Cat Box That Keeps Litter In: High-Sided Picks for Kickers
Cats kick litter over a low rim while they bury waste. Trim the depth and try a tote hack first, then add a high-sided box that catches what flies.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read
- Time
- 20 min
- Cost
- $20-$50
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
Litter spreads because cats dig hard and kick it backward over a low rim, and some pee over the edge while standing. Cut the litter to 2 or 3 inches and put a tray or rug under the box. If it still scatters, the walls are too low. A high-sided box with a low front entry catches the kicks while keeping a way in for kittens and older cats.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Less litter, a catch tray and a DIY tote
- Cut the litter depth to 2 or 3 inches
- Set the box on a rug, tray or large towel
- Push one side of the box against a wall
- Try a big storage tote with a cut entry as a high-sided box
How long it lasts: Weeks to months. It trims the mess, but a big digger still flings litter over a low rim.
A high-sided litter box with a low front entry
A kick throws litter up and out, so higher sides and a tall back stop it from clearing the rim. A low dip at the front keeps the box easy to step into. It fixes the cause, which is the low wall, instead of cleaning up after it.
What to get: High-sided litter box with a low front entry
How long it lasts: Years. The walls do the catching every day.
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What you'll need
-
Large plastic storage tote
Becomes a free high-sided box
You have it -
Utility knife and sandpaper
To cut the entry and smooth the edge
You have it -
Old rug or large towel
Catches what gets past the box
You have it - Our pick Illustration
High-sided litter box with a low front entry
Check the entry height for kittens and seniors
- Illustration
Clip-on litter box splash guard
Raises the walls of a box you already own
- Illustration
Top-entry litter box
For healthy cats that jump well
Why it happens
A low rim
Standard open boxes have sides only a few inches high. Many cats dig, then kick backward, and the litter clears the wall.
Too much litter
Deep litter slides and sprays as the cat digs. Two to three inches is enough for most clumping litters.
A box that is too small
A cat that cannot turn around may stand half in and half out, which sends litter over the edge. A good size is about 1.5 times your cat's length, nose to the base of the tail.
Peeing from a standing position
Some cats stand and aim over the wall. If it happens often, or your cat also goes outside the box, see your vet, because it can point to a health problem or stress.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Cut the litter to 2 or 3 inches
Scoop out the extra. Less depth means less to fling, and most cats are fine with it.
-
Block one side
Slide the box so one side meets a wall. Leave the entry facing the room, so your cat can see out and does not feel trapped.
-
Build a high-sided box from a tote
Tool used: Large plastic storage toteUse a utility knife to cut a doorway into one short side of a large tote, leaving a low step at the bottom. Sand the cut edge smooth, then fill the tote with litter. Cut away from your body.
-
Catch what escapes
Tool used: Old rug or large towelPut the box on a rug or large towel and shake it outside once a week. It keeps the mess in one spot until you upgrade the box.
When free fixes aren't enough
If litter still showers over the edge after the free steps, the wall is too low for the way your cat digs. A tote can work, but the plastic can crack, and some cats dislike the cut edge or the smell. A purpose-made high-sided box has smooth walls, thicker plastic and a built-in low entry, so it stops the kick at the wall. If your cat is peeing outside the box, straining, or the urine looks bloody, call your vet right away instead of changing boxes.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | High-sided litter box with a low front entry | litter kicked or sprayed over the rim | Cats that dig and kick hard, and owners who sweep up every day. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Clip-on litter box splash guard | litter and urine going over the back and sides of a low box | Owners who like their current box and only need taller walls. | Check price |
| Upgrade pick | Top-entry litter box | kicking, spraying and tracking from one box | Healthy adult cats that jump well, and homes where a dog raids the box. | Check price |
High-sided litter box with a low front entry
Fixes: litter kicked or sprayed over the rim
Look for: Sides and back well above the litter line, so check the wall height on the listing; Big enough to be about 1.5 times your cat's length; A low dip or step at the front for kittens and older cats; Smooth plastic that wipes or rinses clean.
- Who it's for
- Cats that dig and kick hard, and owners who sweep up every day.
- Honest downside
- Your cat has stiff joints or is a small kitten and the entry is high. Check the entry height first.
Clip-on litter box splash guard
Fixes: litter and urine going over the back and sides of a low box
Look for: A fit for your box's rim, so check the listing; Flexible material with no sharp edges; Easy to rinse and wipe.
- Who it's for
- Owners who like their current box and only need taller walls.
- Honest downside
- Your box is cracked, old or too small for your cat. Fix the box first, since a guard cannot fix a cramped cat.
Top-entry litter box
Fixes: kicking, spraying and tracking from one box
Look for: A lid opening wide enough for your cat, with a grate or ridges that shake off paws; A roomy interior; A lid that comes off for cleaning.
- Who it's for
- Healthy adult cats that jump well, and homes where a dog raids the box.
- Honest downside
- Your cat is a kitten, a senior or has arthritis, or you have a large cat that struggles to climb in. Some cats also refuse an enclosed box.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on veterinary advice on litter box size and depth, cat behavior guides, and what owners report in reviews of high-sided and top-entry boxes. We do not test products by hand.
Check the entry before you buy
High walls only help if your cat can still get in. Kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints may need a low entry, only a few inches off the floor. Look for a box with high sides and a high back, plus a lower dip at the front.
Which kind of mess do you have?
- Kicks litter backward: choose a high back and sides.
- Pees standing and hits the wall: look for a tall back and sides. If this is new, see your vet.
- Carries litter out on its paws: that is tracking, and a mat just outside the exit handles it.
What to skip
Deeper litter and scented fixes
Adding more litter does not catch more. It gives your cat more to fling, and it spills sooner. A scented spray or a decorative cover that hides the mess does not help either. Fix the wall height instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop my cat from kicking litter out of the box?
Why does my cat kick litter everywhere?
Will my cat use a covered or top-entry box?
What size box do I need?
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