What Kind of Litter Box Does a Maine Coon Need?
Many Maine Coon owners notice the same problem: their cat attempting to use a litter box that's obviously too small. The cat steps in, struggles to turn around, and ends up with half their body hanging over the edge. This isn't bad behavior—it's a clear sign that the equipment is wrong. Most litter boxes aren't built for a cat of their size. Fortunately, finding one that works is straightforward and solves many common frustrations.
Why a Standard Cat Litter Box Is the Wrong Size for a Maine Coon
Cats have a natural routine in the litter box: they need enough room to step in, turn around completely, dig, and then cover their waste. A box that's too small prevents them from doing this comfortably. This single issue—lack of space—is the source of most litter box problems.
Four Common Problems Caused by a Small Box
A litter box that doesn't fit a Maine Coon usually leads to a few common frustrations:
1. Avoiding the Box Entirely: This is the top reason why a cat might start going on the rug or in a laundry basket. If the box feels cramped and uncomfortable, they'll find a spot that feels better. They aren't trying to be difficult—they're solving their problem.
2. Accidental "Overshooting": To even try to fit, a large cat might end up squatting with their rear end hanging right over the side. It's not their fault—the box is simply too short to contain them completely.
3. Poor Hygiene: In a tight space, it's hard for a cat to dig and cover without stepping in their own mess. That means dirty paws, which then track that mess around your house. It can also lead to health issues if they start trying to avoid the box altogether.
4. Major Litter Scatter: Maine Coons love to dig, and they have strong legs. In a small box, there's nothing to stop the litter from flying out with every scoop. You end up with a gritty mess on your floor constantly.
How to Pick the Right Size: The 1.5x Rule
The rule of thumb is that the litter box should be at least one and a half times the length of your cat. Measure your cat from their nose to the base of the tail (not including the tail length itself). This simple math ensures they have plenty of room to move around and takes all the guesswork out of shopping.
Quick Size Reference Guide
| Cat Body Length | Recommended Box Size |
| 14-16 inches | 24" L × 18" W minimum |
| 16-18 inches | 27" L × 20" W minimum |
| 18+ inches | 30" L × 22" W minimum |
Four Essential Features of a Maine Coon Litter Box
When you're shopping for a litter box, it's easy to get sidetracked by flashy designs and marketing buzzwords. To keep it simple, you can ignore most of that. For a large cat like a Maine Coon, there are only four things that matter.
1. XXL Dimensions
First things first: size. Don't trust the words "Large" or "Jumbo" on the packaging—those labels don't have a standard meaning and are often not big enough. You have to look at the actual dimensions. For a full-grown Maine Coon, you want a box that's at least 24-27 inches long and 18-20 inches wide. This gives them enough space to comfortably turn all the way around.
2. High Sides
High sides are a lifesaver. They do two important things. First, they keep the litter inside the box when your cat starts digging with those powerful paws, which means less sweeping for you. Second, if your cat sometimes aims high when they pee, the high walls will catch the spray and keep your floors and walls clean. Look for sides that are at least 8-10 inches tall.
3. Easy Entry
Even with high walls, the box needs a low entrance on at least one side. This is important for kittens that aren't big enough to climb in yet, and it's essential for older cats. A senior Maine Coon with stiff joints or arthritis will have a tough time getting over a high wall. A low entry point ensures the box is easy and painless for them to use their entire life.
4. Sturdy Construction
Your Maine Coon is a heavy cat, typically weighing 10 to 18 pounds (males usually 13-18 pounds, females 8-12 pounds). A cheap, flimsy plastic box will bend or wobble when they step inside, which can feel scary and unstable to a cat. That flimsy plastic can also crack over time. Look for a box made of thick, heavy-duty plastic that feels solid and doesn't give or flex under their weight.
Pros and Cons of Common Litter Box Styles
The market is full of different litter box designs. Here's a breakdown of the most common styles and how they stack up for a Maine Coon.
The Simple, Open-Top Pan
This basic design is frequently the best and most recommended choice for a Maine Coon.
- Pros: It provides the maximum amount of usable space and open-air ventilation. Cats often feel safer in an open box because it gives them a clear view of their surroundings. This style is also the easiest for a cat to get into and the simplest for you to scoop and clean.
- Cons: It offers no built-in odor or mess control. However, you can manage odors with daily scooping, and you can control most litter scatter by choosing a model with high sides and placing a mat underneath it.
The Covered or Hooded Litter Box
While these are popular with people, they are often a poor fit for a Maine Coon.
- Pros: They are effective at containing litter scatter and keeping waste and smells out of sight.
