Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 7/10
- Odor Control – 10/10
- Appearance – 10/10
- Construction – 10/10
- Price – 4/10
Overall Score: 8.2/10
ModKat Top Entry Litter Box Review Video
Introduction
Modkat Top Entry Litter box is just that, a litter box with a top entry. It’s an ultra-stylish box intended to look great and minimize the appearance of litter in your home.
But between its steep price tag and the fact that so many cats feel uncomfortable using top-entry boxes, the Modkat litter box may not be the right choice for everyone.
We tested this litter box over the course of several months on our two cats, in order to provide all the pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the Modkat Litter Box and see if it is worth the cost.
The Design
The Modkat top entry litter box has a locking swivel lid with holes for catching litter and comes with a scoop that neatly hangs on the side of the box. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Modkat Top Entry Litter Box comes with locking swivel lid, a liner and a scooper. It also is equipped with side handles making it easy to move and clean up.
Cats are required to enter the litter box from the top and lower themselves down into the litter area. Some cats may not like this design and it is fairly small when compared to standard litter boxes. In total, it measures 16 x 16 x 15 inches which is spacious for a top entry style litter box. The actual entry opening is 8.5 inches at its smallest point.
The scoop hangs from a side slot and the lid swivels open with the push of a button. This makes it easy to access the inside of the litter box for cleaning and also to dump lingering litter back in.
The top of the litter box has several holes in it so that any litter that stays on the paws will be dropped back in once your cat exits the box.
Once inside the Modkat litter box, you will find a reuseable liner that is made with a durable tarpaulin flexible material. This liner is smooth, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean. It fits nicely into the bottom of the litter box and has a sturdy tension band along the top to help it fit into the shape of the base.
How Does The Modkat Top Entry Litter Box Work?
I used this litter box with both of my cats, who are very different in size. Wessie is around 14 pounds and Forest is a smaller cat at about 7 pounds. Forest tends to do much better in smaller, confined spaces and used the Modkat litter box a lot more than Wessie.
Basically your cat enters the litter box from the top and drops down into the litter area. Once your cat has done his business he would climb out and onto the grated platform top which removes any excess litter from his paws.
Litter collected on this grated top either falls back in through the holes or can be tilted to a 90 degree angle and dumped back in.
Does It Control Odor Well?
There is nothing special about this litter box when it comes to odor control. But I found the odor was about the same as any normal litter box, with two cats using it somewhat regularly.
I do think odor control is more manageable due to the reusable liners that are supposed to be changed every 3 months. This means less odor build up over time and less odor all around.
Cleaning The Modkat Litter Box
Scooping the Modkat top-entry litter box is relatively easy. Lift the lid and use the included scoop to clean waste out of the box. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The included litter scoop itself did a good job of picking up waste, but this litter box excels when it comes to tracking and scatter. Because it is a deep, top entry box, it is already difficult for litter to get out of it. Even when using a finer litter, this litter box did very well at keeping it contained.
Disposing of the litter was also very easy. After flipping the top open, the liner bag folds to easily remove from the bin. And while it is awkward at times, its much neater than dumping litter from a traditional litter box. Getting the liner back in was a bit more of a challenge because it needs to be adjusted and maneuvered into place.
Modkat does recommend washing the litter box and reusable liner with mild dish soap and warm water every 5 to 7 days. Of course scooping daily will keep odor in check and your cat healthy.
Changing The Litter
Whether you are adding litter or replacing it, it should be around the 3 to 4 inch level. This will allow your cats to bury waste properly while keeping urine from reaching the liner or the bottom of the litter box.
It’s easiest to add the litter after the liner has been inserted. Once it has been adjusted and set in place, any kind of litter maybe used.
How Do Cats React To The Modkat Litter Box?
With over 1500 five star reviews on the ModKat website, it seems cats really like this litter box. It seems to be the solution for cats who track, and kick litter around as well as great for cats who prefer to stand when they go.
Cat owners love this just as much due to its aesthetically pleasing design. There are also many comments about how easy it is to clean and some even went on to buy more than one for their cats.
How Much Does The Modkat Top Entry Litter Box Cost?
The Modkat litter box is going to cost you around $89.95, which is pretty costly for a non-automated litter box. The replacement liners will also cost you around $30 for a 3 pack and need to be replaced every 3 months. That means about $40 a year in liner cost replacement.
ModKat also offers an XL top entry litter box for around $139. This maybe a solution for larger cats and even comes with an additional front entry.
They also have a variety of other litter boxes on their website as well as replacement parts for their products.
Is The Modkat Top Entry Litter Box Worth It?
This litter box could be a good option for some pet owners. If you have very messy cats who scatter and track, then this maybe the litter box solution you have been looking for. It is unparalleled in controlling litter tracking.
Another big perk is this litter box’s appearance. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but you are hiding the litter from clear view. It is a robust plastic box that will leave your guests wondering what that cube is in the corner of your room.
On the downside, this the Modkat is not the most cat-friendly litter box choice. Although it may depend on the size and personality of your cat, this litter box is a tight fit. It would be especially difficult for senior cats or those with mobility issues due to the top entry.
Overall Impressions
This litter box would be great for pet owners with dogs who tend to snack in the cat litter box. Also if you dislike the sight of a litter box this is a great solution for you.
Besides not looking like a typical litter box, it does do a great job controlling litter scatter. Besides all of that, it looks and feels like a premium product. It is well designed and a well made product that maybe a solution for many pet owners litter box problems.
Check ModKat Top Entry Litter Box Here
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a top entry litter box better?
It can be if your cat tends to track litter around your home. Top-entry litter boxes can prevent large amounts of litter from getting from the box to the floor. Top-entry litter boxes have high sides, which help prevent litter spatter when your cat digs around and kicks litter.
How do you introduce a cat to a top entry litter box?
As with any litter box, place him in it periodically, especially after a meal. Use the same litter as your cat uses in the old litter box so he is familiar with it. It is also a good idea to put the top entry litter box in the same place as the old litter box so he knows where to go.
How do you clean a Modkat litter box?
Wash the litter box and reusable liner with mild dish soap and warm water. Scooping daily will keep odor in check and aid in keeping your cat healthy. Periodically add new litter to maintain the recommended 3 to 4 inch level. This will enable your cats to bury their mess properly while keeping urine from reaching the liner or the bottom of the litter box. Fully replace litter every 5-7 days.
Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?
Cats in general prefer being safe in an uncovered box so that they can see potential threats and escape them. However, covered litter boxes do their job of containing odors. So it really depends on the cat and what he prefers.