How To Choose The Best Top Entry Litter Box

The best top entry litter box choices are reviewed extensively on this page. We have reviewed the six most popular boxes. We give you the information you need to make a decision that is right for your pet and your home. Look for the information that will be best for you. Some of the option choices below may helpful.

Top entry litter boxes have similar qualities but consider whether you would prefer the box to have:

a matte plastic or shiny plastic finish?

a litter scoop included?

a variety of colors?

a removable liner?

made in the USA?

a choice to convert from top entry to front entry?

The litter box you choose becomes part of your home décor, just like a cat bed. The boxes reviewed here would suit any décor as they are neutral in color, streamlined in design and do not scream “litter box”.

Some Of The best Top Entry Litter Boxes are:

1. Modkat XL – Converts to Top or Front Entry – Also The Largest Box
2. Frisco Top Entry Litter Box – Reliable Choice
3. Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan – Budget Option
4. IRIS Top Entry Litter Box – Great Box, Superior Design
5. Clevercat Top Entry Litterbox – Solid Option – Higher Cost
6. Arm And Hammer Top Entry Litter Pan – Good Economical Choice
What Are The Benefits Of A Top Entry Litter Box?

The Best Top Entry Litter Boxes – Reviews

1. Modkat XL Litter Box

This litter box has all the bells and whistles and can convert from a top entry litter box to a front entry litter box. This is a brilliant feature as there is always the opportunity to switch the entrance if necessary.

As your cat ages a front opening is preferable to a top opening because of the cats lack of agility. Also any sickness or injury may prevent your cat using a top entry box until they have recovered/ recuperated. How convenient than that you can switch between the two openings when needed.

Some cat owners also leave the top entry and the front entry open at the same time. That is good thinking unless you have a dog that likes to investigate the litter box. Stay with the top entry in this case. A long handled scoop would be practical for this litter box.

The box comes with a reusable liner that is anchored securely with hooks at the corners inside the box This liner won’t be falling back into the box. The liner is made from tarpaulin so they are mighty tough and just need to be washed and can then be reused. Replacement liners are available. The box can also be used without a liner if desired.

The Modkat XL is currently the largest top entry box and comments from different reviewers have said that the box is suitable for a Maine Coon. So if you are looking for a large top entry litter box, this Could be the one.

It does cost more, there is no denying that but time and time again people say that it was worth the cost for the features. Another plus is that it looks stylish, a pertinent point if the box will be on display.

Modkat make different litter boxes and they have all have reusable tarp liners. This article explains which liners are for which boxes, as it can be confusing.

Everything you need to know about Modkat reusable liners, including dimensions, how and when to clean etc is in this article.

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2. Frisco Top Entry Litter Box

The features that we like in this box are:

The lid is textured and acts to trap the litter from traveling any further than the box. The lid is also non slip.
A disclaimer here. It depends on your cat, the size and whether he jumps straight out of the box, as to how well the litter is contained. Advisable to have a litter mat nearby until you can assess for yourself.

The dimensions are 23.2 x 15.4 x 15 inches making it a decent size for the cat to turn around inside without being cramped.
It is made from plastic that is recyclable and is BPA free. We love the fact that it is able to be recycled and we are not adding more plastic to an already stressed environment.

This box is prefect for the diggers and flingers and good for keeping dogs out also.

The inside floor is smooth making it easy to scoop.

It is made in the USA

Note : The box is 15 inches high so if you are thinking of this box for a kitten, you will needs to assess the kitten’s ability to jump that height.

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3. Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan

This box was designed to keep dogs from digging in the cat litter.

If your dog is large, he may be able to put his head in the box, however he would have to fit his head and neck down into the box, fifteen or so inches, to get at the litter. That would be no easy task for most dogs.

It’s difficult to say that a litter box will be entirely dog proof as it depends on the size of your dog and how persistent they are.

Top entry litter boxes make cleaning easier because the litter will not be flung out of the box as kitty navigates to the desired location, location, location.

The lid is textured which makes it easier for kitty to jump onto and land in an organized fashion plus the lid has a grating so that any stray bits of litter will fall back into the box.

It has a large opening suitable for cats of all sizes. You may want to think twice about this box if your cat is elderly and has trouble jumping. My cat is elderly but is still pretty good at jumping so this won’t apply to all elderly cats.

The handles are built in which is convenient (they won’t break) and this makes the box easy to pick up. I never quite trust a handle that is not built in. Yes, I am suspicious of litter box handles!

The lid is hinged however the top can be still be removed for easier cleaning and there is a molded hook on the outside of the box for the scoop. The scoop does not come with the box.

There was previously a raised section in the floor of the box that potentially could have made scooping difficult. That has (in 2017) been addressed and the surface is flat.

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Do you really need to use litter box liners? This article discuses the different types of liners.

4. IRIS Top Entry Litter Box

The word attractive and litter box don’t usually go hand in hand however this box is attractive. It isn’t immediately obvious that it is actually a cat litter box.

It has an included litter scoop that hangs from the side of the box.

