Everyone who travels with a cat is going to need a disposable litter box. Today, we’re going to look at the best ones on Amazon, as well as a few others that have great rankings.
*This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
What Is The Best One for A Cat?
The Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Box is rated as one of the best ones on the market. It is constructed with recycled paper and is 100% biodegradable. All you have to do is fill with your favorite cat litter and re-use. (you can read an in-depth review below)
What Does Biodegradable Mean?
The term “biodegradable” basically means that these disposable litter pans will completely break down and decompose into natural elements typically within a year or less. Most biodegradable materials are constructed with corrugated cardboard and sometimes plastics.
This means that they can be disposed of in landfills and are not harmful to the environment. So you can feel guilt-free when you are using disposable litter trays for cats.
What Is A Throw-Away Litter Box and Why You Need One?
Unlike your traditional litter boxes or self-cleaning types, these litter boxes are designed with the use-and-discard mentality. They do not require frequent scooping (unless you want it to last longer) and can last anywhere from one to four weeks.
They are usually constructed of biodegradable and recycled materials (paper and cardboard) that can be disposed of in landfills. Some high-quality throw-away litter boxes are coated with odor-prevention material to minimize urine and defecation odors, as well as pre-filled biodegradable paper-pellet litter.
These litter boxes are available in different sizes and enclosed or open designs. Which makes them perfect for any size of feline.
The best part is the price range will vary from $7.00 – $50.00 depending on the type and brand. (we’ll cover more about that in a bit)
This may sound like a lot to pay for an eco-friendly litter box, but most of them will come in a multi-quantity pack.
Throw-away boxes are perfect for many different situations and can serve for the following purposes:
Stand-alone litter box at home: Use as a standalone use-and-throw disposable kitty litter box. Just add litter and once it has reached its life cycle, toss it away.
Traveling or temporary location: If you spend any time traveling with cats, then these are perfect for taking along with you so your kitty can use. Look for the ones that specifically say they collapse to a packable size.
Litter box liner: Use them as a litter box liner for your current box. This will provide additional odor control for your standard box. These are perfect if you have an elderly cat, or multiple cats and struggle with cat odor.
The liner will help keep your litter dry and extend the life of it. Not to mention, the litter will provide added protection for your more expensive litter box.
Housebreaking or backup litter box: Perfect for kittens that are just learning how to use the litter box. You can place it another room in your home and keep it as a backup.
Which is perfect if you have multiple cats and one is always hogging the box.
Budget-friendly: Perfect for money-conscious pet lovers. It’s easy to find a quality designed product that fits your budget.
Tired of deep cleaning: Unless you have a self-cleaning litter box, it can be back-breaking work to clean up after your cat, not to mention disgusting.
Eco-Friendly: Designed with 100% biodegradable material. It doesn’t hurt the environment or adds to global warming when you dispose of it in your landfill.
How Long Do They Last?
No one wants to spend their time cleaning a litter box, especially, while you’re traveling. They are designed to last one week for one healthy, averaged size cat. (without scooping)
They can last up to 4 weeks or longer with regular scooping or using some type of disposable liners.
Disposable vs Plastic
One of the biggest concerns from cat owners is the sanitation and odor control of the traditional litter box. With the introduction of the temporary litter boxes, cat owners can now spend less time maintaining their kitty’s litter box.
- Plastic: Scrub with soap and water.
- Disposable: Throw away and that’s it.
The disposable ones reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis, a bacterium that all cats carry. It is contagious to humans and can be contracted through your cat’s feces.
Disposable kitty boxes are much more sanitary than traditional types.
Best Ones for Travel
After doing some due diligence I found the Nature’s Miracle and the Kitty’s Wonderbox throw away litter boxes to be perfect for anyone who travels. They will fit perfectly in the trunk of your car and can be set up in your temporary location quickly.
All you have to do is add cat litter and let Fluffy take care of their business.
An In-Depth Review Of Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Box
With over 1,000 4.5 star reviews on Amazon, this seems to be the one that cat lovers love. This litter pan is durable and won’t or shred like plastic liners.
It has built-in baking soda to help control the ammonia odors. You can use any type of litter in it. Because of the sturdiness, it can be used as a stand-alone product or as a liner for a current litter box.
Features
Best-Selling: Open litter box that comes in 3 different sizes. Constructed of US high-grade 100% recycled paper material. Completely biodegradable and safe for landfills.
Waterproof and Disposable: Designed with a sturdy biodegradable material that will not leak or shred. Easy to dispose of and guilt-free because it is safe for landfills.
Baking Soda: Built into the walls to help minimize the smell of ammonia odors.
Odor Control: Works with 2-in-1 odor control technology. The enhanced airflow technology helps filter out odors and works to reduce that cat smell.
Improved Litter Life: The 2-in-1 technology airflow keeps the litter drier and helps extend the life of it.
Clean-Up: No more backbreaking or deep cleaning plastic litter boxes. When finished, just throw away the box.
Portability: Lightweight and extremely portable.
LItter Types: Works with all types of litter Crystal Litter, Defense Odor Control Litter, Pine Pellets and other types of non-clumping litter.
How to Use
Add 2-3″ of your cat’s favorite litter. To keep the box smelling fresh and make it last longer, scoop clumps and remove waste once daily. That’s it, nothing else is required until it’s ready to be tossed in the trash.
