Best Litter Box for a Maine Coon: Size It for the Adult
Maine Coons keep growing for up to three years. Here's how to pick a box they won't outgrow.
The best litter box for a Maine Coon is sized for the adult cat, not the kitten you bring home. The CFA calls the Maine Coon the largest pedigreed cat, and says it can take up to three years to reach full size. Here’s how to size one, plus three boxes and a DIY option that fit.
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Here are the picks. Each name jumps to its full write-up, including who should skip it.
- IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided: best overall for Maine Coons
- Tidy Cats Breeze XL System: best for long, tufted paws
- KittyGoHere Lucky Champ: best for senior Maine Coons
For most Maine Coons, start with the IRIS USA XX-Large. At 30 inches long with 14-inch walls, it fits a cat up to about 20 inches long by the vet guideline, and it contains the hard digging many big cats do. I haven’t tested it yet, so its specs come from the listing.
Our top pick
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided
At 30 inches long with 14-inch walls, it fits a 20-inch cat by the vet guideline and keeps litter in when a big cat digs.
- Length
- 30 in
- Width
- 20 in
- Walls
- 14 in
Figures: Amazon listing, Sep 2026
See why it winsRunner-up Tidy Cats Breeze XL System — a 27.5-inch pellet system whose pellets don't cling to paw tufts like fine litter.
How Big Should a Maine Coon’s Litter Box Be?
The AAFP and ISFM, the main feline veterinary bodies, recommend a box about one and a half times your cat’s length, measured from the nose to the base of the tail. For a big cat, that adds up fast. The CFA notes that mature males often reach or exceed 20 pounds, and their bodies are long and rectangular.
| Your Maine Coon, nose to tail base | Minimum box length |
|---|---|
| 16 in | 24 in |
| 18 in | 27 in |
| 20 in | 30 in |
| 22 in | 33 in |
Sassy Koonz, a Maine Coon owners’ site, suggests at least 24 by 18 inches as a minimum. The vet rule usually asks for more. Measure your own cat while it’s standing, and use the larger number. Most boxes sold as “large” measure only 19 to 24 inches, so few will pass.
Buy for the Adult, Not the Kitten
A Maine Coon kitten fits in almost any box, which is why many owners buy too small. The CFA says the breed can take up to three years to reach full growth. A box that seems huge at four months can feel cramped by the second birthday.
Kittens do need an easy way in, though. If you buy a big high-sided box early, choose one with a low entry cut-out, or add a small step until your kitten can climb in comfortably. Swapping boxes later is possible, but some cats resist a change, so starting with the adult-sized box saves a transition.
Maine Coon Paws, Fur and Litter Tracking
The CFA breed standard describes Maine Coon paws as “large, round, well-tufted,” with a shaggy coat that’s longer on the stomach and back legs. That fur can pick up fine litter granules and carry them through the house, which is the tracking problem most long-haired cat owners know well.
Sassy Koonz recommends brushing two or three times a week, a litter mat at the box exit and a high-sided box to hold in their powerful digging. My guides to stopping litter tracking and the best cat litter mat cover the options.
The 3 Best Litter Boxes for Maine Coons
Each pick below lists what stands out, what to watch for, and who it suits. The Breeze and the KittyGoHere went through our hands-on test. I haven’t tested the IRIS yet, so its details come from the listing.
Best overall
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided
Best forAdult Maine Coons that need length and dig hard.
Skip it ifFloor space is tight; it's 30 by 20 inches.
What stands out
- Longest box here at 30 inches
- 14-inch walls hold in litter and spray
- Open top gives a tall cat full headroom
Watch out for
- Not tested by us yet
- Large footprint
- 6.5-inch entry may be high for small kittens
Length is what a Maine Coon needs most, and the IRIS delivers 30 inches, enough for a cat up to about 20 inches long by the vet guideline. The tall walls contain hard diggers, and the open top means no crouching. It’s also the top pick in my large cat litter box guide.
Least litter tracking
Tidy Cats Breeze XL System
Best forLong-haired Maine Coons that drag fine litter out on their paws.
Skip it ifYour cat refuses pellets, or you dislike changing pads.
