May 16, 2024
The high sides of the BetterBox allowed Petra to peek over the top. Shannon Perry / Cats.com
Finding a litter box that you and (more importantly) your cat love can be tough with all the options on the market.
Recently, my 11 cats tested the PetFusion BetterBox non-stick litter box to see how well it held up to scratches, scooping, and a lot of use. In this review, I’ll share the details of this litter box, whether it holds up to its non-stick claim, and whether it’s a good purchase for you and your cats.
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 5/5
- Odor Control – 3/5
- Appearance – 3/5
- Construction – 5/5
- Price – 4/5
Overall Score: 4/5
Why Trust Cats.com
Throughout my life, I’ve almost always had cats. Because of that, I’ve gone through many litter boxes, looking for the perfect box for each cat. Whether considering a litter box for my home or conducting a review, I look at several factors, including how easy it is to clean, whether it’s made of quality materials, whether my cats like it and, of course, the price. I considered all of those factors when reviewing PetFusion’s BetterBox Non-Stick Cat Litter Box.
BetterBox Litter Box and PetFusion Overview
Founded in 2010 by Andrew Roost and Ted Elliot, PetFusion is an e-commerce company dedicated to creating quality pet furniture that isn’t an eyesore in the home. Although they are mostly known for cat scratchers, PetFusion produces numerous other items, including litter boxes, beds, and toys. While the company had humble beginnings, it grew until 2019, when Cosmic Pet purchased it.
Today, Petmate owns Cosmic Pet and PetFusion, but PetFusion remains an online-only company with its products on Chewy, Amazon, and Petmate.
BetterBox Litter Box Features
PetFusion’s BetterBox is a large litter box measuring 22.6 inches long, 18.1 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. The high sides make it effective for keeping debris in the litter box, and the curved bottom and non-stick coating are designed to make cleaning more manageable than standard litter boxes.
PetFusion’s BetterBox is large, non-stick, and a great option for cats that need the extra space. Shannon Perry / Cats.com
PetFusion states that this litter box is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS plastic. This type of plastic is impact-resistant, strong, and stands up well to chemicals, like the ammonia found in cat urine. Fortunately, it is recyclable if recycling centers and curbside pickup providers accept #7 plastics.
What We Like
- Easy to clean thanks to the non-stick coating and shape
- Spacious enough for bigger cats to use, even with the rounded bottom
What We Didn’t Like
- The non-stick coating may not be durable or long-lasting. That makes me nervous about what my cats might be exposed to as it wears off.
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Batman checked out the BetterBox very shortly after I put it on the floor. Shannon Perry / Cats.com
Several of my cats came to explore the BetterBox and enjoyed walking around it and going in it. Some, like Cappuccino, were quick to use it before playing around the litter box. None of my cats had trouble getting in or out of the box, and the high sides kept the litter inside.
When scooping, I found cleanup very easy. The non-stick coating lives up to its name, at least with the litter I use in my manual boxes (Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Cat Litter). The curved edges made it very easy to run the litter scooper along the bottom and thoroughly clean. I poured the litter out to see if any debris was left, and the bottom was nearly spotless—all that remained was one spot that needed to be wiped off.
What Do Customers Think of BetterBox Litter Box?
Overall, customers seem to approve of the BetterBox non-stick litter box. On Amazon, there are 7,293 reviews, and 76% of them are five stars. With Chewy, it’s 117 reviews, and 70% of them are five stars. Positive reviews tend to be fairly consistent, praising how easy it is to clean and the high sides. Critical reviews, though, tend to vary and be more related to the circumstance rather than the litter box.
Stopped the Mess
“So far this is one of the best litter boxes I have purchased! The sides are high enough to stop her from kicking litter all over the place and the clumps don’t stick to the bottom at all. I would definitely recommend this to friends.”
—PiggysKahu, Chewy
Reviewers seem to enjoy that this litter box has high sides that prevent litter and urine spills. It’s big enough to accommodate most cats, the entryway is ideal for senior cats, and the non-stick coating seems to live up to its name. Reviewers also like how rounded the bottom is and comment on how this makes cleanup much easier.
Non-stick Is Already Wearing Off
“This worked really great in the beginning, but after 3 weeks of use it’s difficult to get the cat pee off the bottom of the box. Granted, i have a cat with kidney issues so there is a lot, but i scoop everyday. Save your money and just buy a regular box.”
—Vonikins, Amazon
While most reviewers have had a positive experience, that wasn’t the case for everyone. Some commented that the non-stick coating didn’t work or created new issues, such as cats slipping inside the litter box. A few reviewers noted that the walls weren’t high enough. However, this litter box isn’t marketed as a high-sided litter box.
Overall, Is PetFusion’s BetterBox Litter Box a Good Choice?
While the price point is a little high, I still recommend this box. It’s effortless to clean and the high sides prevent a lot of litter from being kicked up and out of the litter box. My only concern is the durability of the non-stick coating, but for cats that don’t tend to scratch a lot, that might not be an issue.
Similar Brands
Looking for other cat food brands similar to PetFusion? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
- Frisco High-Sided Cat Litter Box
- Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan
- ModKat Top Entry Litter Box Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vets recommend covered litter boxes?
Hooded litter boxes, while an attractive option for cat owners, might not be desirable for cats. These litter boxes trap odors, preventing them from getting into the rest of the house, but this can make for a bad experience for the cat that has to use the litter box, which can lead to accidents outside the box due to the bad smell.
How often should you completely empty the litter box?
This can depend on the number of cats you have and the type of litter you use, but as a general rule, completely change your litter every few weeks or when you notice a strong odor.
Do cats prefer hooded or open litter boxes?
For the most part, this is dependent on the cat. Some cats prefer an open litter box—particularly larger breeds that might feel more constrained in a hooded box. Other cats are fine or prefer a hooded box.
Do cats like deep or shallow litter boxes?
Deeper or high-sided litter boxes are more for the benefit of a cat owner. Some cats make a bigger mess when they use the litter box, and a high-sided or deep litter box can minimize how much of that leaves the litter box.
-
Grigg, E. K., Pick, L., & Nibblett, B. (2012). Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(4), 280–284.
-
Leftley, N. (2023, October 31). How often to clean a litter box, according to veterinarians · TIME stamped. TIME Stamped.
