Every Catit open litter tray review I could find skips the same thing: Catit’s open pan is a plain, high-backed tray with a rim, and it competes with cheaper high-sided boxes from IRIS, not with the hooded Catit models people confuse it with.
So this review does two jobs. It explains what the Catit open tray is and who should buy it, then lines it up against the open trays, sifting boxes, and reusable inserts I’d actually consider instead. I compare wall height, floor space, material, and compatibility, because those four specs decide whether a tray works in your house. Last updated October 2026.
This review is part of our open litter box series, which sits inside our complete indoor cat litter box guide.
Disclosure: links below are Amazon affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Specs come from manufacturer and retailer listings, and I note where a number differs between sources.
⚡ Quick Verdict
What the Catit Open Litter Tray Actually Is?
Catit sells several litter products, and the names blur together. The one this review covers is the Catit High-Side Litter Tray with Rim. A deep base and a raised back keep litter in the pan, and a rim around the top works as a splash shield. It also has a built-in bag anchor that holds a liner open while you scoop with your free hand.
One Australian retailer lists it at 29 x 41 x 56.6 cm and 2.5 kg. That order of numbers is odd, so check the product page before you measure your floor. If 56.6 cm is the length, that’s roughly 22 inches, a few inches longer than the IRIS at 19.
| Catit model | Open or covered | Listed size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Side Litter Tray with Rim | Open | 29 x 41 x 56.6 cm (retailer listing) | Cats that kick litter, owners who want to see waste |
| Hooded Litter Tray with Airsift | Covered | 22.4 x 18.3 x 15.3 in (retailer listing) | Odor control, privacy |
| Jumbo Litter Box | Covered | 54 x 49 x 46.5 cm (retailer listing) | Big cats, multi-cat homes |
💬 My Take
On paper the Catit tray makes sense for cats that dig hard but dislike hoods. I haven’t given it a score, because listing data alone isn’t enough to rate it fairly.
Catit Open Litter Tray Review: Top Picks Compared
| Image | Product | Score | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, B 🏆 Editor’s Pick |
9.1/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Large, Scatter Shield, B | 8.9/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, G | 8.8/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box Scoop Free Cat Litter 🥈 Runner-Up |
8.5/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
Reusable Litter Tray for Petsafe Scoop-Free Self-Cleaning Li 💵 Budget Pick |
7.8/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
Petmate Basic Open Plastic Cat Litter Pan, Gray, Small 🐱 Best for Kittens |
6.2/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
Spec Comparison at a Glance
| Tray | Size | Wall style | Cats it fits (1.5x rule) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS High Sided | 19″ x 15″ x 11.75″ | Tall scatter shield | Up to about 12.5″ nose to tail base |
| Catit High-Side with Rim | Listed 29 x 41 x 56.6 cm | High back plus rim | Up to about 15″ if 56.6 cm is the length |
| Petmate Basic Pan, Small | 14″ x 10.5″ | Low | Kittens, about 9″ and under |
| Arm & Hammer Sifting | Check listing | Lift-to-sift grate | Check listing |
| Petsafe stainless insert | Fits Scoop-Free only | Flat tray | Depends on your Petsafe unit |
📋 How I Evaluated
I compared build material, wall height, floor space, cleaning method, and compatibility, using manufacturer and retailer listings. Scores weigh scatter control and cleanup effort most, then value, then fit for cat size. Where a claim comes from a listing rather than my own use, I say so.
Detailed Reviews
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, B🏆 Editor’s Pick
| Dimensions | 19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H |
| Origin | Made in USA |
| Pack Size | 2 Pack |
| Feature | Scatter Shield Walls |
| Rated cat weight | 20 lb (PetSmart listing, single-box version) |
What We Found
Wall height does the work here. At 11.75 inches, the sides are nearly three times the height of the Petmate pan, so a cat that digs and flings gets stopped by plastic instead of your baseboards. The open top means you can check stool and urine clumps at a glance, which matters if you’re watching a cat with a sensitive stomach.
The catch is length. At 19 inches, the 1.5x rule says it suits cats measuring up to about 12.5 inches from nose to tail base. Plenty of adult cats are longer than that, and for a Maine Coon I’d look at something bigger. It’s also not forgiving for a senior cat with stiff hips, because those walls are a real step up.
💬 My Take
Best scatter control for the money, and the 2-pack lets you rotate one tray into the sink while the other stays in use. Measure your cat first.
Who It’s For
Households with one or two average-sized cats, especially diggers. It also suits owners who clean the floor around the box every day and are tired of it. If you have several cats, buy the 2-pack and follow the one-box-per-cat-plus-one rule.
✅ Pros
- 11.75-inch walls cut litter scatter and spray.
- Made in USA plastic build.
- Two-pack lowers the price per box.
❌ Cons
- Open top lets odors out.
- 19-inch length is short for long cats.
- No sifting mechanism, so you scoop by hand.
