Petmate Open Litter Pan Review: Is It Worth Buying?

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We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Scores reflect specs and fit, based on the manufacturer listings.

⚡ Quick Verdict

📋 How We Evaluated

Each pan was scored on length and width against the 1.5x sizing rule, wall height for scatter, build as described in the listing, ease of cleaning, and price for what you get. Liners were scored on fit and how easy they make a change. Dimensions come from manufacturer listings and may change, so confirm on the product page.

Dimensions	22.4 x 16.9 x 5.4 inches
Material	50% recycled plastic
Color	Charcoal
Compatibility	So Phresh rims/hoods sold separately

What We Found

The So Phresh X-Large measures 22.4 by 16.9 by 5.4 inches, which makes it the longest pan in this review by more than six inches. It’s made with 50% recycled plastic, and the charcoal color hides the yellowing that shows up fast on light pans. The flip side: dark plastic makes a fresh puddle harder to spot.

The listing describes a reinforced bottom and rim. That matters on a pan this wide, because big plastic pans can flex when you carry them full. Check the base when yours arrives. The walls are 5.4 inches, so this is a low, wide pan, not a high-sided one, and a hard digger will still flick litter over the edge. So Phresh rims and hoods are sold separately if you want to add height later.

Who It’s For

Multi-cat homes and owners of average to large adult cats who want one wide pan. It fits best in a laundry room, garage or roomy bathroom.

Small apartments won’t love the footprint. Single-cat owners with limited floor space can save room with a smaller pan.

Size	Large
Color	Gray
Features	Integrated handle, reinforced rim
Design	Open top with wide base

What We Found

A gray pan with a wide base, an integrated handle and a reinforced rim. The handle is the useful part. A pan full of wet clumping litter is heavy, and a grip makes the trip to the sink easier.

Here’s the problem: the data we have doesn’t list its dimensions or the maker. So we can’t say which cat it fits or compare its build to a Petmate pan. Check the exact length on the listing and multiply your cat’s length by 1.5 before you order.

Who It’s For

Buyers who want a handle and reinforced rim without paying for a brand name. Check the current price.

Owners with limited hand strength or arthritis may appreciate the grip. Cats that dislike covered boxes will accept the open layout.

Quantity	8 count per pack
Color	Dark Grey
Compatibility	Top entry litter pans
Material	Tear-resistant plastic

What We Found

These are disposable liners for top-entry pans. You lift the edges, gather them, tie the top and toss it, with no scraping. The pack has 8 liners, and the plastic is listed as tear-resistant.

Top-entry pans use a collar to hold the liner in place. A plain open pan has no collar, so these are the wrong product for the open pans in this review. We list them because Petmate buyers often search for liners and pans together.

Who It’s For

Owners of Petmate top-entry pans who hate scraping dried litter off the base. People with bad backs or little time for scrubbing.

Not for open pans.

Dimensions	14 x 10.5 inches
Material	Eco-friendly plastic
Color	Gray
Design	Open-top with rimmed edges

What We Found

This Petmate pan is 14 by 10.5 inches, which suits kittens and very small cats. It has an open top, a wide base and a rim all the way round that gives you something to grip when you lift it.

It’s light, and it’s plain. There are no reinforcements to speak of, so don’t expect it to hold up like a heavier pan. Any plastic can warp with heat, so keep it out of direct sun. The smooth interior wipes clean quickly.

Who It’s For

Kitten owners, fosters, and anyone who needs a spare or travel box. The low sides are also easy for an older cat to step over.

Skip it for adult cats of normal size. They’ll outgrow 14 inches almost at once.

Size	Jumbo
Quantity	8 pack
Packaging	Boxed
Origin	China

What We Found

Jumbo liners for big pans, sold boxed in packs of 8. Gather the edges, tie them off and throw the whole load away. The boxed packaging keeps unused liners flat and clean.

The liner dimensions aren’t in the data we have, so match the liner’s stated size to your pan’s length, width and depth. A liner that’s too small slips into the litter. One that’s too big bunches in the corners.

Who It’s For

Owners of large pans, such as the 22.4-inch So Phresh, who want faster changes. Confirm the fit first.

Caregivers with back trouble who don’t want to bend and scrape. Foster homes that rotate boxes often.

Dimensions	16.05 x 12.05 x 4 inches
Size Category	Medium
Colors	Assorted
Depth	4 inches

What We Found

Petmate’s medium pan measures 16.05 by 12.05 by 4 inches. Under the 1.5x rule, it fits a cat up to about 10.7 inches nose to tail base, so it suits smaller adults. Colors are assorted, so you may not get to pick.

At 4 inches deep, it holds 2 to 3 inches of litter with little room to spare. Walls that short won’t stop a hard digger. We don’t have a feature list for this pan, so we’re judging it on size and depth alone.

Who It’s For

Owners of one small or medium cat who want a plain, low-cost pan. It also works as a temporary box while the main one is being washed.

Multi-cat homes will find it too small for two cats sharing it.

Petmate vs So Phresh: Which Open Pan Fits Your Cat?

Our read: Petmate wins on price and simplicity for small cats. It loses on size and wall height for anything bigger. If the largest cat in your home measures over about 15 inches, move straight to a high-sided box. We cover those in our guide to the best open litter box for large cats.

Do Litter Pan Liners Work in an Open Pan?

Sometimes. It depends on the liner and the pan. Liners made for top-entry pans use a collar, so they don’t fit an open pan. Jumbo liners can work in a big open pan if the dimensions match. The upside is a faster, cleaner change. The downsides are cost, plastic waste, and cats that claw through them.

