| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Pieviev Super Size Cat Litter Mat |
| Best on a Budget | Petmate Catcher Mat |
| Best Large Mat | iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Mat |
| Best Design | Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat |
Having cat litter scattered around your home isn’t something that any pet owner enjoys. This is why so many look for products that will keep the litter where it should be and keeps your floors clean. Just like you have a mat in your entryway to catch any dirt and debris from your shoes when you come inside, a cat litter mat is a great way to catch extra litter from your kitty’s paws before it is tracked all over your home.
In addition, as cats age, they are more prone to accidents such as leaning too far over the side of the box, leaving a mess worse than scattered litter. A cat litter mat that’s big enough can catch those accidents so that you don’t have to mop as much.
There are endless options available for these mats and we have compiled our top recommendations that will work for almost any budget and home. Whether you want something that is a breeze to clean or one that will work for multiple cats, we have you covered.
Check Amazon- Double-layer design features a honeycomb-pattern top layer.
- Waterproof bottom layer
- Mat is easily rinsed and/or vacuumed.
- Made of non-toxic material
- Soft and durable
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Super-affordable pricetag
- Available in two sizes
- Easy to clean using cold water and air drying
Check Amazon- Waterproof bottom layer repels urine and odors
- Easy to clean in a few simple steps
- Available in large and jumbo sizes
Check Amazon- Available in 19 colors and seven different sizes
- Easy to vacuum clean
- Non-stick bottom ensures it stays put
#1 Best Overall: Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Super-Size
The easy-to-clean, double-layer design of the Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Super-Size makes it our top choice for cat litter mats. The top layer has a honeycomb pattern to allow litter to fall through to the inside, where it stays sandwiched between the top and bottom layers. The bottom layer is also waterproof in case of accidents.
You can tip the mat to dump extra litter back into the box, cutting down on waste. Just be careful when you are lifting the mat so that the litter doesn’t dump out unexpectedly; some customers reported that there is a slight learning curve when it comes to cleaning it. For deeper cleaning, the mat can also be rinsed or vacuumed. It is made of a non-toxic material that won’t get torn or scratched by your cat’s nails.
The material of this mat is so soft and durable that some customers reported finding that their cats like to sleep and lounge on it when it wasn’t placed by the litter box. This isn’t the largest cat litter mat (it only comes in one size) but it is affordable enough to purchase two if needed. Some customers also reported that their mat was folded when they purchased it, and it was difficult to straighten and get it to lay flat.
Pros and Cons of the Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Super-Size
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The double-layer design helps to collect and trap litter inside the mat. | There is a slight learning curve when it comes to emptying and leaning the mat. |
| The bottom layer is waterproof in case of accidents. | It is only available in one size, which can be smaller than many would like. |
| When it’s time to clean, just carefully lift the mat and dump out the litter into the trash. | Some customers had trouble flattening out the mat after they pulled it from the box. |
| It is fairly easy to clean. | |
| The mat is made of safe materials that are soft and durable. In fact, some kitties like sleeping on the mat! | |
| The mat is not as expensive as many other options, so it is easier to buy more than one if needed. |
- Double-layer design features a honeycomb-pattern top layer.
- Waterproof bottom layer
- Mat is easily rinsed and/or vacuumed.
- Made of non-toxic material
- Soft and durable
2. Best on a Budget: Petmate Catcher Mat
One of the best budget-friendly cat litter mats is the Petmate Catcher Mat. Why spend a lot of money on something that is used to catch your cat’s waste? For one of the best budget-friendly options that still performs well, the Petmate Catcher Mat is available for less than most bags of litter. It comes in two size options (large and extra-large), so you can choose the size that fits your space the best. The large measures 25 x 23.5 inches, and the extra large measures 47 x 32 inches. In addition, there is also a half-circle design that measures 23.5 x 14 inches, which is perfect for placing at the entry/exit point of your litter box.
The mat is rubberized to catch litter in its bristles as your cat walks on it. Customers reported that it catches most litter particles and is easy to clean. The top cleaning methods used included washing it in cold water and letting it air dry (recommended by Petmate), vacuuming for dry particles, and shaking it off for larger loose litter. However, many customers did notice a strong smell from the mat itself after delivery, which subsided after a few days. In addition, this mat is not considered waterproof.
