Both of these boxes make the same promise: less litter on your floor and fewer dogs sniffing where they shouldn’t. But the IRIS vs Petmate top entry litter box decision comes down to a few real differences once you check the actual specs, and one comes with a scoop while the other doesn’t, one holds more litter, and they’re priced closer than most comparison sites let on. Here’s what separates them and which one fits your cat.
⚡ Quick Verdict
The IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box is the better pick for most households. It usually ships with a scoop, holds up to 25 pounds of litter in the deep-pan version, and comes in more sizes and colors, all for around the same price as the Petmate. The Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan is worth choosing if you want a box built from 95% recycled plastic and prefer a hinged, one-piece lid over a fully removable one. Neither is self-cleaning, and neither is a good fit for a cat with joint pain who can’t jump.
Analysis: IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box
Best for multi-cat homes, owners who want a scoop included out of the box, and anyone who wants a lid that lifts off completely for a deep clean instead of swinging on a hinge.
IRIS sells several versions of this box, and the sizing shifts a little between them. The large model with scoop (item 500378) measures 20.5″ L x 14.75″ W x 14.5″ H, with a 9.25″ diameter entry hole and a 15″ x 9.75″ interior floor. The deep-pan version holds up to 25 pounds of litter, which matters if you scoop every other day instead of daily. Every version is made in the USA, though IRIS notes the materials themselves are sourced globally, so “made in USA” here means assembly, not raw plastic origin.
The lid has small grated holes that catch litter stuck to your cat’s paws on the way out. It’s a fully removable lid rather than a hinged one, which makes emptying and scrubbing the box faster. Some models add non-skid rubber feet so the box doesn’t slide across tile when a big cat jumps in fast.
Build Quality & Design
The base is thick enough to hold 25 pounds of litter without flexing. The lid is the weak point. Review data across IRIS’s own listings (nearly 1,000 reviews on some SKUs) flags the lid as thinner plastic than the base, and a portion of buyers report it cracking after months of daily use, especially with heavier cats who jump rather than climb in. The base itself doesn’t show the same complaint pattern.
Performance
The 9.25″ entry diameter is wide enough for most adult cats, including larger breeds like Maine Coons, based on buyer feedback across the product line. Litter tracking is reduced but not eliminated: the paw-catching holes only work on litter that’s still stuck to fur when the cat exits, not litter already kicked loose inside the box before that point.
Features
Most IRIS top-entry models bundle a scoop with a built-in hook, so it clips to the side of the box instead of getting lost in a drawer. The box comes in white/gray, white/black, white/beige, orange/brown, seafoam, and navy blue depending on the SKU, and prices range from about $25.99 for the base model up to $79.99 for the Premium PRCL-SQ version with a squared-off shape and larger capacity.
User Experience
Setup takes minutes with no tools. Across IRIS’s published review data, the box averages between 4.2 and 4.8 out of 5 stars depending on the exact model, with sample sizes ranging from about 100 reviews up to nearly 1,000. The most common complaint isn’t the design, it’s individual cats who simply refuse to use a covered box, which is a cat-behavior issue rather than a product flaw.
Value for Money
At $26 to $30 for the standard model with a scoop included, this beats buying a separate scoop and a cheaper open box. The Premium version at $79.99 is a harder sell unless you specifically want the squared shape or the largest capacity IRIS offers.
✅ Advantages
❌ Disadvantages
Analysis: Petmate Top Entry Litter Box
Best for owners who want a lower-plastic, recycled-material box and don’t mind a hinged lid instead of a fully removable one.
The Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan measures 20″ L x 15″ W x 15″ H and weighs 3.87 pounds empty. It’s built from 95% pre-consumer recycled plastic, which is the clearest point of difference from the IRIS box. The lid is attached and opens from one side on a hinge, rather than lifting off entirely.
Rounded edges and a molded handle on the bottom make it easier to lift and carry when it’s full, and a built-in hook holds a scoop, though most listings don’t include one. Walmart’s listing shows a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 75 ratings, a smaller sample than IRIS’s most-reviewed models and a lower average.
