The Complete Guide To Cat Litter Mats

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Cats usually feel an instinctive need to cover up their waste, even if they go inside in a litter box. Most do this by digging and some kick the litter so hard in the process that it is scattered out of the box itself and onto the surrounding floor. This can create a smelly and unsanitary mess that the cat may also end up stepping in and tracking into other areas of your home. The solution to this problem is to place the litter box on top of a cat litter box mat.

What Are They?

These mats are designed to be large enough to fit under a litter box, pan, or tray and also cover several inches of space around the container. For this reason, you will also see them advertised as both cat litter box mats and cat litter tray mats. They generally have ribbed or perforated surfaces and are rectangular in shape.

Two important characteristics to consider when looking for the best cat litter mat for your pet are its ability to retain the litter it collects and that it is easy to clean. The mat’s material must also be soft and comfortable or a cat will not walk on it.

What Are the Benefits of Using One?

Most cat owners do not want used litter spread throughout the house by furry feet. Providing a mat under your cat’s indoor kitty ‘toilet’ prevents this problem. When the cat steps onto it, his paws open up and release the litter stuck on the pads and between the toes right onto the mat instead of your floor. Then the litter sinks into the ribs or to the bottom layer of the mat itself.

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There it stays hidden from sight and where your cat’s paws will not pick it up again to track it around. A cat litter tray mat assures that litter is trapped there and doesn’t get distributed throughout your home. These mats also either have a waterproof layer or some sort of waterproofing film or coating that repels urine.

Cat litter mats come in sizes large enough to catch all the litter that your cat’s scratching and digging flings out of the box as well as reclaim the litter stuck to your cat’s paws. This prevents small messes from becoming much larger ones. They protect your flooring, especially in the room in which the litter box is located. Mats are also stylish enough and come in enough choices to contribute to your overall décor.

They are lightweight, weighing no more than five pounds for the largest ones. Mats are also made to be soft and light so their texture feels great to even finicky cats. Best of all, these mats are extremely easy to clean. Just shake the collected litter back into the box or give the mat a quick vacuum. Occasionally hose it off thoroughly.

An added benefit is that since they are so good at containing messes and are a cinch to clean, many owners also use them as a place to feed their cats. Whether you choose to feed dry or wet cat food they are an ideal feeding station especially because they can protect from water spills as well.

What Are the Types, Sizes and Prices of Cat Litter Mats?

From comparing cat litter mat reviews found online, you’ll quickly see that they usually consist of hygienic FDA-grade silicone; thick tufted fibers; rubberized materials; easy clean PVC; and soft, thick, and flexible grass-like fabrics.  The top mats are made with anti-slip traction features, lips around the rim to retain cat litter, and some have side spouts for convenient dumping of all collected litter.

Sizes usually run as small and compact as a rectangle shape that is only 20 inches by 14 inches in size to ones as large as 35 inches (almost three feet) by 24 inches (two feet). For those with multiple pets, a large cat litter mat might fit your needs a little better.

While not as common(although readily available online) they typically measure around 48 inches (four feet) by 36 inches (three feet) and are specifically designed to accommodate two litter boxes placed there side by side. Depending on the brand and where you shop mats normally range from as cheap as ten to about fifty dollars in price.

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How Do Pet Parents Choose the Best Cat Litter Mat for Their Feline?

Before you purchase a cat litter mat to place under your cat’s potty box, observe the kitty’s bathroom behavior for several days (if you are not already familiar with it). Does your cat kick out a lot of litter when kicking it to cover up waste? For that matter, does your cat miss or go to the bathroom outside the box? How much litter does your fur baby track out of the box?

Do you have multiple cats and/or multiple litter boxes? Is your pet picky about the textures of surfaces on which he or she walks? Gather and use this information in your mat selection.

If your cat is very messy when using the facilities, put down a larger mat. A good rule of thumb when you are unsure what size to order is when in doubt, buy the larger size. If he tends to miss the box sometimes with urine, a mat with a double-layered waterproof mesh comes in handy. Soft PVC mats resist mildew and moisture and that quality also come in handy with a messy cat that has a “miss” every now and then.

Cats with tender feet will prefer jumping in and out of the litter box rather than stepping on a surface whose feel they do not like which will ultimately lead to litter tracking throughout the house. If this is the case with your feline a good option is to go with something soft like the Petfusion Smartgrip Cat Litter Mat. Very popular with cat parents and pets alike it’s easy to clean, has a modern design, and has pastel color choices to blend with any home décor.

Another well-known best-seller is the Blackhole Cat Litter Mat.  Its name is very fitting as it is the best mat design for trapping and keeping the litter it collects. While it may cost a little more it is definitely worth the cost. Made of soft EVA material, it has a dual-layer structure. The upper mat gently collects litter from your cat’s paws, taking the dirt in and down to its lower mat. The litter falls through to the lower mat and is stored there until you empty and clean it.

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Litter mats are designed to help keep your house as clean and free of kitty litter and waste as possible. Available in many materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and prices they get the job done right and often in style.  Just be sure to choose the one that best suits your cat’s needs.