Lucky for you, your kitty likes to clean up after herself. And a litter box gives her a place to do just that. The question is what kind of litter box should you choose?

The Basics

You want to pick a litter box that's made of durable plastic, so it won't absorb the smell of your pet's waste. If your kitten is small, you may want to choose a box with low, 2 to 3 inch sides. When she's bigger, you'll want a box with 4 inch or higher sides to keep her from spreading litter around as she scratches. Be sure the box is big enough for your cat to easily turn around or scratch to cover her waste. And don't forget your kitten will grow quite a bit bigger. It should be at least 24 inches long or wide.

Ready to make a choice in style? Consider these options.

Tray Boxes

Simple is good. These basic litter boxes cost less than the other options, are easy for your kitten to get in and out of, take up less room in your house and give you easy access for scooping.

On the downside, a dirty tray box may spread more odor than the hooded variety and your kitty can easily scatter litter over the side. Also, exploring dogs and babies have easy access to these litter boxes too.

Hooded Boxes

A hooded litter box keeps the litter better contained and helps keep unpleasant smells away from you. However, this means the odors are trapped inside so it will need to be cleaned more often than an open one.

However, hooded boxes take up more room, may cost more and can be harder to scoop. Some cats may also have trouble finding a comfortable position squatting under the hood. You may also forget to clean the litter box as often because out of sight may easily come to mean out of mind.

Still, your kitty may appreciate the privacy. The hood does keep the family dog and baby out of her way while she's doing her business.

Self-cleaning Boxes

These miracle machines automatically sift solid material from the litter and store it in a plastic bag, which is an incredibly convenient approach for you. This is the most expensive box option, but it's clearly worth the hit to the pocketbook for people who want as little to do with litter as possible. It's also important to note that some cats may feel skittish about these animated boxes.

Keep in mind, the best rule is one box per cat. And once you find a box that works for your feline friend, stick with it. The less you change her routine, the happier she'll be, and the less likely you'll be to find a smelly surprise somewhere else in the house.