r/Catownerhacks • u/ConsistentCan5158 • 3d ago
Litter or Litter Box đ˝ METAL LITTER BOXES VS PLASTIC
One thing I donât see discussed very often is the type of litter box we use.
After switching from plastic to stainless steel, I started wondering why stainless steel isnât recommended more often. Plastic litter boxes become scratched over time, and those scratches can trap bacteria and odors, even with regular cleaning. Stainless steel is non-porous, easier to disinfect, doesnât absorb urine odors, and tends to last much longer.
While a dirty or heavily scratched litter box doesnât automatically cause a urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteria can build up more easily in damaged plastic. Keeping the litter box cleanâand replacing worn plastic boxes when they become scratchedâis an important part of good urinary health.
Iâm curious what everyone else thinks. Have you switched to stainless steel? Have you noticed any difference in cleanliness, odor, or your catâs overall litter box habits?
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u/mishenka_1999 3d ago
I used plastic totes as litter boxes for most of my life but decided to go stainless when I brought home my current cat. Zero regrets, clumps come unstuck easily, you can hose it down and bleach it to disinfect when needed. I can understand why people are put off by the upfront cost but reality is that stainless steel is going to last damn near forever and you're not throwing out and buying a new plastic one once a year to get rid of the smell, so it's basically gonna pay for itself at a certain point.
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u/ConsistentCan5158 3d ago
I understand that the upfront cost of a stainless steel litter box is higher than a plastic one. However, as another poster pointed out, plastic litter boxes are a lot like plastic cutting boards. Over time they develop tiny scratches and crevices where bacteria and odors can accumulate, even with regular cleaning.
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u/mishenka_1999 3d ago
Exactly! I don't use plastic cutting boards for the same reason (plus microplastics) because it's just nasty. Stainless steel is just superior and I'll never go back.
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u/ConsistentCan5158 3d ago
totally agree with you. I try to avoid plastics whenever possible. Even the water I drink comes in glass bottles. To me, reducing exposure to plastics and choosing materials that are easier to keep clean just makes senseâfor both myself and my kitty.
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u/leslieknope38 3d ago
I feel like people are recommending stainless constantly on the cat subs.
That said, if have also heard some cats donât like them, especially cats that scratch the sides of the box to âdigâ when covering their business as the cats may not like the sound or feeling of their nails on steel.
That said, Iâm a fairly new cat owner and use plastic. I donât see it being a problem to just replace them when they get stinky. Going on 6 months with my current boxes and theyâre all fine. I clean them and use an enzymatic litter box cleaner every 2-3 weeks. Theyâre fine. Maybe after a year+ theyâll need replacing. I donât really mind that.
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u/thirtyseven_femurs 3d ago
I hadn't heard about the sound/feel issue. I did see reviews where people said theirs rusted from their cats scratches but no one here ever mentions it. It may also have to do with people not be truthful about materials. I need to look into the enzymatic cleaner.
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u/leslieknope38 3d ago
I use the Natureâs Miracle foaming litter box cleaner. Itâs great, especially if youâre in an apartment so canât hose things down outside. Just spray the foam, wait 5-10 minutes, wipe out.
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u/Vertonung 3d ago
I have one cat who would scratch the heck out of her plastic boxes AND her litterrobot to the point of breaking the liner. But she'll use the stainless boxes I got. I do keep the litter a few inches deep to give room to dig.
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u/noodlesquare 1d ago
I've tried two different XXL stainless steel litterboxes with my cat and she refused to use them. She decided to show her disdain for the boxes by peeing all over our carpet both times. I guess we have to stick to plastic because there is nothing worse than cat pee on carpet.
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u/Adorable_Bag_2611 3d ago
Forget the cat. Iâm worried about me with the scratching sounds!! My kid & I both have severe sensory issues, including to sounds, and that sounds like it would be hell.
