How to upgrade your home with modern litter boxes.

Pet lovers often ask us: How do I keep my house clean when I have cats? How do I keep my dog from digging "treats" out of the cat's litter boxes? And how can I keep my home looking stylish when my cat's box stands out like a sore thumb in the corner of my living room? 

Fortunately, pet furniture makers such as Modkat have crafted beautiful pieces that maximize your animals' comfort, minimize kitty smells, and keep your apartment looking clean and fashionable. At Modkat, we created a simple, beautiful litter box because we love designing sleek modern furniture almost as much as we love palling around with cats.

What does it take to create the world's most beautiful litter box?

For our co-founder Rich, the journey from scraping out a traditional cat box to building one of the world's best litter boxes was born out of personal experience. Rich’s cats Mika and Sashi needed a new litter box that worked great and complemented the look of his modern Brooklyn apartment. Rich searched exhaustively but came up empty handed. In defeat, he complained to his wife until she said, “You're a designer. Why don't you just design one?”

Rich approached Brett, his then-partner in a design business, with the idea. A dozen prototypes later, Rich and Brett were accepting a Red Dot award for Modkat, and our customers were taking home brand-new, top-entry litter boxes especially designed for the modern home or office.  

Since that time, we've created a whole range of Modkat litter boxes, accessories, and liners. And yes, we've unblushingly racked up a few more awards and accolades from places like the New York Times, Animal Planet, and Dwell. But the best part? Now, Rich's cats (and yours!) can enjoy a secure place to do their business, and their family can relax in stylish, odor-free living spaces. 

Why did we design the Modkat the way we did? Well, we are city dwellers, cat lovers and industrial designers with a taste for modern design. So we blended all those elements into the product. We decided not to design an automatic litter box, which was popular at the time, because the sound can scare a cat and they are really large which doesn't accommodate urban apartments. We stuck with what we know — smart, minimal design.

Throughout the design process, our focus remained on building an affordable, beautiful, and functional space for modern cats to do their business.

What about a litter box that looks like furniture?

If you've been doing your research on the best cat litter boxes, you probably know that several modern pet furnishings imitate the design of a piece of furniture. You may have seen a litter box cabinet, for example, or one designed to double as a side table. These litter boxes can solve one problem well — they look great in a living space.

Sometimes, though, they ignore the needs of the cat, and the litter box measures may not be quite right for your feline friend's size. Plus, these boxes can be tough to move. You could end up with a pricy end table in one room and an open plastic container bulging with litter sitting in another part of the house.

And a side table litter box can run you $500-$600 before you even buy the first liner or bag of disposable replacement litter. We want our cats to stay healthy and happy, but we don't want you to have to take out a second mortgage to pay for their bathroom.

Litter boxes concealed in furniture can provide a clever, prettier alternative to the cheap-but-unattractive options available at the discount store. And if you're sure this is the direction you and your cat want to go, you can find several nice pieces with a quick search on Amazon or Google. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to make sure whatever product you choose serves both you and your kitty well before you go investing a lot of money in it.

Remember that the best cat litter box is the one your cat will use. That means it offers a clean and easily concealed place for your cat to eliminate. A frequently used litter box typically sits in a quiet, well-lit, and out-of-the-way area of the house, and your kitty can access it with no trouble whenever nature's call comes — any time of day or night. 

Litter boxes can't just serve your cat's needs, though. You live in your home, too, and the best litter boxes offer both cats and their humans a great look and feel. How do you find a cat box that does both, though?

 Pictured: Modkat Litter Box

What should you look for in a cat litter box?

We've come a long way from the days when cat lovers filled an old plastic tray — or worse, a cardboard shoe box — with dusty cat litter, tucked it into a corner, and hoped for the best. Today, cat keepers can find a dizzying array of sifting litter boxes, automatic litter boxes, open-top litter boxes, end table litter boxes, and even the distinctive Modkat Flip litter box. Among all those options, how do you choose the right place for your cat to do business?

Consider these factors:

Is Your Litter Box the Right Size?

Part of choosing the right litter box is looking for the appropriate size to ensure that it will provide a comfortable space for going to the bathroom. According to the experts at Cat Behavior Associates, the length of a litter box should measure at least 1.5 times the length of your cat from nose nib to tail tip, and the box's width should be no shorter than the length of your cat. Got a Maine Coon or a Norwegian Forest Cat? You'll need a giant-size bathroom for your big buddy. Parents of Munchkins and Cornish Rexes, however, can get away with smaller-size johns.

How Does Your Litter Box Control Odor?

When kitty goes #2, it stinks! So, you have to control the odor, and you definitely don't want to do that with scented litter. That's not just our opinion either. Experts back us up here.

The specialists at Preventive Vet say, "Cats tend to prefer unscented litters to scented ones. Your cat’s nose and sense of smell is quite a bit more fine-tuned than yours (fun fact: it’s even more sensitive than some dog breeds!). So, to play it safe, you should resist the urge to get a scented litter."

So if scented litter doesn't work, what do you do? A covered box, coupled with one of our odor filter kits or even a generous sprinkling of baking soda, will largely contain odors. Remember, too, that daily scooping, weekly washing, and regular changing of the litter will control unwelcome scents better than anything.

Does the Litter Box Look Great in Your House?

Your house is your personal space. It should look stylish, be practical, and feel like it reflects your personality. A wide-open litter box will probably not contribute to the effect you hope for. A simple, clean design, however, can look sleek in a modern house, apartment, or office space.

The absolute best litter boxes for finicky cats

But my cat's so picky about where she does her business!

We hear that a lot, and we get it! Cats are all different. Some cats seem relieved at slipping into a covered spot for a private moment. Others do their business proudly, right out in the open. Some cats love the top-entry option. Older cats and tiny kittens, however, may need a traditional opening to access the box. That's why we developed a full line of products:

• Modkat Litter Box — This top-entry option reduces litter tracking. It includes a seamless base to prevent leaks and a swivel lid for easy cleaning. Perfect for side pee-ers and cats up to 12 lbs.

• Modkat XL Litter Box — The XL offers all the features and benefits of the original Modkat but with top-entry or front-entry options along with an ergonomic scoop. This box is the largest top-entry litter box on the market.

• Flip Litter Box — We built this front-entry box for cats that change their preferences about open-top or closed as well as for cat parents who appreciate easy clean up.

• Modkat Litter Tray — Our only truly open-top platform, the Tray still goes deep and includes a high splash guard to keep those high pee-ers from spreading the love around the house. 

Not sure which Modkat Litter Box is right for your cat? See our comparison chart.

You can learn more about Modkat, compare our products, and see what our customers are saying about us at modkat.com. You can also check out the Purrr blog for helpful articles on understanding, caring for, and communicating with your favorite feline. 🖤🐈

“It looks nicer than any other hooded or open option we considered.”

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