Scooping and cleaning your cat’s litter box can get tiring really quickly, no matter how much you love your pet. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable solution that will make cleanup a cinch, you may want to check out a sifting litter box. Simple, inexpensive and easy to use, these clever devices can help you keep your kitty’s litter box clean and fresh with very little effort on your part. To help you find the best sifting litter box, we tested dozens of different models, including the ultra-popular and less-known ones. We also put together a detailed buying guide, where cover all you need to know about sifting litter boxes, so read on!
The Best Sifting Litter Box
For big cats and those who enjoy privacy while doing their business, Van Ness enclosed sifting cat litter box is the perfect choice. This extra-giant size measures 21.5 x 17.5 x 19 inches, so it’s roomy and comfy, more than suitable for large cat breeds, as well as multi-cat households. The model consists of a top portion with a snap closure that is easy to remove and put on, odor door, zeolite air filter (that is replaceable) and, of course, a sifting tray. The tray portion has a three-part design – two solid pans and a sifting screen. By lifting the sifting tray (which goes on top), you sift the litter out onto the base pan, leaving waste and mess easy to throw away. Because the entire thing is made of durable plastic, the box is easy to clean and keep fresh.
Durable plastic with odor and stain resistant finish
Enclosed and large
3-part design sifter system
Replaceable zeolite air filter for odor control
Carry handle allows for easy moving and transportation
- Brand: Van Ness
- Model: CP77
- Weight: 6.3 pounds
If you like the idea of easy cleanup that sifting litter boxes offer but are not a fan of their often bulky design, check out Phresh sifting cat litter box. Compact, efficient, with a tall rim, this litter box is ideal for small spaces. With a 4-part design, including the rim, sifting tray and two sandwich pans, the box does a solid job at separating the waste on its own, although you definitely do need to shake it from time to time to get all the mess out onto the sifter tray. The holes in the sifting tray are not small nor very big – they’re narrow and long, making them efficient at sifting not only clay but all kinds of litter. Since all parts are made of sturdy plastic, you can wash the box with soap and warm water with no issues.
Open-design sifting litter box
4-part sifting system with sifter tray, rim and two pans
Works with most cat litter types
Compact, suitable for small spaces
- Brand: So Phresh
- Weight: 3.2 pounds
Another excellent space-saving cat litter sifter, this Petmate Corner Litter Pan model is ideal for small apartments and generally smaller spaces. With a three-part design, including the sifter tray that comes on top and two pans, the box does a good job sifting out the litter and removing the waste that you can throw out quickly and easily. But the best-selling point of this particular model? Its low profile entry and tall walls – keeps the mess inside while allowing all cats, including seniors and kittens, to access it easily. Thanks to its efficient sifter tray, the box works with various litters, including clay and fine wood pellets. However, it should be mentioned that some shaking is required from time to time, as it is with most sifting litter boxes.
Open-design sifting litter
3 part-sifting system, including the sifter and two pans
Low profile for seniors and kittens
Space-saving corner pan design
- Brand: Petmate
- Model: 42101
- Weight: 6.03 pounds
With a simple, high-profile design, including the sifting tray and two pans, this sifting litter box is easy to use and efficient at removing waste all on its own. The framed pan provides extra height, helping reduce litter scatter and keeping the pan liners securely in place. Importantly, the box is made in the USA, with tough plastic, so it’s sturdy, safe and durable. It also works with many different types of litter, so you won’t feel restricted in the brand or type you have to use. But because this is an open-design self sifting litter box, it may not be ideal for all cats, especially those who like complete privacy.
Open sifting litter box
3-part design, sifting tray and two pans
Framed pan prevents litter scatter
Works with many types of litter
- Brand: Van Ness
- Model: CP5
- Weight: 2 pounds
If you and your cat prefer open litter boxes, check out Ferplast Birba litter tray. This durable, convenient and easy to use litter box features a special sieving system that ensures only the dirty litter is separated, saving you money, as well as time when cleaning out the waste. It should be noted that this is a different type of a sifting litter box as it doesn’t sift anything by itself – you have to shake it in order to remove waste. While this may not be everyone’s idea of quick and easy cleanup, there’s no denying the model does make the scooping and cleaning much easier than regular litter boxes at a very affordable price.
