Dealing with a litter box is a necessary evil of having a kitty in your life. Scooping up messes, cleaning up scattered litter, and fighting odors are all part of providing your cat with the best care possible. Also, with a hooded litter box, you can keep it hidden from guests who stop by to visit. A covered litter box also gives your cat privacy and yourself freedom from watching them do their business. It’s a win for everyone involved!
Here are reviews of the best hooded litter boxes for your feline friend. Any of these choices could be ideal for your furball!
We chose Nature’s Miracle Silver Oval Hooded Litter Box as the best overall covered (hooded) cat litter box due to its simplicity. Made for cat owners who don’t need the added stress of stinky, exposed boxes, the Nature’s Miracle cat tray uses snap latches to keep the top secured while providing built-in odor control. The front entry of this box features a flip-top that makes it easy for your cat to pop in when they are ready to go potty.
Cleanup is easy with this covered litter box due to its size and the non-stick design of the tray. You’ll also find the activated charcoal used for odor control helps keep smells at bay. These additions make scooping and cleaning easier for owners.
Another great thing about Nature’s Miracle Hooded Litter Box is the price. You won’t be spending an arm and a leg to add this litter box to your home. The only true downsides are the snap locks that secure the top in place. While this litter box is great for cats of all sizes, if your cat likes to circle before using the potty, they may knock off the top. This can be avoided by using other methods to secure the lid if necessary.
The Van Ness Enclosed Cat Litter Pan is the best covered (hooded) cat litter box for the money. This large litter box is ideal for cats of all weights and sizes while still being affordable. Cat parents who want to give their kitties privacy can easily work this box into their budget and keep their homes free of unsightly litter.
Made from 20% recycled materials, this hooded litter box offers a stain-resistant design to make cleaning easier while ensuring this box is long-lasting for your kitty. This stain resistance is also great at working along with the flip-top door to keep odors under control.
While this covered litter box is sized for use in homes with one or multiple cats, the materials can be considered slightly flimsy. You’ll save money with this purchase, but if your cat is rough with the box or it is moved around quite a bit, damage could be inflicted.
A premium choice for the best covered cat litter box is the Modcat XL Litter Box. While Modcat offers several cat box options, this is its premium option, which is larger and can be converted to top or front entry per your kitty’s preferences. This box is quite expensive but is designed to look appealing in your home or apartment. You’ll also find it large enough to accommodate multiple cats.
When using the top entry option, you’ll find that no litter escapes this covered tray. If your cat doesn’t enjoy entering the litter box from the top, textured surfaces inside the litter box will help prevent tons of unwanted litter from escaping onto your floors. The included scoop and liners will also help when it’s time to clean up. The liners attach securely and are ideal when it’s time to change the litter.
The only downside to this litter box is the price. With it being the premium option on this list, though, you should expect to pay a bit more for this top-of-the-line design.
Pros
Stylish design
Front or top entry
Scoop and liners included
Cons
High price
4. Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box — Best for Kittens
Choosing the right covered litter box for a kitten can be difficult. Luckily, the Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box has you covered. This litter box utilizes a clear lid to keep your kitten from being in the dark while using the potty. The clear cover is also great for monitoring your kitty’s movements and controlling the scooping and changing of the litter. A partition is also available to cover the entryway and keep your kitten from kicking litter around the house.
The Petphabet litter box is also quite large. This makes it ideal for a home with multiple cats while also giving your kitten adequate room to circle when doing their business. The only downside with this litter box for kittens is the potential for scattering if the partition is not put on. Plus, the price is slightly high.
The Iris Top Entry Cat Litter Box provides your home with an attractive style of hooded box for your cat. Featuring a rounded design with a textured top, this top entry box is ideal for helping kitties keep unwanted litter off their paws. As they walk across the top, stubborn litter is raked away and avoids finding its way to your floor. You’ll also find that this litter box comes with its own scooper and a hook inside to hang it out of sight.
While the rounded design of this litter box makes it slightly smaller than most of the others on this list, it is still roomy enough for large cats. It also has rubber feet on the bottom to help avoid slippage when your cat hops on top to head inside for a bathroom break.
One area of concern when it comes to the Iris Cat Litter Box is the top. While it is great at removing litter from your cat’s feet, it isn’t overly sturdy. If your cat is heavy or rough when hopping up top, you could experience issues with the top breaking.
The first thing we noticed about the Petmate Booda Clean Step Cat Litter Box Dome was the stairs. Designed similarly to litter mats, the stairs of this litter box lead the way around the corner and into where the litter itself is kept. This gives your cat not only the privacy that they enjoy but also adequate chances to remove the litter from their feet before stepping back onto your floors. This is especially great for cats that like to scratch and play in their litter before using it.
If you and your cat love avoiding odors, this box utilizes activated charcoal to help keep unwanted smells at bay. The filters are replaceable, making it easy to step in and handle smelly issues if they occur. Unfortunately, the filters don’t provide a perfect fit and will take some adjusting.
The lid to this box does not have snaps or other ways to secure it into place. When you’re ready to clean it, simply lift the top. Keep this in mind when it comes to your animals too, however. If they hit the litter box or get curious about it, the top will come loose and expose the inner contents.
The Petmate Basic Hooded Cat Litter Pan is great for cats of all ages, including seniors. With a front entry that is low enough to make stepping inside easy, cats can easily go inside to do their business with no problems. The flip door is convenient and helps keep odors from filtering throughout the house. Unfortunately, it is a bit flimsy.