Build Quality & Design
The recycled plastic has a slightly rougher, matte finish compared to IRIS’s smoother molded plastic. It’s not a downgrade in strength, just a different look. The hinged lid means one side of the box always stays attached, which some owners like because there’s no lid to misplace, and others find gets in the way during a full litter change.
Performance
The grated lid traps litter the same way IRIS’s does. The high walls and top-entry shape keep most dogs out, since the box relies on wall height rather than a locked door to block access. A determined or larger dog can still reach in through the top opening if it’s tall enough.
Features
Petmate doesn’t sell this box in as many colors or sizes as IRIS. Most listings show one color option (nickel or pearl, depending on retailer) and a single 20″ x 15″ x 15″ size. Pricing runs from about $31 to $47 depending on retailer, close to IRIS’s standard model but without a scoop bundled in on most listings.
User Experience
Cleaning happens through the hinged lid, which some owners describe as faster for a daily scoop and slower for a full litter dump, since you’re working through a smaller opening than a box with a fully removable top. No assembly is required.
Value for Money
At $31 to $47, you’re paying close to what IRIS charges but usually without a scoop included. The trade-off is the recycled-material build, which matters if that’s a priority for you and doesn’t matter at all if it isn’t.
✅ Advantages
❌ Disadvantages
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IRIS Top Entry | Petmate Top Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Scoop Included | ✓ (most models) | ✗ (most listings) |
| Removable Lid | ✓ | ✗ Hinged |
| Recycled Materials | ✗ | ✓ 95% |
| Grated Paw-Cleaning Lid | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in Scoop Hook | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bottom Carry Handle | ✗ | ✓ Molded |
| Multiple Colors/Sizes | ✓ 6+ options | ✗ Limited |
| Non-Skid Feet | Some models | Not listed |
| Made in USA | ✓ | ✓ |
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | IRIS Top Entry (Large w/Scoop) | Petmate Top Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Dimensions | 20.5″L x 14.75″W x 14.5″H | 20″L x 15″W x 15″H |
| Entry Opening | 9.25″ diameter | Wide top opening (size not published) |
| Interior Floor | 15″L x 9.75″W | Not published |
| Litter Capacity | Up to 25 lbs (deep-pan model) | Not published |
| Empty Weight | Not published | 3.87 lbs |
| Material | Virgin plastic, globally sourced | 95% pre-consumer recycled plastic |
| Price Range (at review time) | $25.99 – $79.99 | $31 – $47 |
| Average Rating | 4.2 – 4.8 / 5 (varies by SKU) | 4.1 / 5 (75 ratings, Walmart) |
Prices and ratings shift over time and by retailer. Check the current listing before you buy. [Insert your affiliate link for each product here once you confirm the exact SKU you’re linking to.]
Which Cats Each Box Actually Suits
Top entry boxes aren’t the right shape for every cat, and picking between IRIS and Petmate matters less than picking the right style in the first place. A few situations worth weighing before you buy either one:
- Senior or arthritic cats: both boxes require a step up and over the wall to get in. If your cat has joint pain, a low-entry open pan is a better fit than either of these.
- Large cats (Maine Coon, Ragdoll): the IRIS large model’s 15″ x 9.75″ interior floor and 9.25″ entry give a bigger cat more room to turn around than a standard-size open pan. Petmate doesn’t publish an interior floor measurement, so measure your cat’s length before ordering if size is a concern.
- Multi-cat households: vets generally recommend one box per cat plus one extra. Neither of these is a multi-cat box on its own; you’re buying one unit per cat, not one box for the household.
- Kittens: a small kitten may struggle to jump into either box until it’s a few months old. Keep a low-sided pan available alongside it during the transition.
- Spraying or standing cats: the tall walls on both boxes contain urine sprayed against the sides better than an open litter pan does.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Daily scooping works the same way on both: lift the lid or reach through the top opening, scoop clumps, and drop the box’s built-in scoop back on its hook. The difference shows up on a full litter change.
| Task | IRIS Top Entry | Petmate Top Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Daily scoop | Reach through top opening | Reach through top opening |
| Full litter dump | Lift lid off completely, tip base | Swing hinged lid to one side, tip base |
| Wiping down the interior | Easier with lid fully removed | Lid stays attached, slightly more awkward |
| Litter liners | Not officially sold by IRIS; universal liners can work | Compatible with Petmate’s own top-entry liners |
🏆 Winner: IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box
This is close, not a blowout. IRIS wins because it usually ships with a scoop, holds more litter in its deep-pan version, and gives you a fully removable lid instead of a hinge, all at roughly the same price as the Petmate. If a recycled-material build matters more to you than any of that, the Petmate is a fair alternative, not a downgrade.
