Tired of scooping cat litter all day? We save you from the extra efforts of scooping and cleaning feline litter by reviewing the 10 Best Sifting Litter Boxes for your convenience.
While having a cat as a pet brings immense happiness and joy, what’s awful is having to clean their litter box each time after they pee or poop.
If you want to save time from scooping their litter and separating the dirt and clumps over the day, then what helps is a sifting litter box. These litter boxes come with a sifter tray that separates the clean litter from the waste pellets and dirt in the litter pan.
We help you with choosing an appropriate sifting litter box to make your cat litter cleaning, an easy and convenient task.
A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2023
Best Overall
Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box
- Design is easy to maintain
- High walled and large in size
- Covered design does not allow dirty smell and bacteria to spread around
Editor’s Pick
Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System
- Helps to reduce ammonia smell
- Disposable pad absorbs urine up to one week
- Comes with a scooper
Affordable Pick
The 10 Best Sifting Litter Boxes of 2023 (Reviews)
1. Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box
Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box is our best sifting litter box amongst all other varieties due to its covered hooded design with odor control qualities. It comes in multiple assorted colors and is also easy to carry as there is a handle along with the box.
There is no need for scooping the litter or coming in contact with your pet’s sheddings as the litter box does all the sifting and maintenance for you. The covered design does not allow dirty smells and bacteria to spread around the house, keeping the cat litter enclosed in one place.
Features
- Size: 15.2” x 12.9” x 4.8” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Hooded Sifting Litter Box with 2 bases and one sifting pan and a replaceable zeolite air filter
- Litter Type: Suitable with clumping litter
The sifting litter box comes with 2 bottom pans, one sifting pan, and a hood to give your pet the privacy and peace it requires while shedding. The design is easy to maintain too. With so many features in one sifting box, this has to be our best choice of all.
Pros
- Hooded design for odor reduction and privacy
- Handle on top, portable design
- Multiple litter boxes
- High walled and large in size
Cons
- Can get stinky inside the litter box
- The plastic is of cheap quality
You can also refer best portable litter box available on the market.
2. Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System
Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System is our premium choice of all other boxes as it is an all-in-one solution to litter cleaning, sifting, and litter tracking problems. The product is a systematic setup that you and your feline are sure to love.
The litter box system comes with a scooper. The urine can easily trickle through the litter pellets and get soaked by breeze pads which need to be changed every week. The breeze pellet litter can be changed monthly and provides complete odor control.
Features
- Size: 29” x 19.2” x 14.6” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Hooded litter box with high sides and base with drawer for pulling out breeze pads. It comes with replaceable breeze pads, breeze pellets, and a scooper.
- Litter Type: Suitable with Breeze Pellets Litter or any type of coarse or fine litter
- Kit Includes: XL System with a scooper, 3.5 lbs of litter pellets, Disposable pads
- Two size variants available
The overall litter box and the breeze pellets litter is easy to manage. You can replace it each time with the scooper. Purina guarantees you happiness or you get your money back for this product.
Pros
- All in one system suitable for all feline breeds
- Does not require frequent litter replacement
- Litter reduces ammonia smell
- Disposable pads absorb urine for up to one week
Cons
- Users complain of the new design being difficult to clean
- Cats may end up swallowing the breeze pellets
3. Petmate Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box
Petmate is a brand that is passionate about manufacturing pet-related accessories for over 50 years now. With such a reputable brand offering a high-quality litter box at a budget price, you definitely do not want to miss it for your kitty.
It comes with a high-walled base pan and a sifting pan that offers a large and comfortable space for cats to sit and pee or poop. It is easy to use. All you have to do is lift the sifting pan while the dirt is easily separated from the reusable litter.
Features
- Size: 19” x 15” x 8” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Open type sifting litter box with one base pan and one sifting pan, high walled design, and sidelocks.
- Litter Type: Suitable with fine, clumping litter
- Easy to clean and antimicrobial, odor-free plastic
The material is plastic and has antimicrobial properties to not let foul smell and germs spread and stick around the surface. The containers are eco-friendly and stain proof as well as easy to maintain.
Pros
- High walled container to avoid spillage
- Odorless material
- Side locks for a sturdy design
- Large and comfortable
Cons
- Limited types of litter can be used
- Does not sift urine clumped dirty litter efficiently
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4. Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Box
Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Box comes with a high polished finish that is stain resistant. The high walled frame ensures no spilling of litter and it comes with two bases and one sifting pan for effectively cleaning litter.
The product is available in multiple assorted colors and is also easy to clean. The litter box is manufactured in the U.S.A. The frame is sturdy and comes with sidelocks. Van Ness makes sure to use FDA-approved materials.
