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Last updated on September 1, 2026
Litter box for long-haired cats don’t necessarily need special boxes , but some designs can make cleanup easier. Extra interior space can reduce contact with soiled litter, while tracking-control features can help catch particles that cling to paws and longer fur.
This guide covers five options that address interior space, wall height, entry design, and tracking in different ways.
What Helps with Long-Haired Cats
Long fur can catch litter particles and fecal matter more readily than short fur. A box with more interior room gives a cat more space to turn and position itself without its coat or hindquarters making contact with dirty surfaces. Tracking-control features at the exit can catch particles that cling to longer fur and paws before they reach the floor.
Three things are worth thinking about when choosing a box for a long-haired cat.
Interior size. A general guide supported by feline behavior guidelines is a box at least 1.5 times your cat’s length from nose to the base of the tail. Measure your cat and use that number rather than relying on size labels like “large” or “XL.”
Entry and exit design. Top-entry boxes can reduce scatter for cats comfortable jumping in and out. High-sided open boxes are more accessible for older cats or those with mobility limitations. Both designs can work well depending on the individual cat.
Surface material. Smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces help because dried litter and residue have fewer rough areas to cling to. Stainless steel is particularly easy to wipe down and doesn’t scratch as readily as some plastic boxes over time.
Quick Picks
Best Overall: EGMEHOAD XXXL Stainless Steel
Best Top Entry: IRIS USA Large Top Entry with Litter Catching Lid
Best Enclosed: Bartuke XXXL Stainless Steel with Lid
Best High-Sided: KITCATY XXL Extra Large with Lid
Best for Tracking: Purina Tidy Cats Breeze XL
Litter Box for Long-Haired Cats Comparison Table
| Product | Entry Type | Dimensions | Material | Tracking Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGMEHOAD XXXL | Open top | 28″ x 20″ x 6″ | Stainless steel | Smooth surface |
| IRIS USA Top Entry | Top entry | 20.5″ x 14.75″ x 14.38″ | Plastic | Grooved lid |
| Bartuke XXXL | Front/top | 28″ x 20″ x 17″ | Stainless steel | Exit foot pedal |
| KITCATY XXL | Front/top | 28″ x 20″ x 12″ | Stainless steel | Exit foot pedal |
| Breeze XL | Front entry | XL | Plastic | Pellet system |
Best Overall: EGMEHOAD XXXL Stainless Steel
At 28 x 20 x 6 inches, this open-top stainless steel box gives a large cat considerably more room to turn and reposition than most standard pans. There is no upper enclosure or hood restricting movement, and the smooth stainless-steel surface is easy to wipe clean and less prone to scratching than many plastic pans.
Why It Stands Out
The 28 x 20 inch footprint accommodates large breeds without forcing them to contort. Without an overhead enclosure, a long cat can reposition freely in any direction. The open-top design is more accessible than a top-entry or fully enclosed box because there is no lid to jump through or enclosed opening to navigate.
Possible Downsides
The 6-inch walls are lower than some cats need. If your cat kicks litter aggressively or tends to urinate standing up, a taller-walled option like the KITCATY below is a better fit. There is also no lid for scatter containment from above.
Best For
Long-haired cats of any age that need maximum interior space and an open, easy-to-clean box with no upper structure to restrict movement.
Best Top Entry: IRIS USA Large Top Entry with Litter Catching Lid
Top-entry boxes can help reduce litter scatter because cats have to climb onto the lid before leaving. The IRIS adds grooves across the lid surface that help knock loose litter from paws on the way out, which is particularly useful for cats with longer fur between the toes.
Why It Stands Out
The grooved lid is the key feature. IRIS specifically markets it as a litter-catching surface, and owners report significantly less litter on the floor around the box after switching. It’s a single-piece design with no tray-and-wall assembly, which eliminates the seam-leakage problem common in multi-piece boxes and means fewer seams accumulating residue between cleanings.
Possible Downsides
The external footprint is 20.5 x 14.75 inches with a usable interior floor of roughly 15 x 9.75 inches. That works for average-sized cats but is too compact for large breeds. Top entry also requires a cat to jump in and out, which is not suitable for senior cats or those with mobility limitations.
Best For
Average to medium-sized long-haired cats in good physical condition where scatter and paw-tracking are the main problems to solve.
