The Best Litter Boxes for Kittens

Litter box training is one of the first skills that a young kitten learns. When you bring a kitten into your home, it may or may not already know how to use the litter box. If you have to do a little bit of remedial training, it can be helpful to have a litter box that works for their tiny bodies (and a good helping of patience). Even if your new kitten is fully litter box trained, having a place designed for them can make the transition to a new home much easier.

We’ve compiled a list of kitten-friendly litter boxes that we know you and your kitten will love. Some are made specifically for kittens while others can work as your kitten grows into an adult cat. Whether you want something simple and affordable or a litter box with special features, our list has you covered.

Top Picks: The Best Litter Boxes for Kittens Today

#1. Best Overall: Van Ness Cat Starter Kit

The best overall litter box for kittens is the Van Ness Cat Starter Kit. Not only is the litter box a great budget-friendly option, but it also comes with everything that you need to get started as a cat owner. The kit includes a small litter box and removable frame, Van Ness litter box liners that are designed to fit this box, a double-sided food dish, a water dish, and a scoop. All you need to do is add litter and a kitten!

The plastic is bright blue and BPA-free making it a great choice for kittens and very easy to clean. Many reviewers loved that it includes everything that you need in one kit. In fact, many reviewers mentioned that it’s great for someone who is new to owning a cat and may not know what they need to get started with cat ownership. Other reviewers also mentioned that this is a great kit to have if you need to do the occasional traveling with your kitten. The litter box lid helps keep the litter in the actual box and you get so many extras at such a great price. 

However, don’t expect a high-end litter box or kit for this affordable price. If you want something that will last for years through multiple cats, it’s best to spend a bit more on a longer-lasting and larger item. This is perfect for just starting out, training a kitten, or using it while traveling.

Pros and Cons of the Van Ness Cat Starter Kit

Best Overall

Van Ness Cat Starter Kit

• Budget-friendly and great for new kitten owners
• Includes litter box and removable frame
• BPA-free plastic box works with Van Ness litter box liners
• Great for traveling with your feline

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2. Best Budget Pick: Van Ness Cat Litter Box

Cat owners looking for a budget find will love the Van Ness Cat Litter Box. This small litter box is the perfect size for a kitten or small cat and is available for less than the price of a cup of fancy coffee. If you want something to get your kitten used to the litter box when they are young, it’s hard to beat the functionality of this simple yet affordable option. It is available in four different sizes and we recommend the small for a kitten just learning how to use the litter box.

The sides of the small litter box are only four inches high, perfect for little paws to climb over. It also reduces the likelihood that they will spray litter all around when they jump out since they do not need to jump as high. Once your kitten outgrows the small litter pan, it’s an easy transition to a similar box in a larger size.

The blue plastic is easy to clean and is made with 20% recycled content. Van Ness also offers litter pan liners and sifting pan liners made for these litter boxes. These have to be purchased separately but are also of great value. With the affordable prices from Van Ness, you can get just the right litter box (or boxes) for your new pet. However, since this is a highly affordable option, don’t expect to get any fancy features with it. This box is literally just that — a box. Still, you really can’t beat the price since it is an easy way to get your kittens used to using a litter box.

Pros and Cons of the Van Ness Cat Litter Box

Best Budget Option

Van Ness Cat Litter Pan

• Super affordable
• Available in four different sizes
• Easy to clean
• Made of 20% recycled material

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3. Best for Multiple Kittens: IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield and Scoop

The IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield and Scoop is a great option for owners with multiple kittens. Cats and kittens are notoriously picky about the cleanliness of their litter box. When you have multiple kittens sharing a box, it’s helpful to get a larger size so that they each have enough room to do their business. The IRIS Open Top Litter Box comes with a shield that offers each kitten some privacy while still remaining accessible for them.

We recommend opting for the kit that includes a scoop. Because cleaning the litter box is so important (even more so with multiple kittens), it is always helpful to have a scoop nearby and handy. There is no place built-in to hang the scoop but you can easily add a hook on the exterior because it has an extended top. The open-top design keeps the litter box accessible and easy to clean and empty. The shield keeps the litter in place even if they dig and kick around in it. This litter box offers just the right amount of privacy that multiple cats like while still being easy for kittens to use and owners to clean. However, since this is a larger litter box, you will need to anticipate it taking up more space as it is pretty large.

Pros and Cons of the IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield and Scoop

Best for Multiple Kittens

IRIS Open Top Litter Box with Shield & Scoop

• Larger size accommodates multiple kittens
• Open top box includes a shield to keep litter in the box
• Offers privacy with easy accessibility
• Includes scoop for easy cleaning

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4. Best for Continued Use: Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box

Another affordable option, the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box is a great pick that will last for your kitten’s lifetime if you clean it regularly. It comes with two litter boxes and a sifting layer that goes on top. When it comes time to empty the litter box, just pull the sifting layer up to separate the waste and clumped litter. Empty the pieces into a bag or trash can. You can dump the clean litter back into the fresh pan and your kitten or cat is ready to go.

