Best Cat Litter Mats

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If you share your home with a cat, you already know the problem: tiny granules of litter stuck to paws, scattered across the bathroom floor, and somehow ending up in your bed. The best cat litter mats catch that litter right at the exit of the box, so it stays off your floors and goes back where it belongs. A good mat costs little, takes seconds to clean, and saves you a daily sweep.

In this guide we compare the most popular litter mats on the market, explain which material works for which litter and floor, and help you pick the right size the first time. Whether you need a budget mat, a waterproof double-layer trapper, or a jumbo mat for a multi-cat home, you will find a clear recommendation below.

Quick Picks: Best Cat Litter Mats at a Glance

• Best overall: Pieviev Double-Layer Cat Litter Mat (Super-Size)

• Best easy-empty trapper: iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat

• Best size range: Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat

• Best budget pick: Petmate Catcher Mat

• Best value rubber mat: Petlinks Purrfect Paws Cat Litter Mat

• Best with a raised lip: PetFusion ToughGrip Litter Mat

• Best washable fabric mat: Drymate Cat Litter Mat

Comparison Table

The Best Cat Litter Mats Reviewed

1. Pieviev Double-Layer Cat Litter Mat — Best Overall

The Pieviev mat is the classic honeycomb trapper. Its top layer has large holes that pull litter off your cat's paws as they walk across it. The granules fall through into a sealed, waterproof bottom layer. When the mat fills up, you open it along the edge and pour the litter into the trash.

• Material: Non-toxic EVA foam, two layers

• Cleaning: Open and dump, rinse with water

• Works with: Clumping clay, crystal, silica, most fine litters

Pros: Excellent trapping for fine litter; the waterproof base protects floors from urine accidents; soft on paws.
Cons: Takes a little practice to empty cleanly; the mat may arrive folded and need a day to lie flat.

Check price of the Pieviev mat

2. iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper EZ Clean Mat — Best Easy-Empty Trapper

iPrimio uses the same two-layer idea but adds an open-and-dump design that many owners find easier to empty. The large (30x23 in) and jumbo (32x30 in) versions cover the exit area of most standard boxes with room to spare.

• Material: EVA foam with a waterproof bottom layer

• Thickness: About 0.75 in

• Bonus: Space between layers can hold a puppy pad for extra protection

Pros: Smooth on paws; jumbo size is great for big boxes; quick to empty.
Cons: Can slide on tile or hardwood without a grip pad; priced higher than basic mats.

Check price of the iPrimio mat

3. Gorilla Grip Thick Cat Litter Trapping Mat — Best Size Range

No other brand covers as many shapes and sizes. Gorilla Grip makes this quilted coil mat in small (24x17 in), medium (30x20 in), large (35x23 in), XL (40x28 in) and jumbo (47x35 in), plus corner and half-circle versions. The textured backing helps it stay in place.

Pros: Pick the exact size you need; lightweight; many colors to match your room; waterproof backing.
Cons: Thinner than honeycomb mats; litter caught in the coils is harder to tip back into the box, so you will vacuum more often.

Check price of the Gorilla Grip mat

4. Petmate Catcher Mat — Best Budget Pick

The Petmate Catcher is a simple rubber mat with raised nubs that scrape litter off paws. It costs less than most bags of litter, and the XL version (47x32 in) covers a lot of floor for the money.

Pros: Very affordable; easy to shake out or rinse; XL size available.
Cons: Not waterproof; a rubber smell when new; may not lie completely flat at first.

Check price of the Petmate Catcher Mat

5. Petlinks Purrfect Paws Cat Litter Mat — Best Value Rubber Mat

Petlinks uses a patented paw-shaped pattern in non-toxic rubber. It is waterproof and non-slip, and it comes in medium, large (30x24 in) and jumbo (36x27 in).

Pros: Waterproof; grips the floor well; good price for the size.
Cons: Cats that love to scratch can tear it, so skip it if your cat claws mats.

Check price of the Petlinks mat

6. PetFusion ToughGrip Litter Mat — Best With a Raised Lip

PetFusion's mat has an anti-slip base, a raised edge that keeps litter on the mat, and a spout corner that makes pouring litter back into the box easy. It comes in large (27x22 in) and XL (38x26 in).