Sizes
As I mentioned above, this box comes in several different sizes, which makes it perfect for kittens and full-grown cats. You’ll find the dimensions for all the sizes below:
- Small animal and kittens: 12.5 x 10.13 x 3.13 inches
- Small to medium felines: 17.1 x 12.6 x 6.4 inches
- Medium to large felines: 21 x 15.25 x 7.75 inches
Buy It
This box is perfect for anyone who travels with their cat or is just tired of deep-cleaning their cat’s box. I highly recommend the Nature’s Miracle Throw-Away Litter Box. It’s budget friendly and at the time of this writing comes in a 3-pack.
Kitty’s WonderBox
The Kitty’s WonderBox is another popular one that is available in 1-count and 3-count packages. It is constructed of recycled paper and is 100% leak-proof for up to one month. (depending on how many cats use it)
It is specially designed with an air filtration system that helps keep the litter dry and odor free up to 30 days. This box can be used as a stand-alone box or as a liner for a traditional litter tray, to help make the clean-up easier.
It’s designed with claw-proof material, so your cat won’t shred it to bits. You can use any type of litter and to clean it up, just toss it in the landfill without feeling guilty.
How to Choose The Best One
With so many different boxes to choose from such as Wonderbox cat, Kitty’s Wonderbox, Jonny Cat and etc, it can be confusing to choose the right one. You’ll find some tips below to help ensure you choose the right one for your needs.
Construction and Material: If it is disposable, make sure that it says 100% biodegradable. Most of them will be made from cardboard or recycled material.
A liner or No Liner? Are you planning on using liners with it or as a stand-alone box? If it’s going to be used as a stand-alone product, make sure that it is leak-proof and durable.
Open or Closed? Does your cat prefer an enclosed or open litter box? I’d recommend getting the type that your cat prefers, especially, if you want them to actually use it.
Lifespan: Unlike the standard boxes, a temporary litter box has a life of around 1-4 weeks. Depending on whether you scoop or not.
Where to Buy One: You can pick these up at your favorite pet store chains like Petsmart, PetCo and even Target and Walmart. But don’t overlook buying online at Amazon.
Size: Determine if you need a jumbo or small size. If you’re getting an enclosed room, make sure your cat has enough room to turn around and scratch comfortably.
Tips for Getting Your Cat to Use The Litter Box
If you’re thinking about changing your cat’s litter box, don’t be surprised if you encounter some resistance. Cats are creatures of habits and you will need to take some steps to get them to use the new one.
These tips will help make it easier for you to get your cat to use the new litter box:
Place it in the same place: It’ll be much easier to get your cat to use it if you put it in the same spot where the old one was. Maintaining the same space will help ease the surprise of the change.
Make it enticing: Add fresh new litter, some felines prefer sparkling new litter.
Keep The Original: If you have enough space in your house, put the new one beside the old one and keep the litter fresh in the new one. Eventually, your kitty will realize that the new one is fresh and they will abandon the old one.
Privacy: Some cats prefer privacy while they are taking care of business. Move it to a less public place to see if they’ll start using it.
Tips to Keep Your Litter Box Smelling Fresh
These tips will help you fight the stink and keep you and your kitty happy:
Scoop: Portable litter boxes should be scooped at least once per day. This will help eliminate the pungent smell from urine and feces.
Throw It Away: Once the life span has been reached on your temporary litter box, throw it out. They are not designed to be used permanently.
Add New Litter: After scooping, add some new fresh litter on top. This will help keep the box clean and smelling fresh.
Keep It In A Well-Ventilated Area: Dark, tiny spaces can cause the odor to concentrate and build up. Make sure you place it in a well-ventilated and lit spot that will help disperse the smell and make it inviting for your cat.
Add Baking Soda: It’s a great all natural deodorizer and can help control litter box odor. It’s non-toxic and completely safe for cats.
Baking soda does not replace the daily scooping
Best Cat Litter to Use With Disposable Litter Pans
Most travel boxes for cats allow you to use any type of litter. This means that you should be able to continue using your cat’s favorite type.
After doing some research, people prefer using clumping cat litter because it makes it easier to keep the temporary boxes clean.
How to Make A Homemade Litter Box?
If you’re on vacation or just want to try making your own, then you’ll need the following items to construct your own:
- Cardboard box
- Cutting utensils
- Plastic bag
- Tape
- Cat litter
Shape the cardboard like a litter box and line it with plastic. I’d recommend using a large trash bag instead of Walmart bags.
Tape it to the cardboard box to keep it in place when you add the cat litter.
Now, let kitty use the litter and pray that you used thick a thick enough cardboard.
A homemade litter box won’t be as durable and long-lasting as one that you buy. But it can hold you over while you’re on vacation or until you have the time to order one from this page.
Here’s a video that will walk you through on how to make one, in case you’re a visual learner like me.
Best DIY Cat Litter Box
Bottom Line
These are the perfect solutions for anyone who travels with their cat or doesn’t want to clean the standard type of kitty litter boxes any more.
If you’re getting ready to travel, I’d recommend buying one a month before your trip and start getting your cat used to using it.
You don’t want to switch out their litter box while on vacation. As I mentioned, some cats are finicky and won’t want to use a new litter box.