I’ve been trying to plan out litter the box placement in our new house for a while, but it’s proving to be a little tricky to do, even with so much more space at hand than we had in our studio apartment.
My current ideal? To place Avery’s litter boxes in spots in the house that have tiled (rather than hardwood) floors.
In our house, this means I’m limited to using the bathrooms, since Avery’s not allowed in the kitchen, or a few other spots that have tiled flooring. There are 3 bathrooms he has access to, so this isn’t an issue.
What I’m having trouble with is the fact that the spots I’d ideally place his litter boxes – spots that are far away from the washroom doors – are pretty narrow and slim.
It’s not possible for me to fit either of the two litter boxes I already have on-hand – both Modkat litter boxes, which are quite wide, and square-shaped so it doesn’t matter which direction I place them, they’ll never fit into such a tight squeeze.
The reason I want litter boxes as far away from the bathroom door as possible is pretty simple: Avery does this frustrating thing where, as soon as he’s done with the litter box, he’ll dart straight out, running as fast as he can and tracking a world of litter (no matter how non-tracking the litter I get is) behind him.
I’m hoping that by having litter boxes as far away from the door as possible, he’ll manage to get everything off his feet before he leaves, containing all the litter particles inside the bathroom where it’s easiest to sweep up and get rid of.
But that means I need to carefully plan out which litter boxes I want, making sure the measurements of whatever I grab will actually fit in those spaces.
I figured since I was already looking for narrow, slim litter boxes, I’d make this post into a sort of cheat sheet for anyone else who’s doing the same.
Like with the narrow cat tree article, I’ve written the measurements for every product I’ve listed so you don’t have to go directly to the product page compare between items and see at a glance which will fit your snug spot. Please double check the product listings for measurements before you buy any product, however
I did do my absolute best to make sure my listed measurements are accurate, but sometimes listing errors are made (and I may have copied them without realizing the error), and other times products are updated and newer versions have different specs.
Use this list as a start to your search, rather than a final say on whether the litter box you like will work perfectly.
There are actually quite a large number of rectangular and oval litter boxes on the market, some that are way slimmer than others, so you do have a large number to.
That being said, these days there are so many litter box varieties, you may first want to narrow things down first.
There are litter pans, hooded boxes, covered boxes with entry flaps, automatic self-cleaning litter boxes, top-entry litter boxes, and hidden cat litter boxes that I can think of off the top of my head, and they all have pros and cons.
Not all of them are the easiest to grab in a slimmer size, so you can always have two or three varieties as viable at the back of your mind, and so can concentrate your search on those.
I have done my best to list as many varieties as I could here. And to not go overboard with too much of the same, I’ve listed alternatives together in case you want to check out a few more of the same.
If you can’t find exactly what you need here, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, just means you may have to do a bit more digging to find the perfect measurements, but I did my best to cover as much variety as I could.
Good luck on your search, and do let me know in the comments below if you end up finding the right litter box for your slim space.
Long, Slim, & Narrow Cat Litter Boxes for Tight Spaces
1. Litter Genie Flexible Cat Litter Box
I’ve never seen a litter box like this before. Made of flexible plastic, even if your space is just a bit too small to technically fit this litter box, in practicality, you could squeeze this nifty thing into the space and easily take it in and out if you wanted to.
With high sides and a high back, it’s likely great for all but the messiest-with-litter cats. Easy to see this being one of the top contenders for really tricky narrow spaces. (22.3×17.6 inches & 16″ high)
2. Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Cat Litter Box Open System
This is one of the most popular automatic, self-cleaning litter boxes around. Should fit well if the space you has is at least 17 inches wide, but if not, I do believe the LitterMaid Automatic self-cleaning box in spot #12 may be your only option.
here are a number of self-cleaning litter boxes out there that are relatively narrow, so don’t settle for this one thinking it’s your only option – it’s not! (16.5×21 inches & 10.5″ high)
3. Van Ness Extra Giant Sifting Enclosed Cat Litter Pan
Now, this is a bit of a special snowflake product, but I thought I’d share anyway.