Open sifting litter box
3-part design, with 2 sifting trays and a bottom pan
Needs to be shaken (sifted) to work
Unique sifting tray system saves litter
- Brand: Ferplast
- Model: 72049099
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
Affordable yet super-efficient at removing dirty litter, Petmate Arm & Hammer model is possibly the best sifting litter box for pet parents on a budget. With a simple design, the box is super-easy to use as you don’t have to scoop or shake anything. By lifting the sifter tray, dirty litter will remain on the tray while the remaining clean litter will fall onto the solid pan so you can reuse it again. While most pet parents use it with Arm & Hammer clay litter, many use it with other types, including fine pellet litter with no issues. All in all, a fantastic inexpensive sifting box!
Open sifting litter box
3-part design with sifting tray and 2 solid pans
High frame design prevents litter scatter
Antimicrobial protection controls odor
- Brand: Petmate
- Model: 42036
- Weight: 2.75 pounds
More expensive than other sifting litter boxes, but also more efficient and cleaner to use, the Omega Paw litter box is one of the best models on the market. Made from ultra-durable plastic, with a strong clip design, this enclosed sifting litter box is not only great at trapping odors, but also at easy and convenient sifting. To scoop your kitty’s waste, all you need to do is roll the box and it will be clean in seconds – no liners, no filters, no special sifting techniques! This is possible thanks to a grill that easily separates the clumps of dirty litter when the box is rolled. As a bonus, any clumping litter works. Large and comfy, the box is suitable for big cats and multi-cat households.
Enclosed sifting cat litter box
Roll and clean design with grate
Works with any clumping litter
Suitable for multi-cat households
- Brand: Omega Paw
- Model: NRA20
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
If your cat likes using their regular litter box but you don’t like the constant mess of manual scooping and cleaning, you may want to take a look at this litter sifter by SiftEase. Thanks to its simple but ingenious design, the sifter works with any cat litter, including clay and wood pellets. All you have to do is pour the content of your pet’s litter box into the SiftEase sifter to separate waste from clean litter, and the clean litter will end up in a large bucket. Because it does a nice job “scooping out” the dirty litter, it saves time and money as you can use the same litter over and over again.
Cat litter sifter
Bucket + sifter design separates dirty from clean litter
Quick and easy to use
Sifts any type of litter
- Brand: SiftEase
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
Best Sifting Litter Box Buying Guide & FAQ
Using sifting litter boxes can make your and your kitty’s life easier and cleaner. But with so many models on the market, finding the best sifting litter box for your cat can be quite challenging. To help you in your search for the right model, we’ve not only reviewed some of the most popular sifting boxes but also created this practical buying guide. Here, we cover everything you need to know about sifting litter boxes, including how to pick the best one for your pet.
Things to Consider When Buying a Sifting Litter Box
A good sifting cat litter box should have certain important features. Here are some to keep in mind during your selection process:
- Durable and convenient design: Look for models that are made from durable materials, such as sturdy plastic. You want something that will last a long time and won’t chip or break easily. Also, make sure the box you’re eyeing is of the right size for your cat, as well as your apartment or house.
- Easy to clean: The second important thing to look for is the ease of cleaning. After all, you’re buying the sifting litter box to make your scooping chores easier and quicker, so look for models that don’t require special handling, filters or liners. Shaking or rolling models should be easy to hold/move.
- Good odor control: No matter what litter box or litter you use, there is no escaping some unpleasant odor. However, a good sifting litter box can help trap or reduce odors significantly, especially if you sift regularly (daily or every other day). Generally speaking, hooded or enclosed boxes are better at trapping odors than open boxes.
