Keeping your cat’s litter box clean and hygienic can feel like a never-ending struggle. If stubborn messes and lingering odors are giving you the litter box blues, a liner can be a handy solution. Litter box liners provide a barrier between the litter and the box, preventing moisture and waste from sticking to the sides and bottom.
While the concept is fairly simple, choosing the best litter box liner can be tricky. Size, type, fit and thickness are just a few factors to consider. Jonny Cat Heavy Duty Jumbo Litter Box Liners are thick, tough, tear-resistant and conveniently fit most litter boxes.
What to know before you buy litter box liners
Types of litter box liners
Disposable litter box liners: Disposable litter box liners are made of plastic and work similarly to trash can liners: simply pop one into a clean, empty litter box and add fresh litter. When it’s time for a litter replacement, carefully lift the sides of the liner, tie securely and place it in a trash can.
Sifting litter box liners: These litter box liners consist of several perforated layers at the top and a single, solid layer at the bottom. When solid waste or clumps need removing, lift the uppermost layer and let the clean litter sift out. This design effectively contains solid waste while filtering out clean particles, making it easier to extend your cat litter.
Reusable litter box liners: These eco-friendly litter box liners are often constructed from robust tarpaulin, which allows them to be reused many times before needing to be replaced. Although most reusable litter box liners are tough and resistant to tearing, they do require some maintenance. Unlike disposable options, reusable litter box liners still need to be emptied and require regular, thorough cleaning.
Size and fit
Small: These liners typically measure around 28 by 13 inches and are ideal for litter boxes that are no larger than 16 by 12 inches.
Large: Usually sized at 31 by 17 inches, large liners work best for medium to large litter boxes measuring up to 19 by 15 inches.
Jumbo/XL: With dimensions that measure 36 by 18 inches, jumbo liners fit litter boxes that measure 23 by 19 inches or less.
Keep in mind that stretching a liner that’s too small over your litter box can create tension around the corners and sides, increasing the likelihood of tears. If you’re unsure about fit, your best bet is to size up. After all, a litter box liner that’s a bit too large can always be folded over the sides of the pan.
Thickness
The average litter box liner has a thickness of between 1 to 3 mils. Thicker litter box liners are naturally more tear-resistant, making 3 and 2 mil liners the most popular choice among pet parents. However, 1 mil liners may still be worth considering for kittens or if your cat’s claws are capped.
Litter box liner features
Drawstring handles: Some litter box liners are designed with drawstring handles that automatically close the liner as you lift it out of the litter box. Not only do drawstring handles make it easier to seal your litter-filled liner without making a mess, but they can also help minimize exposure to odors, dust and bacteria.
Secure fit: Litter box liners that are excessively loose or too shallow often end up being pulled right down into the litter box. To prevent this and help keep the liner in place, some models are made with elasticized edges. Other options may come with a large rubber band that can be secured over the liner.
Odor control: By keeping waste and moisture from bonding to the surface of your litter box, all liners provide a measure of odor control. However, some go the extra mile by incorporating fragrances, antibacterial agents or a combination of both. With that in mind, some cats can be particularly sensitive to fragrances and may be put off by scented liners.
Litter box liner cost
Depending on quantity, size and features such as elasticized edges, litter box liners can cost anywhere from $8 to $20. Reusable litter box liners generally cost a bit more, with prices starting out at around $30 for a three-pack.
Litter box liner FAQ
How many uses can you get out of a reusable litter box liner?
A. If used by just one cat, a reusable litter box liner can last as long as three months. However, durability can vary depending on the overall quality of the liner and how aggressively your cat digs.
Are litter box liners worth it if you use clumping cat litter?
A. A much-debated topic among cat owners is whether or not litter box liners are worth using with clumping cat litter. While some feel there’s no need for a liner if you’re already using a quality clumping litter, many still find them to be useful. This is especially true when it comes to cats who have a tendency to dig until the base of the litter box is exposed. Another factor to keep in mind is that cats sometimes position themselves in such a way that waste ends up on the sides of the litter box. When all is said and done, any litter box will remain cleaner when protected by a liner regardless of the type of litter you use.
Which litter box liner should I get?
Best of the best litter box liner
Jonny Cat Heavy Duty Jumbo Litter Box Liners: available at Amazon and Chewy
Our take: These thick and sturdy litter box liners hold up well to clawing, making them ideal for enthusiastic diggers.
What we like: Drawstring handles make for fast, hassle-free removal. These liners are highly tear-resistant — thanks to a sturdy 2 mil thickness — and fit most litter boxes, including extra-large models.
What we dislike: The jumbo size may not be ideal for smaller litter boxes.
Best bang for your buck litter box liner
Cat’s Pride Drawstring Jumbo Litter Box Liners: available at Amazon and Chewy
Our take: Those in need of a more affordable option for multi-cat households find that these budget-friendly liners perform surprisingly well.
What we like: These liners fit most litter boxes, ranging from medium to large. Drawstring closures make removal a breeze. Cat’s Pride liners are more affordable than other similarly sized litter box liners.
What we dislike: They are not as thick as most other extra large litter box liners.
Honorable mention litter box liner
Jonny Cat Scented Litter Box Liners: available at Chewy
Our take: If strong litter box odors are an issue, these heavy-duty scented liners are well worth it.
What we like: Robust 2-mil thickness helps prevent tearing. The generous size fits extra large litter boxes. They are scented for extra odor control and feature easy-to-use drawstring handles.
What we dislike: These liners are more expensive than unscented litter box liners.
Erica van Blommestein is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
