Top-Entry Cat Litter Boxes Explained

If litter tracked across the floor, a curious dog raiding the tray, or a cat that likes to pee high up the side all sound familiar, a top-entry litter box might be the fix. Instead of a front door, these boxes load from above: your cat hops onto a perforated lid and drops down inside. It is a simple change of design that solves several of the most common litter box headaches at once.

We have been helping Australian cat owners since 2018, and top-entry boxes are one of the cleverest solutions we recommend. Here is how a top entry cat litter box works, who it suits, and the box we rate.

How a top-entry litter box works

A top entry litter box is enclosed on all sides, with the only opening a hole in the lid. Your cat jumps up, climbs in through the top and hops back out the same way. That single design change delivers three things at once: the perforated or grooved lid knocks stray litter off your cat's paws as they climb out, the tall solid walls contain scatter and high streams of urine, and the lid gives shy cats complete privacy while keeping dogs and toddlers out.

The benefits of a top-loading litter box

• Far less tracking:the headline benefit. The lid acts as a grate that catches litter before it ends up on your floor.
• Dog-proof and toddler-proof:the top opening keeps inquisitive noses and little hands out of the tray.
• Contains mess and high pee-ers: the high enclosed walls stop scatter and catch cats that stand or spray.
• Privacy:a fully enclosed space suits nervous cats.
• A tidy look:the lid hides waste and most designs double as a litter mat on top.

Who they suit, and who they don't

A top-entry box is a great fit for tracking-prone homes, households with dogs, agile adult cats, and cats that pee high up the side of an open tray.

They are not the right choice for every cat, though. Kittens, senior or arthritic cats, very large or overweight cats, and any cat with mobility issues can find the climb in and out difficult. For those cats, a low-entry open or covered box is the kinder option, so be honest about your cat's agility before you switch.

How to choose a top-entry litter box

• Size:make sure there is room for your cat to turn around, and size up to the Jumbo for big breeds.
• Lid texture:a perforated or grooved lid catches more litter than a smooth one.
• Wall height:taller walls suit cats that pee standing up.
• Your cat's mobility:skip top-entry for kittens, seniors or cats that struggle to jump.
• A cat litter box with a lid is not the same as top-entry:a front-door covered box still lets litter track out the entrance, whereas a top-entry design catches it on the way out.

Browse the full top-entry litter box range, and pair it with a litter mat for even less tracking.