Choose Petmate If…
Sustainability Is a Priority
The 95% recycled plastic build is the strongest reason to pick Petmate over IRIS. If that matters to your buying decisions generally, it’s a real, verifiable point in its favor, not a marketing claim.
You Prefer a Lid That Never Comes Off
A hinged lid means nothing to misplace and nothing to snap back on wrong. If you’ve lost a loose lid before, this design avoids that entirely.
You Already Own a Scoop
Since most Petmate listings skip the bundled scoop, you’re not paying for one you don’t need if you’re already stocked.
🎯 Final Recommendation
Go with the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box for the best balance of price, capacity, and included accessories. Go with the Petmate if the recycled-material build outweighs those extras for you, or if you already have a scoop and don’t want to pay for another one. Skip both if your cat is a senior, has joint pain, or has never used a covered box before; test with an open pan first.
Summary
- The IRIS Top Entry Litter Box usually ships with a scoop, holds up to 25 pounds of litter in its deep-pan version, and offers a fully removable lid.
- The Petmate Top Entry Litter Box is built from 95% recycled plastic and uses a hinged, one-piece lid instead.
- Both keep dogs out through wall height, not a locking mechanism, so a tall dog can still reach in.
- Neither box is a good fit for senior cats or cats with mobility problems, since both require jumping up and over a wall.
- Prices sit close together, roughly $26-$30 for IRIS’s standard model and $31-$47 for Petmate, so the deciding factor is usually the features, not the cost.
- IRIS offers more size and color variety across its product line; Petmate keeps things to one or two configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRIS or Petmate top entry litter box better for large cats?
IRIS publishes exact interior dimensions (15″ x 9.75″ floor, 9.25″ entry) on its large model, so you can measure your cat against it before buying. Petmate doesn’t publish an interior floor measurement, which makes it harder to check fit for a bigger cat in advance.
Do either of these boxes come with a scoop?
Most IRIS top-entry listings include a scoop with a hook. Most Petmate listings don’t; the box has a hook for a scoop, but you buy the scoop separately in most cases.
Will a top entry litter box actually keep my dog out?
It keeps most dogs out by height alone; small to medium dogs generally can’t reach over the walls to get to the litter. A tall dog or one that climbs may still manage it. Neither IRIS nor Petmate uses a locking door, so this is a height barrier, not a locked barrier.
Are top entry litter boxes good for senior or arthritic cats?
Generally, no. Both boxes require jumping up and over a wall to get in, which is hard on stiff joints. A low-entry, open-top pan is the better choice for an older or arthritic cat, even if it means more visible litter and less odor control.
Which one is easier to clean, IRIS or Petmate?
IRIS is faster for a full litter dump since the lid comes off entirely. Petmate’s hinged lid stays attached, which some owners prefer because there’s nothing to lose, but it makes scrubbing the full interior a bit more awkward.
Is the IRIS litter box BPA-free?
IRIS advertises BPA-free plastic on several of its storage and pet products, but check the specific listing for the exact SKU you’re buying, since claims can vary by model and color.
Do I need one litter box per cat with a top entry design?
Yes. The general rule from vets is one litter box per cat plus one extra, regardless of style. A top entry box doesn’t change that guidance; it’s still a single-cat unit.
Can I use litter liners with these boxes?
Petmate sells liners sized for its own top-entry pan. IRIS doesn’t sell an official liner for its top-entry line, though a universal liner sized to the base can work if you trim it to fit.
Why won’t my cat use a top entry litter box?
Some cats simply don’t like enclosed or covered boxes, regardless of brand. If your cat avoids either box after a week or two, that’s a preference issue, not a defect. Keep an open box available as a backup while you test.
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.
View Full Profile