The box is large with enough room for your cat to enter and poop. The cleaning is also hassle-free and you also get an extra container at dispense in case the litter pan gets too dirty for use.
Features
- Size: 19” x 15.3” x 6” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Open Litter Box with 2 bases and one sifting pan and a high walled rim.
- Litter Type: Suitable with fine, granular litter
- Multiple color options available
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- 2 base containers available
- Raised frame to avoid spilling of litter
Cons
- Limited litter choice
- Litter gets stuck on the sieve and surface
5. SpeedySift Cat Litter Box
The SpeedySift Cat Litter Box comes with innovative offset stacked liners. Each liner acts as a sieve. If two liners are placed together, they form a strong base that prevents urine leakage and effectively sifts litter in the box.
The lid is high sided to avoid spilling of litter while sifting. Moreover, you do not have to come in direct contact with anything dirty in the box as you simply lift the stacked liners and dispose of it immediately.
Features
- Size: 21” x 18” x 4.8” (L x W x H)
- Material: Corrugated Plastic
- Design: Litter Box with 56 ct. 4 pack liners
- Litter Type: Suitable with clumping light weighed litter
- Comes with 14 sifting liners and 1 no-hole liner
The product is made of plastic that is durable and extremely lightweight. Your kitten will easily love and adapt to the box. The innovative box comes with replaceable sides that are available separately.
The sifting litter box is best suited for clumping litter that is light weighed. The box has been uniquely designed and patented in the USA.
Pros
- High raised walls to avoid litter from spilling
- Sifting liners help avoid direct contact with waste
- Sifting Box comes with replaceable sides
- Light-weighted and innovative design for messy pets
Cons
- The border walls are not very durable
- The sifting liner can be easily ripped off
6. Le You Pet Semi-Automatic Sifting Litter Box
The self-cleaning semi-automatic sifting litter box by Le You Pet is one of its kind. It has a unique drawer-style box and a separate grid for effectively sifting waste from the litter. The compact yet innovative design is suitable for any corner of the house and is also loved by cats.
All you have to do for sifting is, flip and sift. The waste remains on one side while the litter gets sifted to the other side. Reset it back in place after lifting the waste and you are back with refreshed litter each time your feline poops.
Features
- Size: 19.6” x 19.6” x 18.1” (L x W x H)
- Material: Non-toxic Resin PP Material
- Design: Sifting Cat Litter Box with separation grid and drawer-style cleaning box, high walled, and hanging type litter box.
- Litter Type: Suitable with clumping and non-clumping litter
- Requires self-assembly
It has a removable tray to get rid of the unwanted waste litter too. The entire assembly is pretty easy and hardly takes a few minutes. The tray is extra deep for the litter to remain inside while sifting.
Pros
- Self-cleaning and semi-automatic innovative design
- Made of non-toxic durable polypropylene resin material
- Removable tray and easy sifting mechanism
- Easy to assemble and fits in any household
Cons
- Small cats may find it difficult to jump and enter the litter box due to high walled design
- The clips for assembly are not very durable
7. SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Litter Sifter
The SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Litter Sifter makes litter sifting easier and more efficient. It is very easy to use and clears the litter in a jiffy.
All you have to do is pour the dirty litter into SiftEase, the waste stays in the upper basket and the intact litter passes down in the litter box or container.
Once the waste is accumulated in the basket, simply throw the contents away. No need to scoop or manually sift the litter. The best part is that you do not have to come in direct contact with the litter either while cleaning.
Features
- Size: 14.5” x 10.5” x 7” (L x W x H), 14.5”x 10.5”x 15” (L x W x H) (bin)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Litter Sifting Basket with a Large Bin for sifting litter
- Litter Type: Suitable with any type of non-dusty litter
- Helps in reducing the foul smell
This is quite effective in cleaning multiple litter boxes as you have to simply pour the dirty litter into it. The litter box is also available with a large bin to accumulate useful litter and use it multiple times.
Pros
- Large bin to accumulate a huge amount of clean litter
- Easy to use and handle waste
- Odor-free
- Helps in recycling and using litter efficiently
Cons
- Dusty litter can spread while cleaning
- Does not include a litter box, only a sifting basket, and a large bin
8. So Phresh Sifting Cat Litter Box
So Phresh Sifting Cat Litter Box comes with 2 trays and a sifting pan for efficient litter sifting and cleaning. Having two pans together has multiple benefits as you always have an intact litter pan at dispense in case one of them is dirty.