How to Use a Liner in an Open Pan

1. Check the liner’s stated length and width against your pan before you open the box.
2. Smooth the liner flat in the empty pan. Tuck the edges over the rim.
3. Pour in litter to a depth of 2 to 3 inches.
4. When it’s time to change, lift the edges up and gather them.
5. Tie the bag shut and throw it away. Wipe the pan with mild soap.
6. If your cat digs through the liner, stop using it and go back to scooping and washing.

When to Skip Liners

• Your cat shreds plastic when digging.
• The liner doesn’t fit and bunches in the corners.
• You’d rather cut plastic waste than save a few minutes.

How to Clean a Plastic Open Litter Pan?

1. Scoop clumps at least once a day, twice in a multi-cat home.
2. Every 2 to 4 weeks, dump all the litter and rinse the pan with hot water.
3. Scrub with mild, unscented dish soap. Skip bleach and strong ammonia-based cleaners, since cats avoid boxes that smell of them.
4. Rinse well and let it dry fully before refilling.
5. Check the plastic for deep scratches and cloudy patches. Scratched plastic can hold odor and bacteria.
6. Replace the pan when scratches build up or when odor stays after a thorough wash.

The replacement schedule depends on your cat and your cleaning habits. Heavy use wears pans faster, and a light pan like the Petmate Small can warp with heat. Keep plastic pans out of direct sun.

How to Stop Scatter in a Shallow Pan?

Every pan in this review has walls of 5.4 inches or less. That is low. These habits help.

• Keep litter at 2 to 3 inches, not higher. Deeper litter gets kicked out faster.
• Put a large textured mat under and around the pan. Make it wider than the pan.
• Push the pan against a wall so one side can’t scatter.
• Use a heavier, low-dust litter if your cat digs hard.
• Scoop daily so your cat isn’t digging through clumps.
• If none of that works, the cat needs taller walls, not a different habit.

What to Look For Before Buying

Dimensions on the listing come first. A pan that is too small gets ignored, and then you’ve bought it twice.

Measure Your Cat and Your Space

Measure your cat from nose to tail base while standing. Multiply by 1.5. That is your minimum interior length. Then check your floor space, including room to scoop. A pan that is too big for a corner can make a cat avoid it.

Evaluate Wall Height and Rim Strength

Wall height controls scatter. Four to five inches is the minimum for a light digger. High sprayers and hard diggers need 12 inches or more. A reinforced rim helps a big pan keep its shape when you carry it full.

Assess Material and Eco-Friendliness

Thick, smooth plastic resists scratches and wipes clean faster. Recycled plastic, like the 50% in the So Phresh, cuts new plastic use. It doesn’t tell you anything about strength, so read reviews for cracks and warping. Avoid heavily textured bottoms, which are harder to scrub.

Consider Liners and Accessories

Decide up front whether you’ll use liners. If you will, check that the liner fits the pan type and size. Check whether the brand sells rims or hoods, too. The So Phresh does, so you can add height later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a Petmate open litter pan?

It depends on the model. The Petmate Basic Small here is 14 by 10.5 inches. The Petmate 22182 Medium is 16.05 by 12.05 by 4 inches. Both are low pans suited to kittens and small to average cats. Confirm dimensions on the listing, since sizes can change.

What size litter pan does a large cat need?

Aim for a pan about 1.5 times your cat’s length from nose to tail base. For a 20-inch cat, that is 30 inches. None of the Petmate pans here reach that, and even the 22.4-inch So Phresh suits cats up to about 15 inches.

Are open litter pans better than covered ones?

Open pans give better airflow, which cuts ammonia build-up, and many cats feel less trapped. They also scatter more litter and show the mess. Choose based on your cat’s temperament and how much cleanup you’ll tolerate.

How often should I replace an open litter pan?

Replace it when deep scratches build up, the plastic warps or turns cloudy, or odor stays after a thorough wash. There’s no fixed date. Heavy use in multi-cat homes wears pans faster.

Do Petmate top-entry liners fit open litter pans?

No. They’re made for top-entry pans, which use a collar to hold the liner. For an open pan, look at liners sized for your pan’s length and width, such as the jumbo liners reviewed above, and check the fit first.

Can I use dog training pads in a cat litter pan?

Only as a short-term fix for a cat that can’t dig, such as a senior or recovering cat. Lay the pad flat in a clean, dry pan. Most healthy cats prefer granular litter. If your cat suddenly stops digging or can’t use the box, call your vet.

Do charcoal-colored pans really hide stains better?

Yes, dark plastic hides yellowing that shows quickly on light pans. The tradeoff is that fresh puddles are harder to spot. Scoop on schedule whatever the color.

Is a low-sided pan good for senior cats?

Often. Low sides are easy to step over, which helps cats with stiff joints. The tradeoff is more scatter. Keep litter at 2 to 3 inches and use a mat.

Are open pans good for kittens?

Yes. Kittens need a low rim and a small box they can climb into. The Petmate Basic Small at 14 inches is the right size for that stage. Plan to move up when your kitten grows.

🎯 Final Verdict

Buy the So Phresh X-Large if you want one wide pan for a big cat or two cats. At 22.4 by 16.9 inches in 50% recycled plastic, it’s the biggest pan in this review. It still has low walls, so a hard digger will need a mat. And a Maine Coon will want more length.

Choose the Petmate Basic Small for a kitten or a spare box, and the Petmate 22182 Medium for one small to average adult. Both are plain and cheap. If your cat is large, skip every Petmate pan here and look at a 30-inch high-sided box. Measure your cat first.