Best High Sided Cat Litter Box for Sprayers and Kickers
How to measure for wall height, and five boxes that keep pee and litter inside.
The best high sided cat litter box keeps pee and litter inside when a normal pan can’t. Some cats stand tall or back up to the edge to pee, and urine goes straight over a five-inch wall. Others dig like they’re tunneling out. A low box can mean a lot of floor cleaning. Here’s how to measure for wall height, plus five boxes sorted by what they fix.
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Here are the picks. Each name jumps to its full write-up, including who should skip it.
- Modkat XL: best overall, tallest walls
- IRIS USA Large with Scatter Shield: best budget pick
- iPrimio XL Stainless Steel: best stainless steel box
- IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided: best for big cats
- TownTime Extra Large: tall walls, tool-free assembly
If your cat pees high, start with the Modkat XL. Its walls reach about 16.5 inches, and it works as a top-entry or front-entry box, so you can switch if your cat still sprays over. It topped our hands-on test of high-sided boxes, but it’s the priciest pick here.
Our top pick
Modkat XL
The tallest walls here, at about 16.5 inches, a seamless base that doesn't leak, and a choice of top or front entry.
- Size
- 21.3 × 17.3 × 16.5 in
- Our score
- 10.0
- Entry
- Top or front
Figures: Our tests, Jun 2026
See why it winsRunner-up IRIS USA Large with Scatter Shield — about 12-inch walls for a fraction of the price.
How High Should Litter Box Sides Be?
There’s no single right height, because it depends on how your cat stands. There’s a simple rule. Measure from the floor to the point where your cat pees, then add at least two inches for the litter. The walls need to be taller than that total.
Here’s how that works in practice:
| Where urine hits the wall | Plus litter depth | Minimum wall height |
|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 2 in | 8 in |
| 9 in | 2 in | 11 in |
| 12 in | 2 in | 14 in |
| 14 in or more | 2 in | 16 in or top entry |
Most standard pans have walls of four to six inches, which is why high peers overshoot them. The walls only need to be high where the urine lands, usually the back and sides, so a lower front entry is fine. If you’re unsure where your cat aims, a box that’s tall on three sides covers most cats.
High Sided Litter Boxes Compared
The table below lists the key measurements for each pick. Wall height is the headline number, but entry height matters just as much for older or smaller cats. Figures come from our tests where available and from the product listings otherwise.
| Box | Size (L × W) | Wall height | Entry | Material | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modkat XL | 21.3 × 17.3 in | ~16.5 in | Top or front | Plastic, liner | Our test |
| IRIS Large Shield | 19 × 15 in | ~12 in | Front cut-out | Plastic | Our test |
| iPrimio XL | 23.5 × 15.5 in | 12 in with enclosure | 6 in base wall | Stainless steel | Our test, listing |
| IRIS XX-Large | 30 × 20 in | 14 in | 6.5 in | Plastic | Listing |
| TownTime XL | 24.6 × 16.9 in | 13 in | Front cut-out | Plastic | Listing |
For cats that pee high, prioritize wall height and a seamless base. For big cats, length matters too, which my guide to the best large cat litter box covers in detail.
The 5 Best High Sided Litter Boxes
Each pick below lists what stands out, what to watch for, and who it suits. Three picks went through our hands-on test. I haven’t tested the IRIS XX-Large and the TownTime yet, so their details come from the listings.
Best overall
Modkat XL
Best forCats that spray high over most boxes, and owners who want less tracking too.
Skip it ifYou're on a tight budget, or you have a very large cat that needs more length.
What stands out
- Tallest walls here, at about 16.5 inches
- Switches between top and front entry
- Seamless base and reusable liner catch spray
Watch out for
- The most expensive pick by far
- May feel small for very large cats
- Top entry doesn't suit seniors or kittens
The Modkat XL scored a perfect 10 in our test of high-sided boxes. Its walls are the tallest here, and the reusable liner catches spray before it reaches the base. You can run it as a top-entry box, which fully encloses a tall sprayer, or as a front-entry box for cats that won’t jump. It’s the one I’d pick for a determined high sprayer.
Best budget pick
IRIS USA Large Shield
Best forCats that kick litter or pee a little high, on a budget.
Skip it ifYour cat sprays well above 10 inches, or you hate uneven box floors.
What stands out
- Low price for a high-sided box
- Removable shield for easy cleaning
- Polished inside surface resists sticking
Watch out for
- Base has a raised center
- Seam where the shield meets the base can leak
- Smaller than the other picks
The IRIS Large costs a fraction of the Modkat and still adds about 12 inches of wall with its snap-on shield. The interior is polished, but the base isn’t completely flat, and the joint between shield and base can leak if urine hits it directly, so it suits kickers and mild high peers best.
Best stainless steel
iPrimio XL Stainless Steel
Best forOwners tired of plastic boxes that hold urine smell and scratches.
Skip it ifYou need walls taller than 12 inches.
