You can't stop litter tracking completely, but you can reduce it a lot by catching litter at the exact spot where your cat steps out of the box. The steps that make the biggest difference are a wide textured mat at the exit, a box with high sides or a grated exit, a moderate litter depth and, if your cat accepts it, a litter with larger granules. Combining two or three of these usually works better than relying on one.
Why does cat litter end up all over the floor?
Tracking has two sources. The first is kicking: cats dig and cover, and loose granules fly over low sides or out of an open front. The second is paws: fine litter lodges between toes and in the fur on the feet, then drops off a few steps later, often on the way to the couch or the food bowl. Long-haired cats tend to carry more, simply because there is more fur on their feet to hold on to granules.
Knowing which source causes most of your mess helps you pick the right fix. A ring of litter right around the box points to kicking. A trail across the room points to paws.
What are the main ways to reduce litter tracking?
Here is an honest overview of the common options, including types we don't carry.
| Option | How it helps | Downsides | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textured or honeycomb litter mat | Gives granules a place to fall off paws right at the exit | Needs emptying; a mat that's too small gets stepped over | Almost any setup; the easiest first step |
| Rubber or coil mat | Brushes litter off paws; easy to vacuum | Some cats avoid the texture; litter can sit on top | Cats who don't mind firm surfaces |
| High-sided open box with a low entry | Sides block kicked litter while the front stays easy to step over | Still open on top; the entry side can scatter | Enthusiastic diggers who prefer open boxes |
| Covered box with a front flap | The hood contains kicked litter | Paws still carry litter out; many cats dislike lids | Cats already comfortable with a hood |
| Top-entry box with a grated lid | Your cat climbs out across the grate, which knocks granules loose | Climbing may not suit kittens, seniors or stiff cats; some cats refuse it | Agile adult cats |
| Larger-granule or pellet litter | Bigger pieces are less likely to stick between toes | Some cats reject a new texture; scooping changes | Cats who accept a gradual switch |
| Lower litter depth | Less loose litter to fling and carry | Too shallow and waste reaches the pan | Boxes that are overfilled |
Does a litter mat really help?
A mat is the simplest and least disruptive fix, because it doesn't change anything about the box your cat already uses. What matters most is size and placement. The mat should cover the floor your cat actually walks on after leaving the box, so they take at least a step or two on it. A small square in front of a large box often ends up being stepped over entirely.
Our Double Layer Cat Litter Mat has a perforated, honeycomb-style top layer that gives loose litter a place to land. It comes in six sizes, from a 12 x 12 inch step mat up to a 24 x 35 inch runner, and the listing says it works in front of open trays, at the door of covered boxes and beside top-entry lids. When you scoop, you lift it, shake the collected litter into the trash and wipe the stain-resistant surface with a damp cloth as needed.
Before choosing a size, measure the floor in front of your cat's usual exit. If your cat sometimes leaves over the side instead of through the front, a wider runner is worth the extra floor space.
Do high-sided or top-entry boxes reduce tracking?
They target different problems. High sides mostly stop kicked litter. A box like the Open Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Black Rim has a rim that rises to 7.1 inches along the back and sides and dips to 3.9 inches at the front, where a textured grid sits in the entry so your cat steps across it on the way out. It measures 19.7 x 13.8 x 7.1 inches and has no hood, which suits cats that prefer an open box.
Top-entry designs go after paw tracking, because your cat has to climb out across a lid instead of walking straight onto the floor. The Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Pull-Out Drawer combines both approaches: a front door with a tinted flap and a round top entry set in a slotted grate, plus a drawer tray that slides out for emptying. It measures about 20.5 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches, so check that you have room in front to pull out the drawer.
Keep in mind that a box only reduces tracking if your cat keeps using it. The ASPCA notes that most cats don't like lids or liners on their boxes, so watch how your cat reacts before you remove the old one.
Does the type and amount of litter make a difference?
Yes, often more than the box. Fine, dusty litters cling to paws more easily than larger granules or pellets. If you want to try a different litter, switch gradually by mixing it into the old one over a week or two, and go back if your cat starts avoiding the box.
Depth matters too. A very deep box gives your cat more to dig and fling. The ASPCA's litter box guidance says cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter, which also leaves less loose litter to scatter. Scoop daily so your cat isn't digging around old clumps to find a clean spot.
Who should try these fixes, and who should skip them?
A mat plus a moderate litter depth suits almost everyone. They're inexpensive, don't change your cat's routine and can be undone in seconds.
A new box is worth it if your current one has low sides, is too small for your cat to turn around comfortably, or is already due for replacement anyway.
Skip top-entry boxes for kittens, senior cats or any cat that has trouble jumping or climbing; a low, wide entry is the kinder choice. If your cat is already avoiding the box or eliminating elsewhere, don't change several things at once. Solve that first, and talk to your veterinarian if the change in litter habits is sudden.
A simple anti-tracking setup to try
- Measure the exit area and lay a mat that covers the first steps out of the box.
- Bring the litter down to about one to two inches and scoop daily.
- If kicked litter is the main problem, move to a box with higher sides.
- If paw tracking is the main problem, test a grated exit or larger-granule litter, one change at a time.
You'll find mats, boxes and scoops together in our cat waste and cleanup collection.
FAQ
Why does my cat kick so much litter out of the box?
Digging and covering is normal cat behavior. A box that's too small, low sides or very deep litter tend to make the scatter worse, so check those three things first.
What size litter mat do I need?
Measure the floor in front of your cat's usual exit. The mat should be large enough that your cat takes at least one or two steps on it before reaching bare floor. Wider runners help if your cat sometimes exits over the side.
Will a covered litter box stop tracking?
A hood contains litter that gets kicked, but it doesn't stop litter stuck to paws from leaving the box. Pair a covered box with a mat at the door.
Are top-entry litter boxes good for reducing tracking?
They can help, because your cat exits across a lid instead of stepping straight onto the floor. They aren't a good fit for kittens, seniors or cats who struggle to climb, and some cats simply won't use them.
How often should I clean a litter mat?
Shake it out whenever you scoop the box, and wipe or wash it as needed based on the care instructions for your mat.