Benefits of Using a Sifting Litter Box
The many benefits of sifting litter boxes include:
- They save time: Instead of wasting 10-20 minutes on scooping your cat’s waste (depending on how many cats you have and what litter you use), you can spend literally one to two minutes sifting the litter with a sifting box.
- They spare you from manual scooping: Manually scooping cat waste, even while using gloves, is not healthy because you can’t help but breathe in the ammonia fumes which can cause respiratory problems. By sifting the litter quickly and easily, you won’t have to touch your pet’s waste or breathe in the dangerous fumes.
- Help reduce the amount of litter you use: Using a sifting cat litter box can help you reduce the amount of litter you normally use as only the clumped, dirty litter is expelled, while clean litter remains.
How to Teach Your Kitty to Use a Sifting Litter Box
Switching to a new litter box, whether it’s traditional, sifting or automatic, usually comes with a learning curve for most cats. Thankfully, sifting litter boxes are simple devices, so most (if not all) cats have no problem using them. That being said, you do want to be patient as your kitty adjusts to her new bathroom spot and prepared in case there are any accidents. Here are some simple but effective tips on how to teach your cat to use their new sifting litter box:
- Introduce the new litter box slowly: If your cat has firmly established toilet habits and is not a fan of change, it’s best to go slow. Start by introducing the new sifting litter box to your cat by taking it out of the box and letting your pet sniff and touch it for however long it takes for them to become comfortable around the new box.
- Place the new litter box at the usual spot: To keep things as familiar and consistent as possible for your cat, it’s best to place the new sifting litter box at the old litter box’s place. This will allow your cat to quickly associate the “new thing” with “bathroom spot”.
- Use litter they normally like: The transition from old to new litter box will be much easier if you use their usual, favorite litter. If your kitty likes clumping clay from a particular brand best, stick to it, at least in the beginning.
- Make sure the environment is peaceful: If you have a kitten and this is the first litter box you’re buying, make sure you place it in a peaceful, ideally quiet room or area in the house. Most cats like to have privacy while doing their business, so a secluded but easy to access room or spot is perfect.
Best Sifting Litter Box FAQ:
Q: What are sifting cat litter boxes and how do they work?
A: Sifting litter boxes look very much like traditional litter boxes, only they come with a sifting tray or grate, plus a solid base pan or two. While there are many different models on the market, all sifting cat litter boxes work the same – by separating the dirty litter from the clean one, either on their own or with a little bit of your help. Some need to be shaken, others rolled to sift, while certain models do most – if not all – of the sifting work on their own. When it’s time to throw out the waste, all you have to do is lift the sifting frame, take out the dirty litter, and re-use the clean old one that is left in the base pan.
Q: How often should I change a sifting litter box?
A: For pet parents who want their cats to always have clean and fresh bathrooms, daily sifting is recommended. However, if for some reason you cannot sift out the waste daily, every other day is perfectly fine too. When it comes to changing the litter completely, if you sift out the waste regularly (so every or every other day), you’ll only need to completely empty, clean and refill the litter box every month or two months, depending on whether you own one or multiple cats.
Q: Are sifting litter boxes safe?
A: Quality sifting litter boxes are perfectly safe. They are, after all, simple devices that are not that different from traditional litter boxes, at least from your cat’s perspective.
Our Top Pick
Durable, efficient at sifting out waste, and easy to use, the Van Ness Sifting Enclosed Cat Litter Pan would have to be our top pick. This large and enclosed sifting litter box provides your cat with privacy and comfort while doing their business, which is always important but is essential for skittish cats. Equally important, the model is incredibly easy to use and clean as all you have to do to remove dirty litter is lift the sifting tray –voila, the waste is separated and you’re left with clean litter that you can re-use over and over again. As a bonus, the box is on the affordable side, making it one of the best, if not the best sifting litter box currently on the market!
Source:
- Kathy Blumenstock, Is a Self-Cleaning Litter Box Really Less Work?, PetMD
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