Best Enclosed: Bartuke XXXL Stainless Steel with Lid
Bartuke’s XXXL model measures 28 x 20 x 17 inches and can be used open, semi-enclosed, or fully enclosed. That gives a large long-haired cat considerably more space than many standard covered boxes while still offering high-wall containment when needed.
Why It Stands Out
The three-configuration option is genuinely useful when introducing a new box. You can start with the open setup, move to semi-enclosed, and add the full lid gradually rather than forcing a change all at once.
The included foot pedal sits at the exit and captures loose litter from paws as the cat steps out. A 180-degree hinged lid lets owners clean from either end without removing the entire cover.
Possible Downsides
Some cats take time to accept an enclosed design. Starting open and adding the lid gradually tends to work better than introducing the fully enclosed version from the start.
Best For
Large long-haired cats where a roomy overall footprint, adjustable configuration, and exit litter-trapping are all priorities.
Best High-Sided: KITCATY XXL Extra Large with Lid
The assembled KITCATY XXL measures 28 x 20 x 12 inches and uses a high-wall enclosure attached to a stainless-steel pan. The overlapping wall design and buckle connection are designed to reduce urine leakage at the pan-to-wall seam, a potential weak point in multi-piece boxes.
Why It Stands Out
The combination of a 28 x 20 inch footprint and 12-inch assembled height addresses two distinct problems: enough interior room for a large long-haired cat to move, and enough wall height to contain what comes with vigorous digging. The included foot pedal provides an exit step and filters loose litter from paws as the cat leaves.
Possible Downsides
The enclosed lid design requires cat acceptance. Front or top entry options within the same box give some flexibility depending on how the cat prefers to enter.
Best For
Large long-haired cats that need both a generous interior and taller containment walls than the EGMEHOAD’s 6-inch sides provide.
Best for Tracking: Purina Tidy Cats Breeze XL
Breeze uses large, 99.9% dust-free zeolite pellets instead of fine granular litter. Purina specifically designs the pellets to reduce tracking, while urine passes through a grated tray to an absorbent pad below.
Why It Stands Out
The pellet format tackles tracking differently from a standard litter box by replacing fine granular litter with much larger pellets. Owners of long-haired cats report finding considerably less litter carried out of the box compared to their previous granular setups.
The 99.9% dust-free pellets also reduce the amount of fine particulate material available to cling to fur during digging. The XL size is intended for larger cats or multi-cat households, and the open design makes entry and exit straightforward for cats of most ages.
Possible Downsides
This is a full system rather than just a box. It uses specific zeolite pellets and requires periodic replacement of absorbent pads for urine. The maintenance routine is different from a standard litter box, and some cats need a transition period before accepting the pellet texture underfoot.
Best For
Long-haired cats where tracking is the main concern and the owner is comfortable switching to a pellet-and-pad system.
FAQ
What size litter box do long-haired cats need?
Measure your cat from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and aim for a box roughly 1.5 times that length. This is the starting point recommended in feline behavior guidelines. Large breeds such as Maine Coons may need boxes well beyond standard commercial sizes to give them full room to turn and position.
Is top entry good for long-haired cats?
It can be, for cats comfortable jumping in and out. The main advantage is reduced scatter since cats step across the grooved lid before reaching the floor. The main limitation is accessibility. Senior cats or cats with joint problems may struggle with the entry and exit, and for those cats an open or low-entry design works better. Our best top entry litter box guide covers more options if this design suits your cat.
Why does my long-haired cat track more litter?
Longer fur around the paws, belly, and hindquarters can pick up and carry litter particles out of the box after each use. Grooved exit lids, foot-pedal steps, and large-pellet systems reduce how much litter travels with the cat by giving particles somewhere to fall before reaching the floor.
Does litter get stuck in a long-haired cat’s fur?
It can, particularly around the hindquarters. Litter choice matters as much as box design here. Fine particles may cling to long fur more easily in some cats, while larger pellets are less likely to become embedded in the coat. Our guide to best cat litter for long-haired cats covers specific formulas that reduce this problem. Veterinarians sometimes recommend a sanitary trim around the hindquarters for cats that frequently have this problem.
Is stainless steel worth it for a long-haired cat’s litter box?
It tends to be easier to keep clean than most plastic. Stainless steel doesn’t scratch as readily over time, and its smooth surface gives residue fewer rough spots to accumulate in. A cleaner surface between uses means less residue for fur to contact on the walls.