What stands out
- Stainless steel resists odor, stains and rust
- Enclosure lifts off for cleaning
- Rounded inside corners are easy to scoop
Watch out for
- Costs more than plastic boxes
- Total height of 12 inches may not stop tall sprayers
- Some cats find the entry awkward
Plastic scratches over time, and those scratches hold urine smell. The iPrimio’s stainless steel pan avoids that, which is why it’s our premium pick. The detachable enclosure raises the walls to about 12 inches total, according to the listing. It’s a good long-term box for moderate high peers.
Best for big cats
IRIS USA XX-Large
Best forBig cats, including Maine Coons and Ragdolls, that pee high and need room to turn.
Skip it ifFloor space is tight; it's 30 by 20 inches.
What stands out
- Longest box here at 30 inches
- 14-inch walls on three sides
- Open top, which many cats prefer
Watch out for
- Not tested by us yet
- Large footprint
- 6.5-inch entry is higher than low-entry boxes
A cramped cat often backs up to the wall, which sends urine over the edge. The IRIS XX-Large solves both problems with 30 inches of length and 14-inch walls. It’s also the top pick in my large cat litter box guide. I haven’t found a hands-on test, so these details come from the listing.
Tall walls, no tools
TownTime Extra Large
Best forOwners who want 13-inch walls and a longer box without a premium price.
Skip it ifYou'd rather buy a box we've tested hands-on.
What stands out
- About 13 inches tall
- Longer than most standard boxes
- Assembles without tools, per the listing
Watch out for
- Not tested by us yet
- Multi-part design may have seams
- Material details are thin on the listing
The TownTime appears in the top search results for high-sided boxes, and its listed size is useful: about 25 inches long with 13-inch walls. I haven’t tested it yet, and the listing gives few material details. Treat it as an option to compare on size and price rather than a proven pick.
Is It Spraying, Marking or Just Standing?
A cat that pees over the side of the box usually isn’t misbehaving. Some cats stand upright to pee or back right up to the edge. A taller box fixes that. Urine marking is different: a cat sprays small amounts on walls or furniture, often outside the box entirely, and a box won’t stop it.
The ASPCA says the first step with any peeing problem is to rule out marking and medical causes. If the habit starts suddenly, your cat strains or pees small amounts often, or you find urine on vertical surfaces around the house, see a vet before buying a new box.
Tips for Setting Up a High Sided Box
A tall box works best with a few adjustments. These tips come from experience with high-spraying cats and from general litter box guidance:
- Put the entry on a long side, so your cat faces a wall rather than the opening.
- Choose one-piece or seamless designs; joints are where urine leaks.
- Keep litter about two inches deep and scoop at least daily.
- Put a mat at the entry, since cats jumping out of tall boxes can fling litter.
A mat helps with the last point, and my guide to the best cat litter mat compares the options. If litter still ends up everywhere, see how to stop cat litter tracking.
What About a DIY Storage Bin Box?
A large clear storage bin is the cheapest way to get walls of 18 inches or more. Cut the entry on a long side, about five to six inches off the floor, and choosing a bin with smooth, flat inside walls so clumps don’t stick. Clear plastic lets your cat see out, which many cats prefer.
Sand the cut edge smooth before your cat uses it. It isn’t a product I can recommend by test data, but it’s a proven workaround when nothing on the shelf is tall enough.
My Verdict on High Sided Litter Boxes
Bottom line
For most cats that pee high, the Modkat XL is the best high sided litter box. It has the tallest walls here, a seamless base and a choice of top or front entry. If you’re on a budget, the IRIS USA Large with Scatter Shield adds about 12 inches of wall for far less.
Big cats need length as well as height, so choose the IRIS USA XX-Large. Measure where your cat’s urine lands before you buy, and see a vet first if the problem starts suddenly. Prices change often, so check the retailer’s page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should litter box sides be?
Tall enough to clear the point where your cat’s urine hits. Measure from the floor to where your cat pees while standing, then add about two inches for litter. For most cats that pee high, walls of 12 inches or more work; very tall sprayers may need 14 to 16 inches or a top-entry box.
Do cats like high sided litter boxes?
Most cats accept them if the entry is easy to use. The walls can be tall as long as there’s a low cut-out to step in. Older cats or cats with stiff joints may struggle with a high entry, so choose a box with an entry of about six inches or less for them.
Why does my cat pee over the side?
Some cats simply stand upright or back up to the edge while peeing, so urine clears a low wall. A box that’s too small makes this worse. If it starts suddenly, or your cat is peeing on walls elsewhere, see a vet, since pain, urinary problems and urine marking can all look similar.
Is a top-entry box better for sprayers?
It can be for tall sprayers, since the walls are fully enclosed and litter tracking drops. The Modkat XL can be set up either way. Top entry is a poor choice for senior cats, kittens or cats with arthritis, which need to climb in and jump out.
Can I make my own high sided litter box?
Yes. A large clear plastic storage bin with a hole cut in one of the long sides is a common, cheap option. Sand the cut edge smooth, keep the opening about five to six inches off the floor, and choose a bin with smooth, flat inside walls so clumps don’t stick.