The litter sifting pan is present within the two boxes and sifts litter in 3 easy steps. All you need to do is follow the instructions and stack the trays in the right order to use the sifting litter box effectively.
Features
- Size: 19.7” x 15.1” x 6.3” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Sifting Litter Box with Raised rim and two trays along with a built-in sifter
- Litter Type: Suitable with non-dusty granular type litter
The design is very basic and simple and the size is suitable for most feline breeds. It is very comfortable to use and made of simple and durable plastic. It does not require vigorous sifting and scooping of waste either.
Pros
- Multiple litter pans at dispense
- Easy to use and handle waste litter
- Made in the USA
- Comes with raised rims to avoid litter spillage
Cons
- The litter box is not easy to maintain
- The sifting pan is not very efficient
9. Ferplast Birba Cat Litter Tray
The Ferplast Birba Cat Litter Tray offers an open design and is made of high-quality robust plastic. It offers a comfortable experience for your cat to pee and poop while making it easy for you to sift litter.
The sifting cat litter box allows efficient recycling and the use of litter while the waste is sifted at the top. It has 3 plastic bottoms, with one bottom being the sifting layer. The sifting is very easy and effectively traps the clumping litter while the remaining sandy particles get sifted at the bottom for reuse.
- Size: 23” x 16.5” x 8.3” (L x W x H)
- Material: Robust Plastic
- Design: Open Litter tray with 2 bases, one sifting pan, and sidelocks
- Litter Type: Suitable with fine clumping litter, do not use a coarse litter
The box is ideal for use with fine-grained litter and is not recommended for coarse litter. The tray has two side locks for fixing disposable bags if you want to attach them to the litter box. It is easy to maintain too. Practical design and easy to use, the sifting litter tray by Ferplast is loved by most cat parents.
Pros
- Simple cleaning and practical design
- Side locks to attach disposable bags
- Made of sturdy plastic material
- Open design to prevent retaining of odor
Cons
- Limited variety of litter can be used
- Litter blocks the sieves of the sifting tray
10. ARM & HAMMER Rimmed Wave Cat Litter Pan
The ARM & HAMMER Rimmed Wave Cat Litter Pan comes with two bases and one sifting pan for an efficient way to clean your feline’s litter. It helps in using the litter for a long time without you having to scoop or come in direct contact with the dirt in the box.
The sifting litter box is easy to use. All you have to do is, lift the sift pan in order to separate the soiled and tidy litter. The reinforced bottom helps in holding heavy amounts of litter too.
Features
- Size: 18.7 x 15.5 x 10.6 inches (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Open Sifting Litter Box with 2 bases and one sifting pan and sidelocks
- Litter Type: Suitable with fine litter type
The entry to the litter box is quite low making it easy for adults or small kitties to enter or exit the litter box. The side locks help in holding disposable litter bags in the sifting pan if needed. The open design prevents retaining dirty smells too.
Pros
- Simple design and with 2 base pans
- Open design and easy entry
- Side locks with a durable, tough design
- Efficient use of litter
Cons
- Does not sift clumping litter effectively
- Liquid waste runs down through the sifts making the clean litter dirty
What is a Sifting Litter Box?
A Sifting Litter Box has holes in the bottom of the litter pan which helps in sifting the clean litter below and detains the waste and dirty litter clumps at the top of the box.
Sifting litter pans makes it easier for a pet parent to clean their cat’s litter box. Moreover, it does not let the useful or reusable litter go waste while sifting the dirty litter on top of the box.
How Does a Sifting Litter Box Work?
Sifting Cat Litter Boxes usually come with two or three litter containers. When you lift the sifting pan and shake it vigorously (depending upon the type of litter), the clean litter falls in the bottom container whereas the large clumps and dirt that cannot pass through the sifting pan stay at the top.
Litter Sifting boxes that come with multiple containers make it even more efficient to separate the litter and reuse it. Here, you can use the second bottom box and place the sifting layer on top of it.
You can then pour the reusable litter from the first bottom box onto the sifting pan. This filters the clean litter into the second container and the first box can be placed below both of them again.
It’s simple, you can repeat the cycle between the first and the second litter boxes and the replacing cycle goes on. So each time, you have another litter box at standby in replacement to the dirty one. This makes it convenient to sift the dirt off their litter.
Why Should You Buy A Sifting Litter Box?
If you want to save time cleaning the litter box, make it easier to clean a cat litter box, reuse cat litter efficiently, and reduce dirt and odor around the house and litter pan, then you should definitely get a sifting litter box.