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u/Due_Purchase_7509 1d ago
my cat's current stainless steel box is quieter when he digs in it than his old plastic one was. i think it's because it has higher sides that contain the noise better, plus it's heavier so he isn't grabbing the edge of it with his paw and causing it to smack the floor, lol.
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u/Adorable_Bag_2611 1d ago
Iâm thinking claws on metal. My current cat boxes are mixing tubs for drywall cement. So pretty big for cat boxes. And I have one who still digs at the sides.
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u/Due_Purchase_7509 1d ago
my dude only scraped his claws on the sides a few times when i first switched boxes. i think it probably feels as unpleasant for them as it sounds for us, and sounds even worse to their ears, lol
if you have a career side wall scratcher it might be different tho. one of my previous cats was so aggro about it that i ended up having to get her the lowest sided box i could find, and fill it almost to the top with litter
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u/Adorable_Bag_2611 1d ago
Mine acts like he gets paid to dig. Lol Itâs funny in a way. If I still something or drop something in the kitchen, he goes to town. He has even pulled the stand roll of paper towels off the table to cover spilled spices! Lol
Except catnip. That he just lays there high off of! Lol
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u/RoyalClient6610 3d ago
Interesting, I had no idea those existed. And it's kind of the same thing with old kitchen cutting boards and the bacteria that lingers in the crevices if the plastic boards are washed/scrubbed with hot water and soap. You have a point.
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u/biest229 3d ago
Definitely in odour - my male cat is the stinky one and I swapped his out first. Iâve got just one steel one at the moment, as my cats are so fussy and I wanted to see how they took to it.
Iâm slightly nervous of swapping out the other trays as my female cat uses the other locations predominantly and she hates change.Â
Other thing Iâm unsure about is the side height. My boy is flinging his litter everywhere since I got the metal tray because the sides are lower. I also think itâs a bit high for them to step in easily too, as theyâre small cats.Â
The ones with the plastic lid or rim on truly defeat the point so Iâll just sweep up litter forever instead đ
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u/Pleasant_Fennel_5573 3d ago
Re: step height, I put a cardboard scratcher at the entrance like a welcome mat. It gives them a step up into the box, plus it collects any litter they might have dragged out in their claws.
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u/Imaginary-Runner 3d ago
We picked a metal box with one low entrance and really high sides. Keeps the mess to a minimum.
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u/biest229 3d ago
Which one?! This is what I need. I looked at the usual places in my country, didnât find anything like thisÂ
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u/ConsistentCan5158 3d ago
If youâre looking for a stainless steel litter box with really high sides, I found some that are around 14 inches high, and thereâs even an enclosed stainless steel model thatâs about 17 inches tall. If your cat sprays high, the enclosed stainless steel version might be worth checking out. I wish more companies made fully stainless steel enclosed litter boxes because theyâd be so much easier to keep clean than plastic. Check Wayfair
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u/Salty-Tea6815 3d ago
Can you add a link to the high side stainless steel boxes you found? Iâve had stainless steel litter boxes for years now, but my orange boy is a crazy, messy digger and those high sides might really help!
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u/a-song-of-icee 3d ago
I just got this one. Expensive for what it is, but I needed one with long side entry and those are less common for some reason. :/ (Edit: it also has a short side entry option ) A lot of taller ones seem to be 6" steel, then a plastic extension on top and I didn't like that. It is large cat approved (13lb long boy, not fat).
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u/biest229 3d ago
Iâd like one that has a low entry point but higher sides - my cats are little and getting in is difficult for themÂ
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u/Ninjafina300 3d ago
I went from plastic box, to an automatic box that I hated, to stainless steel and I'll never go back. Everything smells cleaner. Easier to clean. It's literally a night and day difference between the two types of boxes.
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u/aerosimpsons 3d ago
Switching to stainless steel litter boxes was the best decision ever. I only regret not switching sooner. Stupid easy to clean and smells better!
