Let’s talk poop. And yes, you read it correctly. There is nothing worse than the smell of a newly laid cat poop wafting through a confined space. Hence the importance of tackling one of the significant challenges when traveling with a cat, having the right travel litter boxes.
A cat litter box that takes the odor and hassles out of nomadic life is essential for your happiness. Cats tend to void body waste on their timetable, and you need to have the facilities available 24/7.
What type of cat litter box is best for life on the road? That depends on your situation. We take a look at the best cat litter boxes for travel on the market.
Our Top Pick
Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded System
We are in love with sifting litter trays (yep, get a life), as long as it is used with wood pellets. Trays with a sieve separate the urine from solids resulting in less odor. This one ticks all the boxes. Perfect for those living in confined spaces.
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What To Look For When Buying a Litter Box
Not all litter boxes are created equal, and things to consider when shopping for the best cat litter box for travel include size, odor control, ease of cleaning, and containment. If kitty already uses one of the travel litter boxes, only you can make the call on whether that litter box will work on the road as well as it does in the home.
What Is Ideal?
A good quality litter box is a must, particularly when traveling. If you are towing, it is recommended you own two, one for your travel vehicle and one for your home (caravan, trailer, tent, hybrid, etc.).
Self-cleaning is not ideal for travel and hasn’t been included in this review for two reasons; it requires power, which is not the best option when living on the road, and it can be noisy, which can be downright irritating when residing in a confined space.
Cat Travel Litter Boxes Review
At A Glance – Top Choices
We call it a litter box; cats call it a palace… a poo palace!
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Best Overall – Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Hooded System
Sifting litter trays are easy to clean, and they use less litter and control odor which makes them the best cat litter box for travel. This is a real advantage when you are living in a confined area with limited storage space.
Feedback on this particular litter tray rates high, but the pellets recommend for use with it rated low. The litter box has made the best overall because of the sifting system and pellets that break down (non-clumping biodegradable) such as Oz Pellets. This system mitigates any negativity when it comes to this product.
Once you successfully transition to a sifting system (with proper litter that breaks down), you will be hard-pressed to go back. The system successfully separates urine from solids, which contributes to odor control, and the urine-soaked litter turns into dust, falling through the sieve to the bottom pan. If you add a thin layer of litter into the container’s bottom, you will not require absorbent pads.
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- Easy clean
- Sieve system – liquid waste drops through
- Separates urine and solids to help control odor
- Hooded – helps prevent scatter and leaks
- Scooper hangs on the side for convenience
- Grated tray is convenient
- Although not manufacturer recommended this system will work well with wood pellets that break down into dust
- Comes with disposable pads
- Need to scoop the poop daily
- Recommended pellets are heavy and bulky
- Not appropriate for large cats
Best Small Spaces – Iris Top Entry Litter Box
This top entry box can be crammed into small areas. If you’re tight for space, as is it is for most nomads, then this may be the best cat litter box for travel. The top entry design is great for some situations. A range of sizes ensures a good option if you have a large cat.
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- Easy to fit anywhere
- Reduces or eliminates litter scatter
- Stylish
- Entry is wide enough for large cats
- Small holes on lid help prevent litter tracking
- Best value for the price for top entry
- Litter scoop hangs on the side
- A challenge for senior cats
- Lid not very sturdy for heavy kittys
- Cats refuse to use top entry if unfamiliar
Best Open Tray – Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Cat Litter
An open tray option has been included in our review as there are just some kitties out there that refuse to use a hooded tray. The open tray is not the best solution for travel as spillage, scatter, and overhanging bums can cause havoc, not to mention the increased odor. If you have a cat that refuses to use a hooded litter tray, then this open sifting tray is a good option as the odor problem will be cut to a minimum.
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- Basic sifting design
- Easy cleaning
- Reinforced bottom
- Great for cats that refuse to use a covered box
- Use with wood pellets
- Likely to have scatter
- Could have leaks due to bum overhang
- Large
- Solids need to be scooped daily
Best Hidden- Good Pet Stuff Plant Hidden Litter Box
This litter box that looks like a planter is a great way to hide the litter box in plain view. One issue that is often highlighted is difficulty in cleaning. Purchasing a Little Giant Plastic Utility Pan appears to be a solution as it fits perfectly in the space.
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- Designed for large cats
- Durable easy to wipe polypropylene
- Vented system works to control dust, and odor
- Looks like a real clay pot
- Not easy to clean the litter box (see above for solution)
- Moss and leaves may be a choking hazard for more adventurous kitties
- Requires space as it is side enter
Best That Doubles As Furniture – EcoFLEX Litter Loo
Many nomads are also talented DIY’ers who enjoy building buses or renovating caravans. If you fit into this category, you may want to think about building in a piece of furniture that doubles as a kitty litter box, or you may be able to fit this as a bedside table. The options are endless.
When you are full-time or long-term traveling, there is nothing better than finding an object that has more than one use. For that reason, this adorable piece of furniture has made the list.
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- Doubles as a side table
- Made from non-toxic recycled plastic and reclaimed wood
- Available in different sizes
- Front door opens for easy access
- Cute as a button
- Litter box not included
- Takes up quite a lot of space especially for an RV
Best Portable – Petleader Collapsible Portable Cat Litter Box
This portable litter box could be the answer for those who travel in a vehicle while towing. If you have ever been caught without a litter box (we have) when it was desperately needed, you will understand the importance of having a second box in your vehicle. Lesson learned.
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- Top entry reduces spillage
- Pockets for litter scoop, bags, etc.
- Waterproof
- End opens for ease of cleaning
- Easy carry handles
- Compact for use in small spaces
- Soft case could become soiled
- Larger cats may be put off by the small size
You May Also Want To Consider: Litter Genie Pail Litter Disposal System
These little gems hold your cat’s soiled litter. Just scoop, open the lid and insert the used litter. Great for when you are parked in areas that do not have garbage facilities or have to clean poops out a couple of times a day for your prince/princess.
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- Hold used cat litter for up to 14 days with no odors or germs
- Compact design
- Cartridge lasts for up to 8 weeks
- Need to carry a supply of refill cartridges
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Questions people ask about the best cat litter box for travel
When Should I Introduce The New Litter Box?
We already mentioned that all litter boxes are not created equal; the same can be said for cats. What works for one cat may not work for another. It can be a delicate balance of wills when dealing with a finicky cat. For this reason, we recommend that, when possible, you start using your new litter box long before you hit the road. It will be one less stress for kitty to get used to when the big day comes.
What Kind Of Litter Should I Use?
We recommend wood pellets that break down into dust. We have two reasons:
First, this is the best type of pellet to use with a sieve litter box as the dust falls through the sieve easily.
The second reason is that wood pellets are easy to dispose of just about anywhere. You can spread them in the forest or a grassy area. This is an advantage when you live a nomadic life.
We produced a video on how these work – check it out.
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How Often Should I Clean The Litter Box?
Once again, not all cats are created equal. Some cats are okay with the litter box not being perfect, others (like ours) insist the solids are cleaned daily. Most litter boxes are fine with just a weekly clean out of the dust at the bottom when using a sieve system.
What If My Cat Stops Using The Litter Box?
If your cat is litter box trained and the box is clean, then you will want to ask yourself if something else has changed. Did you move the litter box? Have you started using a different litter? Is the cat reacting to some stressful event? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you likely have your answer.
If not, then we highly recommend you get your kitty to a vet to be checked for potential urinary problems. Urinary issues are easy to treat but can become dangerous quickly if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