Pros and Cons of the Petmate Catcher Mat
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This mat is one of the less expensive options. | This mat is not waterproof. |
| There are two sizes to choose from, as well as a half-circle design. | Many customers noticed a strong rubber smell after purchase, although it subsided after a few days. |
| The mat is rubberized so that it catches litter from your cat’s paws as they walk across it. | |
| It is fairly easy to clean. |
- Super-affordable pricetag
- Available in two sizes
- Easy to clean using cold water and air drying
3. Best Large Mat: IPRIMIO Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat
The IPRIMIO Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat has everything that you might want for your home. Litter falls through the top layer and is trapped on the bottom layer, which is waterproof to repel urine and keep odors in check. To clean it, all you need to do is lift up the top layer, which is easy due to the open side, and dump it out. If you are worried about wetter messes, you can easily insert a standard-sized puppy pad between the layers to soak up any accidents.
This litter mat comes in three different sizes (23 x 21 inches, 29 x 27 inches, 30 x 23 inches, and 32 x 30 inches) and two different colors (brown or black). The jumbo size option is one of the largest, high-performing litter mats on the market! The surface is also smooth for sensitive cat paws.
However, keep in mind that the EVA foam, nylon thread, and coating are not meant to be ingested. If you have a cat who likes to chew, consider one of the other options on our list. In addition, if you need multiple mats, it can add up, since this mat is more expensive.
Pros and Cons of the IPRIMIO Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There are three sizes available. | Some of the mat’s materials (EVA foam, nylon thread, and coating) are not safe if ingested, so if your kitty likes to chew, this may not be a good choice for them. |
| The jumbo size (30 x 32 inches) is one of the largest litter mats available on the market. | This mat is on the more expensive end. |
| Litter falls through the large holes on the surface of the mat and is trapped on the bottom layer, keeping it off your floors. | |
| The mat is easy to clean; just open the side and dump out the trapped litter. | |
| The mat is designed so that you can insert a puppy pad inside as well for accidents. | |
| The mat comes in black and brown options. | |
| The surface of the mat is smooth, which is perfect for sensitive cat paws. |
- Waterproof bottom layer repels urine and odors
- Easy to clean in a few simple steps
- Available in large and jumbo sizes
4. Best Design: Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat
For cat owners who want an extra boost of style in addition to function, the Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat has thick coils woven in a quilted pattern and comes in 17 different colors and seven different sizes. Not all colors are available in all sizes, however, so check before you set your heart on a particular option.
The mat is available in small (24 x 17 inches), medium (30 x 20 inches), large (35 x 23 inches), extra large (40 x 28 inches), and jumbo (47 x 35 inches), which is one of the largest premium litter mats on the market!). In addition to the common rectangular shape, there is also a corner mat (32 x 32 x 45 inches) and a half-circle mat (30 x 20 inches). The mats are lightweight and soft on your cat’s paws. However, they are thinner than many of the other options, which can pose a problem if your cat likes to scratch and chew.
Extra litter is trapped in the grooves between the coils and in the coils themselves. However, this makes it harder to tip litter back into the pan, but it is still easy enough to vacuum the litter off. Customers reported that the easiest way to thoroughly clean litter out of the mat is to take it outside and shake the litter free. The mat also has a texturized backing to help the mat stay in place. The mat is made of durable, waterproof materials as well.
Pros and Cons of the Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There are five different sizes, including a jumbo size, which is one of the largest litter mats on the market. | Not every size comes in every color. |
| There are also corner and half-circle mat options. | The mat is thinner than some of the other options, so it may not work as well for cats that like scratching and digging a lot. |
| There are 17 different color options to choose from. | Due to the design that traps the litter, it is harder to tip it back into your litter box. |
| The thick coils are woven into the mat in a pleasing, quilted design. | |
| The mat is lightweight, durable, and waterproof. | |
| It is easy to vacuum and clean off. | |
| The texturized backing helps the mat to stay in place. |
- Available in 19 colors and seven different sizes
- Easy to vacuum clean
- Non-stick bottom ensures it stays put
How to Choose the Best Cat Litter Mat
When choosing a cat litter mat for your space, you should consider the following:
- Size
- Material
- Design
Let’s look at these in more detail:
Size
You can opt for a smaller-sized mat, which is often cheaper, but chances are you won’t be able to set the entire litter box on the mat. Some are designed with this in mind, such as the half-circle mats. Larger cat litter mats can be more expensive and harder to find but offer more surface protection. You might even be able to put the entire litter box on the mat to catch any flying litter. Before you purchase a cat litter mat, keep in mind where you want to put it, so you can choose the right shape and size to best suit your home.
