Litter Boxes for Maine Coons and Large Cats: Size, Entry Height and Automatic Options

The ideal size of a Maine Coon litter box is 1.5x the length of the body of your cat measured from nose to tail. So, for an average-sized cat with an 18-inch body length, the ideal litter box is around 27 inches in length and 18 inches in width. It is larger than many commercially available "jumbo" boxes. Even automatic boxes will serve the purpose. The appropriate litter box size is determined by the size of the litter box bed, entry, and manufacturer-stated weight range, not an XL label or box dimensions. In the table below, you will find the size equation, weight capacity chart, entrance height of various cats and position of AutoScooper models. Why Large Cats Outgrow Standard Litter Boxes Cats don't just squat. They step in, turn, stretch, dig, then turn again to cover. A feline behavior consultant writing for the Pet Professional Guild puts a standard box at about 16 by 10 inches and a jumbo at about 22 by 18. Neither leaves an 18-inch cat much room. Box size issues manifest in routines before they manifest in accidents. Look for a cat sitting on top of the box, feces or urine getting outside the box, scratching the walls or floor rather than the litter, or using the box right next to it. One cat owner observed her male, who likes to sprawl out, could not fit into a box that was comfortable for her housemate to use. How to Calculate the Right Litter Box Size for Your Cat 1. Measure Your Cat Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, with your cat standing or stretched out on its side. Leave the tail out. A soft sewing tape and a few treats help, and taking two readings gives you a fair average. 2. Apply the Formula Length of box should be greater than or equal to length of body multiplied by 1.5. This is the standard followed by all behavioral experts. As far as width of box is concerned, it should be greater than or equal to length of body so that your cat is able to rotate itself without hitting walls. Depth of litter should be around 2 to 3 inches in a manual box. Cat body length (nose to tail base) Minimum box length Minimum box width 14 in 21 in 14 in 16 in 24 in 16 in 18 in 27 in 18 in 20 in 30 in 20 in 22 in 33 in 22 in 3. Check Against the Usable Space Measurement must be done within the box at the litter level, not the outside case. For the round container, the useable bed will be approximately the same size as the length of the cat to allow for turning. The owners have found that despite the difference in the look of the two boxes, their useable beds are approximately the same size, about 14 inches squared. Large Cat Breed Weight Chart Size your box by length first. Weight still matters for automatic boxes, which publish a weight range. These are typical adult ranges from a vet reviewed breed guide. Breed Typical adult weight What it means for the box Maine Coon 8 to 18 lb Long body; size by length, not weight Norwegian Forest Cat 12 to 16 lb Keen digger; keep litter at full depth Siberian 12 to 15 lb Muscular; choose a stable base Ragdoll 10 to 20 lb Long, relaxed posture; needs turning room RagaMuffin 10 to 20 lb Long body; check usable length British Shorthair 7 to 17 lb Stocky; easy entry for older cats Maine Coons grow slowly. The Cat Fanciers' Association says males usually weigh 12 to 15 lb, some reach 20 lb or more, and the breed often isn't fully developed until 3 to 4 years old. Buy for the adult size. Entry Height and Side Height for Big Cats Tall sides and an easy entry don't have to fight each other. Keep the high walls at the back and sides, and the low point where your cat steps in. Cat Entry Sides Young adult large cat Steps over most entries Higher sides help if it sprays over the edge Senior or stiff joints Low entry or a step Keep high sides away from the entry Large breed kitten Low entry Adult size box with a low entry side Veterinary litter training advice recommends lower sided boxes for kittens and senior cats. Cats that stand to urinate need taller sides or a deeper bed. On the AutoScooper 12 Lite, the entrance sits 12.4 inches high and a front entry step comes in the box, and our automatic kitty litter box guide covers setup for kittens. Can a Maine Coon Use an Automatic Litter Box? Yes, provided that the box is compatible with the cat’s weight and length. An individual with