Not only is this a covered litter box, but it’s also a sifting litter box, meaning you don’t have to use a litter scoop to clean it, you just have to remove the lid and shake the sifter from side to side and you’ll have a clean litter box again.
Has pretty good reviews, and will fit in spaces around 18+ inches wide, so if that’s up your alley and may fit snugly into your space, I see no reason not to give it a go. (21.5×17.5 inches x 19″ high)
Alternatives if you’re just looking for a covered/hooded litter box with a flap, and don’t necessarily if it’s a sifting one:
- Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan (22.4x 18.3 x 15.3″ high)
- AmazonBasics Large Hooded Cat Litter Box (23.6 x 17.3 x 16.9″ high)
- Van Ness Large Sifting Enclosed Cat Litter Pan (19.5 x 15.2 x 17.5″ high)
- AmazonBasics Standard Hooded Cat Litter Box (20.7 x 15.8 x 15″ high)
4. IRIS Filtered Lid Top Entry Cat Litter Box
I love top entry litter boxes. Here are my reasons why. One of the highest factor up on my list for preferring them, I don’t need to buy a cat litter mat to catch all the stray litter (of which my Avery makes plenty), since top entry litter boxes essentially have built-in litter mats on top.
If I could get a hold of this IRIS filtered lid top entry litter box here in Portugal, I would, but right now I don’t think it’s available on this continent at all.
A darn shame as it looks so good and is, in my opinion, probably the best top entry litter box currently on the market.
Only around 15 inches wide too, so I’m pretty sure it would fit with plenty of room to spare in most of the spots I had in mind to keep a litter box.
IRIS, if you’re reading this, pleasepleaseplease come to Europe! (20.50×14.75 inches & 14.38″ high)
Like the concept, but not this particular box? Alternative top entry litter boxes you may prefer:
- Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan Cat Litter Box (20.3×15.1 inches & 15.2″ high)
- IRIS Grooved Lid Top Entry Cat Litter Box (20.47×16.14 inches & 14.56″ high)
- Favorite 25″ Large Top Entry Enclosed Hooded Cat Litter Box (25×19.5 inches & 16.5″ high)
5. Petmate Giant Litter Pan for Cat
Some cats just plain are not a fan of using litter boxes that are covered in any way, shape, or form (oddly enough, I’ve known this for a long time, but have only recently discovered that some cats hate not having a lid on – learn something new every day!).
If your cat is one of those picky fellas who can’t live without a slight breeze when he’s doing his business, you’re going to want to stick to litter pans at all costs, but even then there are variations you may want to look through.
This particular one is enormous, and has got a really handy storage area perfect for a litter scoop and some poo bags built in, so if you’ve got room for big and a little wide, this is where it’s at. (34.7×19.8 inches & 10″ high)
If you’re looking for something with a high back, a rim, or a slimmer, thinner option, try one of the following instead:
- Petmate Jumbo Hi-Back Litter Pan (21.2×17.3 inches & 10.3″ high)
- Catit Cat Litter Pan with Rim (22.2×16.3 inches & 11.3″ high)
- Petmate Small Litter Pan (10.5×3.5 inches & 14″ high)
- Van Ness Large High Sides Cat Litter Pan (17.5×15 inches & 9″ high)
6. New Age Pet ecoFlex Litter Loo, Litter Box Cover/End Table
I love hidden litter boxes, but while they’re typically so gorgeous I wouldn’t mind having them anywhere, what they’re usually not is small, slim, and thin.
This is one of the only exceptions to the rule that most hidden cat litter box furniture is pretty bulky and takes up a lot of space. And if your area is around 19 inches wide, you should be good to go for squeezing this beauty in. (23.8×18.5 inches & 22″ high)
7. IRIS Open Top Shield Cat Litter Box with Scoop
Yet another gorgeous design for a litter box from IRIS. I feel like, if ever I adopted a cat and found out he or she was picky enough to hate using covered litter boxes, I’d jump to try using this one.