Cat parents will relate to the fact that it can be tedious to clean their feline’s litter box each time it gets dirty. Therefore, as a feline parent, for efficient and faster cleaning without taking much effort, a sifting pan is the best investment you can make for your kitty.
Sifting cat litter boxes especially hold good for multiple cat households as it can be a tough job to maintain the litter for multiple felines. As per requirement, there are various types of litter sifting boxes available.
They usually come with or without hoods, are available in a variety of sizes, some are self-cleaning, and a few of them come with disposable trays. Each of them has its benefits and facilitates efficient litter separation.
Advantages of Using a Sifting Litter Box
Now that we know that sifting litter boxes provide ease and convenience in separating litter, we enlist a few more advantages, for you to consider getting a litter sifting box.
Ease of Cleaning
For all those who are fed up with cleaning litter and deter from touching their stinky poop and sheddings, a sifting litter box makes it easy to separate reusable litter without any hassles. You do not have to come in direct contact with their waste while cleaning.
Moreover, with a bit of vigorous shaking, you can have the reusable litter separated off the dirtier one in a jiffy. This prevents the spreading of odor and dirt in the litter box as well as your house and keeps it intact for use each time your cat wants to do her shedding business.
Saves Time
If there are multiple clumps and a huge amount of waste that has accumulated in the box, then sifting it manually after your kitty uses it each time can be very time-consuming and irritating.
Not only does it feel very pleasant to do, but at the same time, you have to spend most of your time separating the litter yourself. Worst case, if you have multiple cats, then imagine yourself cleaning litter all day.
You need to sift cat litter at least twice a day. And if there is a large chunk of clumping clay or waste to be sorted, then sifting litter pans definitely save time and manual effort each time your cat uses the litter box.
Reduces Use of Litter
Since the non-clumped, reusable litter gets sifted off the pan, your cat litter is used pretty efficiently and the excess litter is not wasted. The sifting mechanism provides you value for money spent on purchasing any type of cat litter.
Attractive Designs
Sifting litter boxes are available in various types, hooded, covered, disposable trays, high walled boxes, large pan size, etc. These designs make sure that the litter box and the surrounding area remain neat and odor-free as well as comfortable for your cat to use.
Hooded litter boxes make sure that the litter is not spilled out and the dirty smell is retained within the box before you sift the litter from it.
The same goes for high-walled litter boxes except for they are open and ventilated. These designs come with sifting pans within the box that ensures efficient and convenient litter sifting.
Drawbacks of Sifting Litter Box
While it provides ease of sifting litter off the box, there are also certain disadvantages to using a sifting pan. Here is what we think are the drawbacks of using a sifting litter box:
Dusty to Use
While sifting the litter each time, it can get dusty to clear considering the texture and type of litter used. Mostly cats and cat parents prefer clumping litter which can be very dusty.
Therefore, each time you shake it to sift the dirty litter on top and clean fine litter pieces, there is some dust that spreads across your house or floor, especially the fine litter particles. This can cause irritation and allergic reactions in pets as well as you.
Limited Choice of Litter
You can use only a particular type of litter, with smaller granules that can sift through the pan easily and clumping litter that can stay on the top of the pan.
This automatically rules out all other varieties of litter you may want to try as per your cat’s preference and your convenience.
Therefore, if you want to change the litter type, the sifting pan would not filter any other type of litter apart from the finer varieties leaving less choice for you and your cat to explore.
Litter Box Maintenance
Sifting litter boxes have more than one litter pan. Therefore, cleaning multiple litter pans on a regular basis can be a hassle.
The sifting litter box helps you sift off the dirty clumping litter easily. However, when it comes to cleaning the box thoroughly on a weekly basis, washing every nook and corner of the sifting pan can feel like quite a task.
How to Choose The Best Sifting Cat Litter Box?
Here are the steps you must follow before choosing the best sifting cat litter box for your furball:
Size
Size is a very important feature to consider as you need to make sure your cat feels comfortable while peeing or pooping inside the box. Usually, sifting litter boxes come with 2-3 large-sized pans to accommodate your cat or multiple cats comfortably and sift litter efficiently.
Hooded Litter Box
Some cats prefer carrying out their shedding business in the open while some like to do it in privacy. If your cat likes a private space, then a hooded sifting litter box makes for a good choice.
However, hooded boxes would mean extra washing since while rinsing the entire box, you will have to wash the hood as well.
However, hooded boxes not only provide comfort and privacy to your cat but also help in controlling foul smells and also prevent litter from spreading around the house.
Material
The material of the sifting litter box should be tough and durable as well as lightweight for daily lifting and sifting the litter in it. It should be able to withstand vigorous movement during sifting and not fall apart while you try to shake it.