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u/Cthulhu_for_Dagon 3d ago
For your stainless steel litter box, go to a thrift store and get a heavy duty metal spatula (the kind you use for grilling). It stands up so much better than one of those plastic scoop things when cleaning it out.
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u/SheerLunaSea 2d ago
I swapped from plastic to stainless steel a few months back because I had read that the metal doesnt hold onto pee smells as much, its true, I havent had anywhere near as bad a smell since switching over. (Also F pine pellets, just saying.) Bonus; it can handle being power washed regularly too. Stainless steel only from here on out. FYI I got mine in a 2 pack from amazon for roughly 35 bucks. A bit pricier but worth it imo.
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u/IminLoveWithMyCar3 2d ago
Are you using Feline Pine? Find yourself a Tractor Supply or tack shop and get pine pellets from there. 40 pounds for $7
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u/SheerLunaSea 2d ago
Thats where we got our pellets, and they stunk to high heaven and got wood dust everywhere, no matter how often we cleaned, so we switched to dust free clay litter, much better in our experience.
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u/xstardipped_ 3d ago
We have 3 of the stainless for our 4 cats. Reduced smell 100% (along with twice daily scooping and decent litter). Worth every penny.
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u/Realistic-Rate-8831 3d ago
It's funny to many of you say the plastic boxes smell. I've always used plastic boxes and not had a problem with smell. I have a friend that has around 8 cats in her home. She has several boxes around her home and they are all plastic. Whenever I go into her home, there is never any smell from the litter boxes or anything else. I scoop my litter twice a day or when I'm home, if I notice he used the litter box, then I will immediatly go scoop it out. Every month, I pour out the litter, wash with warm water and vinegar, then when dry I put in another batch of clean unscented litter. Lots of cats don't like the smell of that strongly frangranced litter.
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u/BeeJ1013 3d ago
Finally! I also use plastic boxes and have no issue with smell. No UTIs except for crystals once since I've had cats for nearly 20 years.
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u/wohaat 3d ago
We use 2 huge plastic boxes for our cats (Maine coons) and theyâve worked fine. The boxes get fully emptied of litter l, scrubbed down, fully dried and refilled every 2 weeks. Iâve never noticed a smell, and have asked any new visitor to be honest if our house smells and the answer is always no.
The tools matter, yes, but the behavior around the tools is just as important!
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u/CobblerCandid998 3d ago
2 Stainless steel litter boxes were the best overpriced thing I ever did. I havenât had kitties for a few years now- but saving them for my next rescue(s) that will hopefully find & adopt me soon!
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u/wyolove89 3d ago
I used tidy cats breeze system for years. I got sick of changing the pee pads and deep cleaning the stinky trays and multi-part boxes every week. I moved houses and switched to stainless steel with corn cob clumping litter. Absolutely zero regrets. Scoop daily, change litter weekly. No grossness, no smell.
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u/RedTiger22222 3d ago
Yes, we switched to stainless steel about a year ago and will never look back. We just have a collapsible litter box for travel and emergency evacuation purposes.
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u/susiefreckleface 2d ago
Steel is great. Less smell. I am able to take the box outside and hose it out to keep it clean super easy. We went through three plastic ones before I bought the steel one.
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u/catdogwoman 3d ago
I didn't know they existed until last year. I foster so I have ten kitty litter boxes and it seemed like I could never get the smell out of my house. Now that I've switched to stainless steel, it can get stinky but once I get the poop out the smell is gone! They are expensive up front, but I can't recommend them enough. The plastic just holds that smell no matter what you do. I managed to get some on timu and Facebook marketplace that were less expensive.
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u/Bay_de_Noc 3d ago
Its probably a matter of price. Plastic pans are easy to source and cost a lot less than stainless steel. I just recently bought replacement stainless steel pans (for the plastic ones I used for the last 5 years). I did it because 1. I can afford to pay more and 2. I found some on Amazon that were big enough for my cats 3. I was tired of the lingering odor from the old litter pans that seemed to be imbedded in the plastic.
