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Do Hooded Litter Boxes Help With Smell? (+ Training)

If your cat litter box is smelling or you are researching hooded boxes you may be wondering if they will help with the smell…

Do hooded litter boxes help with smell?

Hooded litter boxes do help with the smell. The covered design locks in the smell more, when compared to the conventional open litter box. This is advantageous for the cat owners in particular because the odor of a litter box is one of the cat owner’s biggest complaints.

3 Hooded Litter Boxes I like

Description	Image	My Rating
01. Petphabet hooded box (Best choice) Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Van Ness hooded litter box Click here for the price on Amazon
03. Iris hooded litter box Click here for the price on Amazon

So, now you know. But, do cats like these hooded litter boxes? What is better a closed or open litter box? How do you get your cat to use a hooded litter box? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Do cats like a hooded litter box?

Cats do like hooded litter boxes. However, a recent study showed they may not have a strong preference when compared to a standard open litter box. Therefore it is more of a choice of the owner to see what fits best with their lifestyle.

For cat owners, one of the biggest benefits is the fact it locks in the smell which may make them inclined to pick one up over an open one.

Which is better open or closed litter box?

In my opinion, a closed litter box is best because it’s great to stop other animals (pets) from getting into it, keeps the smell locked in, and conceals the litter in a box so guests can’t see it.

However, there are some disadvantages to consider as well. For example, some cats do not like to be confined inside a box, and it’s easy to forget to clean it because it’s neatly tucked away. So, if these disadvantages concern you, a closed one may be better suited for you.

Can you put a litter box up high?

You can put a litter box up high but it’s not the ideal location. It needs to be easily accessible. But, as well as this is should be away from any appliances, like washing machines and not too dark and gloomy either.

Choosing the right location for the litter box can take some time and trial and error. But, it’s important to get it right or you will end up cleaning up poop if your cat refuses to use it.

Why is a high-traffic area a bad place for a litter box?

Cats prefer privacy when they use the litter tray so it’s best to avoid a high-traffic location for their box. If you persist in using this type of location it could refuse to use it and find its own quiet spot in your home.

Can you get your cat to use a hooded litter box?

Yes, you can get your cat to use a hooded litter box. The best way is to use a hooded litter box with a removable top and slowly transition her from using it with the top off to having it on.

Now that you know the best way to get your cat to use a hooded litter box, keep reading to learn two other methods, the problems with some of these methods, my best litter box to make this easy and so much more.

How to you get your cat to use a hooded litter box

In this section, I will explain how to get your cat to use a hooded litter box. There is more than one option to consider. But, one of them is easier, in my opinion.

Here are the options:

• Use a hooded litter with a removable top (Best Option)
• Use two litter boxes (hooded & standard)
• Use any hooded litter box, but transfer old waste

01. Use a hooded litter with a removable top (Best Option)

Some cats take to hooded litter boxes right away. While others need some time to adjust. If you use a hooded litter box with a removable top you have the benefit of removing it, to imitate a standard litter box, then gradually get her used to having the top on.

Here is the process:

1. Remove the Top: Take the top off and fill it with litter
2. Familiarization: Let her get used to it as usual for a few days
3. Apply her scent: Once she is comfortable, give it time for her scent to be applied to it.
4. Put the lid on for a short while: See how she reacts, she should appreciate it, with her scent
5. Leave the hood on: If she accepts it ok, just keep it on. Otherwise, return to step one and take more time.

02. Use two litter boxes (hooded & standard)

This another method to train her to use a hooded litter pan. Effectively you will be using two litter boxes. One is the standard open litter box. And, the other is the hooded litter box. The idea is you want to slowly transition her from the standard to the new one.

This is done by swapping them out gradually and seeing how she responds. If she responds right away, fine, remove the old one for good. Otherwise, take more time and switch back again.

The problem with this double litter box method

The issue with this method is it is more costly and it is tricky to get it to work. Also, there is a chance it may never work and you are stuck with an unused hooded litter box. Basically, back to square one, right?