- Cons: A cover drastically reduces the internal space, making the box feel cramped and claustrophobic for a large cat. It also traps ammonia odors inside, creating an intensely unpleasant environment for a cat's sensitive nose. The doorways on these models are often too small for a Maine Coon to enter and exit comfortably.
The Top-Entry Litter Box
This design is great for controlling messes, but the entry method can be a problem.
- Pros: It is extremely effective at stopping litter tracking and containing urine spray, since the high walls fully enclose the cat.
- Cons: The need to jump in from the top and leap out can be difficult for kittens, senior cats, and any cat with arthritis or joint pain. Many healthy adult cats simply dislike the feeling of jumping down into a hole to use the toilet.
Meowant Open Top Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box – SC03
The Automatic / Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The convenience promised by these expensive gadgets rarely pans out for a Maine Coon.
- Pros: The primary benefit is the convenience of not having to scoop the box yourself every day.
- Cons: Nearly all models are designed for average-sized cats and are far too small for a Maine Coon. The noise and movement of the automatic cleaning rake can be frightening. Finally, the mechanisms often struggle or jam when trying to handle the larger volume of waste produced by a large cat. Self-cleaning litter boxes are an expensive and risky purchase for Maine Coon owners.
Meowant Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box - MW-SC02 (White)
Beyond the Box: How to Complete the Perfect Setup
The box itself is the biggest piece of the puzzle, but these last few details are important for making sure your cat is happy with the whole situation.
Choose the Right Litter
For a Maine Coon, your best bet is usually a low-dust, unscented, clumping litter. Their long fur is like a magnet for dust, so low-dust formulas are a must. Strong, artificial smells from scented litters can also be irritating for a cat's sensitive nose. As a bonus for you, clumping litter is easier to scoop and keep clean. Fill the box with 2-3 inches of litter—Maine Coons need enough depth to dig and cover comfortably.
Find the Best Location
Tuck the litter box away in a quiet spot without a lot of foot traffic. Cats feel exposed when they're doing their business, so they appreciate a private place where they won't be surprised by people walking by or by loud noises. An important rule: never put the litter box near their food and water.
Follow the "N+1" Rule
A widely recommended guideline for anyone with cats: you should always have one litter box for each cat you own, plus one extra. So, if you have one Maine Coon, you should have two litter boxes. Two cats? Three litter boxes. This formula helps prevent arguments between cats over the litter box and ensures there's always a clean one available for them to use.
Maintain a Consistent Cleaning Schedule
Daily scooping is non-negotiable for odor control and cat comfort. Beyond that, do a complete litter change and box wash weekly, and consider replacing the entire plastic box every 12-18 months as plastic absorbs odors over time.
Upgrade Your Maine Coon's Litter Box!
Getting the litter box right is a simple thing, but it makes a huge difference in your Maine Coon's daily comfort and health. The most important factor is size. Remember to ignore the marketing labels like "Jumbo" on the box and always check the actual measurements yourself. For these large cats, you'll usually find that a simple, spacious open-top pan is the best choice you can make.
5 FAQs about Maine Coon Litter Boxes
Q1: How do I transition my Maine Coon to a new, larger litter box?
Place the new box next to the old one and let both sit for 3-5 days. Don't remove the old box immediately. Most cats will naturally start using the larger, more comfortable option. Once your cat consistently uses the new box for three days straight, you can remove the old one.
Q2: Where should I place litter boxes in a multi-story home?
Place at least one box on each floor your Maine Coon has access to. Cats won't reliably climb stairs when they need to go urgently, especially seniors or kittens. For a two-story home with one cat, you'll need three boxes total—at least one upstairs and one downstairs, following the N+1 rule.
Q3: What's a reasonable budget for a Maine Coon-sized litter box?
Quality XXL litter boxes typically cost $25-60. Basic open-top pans run $25-40, while premium models with high walls cost $40-60. Avoid boxes under $20—they're usually too flimsy for a heavy cat. Automatic boxes designed for large cats start around $300 but often have reliability issues.
Q4: Should I buy an adult-sized box for my Maine Coon kitten?
Yes, buy the full adult size immediately. Maine Coon kittens grow rapidly for 3-4 years, reaching 75% of adult size by one year. Buying a "kitten box" means replacing it within months. Choose an adult XXL box with a low entrance—kittens can easily step over a 2-3 inch entry point.
Q5: What behaviors indicate my Maine Coon dislikes their current litter box?
Watch for these warning signs: perching on the edge instead of stepping fully inside, spending minimal time in the box before rushing out, excessive scratching on the walls or floor around the box, or eliminating right next to the box rather than inside. These behaviors almost always mean the box feels too cramped.
