Cleaning the litter box is an unpleasant but necessary part of cat ownership. And, for your favorite feline’s health, it’s worth the effort. However, this universal task of regular cat care can be made easier with cat litter box liners. These liners protect the litter box itself so you don’t need to scrub clumps of waste every time you replace the litter. Instead, you remove the liner, leaving the litter box clean. Cat litter box liners come in several sizes and different types to accommodate varying needs and litter box designs.
We reviewed dozens of cat litter box liners to find the best of the best. We considered their design, such as sifting litter box liners and models with an elastic edge to keep them in place. We also considered their strength and durability. After all, you don’t want the liner to break while removing it from the litter box.
The JONNY CAT Heavy-Duty Litter Box Liners check off all the boxes when it comes to litter box liners. Their thick and heavy-duty so that when your cat gets extra vigorous, his claws won’t puncture the liner. They’re specifically designed to prevent any of your cat’s business from seeping through the liner and sticking to the litter box. Finally, they’re jumbo size, which means they fit just about any litter box up to 36″ x 18″.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Cat Litter Box Liners
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Litter Box Liner Overall | JONNY CAT Heavy-Duty Litter Box Liners | 4.7 |
| Best Jumbo Litter Box Liner | Pettiny Cat Litter Box Liners | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Litter Box Liner | Van Ness Extra Giant Sifting Cat Pan Liners | 3.8 |
| Best Sifting Litter Box Liner | Alfapet Kitty Cat Pan Disposable Sifting Liners | 4.3 |
| Best Elastic Litter Box Liner | Alfapet Kitty Cat Pan Disposable Elastic Liners | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Litter Box Liner Overall: JONNY CAT Heavy-Duty Litter Box Liners
Litter box liners need strength and durability to hold a significant amount of litter and waste. The JONNY CAT Heavy-Duty Litter Box Liners have the necessary durability to hold everything your cat can put out and then some. A heavy-duty design creates a thick liner that resists the scratches and punctures that can happen when your cat digs in the litter. That saves you from extra work on a number of levels. First, it means that litter and waste won’t break through the liner when you remove it. Second, it prevents waste and odors from sticking to the litter box.
The JONNY CAT liners include a drawstring so they can safely fit litter boxes up to 36″ x 18″. That jumbo size makes them large enough for litter boxes designed for multiple cats. When it’s time to remove the liner, the drawstring acts as a closure so you can throw everything away in the garbage can. These liners are truly designed to make your life easier and your cat’s litter box cleaner.
Key Features:
- Drawstring
- Heavy-duty material
- Jumbo size, fitting litter boxes up to 36″ x 18″
Best Jumbo Litter Box Liner: Pettiny Cat Litter Box Liners
Jumbo litter boxes come with some major benefits, such as less frequent cleanings and enough space for multiple cats. However, to keep them clean, you need a strong liner like the Pettiny Cat Litter Box Liners. An extra strong material that’s made with a special polymer density gives these liners their durability. They’re strong enough to resist the persistent scratching of a determined cat.
While Pettiny labels these litter box liners as extra-large, they’re the size of a typical jumbo size litter box liner. That makes them large enough to fit litter boxes up to 23″ x 19″. The drawstring closure makes it easier to contain litter and waste when it’s time to dispose of litter. Finally, we also like that Pettiny made these liners with the environment in mind by making them out of recycled materials.
Key Features:
- Extra strong material
- Extra-large/jumbo size, fitting litter boxes up to 23″ x 19″
- Drawstring
Best Budget Litter Box Liner: Van Ness Extra Giant Sifting Cat Pan Liners
Let’s face it, it can be expensive to take care of pets. They’re worth it, but liners like the Van Ness Extra Giant Sifting Cat Pan Liners make life simpler while going easy on the wallet. While these liners are affordable, they save money while helping you with your cleaning duties. Sifting litter box liners, like these, have holes through which the litter passes, leaving the waste behind. You save money on litter as well as time scooping. But their design means they’ve got to hold a lot of weight without tearing. A three-ply, no tear technology gives them the strength to contain waste while the litter sifts back into the litter box.
Don’t let the name of the size label fool you. Extra giant is equivalent to most jumbo litter boxes, which means these liners can fit models up to 22″ x 18″. We always like environmentally responsible companies, and Van Ness has made these liners from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Key Features:
- Sifting design
- Three-ply, tear-resistant material
- Extra-giant/jumbo size
Best Sifting Litter Box Liner: Alfapet Kitty Pan Disposable Sifting Liners
Sifting liners save you time scooping and replacing litter. However, the Alfapet Kitty Pan Disposable Sifting Liners have a little extra that makes them a stand-out product. Like other sifting liners, the Alfapet liners have holes through which litter sifts, and waste stays behind.
They’re made of a thick material that resists tears, but they also come with a transition liner so you are only replacing the disposable sifting liner when you clean the litter box. Both liners are held in place by a thick rubber band. The rubber band expands to fit litter boxes of almost all sizes. Once the litter is fully sifted, you can dispose of your cat waste that’s stayed successfully contained within the disposable liner.