03. Use any hooded litter box, but transfer old waste

With this method, you have two-liter boxes again. One standard and the other is hooded. But, instead of having two sets of litter in each. You place the old litter into the hooded litter pan. This is to coax your kitty into the hooded litter box with her scent.

The problem with this method

The issue with this is cats are not silly. Even though the litter may smell familiar they can see it’s a new litter box. And the box itself does not have her scent on it, are you with me?

3 of My best hooded litter boxes with removable tops

In this section, I will reveal three of my best-hooded litter boxes that have removable tops. This will make it easy for you to implement option one above and transition her to using the litter box with a hood.

01. Petphabet hooded box (Best choice)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Removable & see-through hood
• Simple to keep clean (non-stick plastic)
• Nice large size (plenty of room inside)
• Ideal for multiple cat households (two cats)
• High back (avoids spilled litter)

Cons:

• No privacy door (just a hole)
• No number on the plastic (Can’t see what type)

What I like about this Petphabet hooded box

Firstly, just take a look at this hooded box, it looks eye-catching and solid. And, once you use my method to get your kitty using it, you will be happy.

I love the fact that it has a see-through and removable top. This means you can transition your fur baby to use it and stop her from freaking out when she is in it, are you with me?

With its non-stick plastic, it makes cleaning a doddle, are you with me? It is also a nice large size. So, when she is using it she will have plenty of room inside. This is even more beneficial if you have more than one cat.

The high back and cover help you to avoid unwanted spillage. Let’s face it, we all hate soiled litter getting spilled out the back of those standard litter boxes right?

In summary, if you are looking for a large hooded litter box, that is removable, and with a see-through top, then this sounds like the one for you.

What I dislike about this Petphabet hooded box

If you look at the image above, there is no privacy door, right? Well, some cats may not love this. Also, maybe a knit-pick on my part. But, it has no number on the plastic that I can see.

This usually gives you an indication of the plastic type that is used.

02. Van Ness hooded litter box

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Removable hood
• Simple to clean
• Odor & stain-proof
• Ideal for large (or multiple cats)
• Odor door (locks away the odor)

Cons:

• No refills provided with the filter
• No sifter with this model

What I love about this Van Ness hooded litter box

This cute blue litter box will please many cat owners with its swinging privacy door and appealing design. the hood is removable, so you can safely transition her into using it, as discussed earlier, in option one method.

It’s easy to clean which is always a bonus, especially when you are the person doing it, right? It uses odor and stain-proof materials to make this effortless and lock away the odor.

Also, regarding locking away odor. The door that it comes with also assists with this, by locking in the stench, are you with me?

This is also great for large cats. Or, households that have more than one cat.

In summary, if you are looking for a hooded litter box that has a privacy door and easy to clean, then this should be strongly considered.

What I do not love about this Van Ness hooded litter box

This litter box comes with a filter. But, it is a bit annoying to see that there are no refills provided with it. it’s not a big issue to be fair, but worth mentioning. Also, please note this model does not come with a sifter.

03. Iris hooded litter box

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Handy removable hood
• Simple to clean
• Comes with a litter scoop
• Holds in the odor (hinged door provided)
• Privacy (hooded top)

Cons:

• The door is a bit flimsy
• The entrance door is on the small side

What I appreciate about this Iris hooded litter box

I love the two-tone look of this litter box. I just feel that it will fit into most modern houses with ease, right? I also appreciate the fact that it is easy to clean with a removable hood, which will make it easy to transition her using the method discussed above.

This litter box comes with a matching litter scoop. I like the fact that it’s matching. I know, that should not be important. But, for me, these little things matter, are you with me?

The hinged door helps to hold in the odor (more on this later). And, any effort to get rid of these smells in your home is appreciated.

In summary, if you are looking for a hooded litter box (Click here to see the best one for Canadians) with a removable top, matching scooper, and swing door, this is the one for you.

What I do not appreciate about this Iris hooded litter box

I mentioned earlier that the hinged door helps to lock in the odor, remember? Well, it does, but it is a bit flimsy, in my opinion. Also, regarding this door, it is a bit small. I just feel that it could be a tad bit bigger.