Don’t you just hate having to go home to a mess?
Despite a litter box, your cat seems to either have fun with his litter all around the floor or unintentionally leave tracks after stepping and pawing all over it after making a mess.
Instead of always cleaning up after yourself, what’s the best solution? The best cat litter mat, of course!
In this article, we’ll be talking about how the cat litter mat saved my life (well, not exactly but you get what I mean!) and made cleanup SO much easier!
Wondering what to choose for a beautiful and soft mat for your furry friend? Then read on as I show you my top five choices my cat and I loved.
What is a Cat Litter Mat?
You’re probably wondering: What’s a cat litter mat in the first place? Isn’t it the same as any other mat? Well, let me tell you a story!
Every time I come home from a long day at work, I ALWAYS find my cat’s paw marks all around the kitchen, right where her litter box is. As much as I want to applaud my cat for using her litter box correctly, I had a whole other problem to solve, and that was the tracking around the house. While the right litter did some good, there would still be traces which made it harder to spot and clean.
That’s when I realized: Why not invest in a mat?!
And I found out that cat litter mats DO exist! These ants aren’t your ordinary rugs. They’re made out of a particular material made to not only feel soft on the paws but to lock in the excess litter from your cat’s paws and keep it away from the floor.
And yes, you put it RIGHT in front of the cat’s litter box entrance and exit. This lovely invention saved oodles of my time and took a bit of my stress away, helping me focus on even more things around the house instead of the usual cleanup!
Benefits of Using a Cat Litter Mat
What else can a cat litter mat do for you besides lessening your headache? Here are some of the best benefits I’ve reaped because of the cat litter mat:
No More Cat Litter!
Yes, this is the MAIN and primary reason why one purchases a cat litter mat. It locks in the excess litter from your cat’s paws before he steps out of the rug, making your floor free from the mess. Cat litter mats have deep ridges that would catch the particles, too.
Easy to Clean
Fortunately, the rugs lock in the litter quite well, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have a difficult time washing it. Most mats are machine-washable or can be vacuumed without the difficulty of always gliding through the mat until it’s free from dust.
Design
Won’t a cat litter mat look cute in front of your cat’s litter box? Just like a welcome mat in your doorstep or a bathroom rug, it has more personalization and not only will your cat be interested in it, but so will you! It adds more touch to your home. They come in various shapes and sizes, colors and designs, so you have the ability to choose from so many. You can also try to check the automatic litter box reviews to partner with the cat litter mat you have.
Now I know they aren’t miracle workers and clean your whole home, but they do save up on a LOT of your time. I mean, who wants to keep cleaning a ton of cat litter tracks every day?
Tips on How to Keep Your Cat From Tracking Even More
Besides investing in a cat litter mat, there are other ways on how to get rid of the pesky tracking your cat would do. Here are some tips you can follow:
Non-Tracking Cat Litter
Besides the cat mat, using non-tracking cat litter such as the boxie cat litter that will help lessen the mess. It would usually become clumpy and less than likely to accumulate sand between your cat’s paws, reducing the litter sticking into it.
High-Walled Litter Boxes
There will be times your cat will go around the litter box to exit, forgetting that there’s a clear opening for him to get out or you can also invest in an extra large cat litter box. It will lessen the purpose of your cat litter box and have him make more of a mess around the room.
Using a high-walled litter box will block off any other openings, forcing him to go out to the area the mat is for him to step on and lock in any litter residue.
Moving Your Cat Litter Box
Move both litter box and mat to a private area where your cat won’t need to worry about his safety and security. If it’s in a usually crowded or visited area, your can may be shy agitated, kicking or digging up more dust that goes around the floor.
How to Choose the Best Cat Litter Mat?
How will you know what to choose for the best cat litter mat anyway? You’ll need to consider some personal factors before you make the right decision:
Size
Some cats tend to walk a lot after he does his business, then a larger mat may be better. But if you have less room for a cat mat or you’re dealing with a tiny kitten, then you might want a small to medium size.
Shape and Design
For cats who love going sideways, then get a wider and round mat. If not, the usual rectangular shape will do just fine. Some mats have fresh colors and designs to choose from, even a full paw mat you’ll appreciate.
Material
There are two principal types of material: Rubber and PVC. Rubber mats require less maintenance and lock in cat odors quickly, but they are also more expensive and not as attractive as PVC ones. As for PVC, there are many types of designs to choose from and are cheaper, though they need more maintenance and would ATTRACT more odor.
Cleanliness and Efficiency
You’ll want to make sure that the cat litter mat you choose is easy to maintain and clean. It’s BEST to find one that’s easy to vacuum and machine-wash to avoid the hassle of cleaning.
Price and Reputation
Customer reputation matters, because of the more positive the reviews, the better you know what to expect! Search up on LEGITIMATE reviews like this one and check the prices, creating a reasonable budget that will get you a quality rug in worthy prices.
