Sifting Boxes for Cats
May 17, 2021
Sifting Boxes for Cats
Pet parents hate scooping out their cat's boxes, but the sifting box can simplify the process.
Here are some of the best sifting litter box options you can find.
The Best Enclosed & Overall
1. Enclosed Pan Box by Van Ness
Sometimes, the simplest cat litter box is best. That's why this Enclosed Pan Box by Van Ness is our top pick. Lots of people use a kittens box with extra compartments for leftovers. There is an anti-odor device in this box, including an air filter by zeolite and flap to contain odors.
It is perfect for more giant cats or households with many cats. Even the biggest cats can use this enclosed cat box.
2. Sifting Cat Pan Box by So Phresh
This Sifting Cat Pan Box by So Phresh has multiple compartments that help keep your kitty's litter box clean. However, cat pan boxes work particularly well with clay litters. This box is versatile enough to work on a wide range of waste. The Sifting Cat Pan Box is used to capture solid waste from non-clumping trash since it has long, tiny holes rather than a metal grid. It comes with a detachable rim extender that can raise a little to accommodate cats who like to toss litter.
3. Cat Tray by Ferplast Birba
This cat tray uses a three-pan system to separate waste to retain the cleanliness of your litter box. Each pan's color is different, so it's easy to identify which pan has a 'new' litter designation. While the small holes on the sifting cat pan help you pick up tinier clumps, wet masses can quickly get lost in the gaps as well. With practice by using the system, your cat's litter box will become very easy to clean. Since the box is an open one, we always suggest a litter mat.
4. Self Cleaning Cat Box by Omega Paw
The Self Cleaning Cat Box by Omega Paw is special on the list for the method that eliminates waste clumps. The rolling side is durable and smooth, making it easy to move it around to make it clean. Moving the box on the lid will cause chunks to fall into the waste compartment, where they will become stuck. Once you open the trash compartment and remove the clumps, you can dispose of them.
You can use the Arm and Hammer Sifting Cat Pan to catch solid, large clumps and help you get rid of them quickly. However, users have seen a small hole between the sifting cat pan and the litter box's base. Because it doesn't fit perfectly, wet litter gets stuck among the layers and can create a mess. However, using ultra-clumping cat litter ensures the waste will pass through, and clean litter will go to the cat pan below. Because of its compact size, it is perfect for more petite cats in an apartment space. The front falls down easily, so always keep that in mind if you own a messy cat.
It is made by Van Ness and uses a three-pan system to separate the dirty litter from the cleaned litter. Removable plastic rims can raise or lower the litter box height for more grown cats. You might be cleaning up your cat's litter a lot if you don't utilize the rim, but if you have many cats, you can get the boxes in 2 and 4 pack sets.
Best Corner Cat Pan
You wouldn't expect a litter box to be as compact as this one, which is perfect for apartments, small spaces, and more. The box may appear to be tinier, but that's not the case. Also, the box has lots of room for more giant cats, plus the big part helps the litter stay where you need it. Do you have an older cat? It's no problem. There is enough room at the entrance for every cat to climb in without spilling litter everywhere. The Sifting Corner Cat Pan can be utilized on smaller surfaces without compromising the process.
The Breeze Litter Box System by Purina Tidy Cats contains odor-absorbing pellets and pads, which can help control the odor and waste found with cat boxes. In this litter box, the beads inside don't get tracked outside like traditional litter. The solid scrap gets collected in the top cat pan, and the liquid goes to the bottom pad, where the smell gets eliminated until people clean it. It's a good system for eliminating odors, but it can add another step to litter box cleaning.
Best Cat Box Sifting Tool
TheSifter Cat Box Tool by SiftEase is ideal if your cat is very picky on their litter box and you're not sure how well they'll take to a different litter box. This system creates a three-pan design that you can use in the same way as any other. This is perfect for picky cats who like to sift their litter without spending a considerable amount.
In contrast to the others, Catit's sifting tray box does not require you to shift the contents or the box itself around. Rather than using the handle, you can turn the box around and separate the waste from the litter. It runs because the sifting tray box is contained in a pan that swings inside of the box. You can safely let your cat use it when it isn't being cleaned because the handle locks in place when you return it to its first position. Waste is separated into the bottom bin, which can be dumped easily.