Key Features:
- Transition liner
- Rubber band for secure, universal fit
- Thick, durable material
Best Elastic Litter Box Liner: Alfapet Kitty Cat Pan Disposable Elastic Liner
A litter box liner that shifts as your cat moves won’t do you or your cat much good. The Alfapet Kitty Cat Pan Disposable Elastic Liners answer that problem with strong elastic and Sta-Put technology. Litter box liners can shift as your cat digs through the litter. The elastic in these liners holds them in place even if your cat gets vigorous or rambunctious in the litter box. The elastic band not only holds these liners in place but also allows them to fit litter boxes of varying sizes. They’re also designed to fit litter boxes of different shapes, from low sided litter boxes to hooded models.
The material of these liners is thick and durable enough to withstand that dig deep when using the litter box. That means litter and waste won’t cling to the inside of the litter box, reducing odors and cleaning time.
Key Features:
- Elastic edge
- Sta-Put Technology
- Thick, scratch-resistant material
Who Should Buy a Cat Litter Box Liner
Cleaning the litter box is a universal task in a cat household. If you’re tired of scrubbing the litter box or scooping through piles of litter, litter box liners should be on your shortlist. Rather than regularly scrubbing out the litter box, where waste can stick and create odors, a liner protects the inside of the litter box and saves you work. Whether you’ve got multiple cats or a single kitty who reigns supreme, litter box liners make regular maintenance easier and more sanitary for you.
Litter box liners don’t just protect the litter box. Some liners are designed to do the sifting work for you. Rather than scooping waste into a garbage can, sifting litter box liners remove waste and leave the litter behind. Most liners are made to fit litter boxes of various sizes. However, you should still measure your litter box and compare it to the dimensions of the liner to be sure you get a good fit.
If you’re looking for something to round out your litter box conveniences, then you may want to check out The Best Litter Boxes or The Best Cat Litters For Odor Control.
Important Features to Consider
A cat litter box liner should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a liner for your litter box:
- Size. The litter box liner will do you little good if it’s too small or, in some cases, too big. Not all liners fit in jumbo/giant litter boxes. Models that come with a rubber band, drawstring, or elastic often stay in place better and can be adjusted to fit litter boxes of different sizes.  You can estimate the fit by measuring the dimensions of your litter box against the dimensions of the liner. Make sure the liner has enough of an edge to securely fit over the lip of the litter box.
- Material durability. Litter box liners take a beating from cat claws. The material needs to be thick and durable enough to resist scratches and punctures. It also needs to be able to hold the weight of the waste and/or litter when it’s time to remove it.
- Type of liner. Litter box liners come in a few different types to accommodate the variations in the litter box design. Sifting litter box liners have holes throughout the liner. When it’s time to remove waste, you lift out the liner, and the litter sifts through the holes back into the litter box while the waste stays in the liner. You also need a transition liner for this type of design, but not all sifting liners come with one. Some top-entry litter boxes may also require a specialized liner. Drawstring litter box liners have drawstring closure that contains litter and waste during disposal. Elastic litter box liners are another option. The elastic edge of these liners holds them in place during use. You may have to try a few different liner types before you find the right one for your litter box and cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a litter box liner, and how does it work?
A litter box liner fits within the litter box, acting as a barrier between the box and the kitty litter. When it’s time to change the litter or remove waste, rather than dumping the litter and scrubbing out the litter box, you remove the liner. They prevent waste from sticking to the litter box, creating odors, and extra work for you.
Why does my cat tear at the litter box liner?
Cats have an instinctual need to scratch for a number of reasons. First, they scratch to get rid of the dead cell layer of their claws. Second, scratching releases scent from glands in the paws. Your cat is essentially marking his territory. Finally, cats can scratch to stretch, relieve stress, or as a way to entertain themselves. Anything that offers resistance or makes a good noise can be a tempting target for their scratching.
How do you line a kitty litter box?Â
Start with a clean, dry litter box. Place the liner in the litter box and fill it with the appropriate amount of kitty litter. The final step is to secure the liner. With an elastic liner, it’s just a matter of flipping it over the lip of the litter box. Some liners come with a rubber band to hold the liner in place, while others leave the excess liner to be tucked under the litter box.
How often should I clean my cat’s litter box when using a litter box liner?
Liners make cleaning easier and can prevent waste from sticking to the litter box. However, you’ll need to clean the litter just as often as usual. For most cats, that means scooping out waste every other day. You might need to do it more often if you have a large cat or multiple cats. You shouldn’t need to rinse the litter box nearly as often with a liner, but it should still be done periodically.
Other Cat Litter Box Liners We Reviewed
We reviewed the 20 other cat litter box liners. While these remaining liners didn’t make our 5 best cat litter box liners list, they’re still some great liners that may be a good fit for your unique circumstances. This listing includes the information you’ll need to compare each one.
- Jumbo Litter Box Liners
- Sifting Litter Box Liners
- Elastic Litter Box Liners
- Top-Entry Litter Box Liners
- Drawstring Litter Box Liners
Jumbo Litter Box Liners
A litter box liner that can bear a load is one that won’t break, and these liners can take multiple cats and persistent scratching.