The Top Five Best Cat Litter Mat Reviews
Based on my research, testing, and overall customer reputation, here are the top five best choices on cat litter mats I would recommend to any cat owner:
1. Pawkin Phthalate Free Cat Litter Mat
What sets Pawkin apart from the others is its exceptional litter lock mesh that would keep litter off the floor effectively. It’s also made out of the phthalate free material, so your cat and household are safe from any chemicals or odors other less-than-quality litter mats might have.
Plus, no matter how much my cat has messed around with it, as well as the many washes, it’s built to last and still looks new up to this day.
You can quickly shake it out to clean or vacuum. And with different colors, an extra large size, and a reasonable price, it’s a GREAT investment to make.
Pros
- Non-slip backing to keep rug in place
- PVC material in various colors
- Soft and comfortable on paws
- Locking mechanism to easily keep litter around the rug
- Easy to clean
- No toxins
Cons
- Can only choose one size
- You’ll need to break into the mat due to odor during the first few days
Pawkin Phthalate Free Cat Litter Mat
2. Smiling Paws Pets Premium Cat Litter Mat
BPA-Free and safe for cats (and humans!), this cute and soft litter mat will do just the job in locking in the litter and other stains or food your cat accumulates around the area. It comes to great sizes and has the jumbo option to catch a lot of litter after your cat walks around.
Plus, it’s got the non-slip backing for no shifting. Odor-resistant, a variety of colors, and the soft but thick mat for your cat? A great purchase ANYONE should go for.
Another plus: They have a money back guarantee you can use if you aren’t satisfied (which you will be, I assure you).
Pros
- Odor-resistant and BPA-Free
- Thick and heavy, comfortable for cats
- Non-slip backing and locks in litter efficiently
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Has an odor for the first few days
- Colors may be different from what’s advertised
- A bit difficult to clean
Smiling Paws Pets Premium Cat Litter Mat
3. iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper
iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper is the ultimate mat you’ll want to use for your cat! You’ll appreciate the fact that it traps both urine and odor other than litter or food. The rubber material might not look as beautiful, but they do the job.
Ultra lightweight and with a smooth surface, it’s recommended for messy cats who tend to make a mess outside the litter box as well. Worth it!
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight and made of nylon mesh
- Soaks up excessive urine and odor
- Super smooth surface
- Traps in cat litter well
Cons
- Some cats might not like it
- XL size might not be big enough for multiple cats
iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper
4. Easyology Premium Cat Litter Mat
What I love about Easyology is that they live up to the name as a very easy-to-maintain cat litter mat. I also appreciate that it’s very soft and comfortable for my kitty to stay on top of, as well as the elegant designs that look very luxurious in any room.
Plus, you can choose between a lot of colors as well. The material traps litter efficiently, with its thick and extra large PVC material. It’s lightweight and easy to clean – by just rinsing, vacuuming, or even shaking it off. With its durability at such an affordable price, it’s worth it.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to clean
- Ultra soft and excellent designs
- PVC material to trap odors efficiently
- Jumbo size ideal for multiple litter boxes
Cons
- Doesn’t soak urine well
- Big, bit not long enough for cats who walk straight and far
Easyology Premium Cat Litter Mat
5. Pet Magasin Cat Litter Mat
I love this Cat Litter mat for its cute design. It has a paw shape that’s large enough for one cat. You can even purchase a two-mat set for multiple litter boxes! It’s easy to clean up and can catch spills of litter, food, or water.
It does the basic job of trapping up cat litter after your cat uses the box. Simple, cute, and with the beautiful performance at such an affordable price, it’s a GREAT purchase for those on a budget.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Locks in litter, food, or water nicely
- Easy to clean
- Cute design
Cons
- One mat might not be enough
- Food pellets get stuck between fibers so needs brushing as well
Pet Magasin Cat Litter Mat
In Conclusion
When it comes to your cat tracking litter all over the floor and home, you’ll want to make sure that you save more time and effort having to clean it up.
Instead of having your cat touch the bare floors immediately after his visit to the bathroom, the best cat litter mat will take in all of the residues from his paws and free your grounds from the annoying litter around.
Out of all the cat litter mats we tried and tested, the best one would go to the Pawkin Phthalate Free Cat Litter Mat.
It’s one of the OUTSTANDING cat products you’ll need in your home because of its non-toxic material safe for cats (and children), along with the great efficiency it has in collecting the litter from your cat’s paws. It’s definitely worth the investment of both your time and money.
I hope that this article on the best cat litter mat helped you become more knowledgeable with the essential products you need for your cat. So what are you waiting for? Invest in the best today and reap the benefits it has to offer for both you and your cat.
If you have any questions or would like to share your reviews on cat litter mats, then go ahead and comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.