This litter box has a two-pan design. This litter box separates your cat's waste and clumps. While you reposition the sifting pan, you'll need an extra pan to hold the litter box while the removable rim secures the cat pans with a strong connection. With this rim, the litter cat box is elevated high enough to prevent your cat from flinging litter outside. Yet, the rim may still not be enough for some cats.
This Cat Quick Clean Litter Box by Litter Spinner is easy to clean. By spinning it, all the litter clumps are sifted out and placed into the trash tray. Empty waste from the tray and turn it back to the base. A big downfall of this box is its size. This box is too small for bigger cats. You can use it for kittens that are old enough to use this clumping litter. The movement might break up the clumps, though.
In the Hooded Litter Cat Box by Catidea, we seea great variation on the standard sifting litter box. A multi-pan system has two parts: the first one works to separate the masses from the litter when it is lifted out, and the second part catches litter tracked in through the door. The litter box comes in pink or spring green and is big enough to suit even your largest cat. To support that, it comes with a cat litter mat that's convenient to use. Filters and the door help keep smells inside and out of the home.
The Cat Litter Tray by Trixie Pet is light but effective. The system consists of three separate pans; these allow you to sift the litter, empty the masses, then put the empty pan back into the new pan and dry litter. It is easy to adjust the litter box's height and open it by removing the detachable, clip-on metal rim. It limits litter spillage on the floor but shrinks the size of the litter cat pan.
Best Open Tray
There are three trays and a spill protector on this tray-style sifter that make it easy to clean litter boxes. The tray system is easy to follow, and most cats like it as well. The system uses an uneven tray design to help you fill up all trays together. It is possible, in some cases, for the dust to leave out the bottom of the tray if it is not lined up correctly; therefore, you may need to place it on the litter-collection mat.
It's a nuisance to scoop and chase clumps, especially if you have a cat who insists on cleaning boxes every time. Your cat's litter box should always be clean and fresh regardless of your cat's personal preferences. Litter boxes can harbor bacteria and odors, which can be bad for your cat if left outside. Cat owners who keep their cats indoors can make the process easier with a sifting litter box.
The primary purpose of sifting litter boxes is to separate waste elements from your cat's litter and do the scooping for you! A top advantage of a sifting litter cat box is that it uses less litter and means that you won't spend as much time scooping your litter box. If you have many cats, this can make scooping less time-consuming. The idea is the same regardless of type. All waste clumps are collected in a single action by lifting a sifting pan or moving the litter box forward through it. Once the shifting pan is empty, it can remove the clumps of waste and the shifting pan is replaced. However, even with dust-free litter, sifting can kick up a lot of dust. Those who are susceptible to dust should take the proper precaution.
Factors to be considered
It would help if you considered several factors before choosing a sifting litter box for your cats, cat owners, or living situations.
A litter box's size is one of the most important things you have to consider before making a choice. In the first place, the size of the litter box will affect its placement in your home. It would be best to make sure that the box you choose is the proper size for the space you have chosen to keep the boxes. One more thing, remember to consider the size of your cats and how many there are. More cats or larger cats will need a bigger box.
The number of cats you own is an important consideration when choosing a litter box. While you do not need to have multiple boxes for each cat, it's still a good idea to purchase a larger box when more than one cat is using it.
Younger cats should not use clay litter until they are an older age. Consider using a regular litter box first for a smaller kitten, or use a sifting box with the different litter until they are old enough.
If your cat is older, you may want to look at the size of the box. We'll discuss rim height later, but older cats typically operate best with flat litter boxes with lower entrances. Keep that in mind while you shop.
Some litter boxes have covers or hoods that enclose the litter box, so it is more discreet. Some covers use ventilation systems to ensure that the smell doesn't become too intense inside the enclosure and doesn't filter out into your home. These enclosures provide your cat with privacy if they prefer.
Many cats do not like using enclosed litter boxes. Luckily, there are sifting litter boxes that are not covered or enclosed.
Several sifting methods exist, but most are variations of the following two.
- Multi-pan sifting:
The method involves using two or three separate pans. One-pan holds the litter, and the second is pushed through it from underneath, catching any clumps and letting the clean litter through. The excess litter from the third pan can be placed on top of the sifter section in a three-pan sifting configuration, enabling the first pan to be used as a sifter.