The lid also has grooves to help catch any litter that may be stuck to kitties paws as he leaps from the box.

There are different colors to choose from so if this litter box will be on display at your place, you will be able to find something to fit with your home décor. Colors are listed in the specifications.

There is not necessarily a need for liners using this box as the interior is easy to clean but any large liner could be used.

The entry into the box is somewhat of an enticement for the cat as we know how they love exploring new places.

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5. Clevercat Top Entry Litterbox

This litter box has a textured top to catch stray bits of litter before kitty jumps off. This works well for some cats however there’s always that exception to the rule and some cats explode out of the box and with that comes some of the litter.

The lid snaps on so it can’t be knocked off when the cat jumps up. The plastic is a thick and sturdy, matte plastic.

The plastic is matte as mentioned above. Some people prefer a hard shiny plastic as it can be easier to scoop and clean. Just something to think about. The matte plastic may be more friendly in the rough and tumble of everyday life and less easy to scratch than a shiny plastic.

The bottom of the box is totally flat, an important point when scooping.

When positioning the box, place the end of the box that has the entrance hole, towards a wall to make it difficult for dogs to get to and put their heads through the hole. We can outsmart those doggies.

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What about a covered litter box? This is another option to consider.

6. Arm And Hammer Top Entry Litter Pan

The dimensions of this box are 15 inches x 20 inches x 15 inches. It is a rectangular shape rather than square.

The top entrance opening is approximately 9’ diameter. This is a fairly standard size opening however the IRIS has a slightly larger opening.

The floor of the box is smooth and flat for easy scooping. A totally flat floor makes scooping easier.

There is a little hook on the side for holding a scoop but the scoop is not included.

The finish is matte plastic. There are liners available separately for this box. Not everyone uses the liners however it is good to have a choice if you do decide to use a liner.

The lid has a grate that can be seen in the photo which will enable any litter on the lid to fall back into the box when opened. The lid is sturdy and snaps into place to prevent the lid coming off when cats are exiting the box.

This is a very good top entry litter box at a good price and is good value for money.

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Our Recommendation Is…

1. Modkat XL Litter Box

There are three essential considerations: Functionality, Design and Cost.

The Modkat XL Top Entry Litter Box hands down fulfills all three requirements and is our recommendation.

What Are The Benefits Of A Top Entry Litter Box?

1. Top entry boxes mean less litter tracking. Kitty can go to town digging and flinging. Some litter may still escape on paws. Most boxes have either a grate on the top of the box, so that litter falls back into the box. Some litter boxes have a textured top so that litter will rub off kitty’s paws (that’s the idea) and stay on the top of the box.
   
   
2. They are especially good if you live in an apartment or have limited space. They don’t take up much space and secondly there are some very attractive models, especially if it is on show. This is where the Modkat comes into its own. I looks like a white shiny box, it doesn’t scream litter box as soon as you look at it.
   
   
3. A top entry litter box is easier to carry and move around to another location compared to an uncovered litter box. An uncovered litter box can be cumbersome to lift or move particularly when full of litter.
   
   
4. Top entry boxes definitely are a deterrent to dogs. Some large dogs may persist and have success however they will have to really persevere.
   
   
5. Cats have privacy with a top entry box.

How To Train A Cat To Use A Top Entry Litter Box

1. Put the old box and the new box side by side for a few days until kitty has made the transition and no longer views the new box with disdain or totally ignores it. Eventually when the time is right just remove the old box.
   
   
2. Put some litter from kitty’s old box into the new box. You see kitty, we are clever too. Cats have a keen sense of smell and kitty will know that this is his litter so it will be an okay, safe place to visit.
   
   
3. Make sure the new box is nice and clean and leave the old box to get a bit dirty. A dirty trick, I know, but we know kitties like clean.

Do Cats Like Top Entry Litterboxes? NO GO Says Kitty!

If your cat still refuses to use the box after trying the above steps then try this.

Pick up your kitty and gently place him on top of the box. Let him have a look around and let him jump off by himself.

Still no go? Try taking the lid off the box.

Making Your Own Top Entry Litter Box

Making your own box by just cutting a hole in the top of a store bought tote box, usually raises two points.

Firstly, the store bought tote box would need to be very sturdy and secondly, the entrance would need to be cut and sanded to get rid of rough edges.

Certainly doable, just not practical for everyone. Typically the lid of a store bought tote is not particularly strong. Don’t get a tote so large that it is difficult to manage. Will the surface be easy to clean?

If you have a tote lying around that isn’t being used, you could certainly give it a go. I wouldn’t be shelling out for a new tote though. That money would be better put towards a new top entry litter box.

It could be one of those ideas that sounds easier than it actually is in reality.

Kitty Got Itchy Feet? Traveling Kitty

Are you thinking of taking your cat traveling in a motor home?

Cats can travel. It may not be the norm but someone will be planning on taking kitty on an adventure.

A top entry box would be ideal for traveling and easy to maintain because mess is the last thing you need in a confined space.

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