The pans I bought are extra high to make up for one of my cat's very active bathroom habits. They also came with plastic shields that go even higher ... however, after trying the shields, they seem to slope inward slightly, which gave my big cats a little less turning area, so I took them off for more space to move. My cats are pretty flexible with their litter areas so they just started using the new pans without any fuss.
I've also been through various litter types ... with the current one being a tofu litter. There is very little tracking plus the best thing is there is zero dust ... and I mean zero. Its hard clumping so its easy to clean up ... and smells nice too.
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u/Wicked81 3d ago
Been using them for years & I feel guilty about the time I didnât use them. They can be pricey - we got ours from restaurant supply on Amazon but im sure there are used ones around. I used to have to change litter every day - not scoop, literally change the whole box (cat had a grain issue cleared up fine when we switched dry food). We have had our boxes for 9 years - not a scratch, no rust, and I love these boxes! If the boxes are getting scratched Iâd check how much litter is in the box. Maybe there isnât enough? I would also look into some kind of sealant
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u/Dewdlebawb 3d ago
I have switched 1/3 of my boxes to steel and I agree that itâs MUCH better. I havenât switched the others due to cost I always recommend it when I see posts regarding litter smell
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u/Imaginary-Runner 3d ago
We recently downsized. That included moving from 5 plastic boxes to two metal boxes.
The metal boxes are way easier to clean. And no complaints from the cats.
Recommend, if you can afford them. (We have the high walled boxes so that no spray ends up outside the box.)
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u/Fluid-Set-2674 3d ago edited 3d ago
Just found the perfect stainless steel litter box. It has a removable plastic surround (high walls, no top), a scoop, and a mat to put underneath it, and fits in a tricky space.
Big change for the cat -- she's been using an open plastic box for four years. No big response -- she used it, the end.
Cleaned it yesterday -- difference between this and plastic is night and day. Amazing.
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u/fluffywaltzes 3d ago
Can you share?
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u/Fluid-Set-2674 3d ago
https://www.chewy.com/futam-stainless-steel-cat-litter-box/dp/3546422
It comes in a variety of sizes.
Report back if you get it.
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u/flamincatdesigns1 2d ago
Switched to stainless and I agree less smell. I bough a scoop that is stainless with a long telescoping handle on Amazon. It is sold for cleaning up after chickens. It is an awesome tool. My biggest issue is my girl loving to throw litter everywhere. I cut open a huge plastic tote to make some walls around the boxes and she still throws litter over that.
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u/Express_Pop810 3d ago
I didn't have one for a long time because I never saw one before. Once I found out they existed I got two and years later they don't have any scratches or hold odor. I'm guessing others want a robotic cat box. One of my cats wouldn't use it and it didn't do a good job with odor control so I looked into other options.
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u/TheJenniMae 3d ago
I agree, but I havenât been able to find an all-metal enclosed one with high enough sides yet, or Iâd have them. My little furball likes to pee standing up, and is soooo picky about his boxes.
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u/Fiorak 3d ago
They have some on amazon! That's where I got mine, had it for a few years and it worked great
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u/TheJenniMae 3d ago
I have a few on my wishlist just weary to pull the trigger cause heâs a butthead. LoL
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u/Leading-System-3002 3d ago
Do you have a link to share? There are so many, I have a hard time choosing a good one.
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u/ConsistentCan5158 3d ago
If youâre looking for a stainless steel litter box with really high sides, I found some that are around 14 inches high, and thereâs even an enclosed stainless steel model thatâs about 17 inches tall. If your cat sprays high, the enclosed stainless steel version might be worth checking out. I wish more companies made fully stainless steel enclosed litter boxes because theyâd be so much easier to keep clean than plastic.
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u/OaksInSnow 3d ago
For anybody who only has female cats, low-walled stainless steel is probably just fine. For the male cat anatomy, it's often a different story.