Available in multiple colors and two sizes, this tray has high sides for cats that circle before relieving themselves. The top doesn’t securely attach, which can present problems when cats are using the box. If you have a feisty kitty or other animals in the house, this may become a constant issue. You’ll also discover that the jumbo litter pan may be slightly expensive, considering its flaws.
The Catit AiRSiFT Litter Pan is quite large and has a unique shape that makes it easy for cats of all sizes to get inside and move around. Great for use in homes with multiple cats, this litter tray also features odor-control assistance due to the activated charcoal inside. When it’s time to scoop or change litter, simply remove the top, and you’ll have full access to the insides of the tray.
Unfortunately, this large hooded litter box has a few flaws. The entry door is known to stick, which is especially upsetting for kitties when they are already inside and ready to leave the box. You’ll also find that the handle isn’t durable and the removable top is sometimes difficult to remove.
The Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box is great for pet owners with small cats. This rectangular litter box is long but not very wide, which would make it difficult for large breeds to get inside and move around. Being that it is a top entry, your cats can easily get the unwanted litter off their feet by walking across the textured covering. The high walls are great at stopping urine seepage and keeping other animals, such as dogs, out of your kitty’s box.
Our biggest issue with this litter box is the top. It can be difficult to make the covering fit properly. Unfortunately, this can lead to situations where your cat falls into the litter when trying to access the tray. This can leave pet owners with a mess to clean up and an angry kitty.
Pros
Textured top for cleaning feet
High walls to fight urine seepage
Designed to keep other animals out of cat’s litter
The Clevercat Top Entry Litterbox is perfect for cats that love to kick and make a mess when they go potty. Designed to look similar to a plastic storage tote, this litter box has a textured top to help cats clean their paws when they are finished. The small entry hole is also ideal for keeping dogs out of your cat’s litter.
Unfortunately, this litter box is small for the above-average cost, and there’s a lack of room for cats to turn and scratch. If you have a large or heavy breed of cat, this may not be the best option for you.
Pros
Textured top for cleaning paws
Designed to keep dogs out
Cons
Expensive
Too small for most cats
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Covered (Hooded) Cat Litter Box
Every cat is unique. This means their requirements when it comes to a litter box are different. When it comes time for you to choose the best covered litter box for your home, there are quite a few things you should keep in mind. Does your cat kick litter? Is your cat a sprayer or one that likes to circle their box before using it? If you said yes to any of these, a covered box could be the answer to your problems. Let’s take a look at a few of the other things you should consider before purchasing a covered or hooded litter for your kitty.
Size
The size of your cat is something you should keep in mind before purchasing any litter box, especially a covered one. Some hooded boxes are not designed for hefty cats or large breeds. Before choosing a litter box, look at the sizes and recommendations included. If it appears too small for your large cat, it most likely is.
Size is important for small and older cats too. Kittens and elderly cats may have difficulty getting inside certain boxes. Keep your cat’s individual needs in mind when choosing a box for your home.
Entry
You’ll find that covered litter boxes have two entryways, in the front and on top. Understanding the benefits and downsides of these forms of entry is important. If your cat is uncomfortable in any way, they most likely will not use the box you choose for them.
Top Entry
A top-entry litter box is very beneficial to homes with other pets, such as dogs. Your cat will enter through a hole in the top and drop down to use the bathroom. Your dog will not get the opportunity to bother with the litter or what your cat leaves behind due to the lack of easy access. You’ll also find this entry method is great for cats that like to pee and spray on the sides of the litter box. Since there is no seam, leakage is less likely.
The biggest advantage of this entry, however, is the lack of kicked litter. Yes, if your cat is a kicker, this type of covered box may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Always consider your cat’s abilities when choosing this style, though. If they are mobility challenged, top entry may not be the best option.
Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
Front Entry
The front entry is the most common covered cat litter tray design you’ll find. Just as the name states, this type of litter box has an opening in the front, often with a door, that enables your cat to step inside and use the potty in privacy. If your cat is skittish about top-entry boxes or has issues with mobility, this would be the best choice for them. It helps avoid the issue of cat litter getting kicked out, though not to the degree of top-entry boxes. In most situations, litter can still be tracked out on the paws of your cat. You’ll find this entry is often the best for kittens and older cats that have difficulty getting around.
Shape and Size
If you have limited space in your home, finding the right covered litter box may be difficult. Even the smallest of these litter boxes requires a bit of space. Fortunately, you will find a variety of shapes that can make your plight easier.
Rectangular litter boxes make life easier for both you and your cat. These boxes normally have more room for your cat to circle. You’ll find that they can fit into most areas of your home or can be tucked away under a cabinet. You’ll also find circular or triangular litter boxes available. According to the space in your home, one of these may be a better option. You’ll find that they are easier to clean because litter is less likely to stick to the sides of these trays. With rectangular varieties, that will always be an issue.
Odor Control
A common extra that many covered litter boxes offer is filters to help with odor control. Normally, this is done using activated charcoal to absorb pee and feces smell after your cat eliminates until you’re able to scoop the box. Cats are known to avoid boxes with bad odors. To keep them happy, choose boxes with replaceable filters so you can keep the box fresh and ready for your kitty at all times.
Image Credit: Danielle Masucci, Shutterstock
Conclusion
As a cat owner, you know what your cat likes. You also know what size and shape covered litter pan is best suited for your home. When you have these needs in mind, you can choose the best enclosed litter box to keep your cat happy.
Our best overall choice, the Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Litter Box, offers your cat the space that they need while being affordable and easy to clean. The Van Ness Enclosed Litter Pan is both large and affordable, making it great for big kitties and owners on a budget. If you simply want to splurge on your cat, our premium choice, the Modcat XL, is perfect for you and your pampered feline.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