What stands out
- 27.5 inches long, over the 27-inch mark
- Large pellets don't cling to fur like fine litter
- Urine drains to a pad, so no wet clumps
Watch out for
- Needs Breeze pellets and pads, an ongoing cost
- Some cats dislike the pellet texture
- Our rating is for the standard size, not the XL
The Breeze uses large pellets over a grate, with a pad underneath to absorb urine. That setup suits a fluffy cat, because big pellets are far less likely to stick in paw tufts and belly fur. The XL is 27.5 inches long, which suits larger cats, though our test covered the standard size.
Best for senior Maine Coons
KittyGoHere Lucky Champ
Best forOlder or arthritic Maine Coons that struggle to step over a high wall.
Skip it ifYour cat digs hard or pees high; the 5-inch walls won't contain it.
What stands out
- Very low 3-inch entry
- Wide 20-inch floor
- Rated 8.4 in our test
Watch out for
- 24 inches is short for a large adult by the vet rule
- Low walls let litter scatter
- Not ideal for kittens that dig energetically
A big cat with stiff joints can find a high wall hard to step over. The KittyGoHere’s 3-inch entry solves that, with a wide 20-inch floor. At 24 inches it’s shorter than the vet rule suggests for a large Maine Coon, so it’s a trade-off between easy access and length.
What About a DIY Storage Container Box?
Many Maine Coon owners use a large under-bed storage container as a litter box, as Sassy Koonz notes. It’s cheap and gives more length than most commercial boxes. Cut an entry in one of the long sides, about five to six inches off the floor, and sand the edge smooth.
Choose a container with smooth, flat inside walls so clumps don’t stick, and clear plastic if you can, since many cats like to see out. Keep the litter about two inches deep. My litter amount guide includes a calculator for large boxes.
Are Automatic Litter Boxes Big Enough?
Automatic boxes appeal to owners of big cats, who fill boxes fast. The catch is interior space. A Litter-Robot 3 works for many Maine Coons, but it’s a tight fit for lanky cats.
Before buying any self-cleaning box for a Maine Coon, check the interior size against your cat’s length and weight limit. A cramped automatic box defeats the purpose if your cat hangs over the edge or refuses it.
Covered or Open for a Maine Coon?
A lid limits headroom, and a tall cat notices. Cornell notes that most cats prefer an uncovered box, and an open box also makes scooping easier. That’s why all three picks here are open.
If your Maine Coon seems to want privacy, a tall covered box can work, as long as your cat can stand and turn without crouching. Whatever the style, the AAFP and ISFM advise one box per cat plus one, placed in quiet spots, which I cover in how many litter boxes per cat.
My Verdict on Maine Coon Litter Boxes
Bottom line
Most Maine Coons need a box of 27 to 30 inches or more, sized for the adult cat. The IRIS USA XX-Large is the best fit, with 30 inches of length and 14-inch walls for hard diggers. For a very fluffy cat that tracks litter, the Tidy Cats Breeze XL keeps pellets out of paw tufts.
For a senior Maine Coon, trade some length for the KittyGoHere’s 3-inch entry. Measure your cat first, and check prices on the retailer’s page, since they change often.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size litter box does a Maine Coon need?
Vet guidelines call for a box about one and a half times your cat’s length from nose to the base of the tail. For an adult Maine Coon that often means 27 to 30 inches or more. A Maine Coon owners’ site suggests at least 24 by 18 inches as a bare minimum.
Can a Maine Coon use a regular litter box?
It can squeeze in, but a standard box is usually too short. A cramped cat is more likely to hang over the edge and miss the box. Most boxes sold as large measure 19 to 24 inches, so look for extra-long boxes or a storage container instead.
Do Maine Coons like covered litter boxes?
Some do, but a lid limits headroom, which matters more for a tall cat. Many cats prefer open boxes, according to Cornell. If your Maine Coon wants privacy, choose a covered box with plenty of height, and watch that it doesn’t have to crouch low.
Is a Litter-Robot big enough for a Maine Coon?
It can work, but it’s a tight fit. The Litter-Robot 3 interior is snug for lanky Maine Coons, although many do use it. Check the model’s interior size against your cat’s length before buying any automatic box.
How do I stop my Maine Coon tracking litter?
Maine Coons have large, well-tufted paws and long fur on their belly and back legs, which picks up litter. Brushing a few times a week helps, as do a large mat at the box exit and a high-sided box that contains their digging.