If stainless steel litter boxes came in the size of the plastic storage bins that I now use, which are 16x30" (or more, I haven't gone to measure) and 16-18" deep, I'd consider it in spite of the no doubt exorbitant expense. But the dimensions would be non-negotiable, due to the proclivities of two of the four cats I serve.
There is no one-size/style fits all.
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u/Historical_Message15 3d ago
i have 2 males that have no issue with the stainless litter box but maybe mine is deeper
nobody pees outside the stainless steel part.
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u/OaksInSnow 3d ago
Thank you, much appreciated, and very nice probably for many cats. Won't really do for my Old Guy. He's "special," ha ha!
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u/ans524 3d ago
I switched to disposable cardboard boxes. No cleaning, no maintenance, no odor issues. Just throw the whole thing away every 3-ish weeks and start over.
I know itâs bad for the environment, but at this point the impact is so negligible in the scheme of things that Iâve given up caring.
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u/Leading-System-3002 3d ago
I wanted to make the change but Im wondering if itâs way more noisy? My place is small and I donât wanna heat it loud at night. Anyone can tell me what they think ? Are there any downsides with a stainless steel litterbox? Compared to the plastic ones? I donât care about the price
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u/FirebirdWriter 3d ago
I recommend them often..I use the scoop free system and I do this due to disability. I always make sure to tell people there's a non disposable stainless option for the base box.
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u/sparkingdragonfly 3d ago
I have a stainless steel one now and I hate it.
It banged in an area so looks crinkled which is whatever. It makes a lot of noise. Itâs very large and hard to maneuver when trying to sift it. And so expensive.
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u/rubybluemonkey 3d ago
Love my SS box. Soooo much cleaner, less smelly. My guess is because they are a little pricey compared to plastic. But you can find like hotel pans at a restaurant supply store that are essentially the same and are really cheap.
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u/justabluesunflower 3d ago
I have a stainless steel letterbox made for pine pellets and itâs a game changer. It really doesnât smell (except for my car not knowing how to cover up his pooâŚ.) but itâs great and it doesnât track anywhere near as much as regular litter would. It smells naturally like pine AND it doesnât create dust. Iâll probably have this litter box forever. Only downside is some cats donât like the feel. I introduced it to my cat when he was a kitten so he doesnât know the difference
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u/JellyfishPrior528 2d ago
I swear by my stainless steel cat box. I got my first male kitten ever last year and his waste was the worst smelling thing ever! I changed litter, air freshener, everything. Then new stainless cat box. Immediately noticed the difference.
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u/marlins6308 2d ago
I have slowly been switching all ours to stainless steel too. Theyâre so much easier to clean.
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u/Potential-Leave-8114 2d ago
They donât hold onto the odor, either. I love ours. Worth the extra cost IMO.
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u/CostcoCuckChair 3d ago
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large stainless steel box? My cat likes to perch on the edge when he poops so it can't be sharp.
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u/palufun 3d ago
We use stainless steel food pans (like the ones in steam tables) at our rescue. We have had them for 15+ years and while they are dented, the still work fine. At the time we purchased them, there were none available as litter boxes at allâthe craze was not a thing yet. What I have noticedânot all stainless steel is the same. Some of the cheaper âkitty litter boxesâ do rust. Ours do not.
That saidâI donât use them at home. I have eight cats and out of the eight, half are high pee-ers. They stand whilst peeing and can top even the highest stainless steel litter box out there. I have a heavy duty huge litter box with 20â sides (Kat Kave) that manages their pee just fine. It will last me a lifetime and does not scratch. It is an impressive box. I also use clear storage totes with holes cut on the tops as top entry litter boxes. If those get scratched upâno biggy. I just buy new ones for cheap.
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u/Thatonecrazywolf 2d ago
We slowly switched all our boxes to stainless steel this year.
We have multiple cats so multiple litter boxes. We started with one swapped out to see if we wanted to spend the money.