Key Features:
- Extra-thick design
- Recyclable material
- Fits most litter boxes
Cost:Â $13
Bio Blue Cat Litter Box Liners
These jumbo bags fit almost any litter box. They’re scratch-resistant, and a portion of all sales are donated to ocean cleanup.
Key Features:
- Scratch-resistant
- Drawstring closure
- Eco-friendly company policies
Cost:Â $18
Heavy-duty material can withstand your kitty’s sharp claws.
Key Features:
- Drawstring closure
- Heavy-duty material
- Can be used in litter boxes of most types and sizes
Cost:Â $7
Fresh Kitty Super Thick Jumbo Drawstring Box Liners
There are so many things to like about these liners. Their jumbo size, the super thick material, and the drawstring make our best features list and check all the boxes.
Key Features:
- Thick, scratch-resistant material
- Mildly scented
- Grip strips to hold liners in place
Cost:Â $8
Hyper Cat Jumbo Cat Litter Box Liners
These liners resist scratches and stains to keep the litter box fresh.
Key Features:
- Drawstring closure
- Tear-resistant
- Fits most litter box designs
Cost:Â $10
If you need to buy liners in bulk, these might be for you. They’re not as thick as other liners, but you’ll save money buying them by the hundreds.
Key Features:
- Bulk purchase
- Fits most litter boxes
- Can use several liners in layers
Cost:Â $17
Kitty Litty Cat Litter Box Liners
Tear-resistant material makes these jumbo liners a good choice for cats that love to dig.
Key Features:
- Tear-resistant material
- Drawstring closure
- Heavy-duty design
Cost:Â $23
A slick inner coating on these liners allows your scoop to slide along the liner without tearing it.
Key Features:
- Extra thick material
- Non-stick inner coating
- Drawstring handles
Cost:Â $15
Nature’s Miracle Odor Control Jumbo Litter Box Liners
Not only are these liners extra-thick, but they also offer antimicrobial protection to cut back on the odor.
Key Features:
- Antimicrobial properties
- Extra thick material
- Drawstring closure
Cost:Â $13
PET N PET Cat Litter Box Liners
PET N PET’s Scratch-Gard technology makes these liners tough and durable.
Key Features:
- Scratch-Gard technology
- Easy separation
- Drawstring closure
Cost:Â $8
They aren’t lying when they say these liners are super thick. They can take scratching and keep everything inside.
Key Features:
- Thick, durable material
- Fits most litter boxes
- Drawstring closure
Cost:Â $17
PLAYFUL CAT Cat Litter Box Liners
A thick liner that won’t tear is a must. PLAYFUL CAT’s liners are thick, durable, and easy to dispose of.
Key Features:
- Thick, strong material that resists tears
- Drawstring closure
- Fits most litter boxes
Sifting Litter Box Liners
Catit Design SmartSift Replacement Liner
Specifically designed for the SmartSift litter boxes, these liners protect the litter box and make cleanup easier.
Key Features:
- Biodegradable material
- Fits the Catit-style litter boxes only
- Unscented
Cost:Â $7
Imperial Cat Neat ‘n Tidy Sifting Liners
If you’re done scooping, this sifting liner does the dirty work for you.
Key Features:
- Prolongs the use of litter
- Holds waste after removal
- Fits regular and hooded litter boxes
Elastic Litter Box Liners
Pet Pride Jumbo Elastic Litter Box Liners
The universal fit of these liners makes them a great choice for those extra-large litter boxes.
Key Features:
- Elastic edge for a snug fit
- Thick material
- Designed for the largest litter boxes
Cost: $18
So Phresh Elastic Cat Litter Pan Liners
The elastic edge of these liners holds them in place. Keep in mind that they’re specifically designed for So Phresh litter boxes.
Key Features:
- Elastic edge
- Tear-resistant material
- Comes in a dispensing box
Cost:Â $16
Sta-Put Elastic Cat Pan Liners
The elastic keeps the liner in place even with vigorous digging.
Key Features:
- Elastic edge
- Adapts to litter box of most sizes
- Resists tears
Top-Entry Litter Box Liners
Petmate Top-Entry Litter Pan Liners
Top-entry litter boxes need taller liners, and the Petmate liners meet that criteria. They’re tear-resistant and successfully protect the litter box from waste clumps.
Key Features:
- Tall sides for top-entry litter boxes
- Tear-resistant material
- Fits litter boxes up to 20″ x 15″ x 15″
Drawstring Litter Box Liners
Fresh Step Drawstring Large Litter Box Liners
These liners come in scented and unscented as well as two sizes.
Key Features:
- Two (2) sizes—large, jumbo
- Drawstring closure
- Scented or unscented
Cost:Â $20
Van Ness Large Drawstring Valu-Pak Cat Pan Liners
Sized for medium-sized litter boxes, these liners are durable with a drawstring to hold them in place.
Key Features:
- Three-ply technology resists tears
- Made of 65 percent recycled materials
- drawstring closure
Cost: $7