Using a sifting litter box can create dust while you empty it so we recommend using a dust-free litter with this pan. Without dust-free litter, you may find that cleaning may cause the area to get dusty and it may make a bit of a mess. You can always scoop it like normal instead and just have two litter boxes available. Many reviewers noted that they use this litter box with their own pets and recommend it for its years of reliable use. It is antimicrobial and easy to clean, another important feature if you plan to use this litter box for the long haul.

Pros and Cons of the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box

Best for Continued Use

Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box

• Affordable pricetag
• Long-lasting construction
• Includes sifting layer for easy cleaning
• Works best with dust-free litter
• Made with Microban anti-microbial technology for maximum cleanliness

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5. Best Self-Cleaning: PetSafe Simply Clean Self Cleaning Litter Box

If you’re looking to get your kitten accustomed to a self-cleaning litter box, then try out the PetSafe Simply Clean Self Cleaning Litter Box. Introducing your kitten to a self-cleaning litter box when they are still young can make using this specialized type of box easier. The PetSafe self-cleaning litter box is one of the more affordable options available, although it is still the most expensive on our list by far. The litter box rotates to separate the waste from the clean litter when your cat or kitten uses the box. It also has odor-absorbing technology built in, including carbon filters. These will need to be replaced periodically, however.

The motor is pretty slow, which cats tend to like. One reviewer in particular even noted that getting this litter box was one of the best things she did as a pet owner. However, it is also important to note the downsides. It seems that this litter box needs premium quality litter in order to effectively clean the box.

Pros and Cons of the PetSafe Simply Clean Self Cleaning Litter Box

Best Self-Cleaning

PetSafe Simply Clean Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box

• Affordable pricetag in the self-cleaning category
• Rotation feature separates the waste from the clean litter maximizing your litter purchases
• Odor-absorbing technology and carbon filters mean no bad odors to contend with
• Slow-moving motor means it won't scare your kitten

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What to Look For in the Best Litter Boxes for Kittens

When it comes down to keeping your new kitten happy and content in their home, getting the right litter box is a big part of that. With the right litter box, your kitten will happily do their business in their new designated area instead of around the house. However, when it comes down to finding the right litter box for your kitten, there are a few things to look for before deciding. 

The main factors to look into when choosing the best litter box for kittens are: 

• Cost 
• Planned use 
• Special features 

Let’s take a look at each of these features in more detail below:

Cost

Litter boxes don’t have to cost a lot. A quality litter box that will do the job can be purchased for just a few dollars. Less expensive litter boxes tend to be smaller and have shorter sides. This may be a plus when looking for a litter box for a kitten, however. More expensive litter boxes often last longer and have features like antimicrobial coatings or self-emptying technology that make life as a cat parent easier.

Planned Use

If you want to purchase a litter box that will last for years through multiple stages of your cat’s life, it’s probably best to spend a bit more on a larger box that is easy to keep clean and durable. For something that you can take on a trip or just use occasionally, a less expensive or smaller option will do. If you have multiple cats, consider how much space they need to do their business and even consider setting up two or more litter boxes.

Special Features

Top-of-the-line litter boxes can get quite expensive but they often have features that cat owners say are worth the cost. Self-emptying litter boxes may cost hundreds of dollars but take care of the chore of emptying the litter box. These boxes sift out the waste and soiled litter at preset intervals. All you need to do is empty the reciprocal. Many pet owners are willing to spend big bucks to reduce the time they spend emptying their cat’s litter boxes.

The 2 Different Types of Litter Boxes for Kittens

As we have mentioned, there are different factors to consider when purchasing a litter box for your kitten. However, the biggest factor to consider is whether you want a short-term use or long-term use litter box when you get everything set up for your kitten. There are pros and cons to each kind that it can help to be aware of. 

The most common pros and cons include: 

• Short-term litter box — Often cheaper. Smaller size. Will need to be replaced sooner. No special features.
• Long-term litter box — Large enough to use for years. Can come with special features. Need to spend more on something durable. Won’t need to replace soon. Takes up more space.

Up Next…

• The Best Non-Tracking Cat Litter for a Cleaner House — Take a look at the best non-tracking cat litter that can help keep your home cleaner.
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes for Odor Control — Get rid of bad litter box odors with the help of cat litter boxes designed specifically for odor control.
• The Best Clumping Cat Litter for Your Pet — Pet owners love clumping litter because it’s so easy to clean. Check out the best options available!