I feel like an incredibly high rim like this one, that’s essentially the equivalent of a splash guard, is pretty darn necessary considering if Avery ever used the litter box intended for the other cat, he’d dig his way to an entire bathroom covered in cat litter, and nothing left in the actual box.
Super handy for multi-cat households where one cat needs an uncovered boxes and the other is a digging madman like mine. (19×15 inches & 11.75″ high)
8. PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Another enormously popular self-cleaning automatic litter box, though this one being probably just on the hairline too wide for most slim spaces.
If you just needed a rectangular design under 21 inches, and you were thinking of testing out a self-cleaning litter box, this may work out, though. (28.5×20.5 inches & 11.5″ high)
9. Nature’s Miracle Oval Hooded Flip Top Litter Box
Just want a hooded litter box, but not really bothered about whether it’s got a flap in the front? I feel you.
I used to have a Petmate Booda Dome for Avery (super cute litter box, by the way, just not all that narrow-space friendly) and it never once bothered me it had no flap.
Actually, I can’t even remember if maybe it did had a flap, I just tore it off because it gave Avery easier access. Either way, flaps are just not all that necessary for everyone.
This particular hooded litter box comes with a flip top to make cleaning litter out a lot easier since you don’t need to entirely remove the lid. (25.1×19.1 inches & 11.8″ high)
Don’t particularly like this covered litter box? Want something cuter? Alternatives include:
- Petphabet Litter Box Jumbo Hooded Kitty Litter Pan with Lid (25×19 inches & 17″ high)
- Favorite Cat Litter Box Extra Large Jumbo Covered Litter Pan (25×19 inches & 16.5″ high)
10. Modkat Flip Litter Box
Yes I love Modkat. Yes it’s obvious considering I have two Modkat litter boxes already (the regular, top entry kinds).
Yes, I considered this particular side-entry when I was making my decision about what to buy for him the first time I settled on a Modkat.
And yes, if I had a new cat, especially if he or she was a kitten or not a fan of top entry litter boxes at all, this would be what I’d grab in a heartbeat. Okay, now that that spiel is over.
If you like the look of this litter box and want to see if it will fit in your little nook or cranny, here are the measurements: (20.5×15.8 inches & 16.7″ high)
11. Pet Mate 42036 Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
Because sifting litter boxes are convenient when it comes to the task of having to clean cat litter boxes day in and day out.
Also because (again) not every cat is willing to put up with a hood on his or her litter box. Super popular, and in my opinion, really reasonably priced. (21.2×17.3 inches & 10.3″ high)
12. LitterMaid Automatic Multi-Cat Litter Box Self-Cleaning
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do think the LitterMaid automatic litter box is probably the thinnest self-cleaning litter box around. If it won’t fit into your narrow space, hardly many regular litter boxes will at all.
And while it’s not advisable to have a small litter box in general since cats typically hate them, having one that’s uncovered like this and absolutely always clean (since it’s self cleaning) is a pretty good idea if you’re tight on space for litter boxes overall, say because you live in a small apartment. (28.2×11 inches & 19.5″ high)
13. Modkat Open Tray Litter Box
Okay last Modkat mention, really (it’s the last product on the list so of course it is).
Yet another one of those litter boxes, like the IRIS open top one I mentioned in spot #7, that’s perfect in case you have at least one cat in your household who doesn’t like covered litter boxes, and at least one cat in your household who makes an epic mess through digging to cover his or her litter (extra points if this is the same cat).
I love the look of Modkat products, and having had my top entry litter box by them for over two years, I can safely say I also love the quality. Okay enough fangirling for me. (20.25×14 inches & 15″ high)
Thoughts on Narrow Litter Boxes?