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Large, Scatter Shield, B
| Dimensions | 19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Heavy-Duty Plastic |
| Feature | Privacy via Height |
What We Found
Same tray, same 11.75-inch walls, in black. Dark plastic hides urine staining, which is the real reason to pick it over the gray. It shows pale litter dust more, so a clay litter that kicks up powder will leave a visible film on the rim.
Wipe-down cleaning works on the smooth interior. I’d still wash it with unscented soap every time you change the litter, since scratched plastic holds odor. The original review called this a good fit for elderly cats, and I disagree: the high walls make it harder for a cat with arthritis to climb in.
💬 My Take
Pick black if stains bother you more than dust. Skip it for senior cats.
Who It’s For
Cats that kick litter hard, in homes where a stained light tray would nag at you. Multi-cat households can buy a few units without much pain.
✅ Pros
- Dark surface masks urine staining.
- Heavy-duty plastic with a smooth, wipeable interior.
- Same tall scatter shield as the Editor’s Pick.
❌ Cons
- Needs scooping at least once a day.
- Pale litter dust shows on black plastic.
- High walls are hard on senior or arthritic cats.
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, G
| Dimensions | 19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H |
| Color | Gray |
| Origin | Made in USA |
| Design | High Sided Open Top |
What We Found
It matches the black version on size and wall height. The only difference is color. Gray hides litter dust better than black and blends into most living rooms, but it shows urine staining sooner.
Choose between the two on what you’d rather wipe off. Everything else about the tray is the same, including the open top for checking your cat’s waste.
💬 My Take
Same tray, friendlier color. Buy it if you only need one and prefer gray.
Who It’s For
Single-cat homes that want scatter control without buying a pair. Not the right fit for very large cats, for the same 19-inch reason as above.
✅ Pros
- Neutral gray suits most rooms.
- Tall walls cut floor cleanup.
- Made in USA.
❌ Cons
- Odors escape because there’s no hood.
- Costs more per box than the 2-pack.
- Takes up floor space in narrow areas.
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box Scoop Free Cat Litter 🥈 Runner-Up
| Technology | Lift-to-Sift Mechanism |
| Protection | Built-in Microban |
| Materials | Recycled Plastic |
| Compatibility | Clump, Pellet, Crystal |
What We Found
This is the one that changes how you clean. You lift the sifting layer, the waste separates, and you never dig through a litter bed with a scoop. Microban is built into the plastic to slow bacterial growth on the surface. It handles clumping, pellet, and crystal litter.
The tradeoff is moving parts. A grate can warp or jam, and a plain pan can’t. Check how your litter’s granule size lines up with the grate gaps before buying, because small pellets can work through.
💬 My Take
Worth the extra money if scooping is the part you hate or your back complains.
Who It’s For
Owners with back pain or limited mobility, and anyone who wants a recycled-plastic build. It fits a single-cat home best. Pay more up front and save time every week.
✅ Pros
- Lift-to-sift cuts scooping effort.
- Microban built into the plastic.
- Recycled plastic construction.
❌ Cons
- Moving parts can fail where a plain pan can’t.
- Costs more than a basic pan.
- Grate gaps may let small pellets through.
Reusable Litter Tray for Petsafe Scoop-Free Self-Cleaning Li💵 Budget Pick
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Compatibility | Petsafe Scoop-Free Only |
| Benefit | Reusable and Recyclable |
| Maintenance | Rust Proof Surface |
What We Found
This isn’t a litter box. It’s a replacement tray for an automatic Petsafe Scoop-Free unit, and it swaps out the disposable crystal trays you’d otherwise keep buying. Stainless steel doesn’t soak up odor the way plastic does, and a spray with water cleans it.
Fit is exact, and it doesn’t work with the newer Crystal Plus series devices. Confirm your model number before you order. Handle the metal edges with care during setup.
💬 My Take
Good money-saver if you own the right Petsafe unit. Useless if you don’t.
Who It’s For
Current Petsafe Scoop-Free owners tired of buying disposable trays. It’s not a standalone litter solution, so anyone shopping for a first tray should look at the IRIS or Catit instead.
✅ Pros
- Stainless steel doesn’t absorb odor.
- Reusable, so it replaces disposable trays.
- Rinses clean in minutes.
❌ Cons
- Only works with compatible Petsafe Scoop-Free units.
- Not compatible with Crystal Plus series devices.
- Metal edges need careful handling.
Petmate Basic Open Plastic Cat Litter Pan, Gray, Small🐱 Best for Kittens
| Dimensions | 14 x 10.5 inches |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Gray |
| Brand History | Over 50 years |
What We Found
At 14 x 10.5 inches, this pan is a kitten tray. The wide base resists tipping, and the plain plastic rinses clean. But the sides are low, so any digger will track litter across the floor.
By the 1.5x rule, it fits a cat of about 9 inches, which is a kitten or a very small adult. Buy it as a temporary or travel tray, then move up.
💬 My Take
Fine for kittens and short trips. For an adult cat, look elsewhere.
Who It’s For
Kitten owners, foster setups, and anyone who needs a cheap, lightweight spare. Not for Maine Coons or hard diggers.
✅ Pros
- Compact size saves floor space.
