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Last updated on October 3, 2026
The best litter tracking solutions often don’t involve changing your litter at all, just changing what happens between the box and the rest of your floor.
Use a mat big enough to cover where your cat actually lands, a box that keeps kicked litter inside, and an exit path that sends your cat across the mat. Combining fixes can work well because each one tackles a different way litter escapes.
A large litter mat helps catch litter from your cat’s paws before it spreads across the floor
Quick Picks
- Large mat: UPSKY XL Litter Mat
- High-sided box for kickers: IRIS USA XXL Open Top
- Box with an exit step: KITCATY XXXL Stainless Steel
Would you rather change litter instead? Our guide to the best low tracking cat litter compares one pick from each type.
Where the Mess Comes From
Tracking has two sources. Some litter gets kicked over the side while your cat digs. The rest leaves on paws and fur and drops off as your cat walks away.
Without a mat or a planned exit path, litter can spread across the floor as your cat walks away
Most fixes target one or the other, which is why combining them works better. Our guide to low tracking cat litter explains why some litter travels farther than others.
Fix 1: A Mat That Covers Where Your Cat Lands
A textured litter mat pulls litter off your cat’s paws before it spreads
A mat only catches what falls on it. Many cats step or leap past a small mat before the litter drops. Put the mat where your cat actually lands, not just where the box ends. A larger mat gives litter more steps to shake loose.
If your mat isn’t working, our guide to a better cat litter mat walks through the usual reasons. To compare more mats, see our best cat litter mat roundup.
Fix 2: A Box That Holds Litter In
Taller walls keep kicked litter inside, while a mat catches what leaves on paws
For cats that kick litter over the side, taller walls keep more of it inside. For cats that carry litter out on their paws, a box with a textured exit step or a top entry gives litter a chance to fall off before your cat reaches the floor.
Top-entry boxes may not suit cats that have difficulty jumping or climbing, including some senior or mobility-limited cats.
Fix 3: Direct the Exit Across the Mat
Put the box where your cat can reach it comfortably without feeling trapped, then orient the exit so your cat’s usual path crosses the mat. This gives loose litter a defined landing area instead of letting it spread in several directions.
Orienting the exit so your cat walks across the mat gives litter one place to land
Fix 4: Check the Litter Level and Paw Fur
Overfilling the box makes it easier for litter to spill over the edge. Fill to the level your litter package recommends. Our guide on how much litter to put in a litter box explains why.
Long fur around the paws can carry litter away from the box. If you notice litter catching in your cat’s paw fur, a professional groomer can advise whether the fur needs tidying.
Products That Help
UPSKY XL Litter Mat
Why It Stands Out: Its 35 x 47-inch size provides a broad landing area around the box. Many reviewers report strong litter containment. One reviewer calls it the best of several mats they tried, and another uses two to cover three boxes. It can be trimmed to fit an awkward space, and reviewers confirm it grips the floor.
Possible Downsides: It can arrive with creases from shipping. Reviewers share several ways to flatten it, but it may take a little time. It needs a lot of floor space.
Best For: Cats that leap out of the box, and multi-box setups.
IRIS USA XXL Open Top Litter Box
Why It Stands Out: Its 14-inch sides catch litter from cats that dig hard, and several reviewers confirm strong litter and urine containment even with heavy diggers. The curved 6.5-inch entrance is lower than the surrounding 14-inch walls.
Possible Downsides: The 6.5-inch entrance is higher than a true low-entry box, so it may not suit cats that have difficulty stepping over a taller threshold. It’s open-top, so it won’t stop litter that leaves on paws. Pair it with a mat. It’s large, so measure your space.
Best For: Cats that kick litter over the side.
KITCATY XXXL Stainless Steel Litter Box
No products found.Why It Stands Out: You can set it up for top or front entry, and it has a raised footrest at the exit. One reviewer says the step catches extra litter as cats climb out. Reviewers confirm it fits a 25 lb cat comfortably. Stainless steel resists scratching better than plastic and is less likely to retain lingering odor.
Possible Downsides: Set up for top entry, it may not suit cats that have difficulty jumping or climbing, including some senior or mobility-limited cats. Front entry avoids the top-entry climb, but check the entrance height against your cat’s needs. It’s a large box with a big footprint.
Best For: Cats that carry litter out on their paws, in homes with room for a large box.
Cleaning Up What Still Escapes
No setup stops tracking completely. For the litter that still gets out, our guide to the best vacuum for cat litter tracking covers which vacuums handle it best.
FAQ
Do covered litter boxes reduce tracking?
They can reduce litter that’s kicked over the sides, although results vary by box and by cat. Litter carried out on paws can still leave through the entrance, so a mat may help with that part of the mess.
Is it better to fix the setup or change the litter?
Start with whichever is easier for you. If your cat is happy with its litter, setup changes avoid the risk of it refusing a new one. If the setup is already solid, a lower tracking litter is the next step.
Why does litter still get past my mat?
Usually because your cat steps or jumps beyond it. A bigger mat placed where your cat lands, or a box with an exit step, catches more.
