach.

Open Litter Box Cleaning Schedule

A schedule beats good intentions. Adjust the timing to your litter and your cat count.

The right tools make this routine faster. See our picks for the best litter scoop and the best litter box liners.

Open Litter Box Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an open litter box?

An open litter box is a pan with no lid or hood. The cat steps in, digs and leaves in full view, and you scoop without lifting anything. Designs range from flat trays to high-sided pans with a lowered front, like the Amazon Basics pick in this review.

Are open litter boxes better than covered ones?

Neither type wins for every cat. A 2012 Ross University study, as reported by Litter-Robot, found no overall preference, with four cats leaning each way. A 2020 field test found cats leaned toward covered boxes only when those boxes were about 17% larger. Size and cleanliness matter more than the hood.

Are open litter boxes better for senior or arthritic cats?

Usually, yes, as long as the entry is low. The AAHA and AAFP feline guidelines say box edges shouldn’t be too high for kittens and seniors to enter and leave easily. Look for a lowered front, and keep the walls high elsewhere to hold in scatter. If an older cat suddenly avoids the box, book a vet visit, because pain or illness can be the cause.

Do open litter boxes smell more?

An open box has no hood to trap smell, so odor spreads into the room when the box is dirty. The smell comes from the waste, so daily scooping does more than any lid. Stainless steel doesn’t absorb odor the way scratched plastic can.

How do I stop litter scatter from an open litter box?

Pick walls tall enough for your cat’s digging style, don’t overfill the box, put it against a wall, and add a textured mat at the exit. Tall walls help most, but no open box eliminates scatter, and a determined digger will still flick some out.

Do high-sided open litter boxes prevent all litter scatter?

No. High sides cut scatter and spray a lot, but active diggers and kickers can still make a mess. A scatter mat outside the box catches the rest.

How often should I clean an open litter box?

Scoop at least once a day. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines also call for cleaning the box regularly with hot water and avoiding strong chemicals. How often you empty and wash it depends on your litter and how many cats use the box, and many owners do it every one to four weeks.

How big should an open litter box be?

The AAHA and AAFP guidelines say a box should be at least 1.5 times the length of the cat from nose to tail tip, and note that many commercial boxes fall short. Measure your cat first. A large storage tub is a common workaround for big cats.

How many litter boxes do I need?

One per cat plus one extra, in different spots around the home, according to the AAHA and AAFP guidelines. Two cats need three boxes.

Can stainless steel litter boxes rust?

Good stainless steel resists corrosion under normal use. Harsh chemicals or long exposure to moisture can discolor it. Rinse and dry the pan after washing.

Do cats like stainless steel litter boxes?

Many do, and some don’t. The common complaints are noise under the scoop and a cold feel. Put the new pan next to the old one for a few days and use a little litter from the old box to make the switch easier.

What’s the best way to reduce odor in an open litter box?

Scoop daily, use unscented clumping litter, and wash the box with hot water on a regular schedule. Place it in a ventilated spot. Strong sprays and scented additives can put cats off the box, so go light on them.

Can I use an open litter box for a kitten?

Yes, and an open box is often easier for a kitten, as long as the entry is low. A shallow pan like the Petmate suits a very small kitten for a short time, and a pan with a lowered front, like the Amazon Basics pick, lasts longer as the kitten grows.

Where should I put an open litter box?

The AAHA and AAFP guidelines recommend quiet, easy-to-reach spots that give the cat an escape route. Keep boxes away from noisy appliances and from food and water, and spread them across the home. An open box in view of a dog’s reach is a problem, so use a baby gate if you have one.

🎯 Final Verdict

For an open litter box that works for most households, the Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box is our pick. Its 11.75-inch walls hold back scatter, the lowered front keeps entry easy for kittens and seniors, and the onboard scoop holder saves a small daily hassle. Measure your cat first, because 19 inches only suits a cat up to about 12.7 inches by the 1.5x rule.

If odor and lifespan matter most, the Idymere Stainless Steel box is the premium alternative for small cats. Big cats are better served by the XL steel pan, and the Petmate pan is only for a kitten or a spare box.

Sources and Further Reading

• AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines: general litter box considerations
• Villeneuve Beugnet and Beugnet (2020), covered vs uncovered litter box preference, Journal of Veterinary Behavior (abstract)
• Litter-Robot: open vs enclosed litter boxes
• Catster: open vs closed litter box
• IRIS USA: large cat litter box with scatter shield and scoop