Top entrance litter box
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A top entrance litter box is a box a cat can enter from above or through a low front opening, so it does not have to jump over a tall wall or fight a hooded door. The listings in our product data pack use several names for this idea, including open top entry, low entrance and top entry alternative. Most of them are open top boxes with a low front lip, from the same product line in several colors and sizes. This guide explains what a top entrance box is and is not, compares the options in the pack by size and entrance height, and points out where the listings are unclear. Every fact comes from the listing data, and where a listing does not state a value we say so.
Quick answer
- Pick the size by the cat’s weight. The KittyGoHere line lists a small size for cats up to 6 pounds, a large size for cats up to 20 pounds and a jumbo size with a 3 inch opening.
- Look for a low front opening. The KittyGoHere listings give a front opening of 3 inches, which is the lowest entrance height in the pack for a cat box.
- Know what open top means. An open top box has no hood or lid. The listings describe it as giving the cat a clear view and easy access, not as a true top door.
- Check the rabbit and small pet listing carefully. The PODOO grid pan is sold for rabbits, guinea pigs and small pets, not for cats.
What a top entrance box is and is not
The phrase top entrance can mean two things. The first is a box with a true top door, which a cat enters through a hatch or lid. The second, which is the sense used in most listings in our pack, is an open top box that a cat steps into through a low front opening and can see out of from every side. The KittyGoHere listings describe the second design, and they use the words open top entry and top entry litter box alternative. They do not describe a hatch or a lid.
Both designs aim at the same problem: a cat that struggles with height or dislikes enclosed spaces. A low front entrance removes the need to jump. An open top removes the sense of being shut in. For a cat that is nervous about a hooded box, an open top with a low entrance is often the first thing to try, and the listings say it reduces fear of enclosed spaces.
If you want an enclosed box with a lid, a top entry alternative does not replace it. Read the product description for any box you consider, and check whether the top is open, closed or removable. In this pack, every KittyGoHere listing is an open top design.
Sizes and entrance height
The KittyGoHere listings come in three sizes. The small pan is 20 by 15 by 5 inches and is described for cats up to 6 pounds. The large pan is 24 by 20 by 5 inches and is described for cats up to 20 pounds. The jumbo pan is 28 by 22 by 9 inches with a 3 inch opening. The listings describe each as a low entrance box for senior cats, arthritic cats and kittens. Use the size for your cat’s weight, and check that the box fits the space you have.
The entrance height is the detail that matters most for a senior cat. The KittyGoHere listings describe a front opening just 3 inches high, which the listing says allows a cat to enter without jumping or straining. The jumbo size is listed with a 3 inch opening as well, so the entrance does not rise as the box grows.
The PODOO grid pan is a different product. It measures 14.6 by 11.8 by 2.6 inches, and its listing describes a low entrance and a grid base that keeps the pet from sitting in its own waste. The listing says it is for dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters and birds. It is a small pet pan, not a cat box, so use it only for the animals the listing names.
Materials and cleaning
The KittyGoHere listings describe a lightweight durable plastic box made in the USA, with an open top for easy cleaning. The listings do not state the plastic type, so ask the seller if the material matters to you. The listings say the box is easy to clean and that a long-handled jumbo scoop is included with one colorway.
The PODOO listing describes a sturdy plastic grid pan with smooth edges and an odor-resistant surface. It says the removable tray can be cleaned with water, and that soap or hard detergent is not needed. The grid design is meant to keep the pet off its waste, which the listing says makes cleaning easier.
Every listing in the pack describes an open box with a low entrance, which is simple to wipe and rinse. The main cleaning task is removing solid waste and litter, then wiping the surface and drying the box before refilling.
Comparison of the boxes in the pack
The table uses only the values stated on each listing. A cell reads “not stated” where the listing gives no value, and “listing conflict” where the title and the detail table disagree.
| Product | Design | Stated size | Entrance height | Cat weight guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large, Beach Sand | Open top, low entrance | 24 x 20 x 5 in (listing) | 3 in | Up to 20 lb |
| KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large, Little Boy Blue | Open top, low entrance | 24 x 20 x 5 in (listing) | 3 in | Up to 20 lb |
| KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Small, Small Lavender | Open top, low entrance | 20 x 15 x 5 in | 3 in | Up to 6 lb |
| KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large with Jumbo Scoop, Misty Gray | Open top, low entrance, long-handle scoop | 24 x 20 x 5 in (listing) | 3 in | Up to 20 lb |
| PODOO Rabbit Litter Box, grid pan | Grid pan, low entrance | 14.6 x 11.8 x 2.6 in | Not stated | Small pets, not cats |
Roundup: top entrance boxes worth a look
Each block covers one box from the pack. The KittyGoHere colorways share one product description, so the notes below show what differs.
1. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large, Beach Sand
This large open top box is listed as a senior cat litter box with a 3 inch low entrance. The listing says it is designed for senior cats, cats with arthritis and cats that are fearful of enclosed spaces. It describes more room than a standard box, which the listing says helps a cat position itself and miss less. The title describes it as lightweight and made in the USA. The listing states that it is recommended by veterinarians for cats that struggle with traditional litter boxes, which is a claim from the listing; ask your own veterinarian whether it suits your cat.
2. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large, Little Boy Blue
This is the same large open top box in a blue colorway. The listing repeats the 3 inch low entrance, the open top view and the extra room. The product description is identical to the beach sand version, so choose the color you prefer and check the size against your space. The title again describes it as lightweight and made in the USA.
3. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Small, Small Lavender
The small lavender box is the smallest open top box in the pack. The listing gives a size of 20 by 15 by 5 inches and says it suits cats up to 6 pounds. It also says the low front opening is 3 inches high. The listing describes an open top entry style and says the box is a top entry alternative for pets that dislike enclosed spaces. It also says the box can be used by rabbits, which is a claim in the listing for a small pet; the size guidance is for cats.
4. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, Large with Jumbo Scoop, Misty Gray
This large box in misty gray is sold with a long-handle jumbo scoop. The listing describes the same low 3 inch entrance and open top design as the other large boxes. The listing says the box holds cats up to 20 pounds, and it gives the three size options by title. The scoop is the difference from the plain large boxes, so buy this version if you want the scoop included.
5. PODOO Rabbit Litter Box, Grid Pan for Small Pets
The PODOO pan is 14.6 by 11.8 by 2.6 inches, with a grid base and a low entrance. The listing says the grid keeps the pet from sitting in its own waste, and that the feet do not jam in the grid. It says the pan is for dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters and birds. It is not described for cats, so it is a close alternative only for a small pet owner. The listing says the tray can be rinsed with water and needs no soap or hard detergent.
Review: the large KittyGoHere senior box in depth
The large KittyGoHere box is the one most people in this pack would choose for a senior or arthritic cat that weighs up to 20 pounds. The listing gives a size of 24 by 20 by 5 inches, a front opening of 3 inches, and an open top that gives a view of the room. It describes the box as lightweight and durable, and it says the pan is made in the USA.
In practice, the low front opening is the feature to test first. A cat that steps in without jumping is using the box with less effort, and the listing says that is the point. The open top is the second feature. A cat that dislikes a closed hood can see the room and keep an eye on the surroundings, which the listing says helps with fear of enclosed spaces. The extra room is the third. A cat that can turn around and settle without touching the sides is less likely to miss, according to the listing.
The open top has one trade-off. Litter and urine can travel further without a hood, so the box will need a litter mat or a rug in front and a scoop schedule that matches the number of cats. The listing does not give a scatter measure, so judge it by the floor after a week of use.
The veterinarian recommendation in the listing is a product claim. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not replace a visit to your own veterinarian. If your cat is senior or arthritic, ask your veterinarian whether the box height and entrance suit your cat’s mobility. A change in urination, straining, blood in the urine or a change in litter box use needs a prompt veterinary check.
Mistakes to avoid with a top entrance box
- Buying by the title alone. Confirm the size and the cat weight guidance on the listing before you order.
- Expecting a lid. The KittyGoHere listings describe an open top, not a hooded box with a door.
- Using a small pet pan for a cat. The PODOO listing is for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets.
- Ignoring the scoop. Only one colorway includes the long-handle jumbo scoop, so check the listing before you assume a scoop is included.
- Skipping the veterinarian for a mobility problem. A box helps with access, but a cat that cannot reach the box needs an exam.
FAQ
What does top entrance mean for a litter box?
In the pack, top entrance is used in the sense of an open top box with a low front opening. The listings describe a top entry alternative for cats that dislike enclosed spaces, and they do not describe a hatch or lid.
Which size should I buy for my cat?
The KittyGoHere listings give a small size for cats up to 6 pounds and a large size for cats up to 20 pounds. The jumbo size is listed with a 3 inch opening. Choose by your cat’s weight and the space you have.
How high is the entrance?
The KittyGoHere listings give a front opening of 3 inches. The PODOO listing does not state an entrance height in its detail table.
Is an open top box good for a cat that scatters litter?
An open top gives the cat a view and easy access, but it does not stop scatter by itself. The listings do not give a scatter measure, so use a mat in front of the box and watch the floor.
Can I use a rabbit box for my cat?
The PODOO listing is for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters and birds. It is not described for cats. Use a cat box that the listing says is for cats.
Is a box recommended by veterinarians the same as a veterinary prescription?
No. The KittyGoHere listing says it is recommended by veterinarians, which is a claim in the product listing. It is not a prescription or a diagnosis. Ask your own veterinarian about your cat’s needs.
Bottom line
For a senior or small cat, the KittyGoHere open top box with a 3 inch low entrance is the clearest option in the pack, and the size should follow your cat’s weight. Choose the large box for a cat up to 20 pounds, the small box for a cat up to 6 pounds, and the jumbo size if the listing’s 3 inch opening suits your cat. Use the PODOO pan only for small pets, and speak to your veterinarian about any change in your cat’s mobility or litter box use.