Best Cat Litter Mats

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic

Take a look at our list of top best cat litter mats to find a type that matches the type of litter and size of the litter box your cat uses – and you’ll finally say goodbye to litter tracking.

One of the (nicer) things cats are known for is the fact that they are quite clean. They groom themselves, know how to go potty without your assistance, and then cover up the traces of their smelly deed once they’re done. Of course, while us cat owners are quick to point out how great it is that cats are smart enough to go to the bathroom on their own, there’s a teensy problem with their toilet routine that doesn’t always get mentioned: litter tracking. Despite feline cleanliness and our efforts to choose the best litter box and litter, cats can often track bits of litter all over the place on their paws. Even if you have their litter stashed away somewhere far from furniture and carpets, such as the bathroom, it still isn’t pleasant to step on litter (and it can be downright disgusting- if the litter has something else on it).

Why do I need cat litter mats?

Cat litter mats are designed to solve the issue of litter tracking by retaining any stray litter from your cat’s paws as soon as they get out of the litter box. That way, the mess is minimized and localized near the litter, so it won’t bother you. Of course, there are various types of litter mats to match different needs and preferences, so it’s important to pick out the right type if you truly want to eliminate litter mess in your home. Not all cats have the same toilet habits, not all litters are the same size and texture, and not all litter box issues are just about the litter tracking- sometimes you want to be covered in case your cat often misses the mark when peeing. Needless to say, you’ll have to do some brainstorming before you pick up a litter mat for your kitty.

What to consider when choosing cat litter mats?

The first things to pay attention to are the dimensions and shape of the mat. You have to make sure it will cover enough space around your litter box and that it will fit the place you’re keeping the box at. Next is the design of the litter trapping texture and its ability to retain litter within the litter box range. Some litter mats use synthetic loop fibers to trap finer dust and smaller crumbs typical for clumping litters, others have a ridged or honeycomb-like surface to trap both finer and larger particles, so they will work with litter such as pellets or crystals.

Once you figure out which type of cat litter mats matches the type of litter and size of the litter box your cat uses, you’re all set. Our diverse list of top 10 best cat litter mats includes various different bestsellers- so whichever you end up buying, you can be sure you’re getting the best there is.

1. Editor’s Choice: BlackHole Litter Mat

This cat litter mat really has it all. Beautiful design, practical dimensions, unparalleled functionality- you can’t go wrong with BlackHole Litter Mat whichever type of litter you’re using. The deep honeycomb texture efficiently traps all types of litter, including clay, crystal, corn, clumping, wheat, and pellets. To boot, this cat litter mat has a dual-layer design which means that any litter that is trapped in the top honeycomb layer will sift through to the bottom waterproof layer, so you can just empty it after a few days. The bottom is waterproof, so if any urine gets to the litter mat, it won’t seep through to the floor below. Also, another bonus is that you get to choose the color: the BlackHole Litter Mat comes in beige, dark gray, light gray, cream, and pink.

2. Runner Up: PetEiZi Cat Litter Matt

Why not choose a cat litter mat with a bit of flair? Litter mats don’t have to be boring – there are plenty of fun designs that do the job great. This particular litter mat comes in 5 quirky and cute designs, including kitty mermaid, panda, kitties with yarn balls, or “everyday is caturday” print to brighten up your cat’s litter space. It is made from durable, safe phthalate-free PVC materials with loop-like fibers that trap litter and prevent tracking around the house. Easy to clean, this litter mat can be vacuumed on a regular basis to remove litter debris (or just shake it off if you prefer) and washed occasionally to keep it clean and hygienic. The litter mat measures 24” by 16”, which will do great for most feline’s needs.

3. Customer Choice: Petlinks Purrfect Paws Gray Cat Litter Mat

The deep round hollows of the Petlinks Purrfect Paws will capture every little bit of the litter and keep it there- until you’re ready to vacuum it all up or simply shake it off in the bin. The waterproof, flexible material of this litter mat makes it a good choice as a placemat for food and water bowls, as it will keep kibble bits in place- if you have a messy eater, it pays off to order double right away. And as this litter mat measures 23.25” by 14.96” it will suit the dimensions of the majority of litter boxes.

4. Best Design: Easyology Tidy Cat Litter Mat

The woven nylon fibers and rubber backing are a standard for most cat litter mats, but what makes Easyology’s product stand out is its design. The elegant texture and neutral dark grey color of this litter mat makes it a popular choice, as it will fit in any interior without sticking out like a sore thumb. And the effectiveness of litter-trapping loop fibers and large dimensions of the mat don’t hurt, either! It is also very lightweight (at 2.2 lbs), water-resistant, and easy to clean – just shake the litter off, vacuum it, or rinse under water if needed. As an added guarantee of quality, this litter mat boasts Amazon’s Choice award, and a 4.5 star rating from over 9,000 reviewers.

5. Best Large Size: iPrimio Large Cat Litter Trapper Mat

This is a dual-layer mat, which means that litter particles fall through holes of the top layer and get “sandwiched” with a waterproof layer below them, and stay there until you’re ready to empty the litter mat. This minimizes the potential of litter getting off of the mat and makes cleaning even more effortless. The iPrimio features larger holes (suitable for chunkier litters such as wood pellets), and it’s also a great choice for cats that tend to pee outside the litter box. Not only it is waterproof but it is designed to fit a pee pad between the layers, for added security.