Pros: The raised lip contains scattered litter; stays put on smooth floors; easy pour spout.
Cons: Heavier than foam mats; very fine dust can cling to the surface.

Check price of the PetFusion mat

7. Drymate Cat Litter Mat — Best Washable Fabric Mat

Drymate looks like a regular rug. It is made of absorbent polyester with a bonded, non-slip backing, so it catches litter and soaks up small spills. It comes in many prints, which helps if your litter box sits in a living area.

Pros: Looks good in any room; absorbent; non-slip; machine washable.
Cons: Traps less litter than honeycomb mats; smaller sizes may not suit large boxes.

Check price of the Drymate mat

How to Choose the Best Cat Litter Mat

1. Match the material to your litter

Material matters more than anything else. Honeycomb (EVA) double-layer mats are best for fine clumping clay, silica and crystal litter because the small granules drop through the holes. Rubber and PVC mats with nubs or coils work with most litters and are easy to shake out. If you use large pine or paper pellets, read our guide to the best litter mats for pellet litter, because pellets do not fall through small holes.

2. Get the right size

A mat should be big enough that your cat takes at least two or three steps on it after leaving the box. As a rule, choose a mat that is at least as wide as your box and extends 12 to 18 inches past the exit. Large cats and top-entry boxes need even more space. See our picks of the best extra-large cat litter mats if you have more than one box or a big cat.

3. Decide if you need waterproofing

If your cat sometimes pees over the edge of the box, or you have a senior cat or kitten, a waterproof cat litter mat protects your floor. Rubber and double-layer EVA mats are usually waterproof; most fabric and foam mats are not.

4. Think about your floor

On tile, laminate or wood, a mat without grip will slide. Look for a textured or rubber backing. Our guide to the best litter mats for hardwood floors covers mats that protect the finish too.

5. Check how easy it is to clean

You will clean the mat several times a week. Double-layer mats are emptied like a bag. Rubber mats are shaken out or rinsed. Fabric mats go in the washing machine. Pick the routine that fits your day.

6. Consider your cat's paws

Some cats avoid hard, spiky textures. If your cat jumps over the mat instead of walking on it, try a softer EVA or fabric mat.

Honeycomb vs Rubber vs Fabric: Which Is Best?

Each material has a clear strength. Honeycomb traps the most litter and is usually waterproof. Rubber is cheap, tough and easy to rinse. Fabric is soft, absorbent and looks like home decor. For a full side-by-side breakdown, read our cat litter mat comparison guide.

Tips to Get the Most From Your Litter Mat

• Place it at the exit, not around the box. Cats shed most litter in the first few steps.

• Combine with a high-sided or top-entry box if your cat kicks litter.

• Empty it often. A full honeycomb mat stops trapping.

• Use a low-tracking litter with larger granules to reduce the mess.

• Trim the fur between your cat's toe pads if it is long, since fur carries litter.

If litter still ends up everywhere, our list of the best cat litter mats for tracking focuses on the mats that trap the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cat litter mats really work?

Yes. A good litter mat catches most of the litter that sticks to your cat's paws when they leave the box. Double-layer honeycomb mats trap the most, especially with fine clumping litter.

What is the best material for a cat litter mat?

EVA honeycomb is best for trapping fine litter and is usually waterproof. Rubber is the best budget option and is easy to clean. Fabric is best if you want a soft, washable mat that looks like a rug.

How big should a cat litter mat be?

Choose a mat at least as wide as the litter box that extends 12 to 18 inches beyond the exit. For large cats or multiple boxes, use an XL or jumbo mat.

How often should I clean a litter mat?

Empty or shake out the mat every one to three days, and wash it with mild soap and water once a week or whenever it gets wet.

Can I put a litter mat in the washing machine?

Only if the manufacturer says it is machine washable. Fabric mats like Drymate usually are. Rubber and EVA mats should be rinsed by hand.

Final Verdict

For most cat owners, the Pieviev Double-Layer Cat Litter Mat is the best cat litter mat: it traps fine litter well, protects floors with a waterproof base, and is easy to empty. If you want more size choices, go with Gorilla Grip. On a tight budget, the Petmate Catcher Mat does the basic job for very little money.

More Cat Litter Mat Guides

• Best Cat Litter Mats for Tracking

• Best Litter Mats for Large Cats

• Best Litter Mats for Small Apartments

• Best Litter Mats for Messy Cats