- Wide base resists tipping.
- Simple shape washes quickly.
❌ Cons
- Low walls let litter scatter.
- Too small for most adult cats.
- Basic plastic may crack under hard use.
How to Choose an Open Litter Tray
Size, wall height, and material settle most of it. Start with your cat’s measurements, then decide how much scatter you’ll tolerate.
For the full buying checklist, read our guide on how to choose an open litter box.
Measure Your Cat First
- Lay a soft tape measure along your cat from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
- Multiply by 1.5. That’s the minimum tray length.
- Compare it against the listed length, not the box dimensions.
- If your cat is a kitten, size for the adult cat.
Example: a 14-inch cat needs 21 inches. The IRIS at 19 inches falls short, and the Catit at about 22 inches (if 56.6 cm is the length) clears it.
Pick a Wall Height
| Your cat | Wall height | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hard digger or sprayer | Tall (10 inches or more) | Stops litter and urine at the wall |
| Senior or arthritic | Low entry, or a cut-out front | Avoids a painful climb |
| Kitten | Low (about 4 to 7 inches) | Easy to climb into |
Check the Material
Smooth plastic is cheap and light. Scratches trap bacteria and smell, so replace a scratched tray rather than scrubbing it forever. Stainless steel resists odor and lasts, but the only steel option here is a Petsafe-specific insert. Rounded inner corners are easier to clean than sharp ones.
Open vs Covered Litter Boxes
| Open tray | Covered or hooded | |
|---|---|---|
| Odor | Spreads in the room | Held inside, but it builds up in the box |
| Health monitoring | Easy to see | Need to lift the hood |
| Privacy | Low, unless walls are tall | High |
| Cleaning | Simple, one piece | More parts, filters |
Buyer’s Checklist
- Tray length is at least 1.5x your cat’s length.
- Walls match your cat’s age and digging habits.
- Interior is smooth, with rounded corners.
- You have floor space for the footprint.
- You’ve bought one tray per cat, plus one spare.
How to Cut Litter Scatter and Odor?
- Scoop at least once a day. Twice is better in multi-cat homes.
- Keep litter about 2 inches (5 cm) deep. Deeper litter gets flung further.
- Put a mat under the tray and extend it past the front edge.
- Wash the tray with unscented soap and hot water at every full litter change.
- Place the tray against a wall in a quiet spot, away from food and water.
- Swap trays gradually. Set the new one beside the old one for a few days before removing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Catit open litter tray worth buying?
It’s worth a look if your cat digs and hates hoods. The deep base, raised back, and rim are built for scatter control, and the bag anchor is a handy extra. Compare the price to the IRIS 2-pack first, since the IRIS has taller walls.
Are open litter boxes better than covered ones?
Neither wins for every cat. Open trays give better airflow and let you spot health changes early. Covered boxes hide the mess and give shy cats privacy. Watch which one your cat actually uses. For a full breakdown, see our open litter box pros and cons.
Do high-sided boxes stop all litter scatter?
No. They cut scatter a lot, but a determined digger still flings litter over the top. Add a mat and keep litter at about 2 inches deep.
How many litter trays do I need?
The usual guidance is one per cat plus one extra. Two cats means three trays, placed in separate spots.
What size litter tray does a big cat need?
Measure nose to tail base and multiply by 1.5. A 20-inch Maine Coon needs a 30-inch tray, which rules out the 19-inch IRIS. Look at jumbo or oversized models.
Are high-sided trays safe for kittens and senior cats?
Not always. Kittens and arthritic cats struggle with tall walls. Start kittens in a low pan, and look for a low entry cut-out for seniors. See our best open litter box for kittens and best open litter box for senior cats for easier-entry options.
How often should I replace a plastic litter tray?
Replace it when the surface is scratched or cloudy, often after one to two years. Scratches hold bacteria and odor that washing doesn’t remove. Stainless steel lasts longer.
Can I use any litter type in these trays?
Plain open trays take clumping, crystal, or pellet litter. Sifting models like the Arm & Hammer list clump, pellet, and crystal, but check granule size against the grate. Petsafe inserts need the litter your unit specifies.
Is the IRIS 2-pack worth buying instead of a single box?
Yes, in most homes. Even with one cat, a spare lets you wash one tray while the other stays in use.
🎯 Final Verdict
For most cats, the IRIS USA High Sided 2-Pack is the tray to buy. The 11.75-inch walls stop scatter better than anything else here, and you get a spare. The Arm & Hammer sifting box takes second place for people who’d pay to skip scooping.
The Catit High-Side Litter Tray with Rim deserves a spot on your shortlist if your cat is longer than the IRIS allows, since it’s listed at about 22 inches. Measure your cat before you decide, because length is the spec most buyers get wrong.
Want to compare more styles? Browse all of our open litter boxes, or start with our best indoor cat litter boxes guide.
Written by Mishu
A passionate cat lover and indoor living enthusiast, Mishu is the founder and voice behind Indoor Living Cat – a go-to resource for cat owners who want to create the happiest, healthiest life for their feline companions indoors.
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