6. Best Budget: Fresh Kitty Durable XL Jumbo Foam Litter Box Mat

Simple, soft, and practical- this litter mat boasts it all. A budget-friendly cat litter mat large enough to make sure that litter doesn’t get tracked around the room, Fresh Kitty Durable XL Jumbo Foam Litter Box Mat is made from a soft, gentle foam material that will make your cat feel like they’re walking on clouds. Unlike some harsh materials that are chosen for their grippiness, this type of textured foam manages to trap litter without being abrasive on those cute little jelly beans! The secret of the effectiveness of this mat is the ribbed surface that keeps the litter trapped inside- until you shake them out or wash the mat, which can be cleaned manually or thrown in the washing machine for a spin. Of course, if your cat is a notorious scratcher, this type of gentle material might not be the best choice as it’s not as durable as rubber or nylon- repeated clawing will leave its mark. Fresh Kitty Durable XL Jumbo Foam Litter Box Mat measures 40″ x 25″ which will cover the whole area around the litter box and comes in an elegant black and white quatrefoil print that will seamlessly match any bathroom theme and color scheme.

7. Best Easy-to-Clean: PetFusion ToughGrip Cat Litter Mat

The unique design of the ToughGrip cat litter mat ensures that it’s incredibly easy to clean. Broom, vacuum cleaner, sponge, just tilting it to get rid of litter bits- you name it, it will get ToughGrip litter-free and ready to use again. The mat is made from waterproof, hypoallergenic medical grade silicone with litter-trapping ridges all over it. An added bonus is a tall outer lip that makes sure litter doesn’t find its way off of the litter mat. This litter mat comes in two sizes to meet any feline’s needs: standard with dimensions of 30” by 23” or the larger, which measures 38” by 26”.

8. Best Washable: Drymate Cat Machine Washable Litter Mat

No matter how fantastic some litter mats sound, with different textures and features, it’s all for naught if the dimensions don’t fit your needs. People who hide away their cat’s litter box in a corner of their home often have to make do with various shapes of mats but it often leaves at least one angle free for litter tracking. This particular mat is specifically designed to fit corners, and it features waterproof non-slip backing that will keep it in place and prevent any ‘accidents’ finding their way to the floor. Also, as this eco-friendly cat litter mat is made in the USA, from polyester fiber manufactured from 100% recycled bottles, it’s machine washable.

9. Best Small Size: Fresh Step Cat Litter Trapper Keeper

If you have an enclosed or covered cat litter box, you don’t need a big mat to prevent tracking. A smaller litter mat that would cover the entrance area is fine enough, and this cute cat-shaped litter mat is ideal for this purpose. The loop-like fibers will retain litter particles that are stuck on your cat’s paws as she leaves the litter box, making sure that the area around the litter box is spotless. Additionally, if you travel with your cat, this lightweight and portable cat litter mat is a great choice: it is easy to roll and take with you without taking up too much space in your luggage or backpack.

10. Pawkin Cat Litter Mat

Durable and efficient, the Pawkin cat litter mat relies on patented Litter Lock mesh technology to trap debris from the litter box. The loop-like mesh might seem like any generic litter mat, but its groves are deeper and thicker, and as a result, this mat is much more efficient at retaining litter. Of course, the loop-like fiber design also makes it more suitable for clumping and finer litters, so if you use pellets, try your luck with one of the honeycomb designs instead. This cat litter mat comes in two generous sizes: X-large which measures 35” by 23”, and 2X-large for even better coverage, measuring 47.16” by 35.64”.

How often should I clean a cat litter mat?

Your cat’s litter box and the area around it have to be kept clean and tidy – not only that neglecting to frequently clean everything would lead to unpleasant odors in the home, but your cat could also start peeing or pooping outside the litter box if it’s not clean. Litter mats should be thoroughly cleaned at the same time as the litter box itself, which means that you should wash it with warm water and soap once a week. In the meantime, regularly remove litter debris that the litter mat traps when your pet gets out of the litter box: vacuum or simply shake off directly to the garbage can.

How do I choose a cat litter mat?

The litter mat you pick should be durable, resistant to the wear and tear it is bound to experience, such as scratching. Additionally, it should be designed to prevent tracking,first and foremost, so pay attention to the texture (is it ridged, looped, or too flat to trap litter) or if it has raised sides that could contain the litter debris within the litter mat. Another important consideration is the dimensions of the litter mat: don’t go for those that are smaller in size as it allows higher chance of tracking, but rather opt for spacious mats, even if they take up more of the room (it will prevent any possibility of tracking). Of course, style matters too, so be sure to pick a complementing color or print that will not stick out like a sore thumb in the area where the litter box is situated.

Do cat litter mats work?

Some cat litter mats work better than others – the secret is in the design, which either utilizes different textures to make sure that the litter particles are trapped on it, or has another feature, such as raised sides, that ensures litter doesn’t stray far away from the litter box. Of course, in any case, a cat litter isn’t a magic trap for all the bits of litter that might be tossed out of the litter box or carried out on your pet’s paws – some particles might still be tracked outside of the litter mat area, especially, if the design is not up to par. Even so, a cat litter mat will significantly reduce the amount of tracking, even in cases when it doesn’t work perfectly.

Why does my cat pee on the litter mat?

There could be many reasons why your cat is peeing outside of the litter box, from simple preferences to medical issues. Some cats express their dissatisfaction with new types of litter by peeing outside of the litter box, or avoid using it when it’s occupied by another cat or not clean enough to be used, so they pee on the mat in protest. Sometimes, however, there’s an underlying medical cause such as UTI or a urinary blockage that’s disrupting your cat’s habits of using the litter box – if the behavior persists, make sure to contact a vet to eliminate health issues as an underlying cause.

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Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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