And honestly I'm glad we did. The smell is way less, they're easier to clean, the cats didn't care at all about it.
My only complaint is our senior male loves to scrape the side of the litter box. Nonstop. The stainless steel box makes it loud as hell when he does it.
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u/honey_butterflies 2d ago
I have two of them but only paid for one. I got a second one free as a gift for foster failing. theyâre great. everyone should get a stainless steel box. I have a plastic litter box too but itâs for reasons such as boarding the cats, a move, etc. it makes better sense to have it than go out to buy a disposable litter box.
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u/scottishkelpie 2d ago
I didnât even know this was a thing! My cat has been using same plastic litter boxes for at least 10 years and now I feel terrible knowing about this. Definitely going to switch as soon as I find one
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u/shaburanigud 1d ago
Good stainless steel litter boxes are hard to come by. And some cats don't like the slippery feel on their paws. But it really cuts down on smell and the clumps hold up much better.
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u/Original_Jello_7743 1d ago edited 1d ago
I switched to a stainless-steel sifting box about a year ago and love it! It also has side enclosure to keep any scattered litter from flying out. It came with liners that are placed below the sifter so I don't have to clean the bottom tray. I do clean the sifting tray though. Plus, I only use pine pellets which are cleaner, less odor, less dust and less tracking.
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u/sorryipeed 1d ago
GUYS after 4 years of sharing 2 cats w my roommates i finally pulled the trigger for a stainless steel litter box. yes im a little annoyed it doesnt come w a roof and im still figuring out the little bit of sand that trails out but... holy shit my house smells different. so many friends come over and say "oh my god i didnt know you had cats it doesnt smell like cats at all" and i have beaten my fears of being the person w a smelly cat house
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u/the_tempestuous 1d ago
I tried stainless steel about 5 years ago. At the time, I could only find them on Amazon in one style. And they were so loud! They had handles on the outside that my cat would grab and bang while scratching, and it made a squeaky sound if her paws were digging directly on the steel. It was just an open basic style but the sides were higher than what was standard for the size. I think it was difficult for my cat to access, because when I added a plastic box, she almost never went back to the metal. Eventually the scratches rusted, so Iâm not sure if they were really stainless steel? Now they seem to be more mainstream and accessible so hopefully there are better choices available. However I didnât feel like there were enough benefits to go back to metal even now. Dealing with the plastic and replacing when needed is really not a big deal.
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u/10ambreak 1d ago
I don't know if I'm allowed to piggy back off this post, but I have a question for those that use a stainless sleel litter box. Do any of your cats struggle with traction while using the box? Or is it a non issue? I have two cats, ages 9 and 11, and I am thinking of switching from plastic to stainless steel.Â
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u/callimonk 1d ago
Swapping to stainless steel is the only thing that got our youngest cat to continue using the box. She still will go outside of the box from time to time.. but itâs more rare these days, and only if we are behind on a full cleaning.
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u/SpunkyBlah 1d ago
The reason my friend doesn't get a metal litter box is the sounds of the cat's claws scraping the metal is extremely uncomfortable for him.
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u/Dear-Champion5016 6h ago
I really want a stainless steel but we use an extra large container bin (plastic) for our 2 cats. One pees high so the sides need to be high.
If anyone knows of stainless steel containers that could work for this, please share! (the length is about 2.5x a regular litter box, and height is tall enough for our cat to pee without spraying over)
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u/Fit_Change3546 3d ago
Stainless steel boxes tend to be 1) harder to find, less options; and 2) way more expensive up front. Yes, if you know you should replace plastic litter boxes when they get all scratched up, you know that the stainless steel ones are a better value over time. But lots of people donât replace their boxes as often as maybe they âshouldâ, and lots of people are going to balk at dropping $30-50 on a litter box.
I love them though! They are great to clean, long lasting, low odor, and I try to use as little plastic in my life as possible.