- Motion sifting:
A litter box with motion sifting requires some movement, whether rolling it, rotating the box, or tilting it to one side. This type of litter box usually includes a compartment that's used to collect waste material. Then you take out the case to empty it.
Litter boxes receive abuse from waste materials and litter pieces getting thrown around in them. Ensure your litter box is made of thicker material that's sturdy, durable, and won't give out under pressure.
You should be aware of other materials and avoid buying boxes made of porous or difficult-to-clean materials. Most litter boxes are made of plastic because it's easy to clean and nonporous.
A litter box's rim height is the distance between the base and the base of the opening. This distance is essential for various reasons, mainly relating to the size and age of your cat. Some cats might have difficulty getting in a litter box with a higher rim, especially older cats, cats who have mobility issues, and small breeds with shorter legs. If your cat fits this description, look for a box that rests a little lower to the ground.
For litter volume, it is important to keep in mind that a maximum of 2-3 inches of litter in the bottom of the box should be available at all times. However, if you have a larger cat or one with no mobility issues, then choosing a box with a higher rim will help keep litter contained within the container instead of spreading litter throughout the house.
The design of the litter box also matters. They are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are even litter boxes with unusual configurations that can fit into corners. Consider the size of your cat when buying a litter box. Some designs contain small boxes just for the sake of the design. Although fancy shapes can look cool, they may be difficult to clean.
You can customize litter boxes by adding door flaps or odor-controlling filters. Air-purifying filters help keep your home smelling fresh. On the other hand, if your cat has a strong dislike of litter box smells, choose a box with an odor filter.
Preferences for Cat Litter Boxes
Are you considering a sifting litter box for your cat? It is true that some cats can be uneasy about their bathrooms and would not like a change, especially when they are not used to a new litter box. However, the good thing about these sifting litter boxes is that they are similar to low-tech litter boxes. It is important to remember that most sifting litter boxes work best with clumping clay litter. As mentioned earlier, young kittens should not use clumping litter during the first few months of life. Some cats cannot tolerate clay litter – if this describes your cat, consider a sifting litter box that uses wood pellets. They are a bit uncommon but still an option. Choose your litter box according to your cat's tolerance for change, whether they like covered litter boxes or open ones, and whether they might embrace the new box voluntarily. All these things play a role in the choice.
A Sifting Litter Box for Your Cat
You can gradually introduce a new litter box to a cat who is particular about their toilet. Some cats will use it immediately, but some require more convincing. To begin with, you should put the new litter box in the exact location as the last one. It's best, at first, to put them side-by-side. It helps your cat get used to the new box while keeping the security of the old box. You don't have to throw the old litter box away immediately. Some experts say that you shouldn't clean the old box. Cats prefer a clean litter box, so leaving the old one uncleaned should make the new one more attractive. Try using the same litter in both boxes. Your cat will probably be more likely to use the new box if the litter is familiar to her. Don't force her into the new box, as she might not like it. Please don't force your cat to use it so quickly, so let them get used to it. Lastly, make sure the surrounding area is peaceful. When your cat uses the new litter box, do not get excited or upset. It may not appreciate this. Keep things calm and not change, so your cat knows nothing to be afraid of.
Litter Box Suggestions
For cat owners who have taken care of a cat before, here are some guidelines on the litter box for new cat parents.
- Make sure there is enough litter in the box to allow the cat to bury its waste, but not so much that it gets all over your floor.
- If you have one cat, clean the litter box every day. If you have more than one cat, you must clean the litter box every day. Sometimes you may want to clean the litter box more frequently.
- Experts suggest that you should have an individual litter box for every cat in your home. Most probably, it won't work out like this. If you have multiple cats, it is essential to have more than one litter box in the house.
- Keep your cat's litter box clean. It's not enough to scoop the litter each day. It can still get dirty, too, outside the clumping, so be sure to replace it with fresh cat litter each week.
- When using clumping litter, add it after scooping. For this reason, make sure you maintain up to 3 inches beneath the litter. If your box looks low, make sure to add a litter more to make up for what you've lost.
- A cat litter mat helps stop the litter from getting on your floors. It is key for you not to step on kitty litter all the time. These are necessary if you want to avoid passing on cat litter.
Hopefully this guide and feedback on sifting cat litter boxes has been helpful! Please let us know your thoughts in the comments!