Litter boxes that are made of reinforced plastic are durable, lightweight, and quite apt for daily use
Ease of Cleaning
Sifting cat litter boxes may demand extra work and washing due to having multiple pans. However, since it reduces the hassles of having to sift the litter each time after your cat’s shedding business, it is worth considering.
Make sure to go for a good quality sifting litter box that is easier to maintain and does not allow staining or retain sticky dirt for a long time on its surfaces.
Ease of Use
While choosing a sifting litter box, you must see to it that the sifting process is easy to carry out to make your litter cleaning simpler.
Usually, a litter box design having raised sides and 2-3 pans make it convenient to sift and keep an extra pan handy at dispense after sifting dirty litter.
Odor Control
One of the main features you would want to consider is keeping the odor in check after your cat sheds. Litter boxes that are of open type may lead to the spreading of foul smell which may also depend upon the type of litter and cleaning frequency.
However, if the litter box is adequately covered or closed, it prevents the spreading of odor and makes your cat feel private and secure.
Type of Litter
Usually cats and cat parents, both prefer using the clumping litter as it soaks urine well and provides a good surface for burrowing your cat’s poop. However, clumping litter is not quite advisable for small kittens that are 3-4 months of age.
Moreover, if your cat is picky about the type of litter, you will not be able to change the litter type as per her liking. This is because your litter box cannot sift any other litter type.
This might refrain your cat from using the litter box and you will find her shedding anywhere around the house. Therefore, it is very necessary to consider the type of litter your kitty prefers and then choose an appropriate sifting litter box.
Additionally, it is important to get a dust-free type of litter to avoid any allergies or dust while sifting.
FAQs
Are sifting litter boxes good?
Sifting litter boxes are quite efficient in separating the waste from the reusable litter thereby making your litter separation task easy.
If you want to save time and not face the hassles of cleaning your cat’s litter after every use, then sifting litter boxes are definitely good for you.
How often do you change a sifting litter box?
Sifting litter boxes help in the efficient removal of waste from useful litter and should be emptied almost daily in order to prevent the spread of odor or bacteria.
If you see the amount of litter has reduced in the box, you can top it up with fresh litter anytime.
How to clean a sifting cat litter box?
To clean, put the dirty litter present in the first litter box over the sifting pan. The sifting pan should be placed on the second litter container. By doing so, the dirt is stuck on the sift pan while the clean litter is collected in the second litter box.
Now, dispose of the dirty litter from the sifting tray and place it on top of the empty pan. The second pan with the clean litter will now be placed on top of the sifting tray.
Do sifting litter boxes work with all types of cat litter?
The best type of cat litter for a sifting litter box is the self-clumping type that forms easy clumps and does not allow the urine to pass through the sifting pan. Moreover, the size of the litter particles has to be fine and small to pass through the sifting pan easily.
How much does a sifting litter box cost?
A sifting cat litter box can cost anywhere between $16-$56 depending upon the quality, design, and sifting efficiency. If you are looking for a budget purchase with great quality, then the Petmate Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box is a good choice and costs around $16-$18.
If you are looking out for an all-in-one cleaning system that helps in litter sifting as well as tracking, then the Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System will cost you anywhere between $55-$58.
For a hooded and covered design to offer your cat some private space while peeing and pooping, you can opt for the Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box which costs anywhere between $32-$34.
Which is the best sifting litter box?
According to us, the best sifting cat litter box is the Purina Tidy Cats Litter Box System which offers an all-in-one cleaning and anti-tracking system which is quick and easy to use.
For a hooded and private space for your cat, you can opt for the Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box.
If you are looking out for a sifting litter box at a budget price, you can choose the Petmate Arm and Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box.
Final Note
If litter cleaning and manual sifting is a hassle, then sifting litter boxes is an all-in-one solution to efficient litter sifting. You do not have to come in direct contact with the dirty litter.
Moreover, these litter boxes usually come with multiple base pans to collect the clean litter and reuse it. This contributes to the efficient use of litter. The waste and clumping litter can be collected separately and disposed of in the bin.
Such regular sifting and cleaning measures help keep the odor inside the box under control and prevent the spread of germs and pathogenic bacteria.
Ultimately, it will promote litter box usage while you do not have to bear the hassles of sifting poop and clumps through the litter.
Read our reviews above on the best sifting cat litter boxes as we help you make your litter sifting easier.
References
- Is a Self-Cleaning Litter Box Really Less Work? — PetMD
- How to Make Cat Litter Last Longer — Petmate
- Cat Litter Guide — Purina