Have you ever wanted a litter box for a tight, thin space? Ever found the perfect long, slim litter box for that space or was it too awkward to place a litter box in at the end of the day?
Do you have a preference in terms of the type of litter box you prefer to grab? Which kind (covered, uncovered, automatic, etc., etc.) do you like above others?
Which types are you willing to use although they’re not necessarily your favourites? Does your cat prefer specific types of litter boxes?
Also, do you have a preference between oval and rectangular or square-shaped litter boxes?
I personally prefer ones with corners since I feel like the oval/rounded ones are typically a waste of space, but I also know some people can’t stand rectangular ones because corners are often really difficult to clean.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments down below!
Hello!
This post is everything I had been looking for – thank you so much for putting it all together !
I was not sure about Modkat (front entry, the flip one) but you convinced me!
Just one question if I may, are you happy with the inside bag of the modkat? Is it easily cleaned and do you need to replace it often?
Thanks a lot and cheers,
Claire
Back when I only had one cat who wasn’t much of a scratcher, it lasted ages. Then with three diggers it became a nuicance because it would keep being pulled down.
Nowadays, I don’t use it on any one of my Modkats (I know have 4, and 4 cats).
I find it’s a lot easier to clean this way, love the way it looks, and none of my cats have destroyed the Modkat in anyway.
To conclude, I was super happy with it when I used it for years, then when I couldn’t anymore because the new cats were more aggressive with it, I was super happy without it. Both ways work.
Thanks – this is perfect then ! Hitting the buy button right away 🙂
(I wish I had discovered you blog BEFORE spending countless hours streaming the internet for the perfect cat toilet, ahahah! Now I won’t go anywhere else for cat advice, tx!)
Covered litter boxes are ALWAYS a bad idea. If you are using a covered letterbox to minimize the smell, your poor kitty is being subjected to a stinky box that gets cleaned less often because you don’t see that it needs cleaning. This can lead to litter box aversion, and more problems with peeing outside the box.
If you don’t have a cover, you will scoop the box more frequently, which will be better for everyone.
Really useful article thanks! Have an apartment and need a narrow litter box to fit between bathroom unit and wall (ideally 11” which is tricky!) Thanks for posting 🙏
Thank you for all of the work you’ve put into this. You have made me realize that it’s time for me to stop looking for something that didn’t exist. My narrow bathroom is going to need a home made litter box.
Keep up the good work. It’s greatly appreciated.
Me too! After an hour or more searching online and googling, I’ve concluded the only solution might be the base of a basic carry box (without any dips or internal rim etc, making hygeine easier) without low-level entry. Also the height of the sides should help avoid some litter spread.
I have a built in area that is a bench top that the previous owners of the home used for storage. The sitting bench has a lift top so it’s a perfect place for litter box once I built a walk-in below the bench. The problem is that it is only 15″ wide. I found a Sophresh litter box that is 14 3/4″ wide but only about 17″ long and one of our two cats is a Maine Coon (Dash). Dash is always urinating on the sides and a lot of the time their is spill over and it makes for a smelly area after that happens a few times. What would be ideal is if I could find a litter box that was 15″ wide and 22-25″ inches long. It can’t have high sides because it would block the walk through. Does anybody know of a litter box with extra long dimensions? Thanks in advance.
https://amzn.to/3ePNwai
THANK YOU, Elise for this post! I recently moved into a new house with an awkward cabinet with an empty & open bottom. This hole has floors, finished walls, and trim. It’s 14” wife & while I LOVE a top entry box, we just made one By cutting a hole in the top of storage container, it’s way too wide. Been on a Search ever since & It looks like I’m going to have to dump the top entry for the ModKat tray- it’s the only thing that fits & is on backorder for a few weeks. But- I don’t care, I’m hoping it simply fits. 👍 Thank you for writing this article. Very much appreciated.
