Let’s face it, it can be tricky to travel with cats. Unlike dogs, most cats don’t really like riding in vehicles and prefer their own familiar home environment. They often freak out in new places, get startled easily, and can’t be contained within a fence.
Not only that, they have more particular bathroom habits. A dog will squat or lift a leg just about anywhere when they have to go, but cats prefer a loose substrate like sand, soil, or litter to bury their waste.
So if you are traveling with a cat, it can be difficult to find a suitable place to do their business while on the road. That’s why having a reliable and easily transportable cat travel litter box is so important for any journey.
Cats can go quite a few hours without having to use the litter box, but even short trips can have unexpected delays. Whether you’re headed out on a short road trip or an extended vacation, if you are traveling with your cat then a portable litter box is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options available to suit your travel needs.
The 6 Best Cat Travel Litter Boxes
You might be surprised at the wide selection of travel litter boxes out there! From briefcase-sized fully contained litter boxes to fold up and put in your purse or bag, there’s something to fit almost every situation.
Let’s have a look at our top picks, as selected by Cat BYTES staff.
#1: IRIS USA 15.5″ Travel Cat Litter Box
Our first pick is the IRIS USA 15.5″ Travel Cat Litter Box. Made with lightweight and foldable canvas material, this litter box is easy to store when not in use.
When you’re on the move, the folded dimensions of 12” L x 11” W x 2” H and a weight of just 0.7 pounds make it easy to pack in your bag or purse. The open dimensions of 15.5″L x 15.5″W x 4″H provide ample space for your cat to use.
With a convenient zippered top, you can fill it with litter and take it with you on the road. Simply unzip the top and it’s ready for action. The PVC-coated interior helps make cleanup a breeze.
At the time of writing, this item is the top-selling travel litter box option on Amazon, with excellent ratings from almost 60,000 reviewers.
#2: Petisfam Portable Litter Box
Our second pick is the Petisfam Portable Litter Box. Weighing just 1.7 pounds and with an attached handle for carrying, it’s as easy to carry as a briefcase. This box folds flat when empty, making it easy to pack.
It features a zipper-close top that prevents litter from spilling out and odors from escaping, making sure that any mess and smell is kept contained.
The small size measures 16“L x 12“W x 4.5“H when open. There is also a large option that is 19.7″L x 15.8″W x 5.1″H. A collapsible bowl and litter scoop are included with either size.
This is another top-selling item, with glowing reviews from thousands of customers.
#3: Eco-Friendly Disposable Foldable Litter Box
This litter box, sold by Chegron, is a relatively new product to the scene, but it makes our top three list because it is both disposable and environmentally friendly.
Made of three layers of recycled paper, it has a waterproof coating inside and out to stop leaks. This cardboard box is thick and stable, so it won’t collapse under pressure.
The box comes folded down flat for easy storage and portability, with a size of 13″L x 11″W x 5.5″H when open.
Simply pop it open, fill it with litter, and you are all set. We recommend using each tray for one cat for about a week, then simply throwing the whole thing away and breaking out a new box!
This disposable litter box can be used on its own, or it can be used as a liner as it fits inside plastic litter boxes.
#4: Petsfit Portable Travel Cat Litter Box
Coming in at number four on our list is the foldable travel litter box by Petsfit.
What we like about this pick is that it is slightly roomier than many other portable litter box options, plus it has a removable cover. We would use this one at our destination, be it in a hotel room or a guestroom with family or friends.
Folded, it fits nicely into luggage, and once set up the covering helps keep litter from being scattered all over and keeps the mess out of sight. Your hosts will appreciate your thoughtfulness!
The overall size when it is set up is 14″L x 13″W x 13.5″H, with a door size of 10″L x 7″H. When used covered, it is suitable for small to medium cats and kittens up to 12 pounds.
Other great features of this litter box include removable waterproof linings, a buckle on the side for hanging the litter scoop, and a handle on top for easy carrying.
#5: Pet Fit For Life Extra Large Portable Cat Cage with Portable Litter Box
Number five on our list is a combination cat cage and litter box. The whole thing can be collapsed down into a small bundle that would easily fit into your luggage or bag.
When opened, this piece measures 32″L x 19″W x 19″H – too big to be useful as a travel carrier, but then it is not meant for that purpose.
It’s large enough to house two fully grown cats comfortably, or one cat and a litter box (included). We like this particular item for use in the back seat of a car or SUV on road trips.
Seat belt loops are built in, so you can make sure your cat is safe and secure while en route. And because it fits both your cat and the litter box, you won’t have to risk opening the carrier while on the road and risk having a frisky feline felon on the loose.
This Pet Fit For Life collapsible pet crate for cats features two side windows (side windows do not unzip) and a zippered front door that provides plenty of ventilation, a washable velour bed pad, a collapsible leakproof litter box, and integrated loops for securing in a car or staking to the ground when outdoors.
#6: Jonny Cat Heavy Duty Jumbo Tear-Resistant Litter Box Liners
Number six on our list isn’t a litter box at all, but it’s just as good as one! We love using litter box liners when we travel with our cats.
These can be used to line any of the litter boxes we have on our list above – or just about any other suitable-sized container (I even used one of my mom’s big roasting pans like this once!).
Once you are done with the litter, just pick it up liner and all, and toss it in the trash, leaving your litter box container perfectly clean. No need to wash and clean the litter box.
We also use these bags to carry pre-measured amounts of litter. When needed, just place the bag in the litter box container and open the top wide.
These Johnny Cat litter box liners are heavy-duty 2mL strength and are very resistant to scratching
How We Decide On Our Top Picks
We have done our research to bring you the best litter boxes for traveling with cats. We look at a variety of factors, such as portability, size, durability, and ease of use.
We also consider safety features like portability, water-resistant lining, and seatbelt loops. We also factor in price range and place a heavy weight on positive customer reviews.
We also make our recommendations based on our own experiences. We are cat owners too and want to make sure our cats are safe and comfortable when we travel with them.
We want you to have the same peace of mind, taking comfort in knowing that your cat will also be well taken care of on your next journey. We hope this list helps you find the perfect litter box for your travels!