Material
Look for a material that is soft enough for your cat to enjoy but durable enough to last, even if your cat scratches and digs its paws into it. You will want a mat that is durable and made of safe materials to withstand wear and tear. This is especially helpful if your cat likes to chew on things since you don’t want to worry about your cat getting sick due to their litter mat. It’s also nice if the mat is waterproof in case your cat has an accident. This also helps the mat stand up to periodic scrubbing.
Design
Cat litter mats don’t need to be an eyesore. You can find plenty of options in different colors, textures, and shapes. You can find something that will work with your overall style while still keeping the litter at bay.
Beyond aesthetics, you also want the mat to do i’s job — catch the excess litter from your cat’s paws in textured grooves. In addition, some mats are made especially for cats with sensitive paws, since some cats can’t tolerate rough textures.
How to Clean a Cat Litter Mat
Keeping your mat clean will do a lot to make sure that the rest of your space stays clean and odor-free. Here are a few methods that work well to clean these mats.
- Dump extra litter back into the litter pan.
- Vacuum the cat litter mat using a handheld vacuum or tool.
- Wash the cat litter mat with cold water and let it air dry.
- Shake the cat litter mat outside.
The Two Different Types of Cat Litter Mats
All cat litter mats catch extra litter but some use a two-layer design to trap the particles while others catch them using a textured surface.
Two-Layer Cat Litter Mat
A two-layer litter mat is great because the extra litter can be dumped back into the pan and reused. These mats are also often softer on cats’ paws, which is especially nice if your cat has sensitive feet. However, one of the drawbacks to this type of cat litter mat is that liquid waste can cause the litter to clump, and sometimes the holes that the litter falls through can get clogged. Two-layer cat litter mats often need to be periodically scrubbed clean.
Textured Trap Cat Litter Mat
A texturized cat litter mat is great at catching litter and keeping it off floors. These mats are also durable and last for a long time. However, textured trap cat litter mats are often harder to vacuum and need to be shaken out periodically.
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Up Next…
- The Best Cat Litter for Picky Cats (and Kittens!) — Some cats are more finicky than others, so here is our list of the best litter for picky cats!
- The Best Litter Boxes for Cats — If you’re not sure which type of litter box is best for your cat, check out our list of the best ones on the market today!
- The Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes — If your cat is notorious for making a mess with their cat litter, a to-entry litter box may be just what you need.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Pieviev Super Size Cat Litter Mat |
| Best on a Budget | Petmate Catcher Mat |
| Best Large Mat | iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Mat |
| Best Design | Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat |
Best Cat Litter Mats: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do cat litter mats really work?
While cat litter mats are not 100% effective, they can greatly cut down on the amount of litter that your cat tracks away from the litter box. The larger the surface, the greater chance that extra litter will stay on the mat and off of your floors. You should make sure to place the cat litter mat on the side of the box that your cat uses to step out.
What is the best thing to put under a litter box?
You should place something that will not slip under the litter box since many cats jump to get in and out. Cat litter mats are often made with a non-slip surface on the bottom for this reason. Cat litter mats are great to put under a litter box, just make sure to choose one that is large enough. You can also use multiple cat litter mats — one under the box and one for your cat to step on once they are done.
Is a litter mat necessary?
A litter mat is not required but it can cut down on the litter debris so much that many pet owners consider them a necessity to their litter box setup. This is even more important if your litter box is in a room that you use for other purposes, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Considering their low cost and great functionality, a cat litter mat is on most cat owners’ must-have lists.
How do I stop my cat from getting litter everywhere?
A cat litter mat is the cheapest option to try to collect extra litter before it gets scattered around your home by your cat’s paws. Other things to try include a different litter box, a top-entry litter box, or a larger litter box. Your cat may also be trying to tell you that they want you to empty their litter box more often, or that they do not like the type of litter you are using.
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