Oh my goodness! This post seems to be written for my exact problem. Lovely blog, Elise. Thank- you! We are going to try the Litter Genie flexible one next to the toilet in our small bathroom. Wish us luck!
This worked for us. You can squish it to fit.
Can the wind be squished to 10 1/2 inches? I don’t really have any limit on height or length but pretty limited on the width. Now that my cat has gotten bigger, the little bitty kitten box fits but, has a lot of scatter from her now.
This is so helpful. I came looking for one box to fit by my toilet and got a whole list. Thank you!
Help I need a narrow/ slim cat litter box with a lid. We have a small one that doesn’t fit in a small bathroom. We have to leave the front flap off which invites 3 dogs to clean the cat litter box before I can get in there. Any recommendations.
I need a covered litterbox that”s about 15.5″ wide and can be up to 24″ long.
Really disappointed that people cannot post replies here disputing your facts and measurements.
Received error message that I had posed comment already – not true!
Your first comment went through (it’s visible now, you can scroll below to see it), so that’s why you got an error message. Your comment wasn’t immediately visible because it was your first comment on this blog and so needed to be approved, but now that you’ve been approved, any new ones you write will be up for you to see right away.
Way to handle that grump with grace! Who thought a cat little blog would bring out trolls? Lol
Thanks for the info, in all seriousness. ❤️
Catit Litter Box dimensions are incorrect: the width is 18.3″ not 8.3″.
Disappointed that you made errors on many products.
Thanks for mentioning it, corrected the measurements.
Spot any more errors?
Just so you know, the Automatic Litter Maid is actually 20″ wide, not 11. I think you got the height and width mixed up. 🙁 I’ll probably go with the last ModCat because it has to fit in a space just shy of 15 inches. Thank you so much for the list!
I have the measurements as “16.5×21 inches & 10.5″ high” – is this correct? Really do want to get those measurements right.
Makes sense going with the ModKat – there’s not much that fits that snug that’s still a bit splash proof. I love their products so much, am sure you’ll love it!
Thank you for your recommendations for the Modkat boxes! I’d spent an hour online searching for new boxes, saw Modkat on Amazon but wasn’t 100% sold on them, until your post! Unfortunately, I needed them within a few days but they’re not Prime items, if you are affiliated with Amazon, you won’t get anything from my purchase – I got 3 boxes UPS 2-day air shipped from Modkat directly. I think Modkat would benefit by your affiliation! Thanks again for this post – I’m about to check out your others!
Wow, thanks JCB for such a considerate comment!
Glad to be able to help with your decision. I know I would’ve loved a review like this to put me at ease over my purchase before I made it – they’re not cheap litter boxes, after all! Really like putting out content that I would’ve found helpful myself and am always incredibly happy to be able to help others make informed decisions based on my experience or research.
I am affiliated with Amazon and not Modkat, but no hard feelings whatsoever on you going through Modkat’s site – gotta do what works best for you! Doubt many people would care to leave a comment or even be this considerate about affiliates in the first place, so thank you. And hopefully, I’ve written up a blog full of posts good enough for you to stop by for a browse on every once in a while. At the end of the day, having a site that’s worthy of that is what’s most important to me.
I just purchased an oval animal feed bucket, that hold 40 lbs of litter! I have one from a few years ago, and I just like the rounded look of the boxes, and they are nicely deep without being too huge. Chucky was a long cat, who needed LOTS of room to do his business, so we bought the biggest litter boxes we could find. Now, Manny and Chili Bruce actually put their front feet on the edge, and barely take up any room at all! However, I never want them to feel hemmed in, so I’ll keep the super large boxes…oval…until The Hubby yells at me for spending too much money on them…hehehe!
Wow that is enormous and sounds amazing for the cats! And yeah, I find it hard to resist spending so much on them, too. And I only have one 😉 Actually, I’m beginning to plan out buying things for neighbours’ outdoor cats who stop by to play with us when they’re bored. Needless to say, reeling it in is definitely not easy for me!