For most cats, a large open litter box is the safer default: the ASPCA notes that most cats don't like lids on their boxes. A covered box mainly benefits the people in the house, because it contains kicked litter and keeps the box out of sight, and it works well for cats who accept it. If you're not sure which camp your cat is in, choose a box with a removable cover and let your cat decide.
What's the difference between a covered and an open litter box?
An open box is a tray or pan with sides and no roof. A covered (or hooded) box adds a lid with a front opening, often with a swinging flap, and sometimes a second opening on top. Within each group there's a lot of variety: open boxes range from shallow trays to high-sided pans with a low entry, and covered boxes can have pull-out drawers, flip-up lids or hoods that lift off entirely.
The choice affects three things: how comfortable your cat feels using the box, how much litter ends up on the floor, and how easy the box is for you to check and clean.
Covered vs. open: pros and cons at a glance
| Box type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open tray, low sides | Easy to enter, easy to see and scoop | Litter gets kicked out; the box stays visible | Kittens, seniors, cats who dislike enclosed spaces |
| Open box with high sides or a rim | Holds kicked litter while keeping an open view | Higher step-in unless there's a low entry | Enthusiastic diggers who prefer open boxes |
| Covered box with a flap | Hides the litter and contains scatter | Some cats dislike hoods and flaps; odors can build up inside; you have to open it to check | Confident cats who already accept a hood |
| Convertible box (cover comes off) | Your cat can try both; you can switch later | Takes up the floor space of a covered box | Cats whose preference you don't know yet |
| Top-entry box | Contains scatter; can be harder for a dog to get into | Requires climbing; not suited to kittens or seniors | Agile adult cats |
| Automatic or self-cleaning box | Less daily scooping | Higher cost, power and noise; some cats are wary of moving parts | Cats who tolerate motion and sound |
Do cats prefer covered or open litter boxes?
Individual cats vary, but the general advice leans open. In its guide to litter box problems, the ASPCA says the majority of cats prefer large boxes they can enter easily, that most cats don't like lids or liners, and that cats like a quiet spot where they can see who's approaching and leave quickly if they want to. A hood limits both the view and the exits, which is why some cats hesitate.
That doesn't mean covered boxes are wrong. Plenty of cats use them without any problem, especially if they grew up with one. The key is to watch your own cat rather than assume.
When does a covered litter box make sense?
A covered box is worth considering if your cat already uses one happily, if kicked litter over the sides is your main complaint, or if the box has to sit in a shared room where you'd rather not see it. Just remember that a hood holds odors inside, so a covered box needs scooping at least as often as an open one.
If you want flexibility, the Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Drawer is a convertible option. It measures about 18.9 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches, has a tinted front flap and a lift-up top opening, includes a scoop, and the whole cover lifts off when an open tray suits your cat better. The pull-out drawer lets you scoop without reaching through the flap.
For a fully covered look, the Oval Covered Cat Litter Box with Scoop is approximately 22.0 x 15.7 x 15.7 inches overall, with a front flap and upper sections that lift off to reach the tray. The Covered Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Flip-Top Lid pairs a stainless steel lower basin with a gray enclosure, a rounded front flap and a transparent hinged roof, so you can reach the basin from above while the enclosure stays in place.
What should you look for in either type?
- Size: Your cat should be able to step in, turn around and dig comfortably. Compare the box's inside space with your cat's length, not just the outside dimensions.
- Entry height: A low entry matters for kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints.
- Cleaning access: Drawers, lift-off hoods and flip-up lids change how you scoop. Pick the one that fits your daily routine.
- Room around the box: Covered boxes need clearance above or in front for lids and drawers.
- Location: A quiet spot away from food bowls and busy hallways matters for both types.
If you prefer open, the Open Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Black Rim keeps the view open while the rim rises to 7.1 inches along the back and sides and dips to 3.9 inches at the front entry. It measures 19.7 x 13.8 x 7.1 inches, and the pan and rim lift apart for rinsing.
Who should choose an open box, and who should skip a covered one?
Choose open for kittens, senior cats, larger cats who feel cramped under a hood, cats who have ever avoided a covered box, and multi-cat homes where one cat might wait outside the only exit.
A covered box can work for confident adult cats who already accept a hood, especially when scatter or appearance is the real problem.
Skip a new covered box for now if your cat is currently going outside the box. Change one thing at a time and talk to your veterinarian if the change in habits is sudden. The ASPCA also recommends one box per cat plus one extra, which is worth checking before you change box styles.
How do you switch box types without upsetting your cat?
- Set the new box next to the old one, filled with the litter your cat already uses.
- If it's covered, start with the cover off or the flap removed or propped open, if the design allows.
- Add the cover once your cat is using the new box regularly.
- Remove the old box only after your cat has used the new one consistently for a while.
Browse open, covered and drawer-style boxes in our cat waste and cleanup collection.
FAQ
Do covered litter boxes control odor better?
A hood keeps odor inside the box rather than in the room, but that also means your cat smells it more strongly. Daily scooping matters more than the box style.
Why won't my cat use a covered litter box?
Many cats dislike the limited view and single exit of a hood, or the feel of a flap. Try removing the flap or the cover first, and introduce the covered setup gradually.
Are open litter boxes messier?
Low-sided open trays let more litter escape when cats dig. An open box with high sides or a rim, plus a mat at the entry, helps close that gap.
How big should a litter box be?
Big enough for your cat to step in, turn around and dig without hanging over the edge. When in doubt, go larger, and check the inside dimensions before you buy.