six cats, of which four are large, manages three automatic litter boxes with no issues, reserving a standard litter pan for their elderly cat. There are five factors to consider when purchasing a litter box: weight capacity, bed dimensions, entry dimensions, bin capacity, and cleaning interval. The label on a litter box with "xl" automatic does not say much without actual numbers. Large cats tend to form large clumps as well, so having a more spacious waste bin can save you from making more trips. Here is a comparison between two AutoScooper models in numbers provided by PetPivot. AutoScooper 12 Lite AutoScooper 11 Entrance 12.4 in high 15.35 × 15.35 in Cat weight Automatic mode from 3 lb 3 to 22 lb Waste bin 8 L 10 L Fits best Most adult cats; measure very long cats first Longer and heavier cats For a long Maine Coon male, the AutoScooper 11's wider entrance is the safer starting point. The AutoScooper 12 Lite suits smaller large breed cats and homes with less floor space. Setup Tips for a Large Cat's Box Litter depth 2 to 3 inches in a manual box; between MIN and MAX in an automatic one. Placement A quiet spot with room to step out on every side, away from loud appliances. Number of boxes Cornell's feline health experts advise as many boxes as cats, plus one. Mat or step Big paws carry more litter, so a mat or step catches it at the exit. Emptying Heavier clumps fill a bin faster, so stick to the emptying schedule. Sharing one machine across several large cats? Our guide to large automatic litter boxes for multiple cats covers capacity and placement. Budget Fix: The Storage Tote Box For very large cats, a long under-the-bed storage tote or a mixing tub gives 27 to 36 inches of length for a few dollars. Cut a low entry on one side and sand the edge smooth. The same behavior consultant used long tubs to stop a large cat from going outside the box. It also makes a good "plus one" box next to an automatic unit. Large Cat Litter Box Checklist Run through these 10 checks before you buy. Check What to look for 1. Length At least 1.5 × body length 2. Width At least one body length 3. Usable bed Measured inside, at litter level 4. Entry height Matches your cat's age and joints 5. Side height Tall enough for a cat that stands to pee 6. Weight rating Published range above your cat's weight, with margin 7. Turning room Your cat turns without touching the walls 8. Bin size Larger for heavy clumps or 2 or more cats 9. Stability No tipping when a heavy cat steps on the rim 10. Return window Time to test the fit with your cat Compare entrance sizes and bins across the AutoScooper range. FAQs What size litter box does a Maine Coon need? At least 1.5 times its body length, measured nose to tail base, and about one body length wide. For an 18 inch adult, that's roughly 27 by 18 inches, larger than most jumbo boxes. Can Maine Coons use automatic litter boxes? Yes, when the box fits. Check the published weight range, the usable bed and the entrance size. The AutoScooper 11, with a 15.35 inch square entrance and a 3 to 22 lb range, suits most long males. How big do Maine Coons get? Males usually weigh 12 to 15 lb, and some reach 20 lb or more. Females average 9 to 12 lb. Many aren't fully grown until 3 to 4 years old, so buy for the adult size. How many litter boxes does a Maine Coon need? One per cat, plus one. A single Maine Coon needs two boxes, ideally in different spots. An automatic box and a long manual tray make a practical pair. How do I know if my cat's litter box is too small? Watch for perching on the rim, waste landing over the edge, scratching the floor or walls instead of the litter, or going right beside the box. Any of these means it's time to measure. Should a Maine Coon kitten start in a large box? Yes. Choose an adult size box with a low entry on one side. Automatic cleaning should wait until the kitten meets the model's minimum age and weight, 6 months and 3 lb for the 12 Lite. What is the weight limit for an automatic litter box? It varies by model, so check the published range. The AutoScooper 11 lists 3 to 22 lb. Length and turning room matter as much as weight for a long cat. Is a covered or open litter box right for a large cat? It depends on your cat. Open boxes give big cats more headroom and a quick exit. Covered boxes hold in scatter but limit space, so check the interior height and turning room first.