Mar 22, 2025

How to Choose the Perfect Travel Litterboxes for Your Trip

Finding a travel solution that keeps your kitty comfortable and prevents a cat carrier catastrophe? A foldable litter box is your secret weapon, turning potential travel chaos into a smooth enjoyable experience.

Let’s explore this sanity-saving device, shall we?

Last summer, I took Mia on a three-day road trip through the mountains. Having our Portable Litterbox meant we could stop at beautiful lookout points without stressing about finding pet-friendly accommodations every few hours just for bathroom breaks.

Now we use it for air travel, in hotels and AriBnb's and basically every time we travel.

Are Foldable Litter Boxes Mess-Free? What to Expect

Let's be real – no litter solution is 100% mess-free, but some options come close. Here's what you should expect in a portable litterbox:

Leakage concerns

Well-designed travel boxes use water-resistant materials that prevent seepage. Look for silicone or high-density polyethylene options with seamless bottoms.

The OutdoorBengal litterbox has no seams preventing urine from seeping through the fabric.

Litter tracking

This remains the biggest challenge. Cats will still kick litter out, especially when the litter box is small. When traveling I want to have the lightest litterbox possible to make traveling a little lighter. However, the smaller the box, the more tracking will happen.

A box with higher sides and a mat that grips tracking litter can significantly reduce scatter. I am not super worried about this one when I'm on the move, but it bothers me a lot at home.

Odor control

Odor has never been a problem on my portable litterbox. Why? Because I clean it and put it away. Make sure that the surface of the tray is non-stick to help with cleaning. Some other tricks are:

Using clumping litter for easier waste removal
Bringing small dog poop bags for disposing of waste

Nothing says "I'm a responsible pet owner" like discreetly scooping cat poop, placing it into a dog poop bag, and tossing it.

Poop bags are great when traveling with cats

I have practiced my poker face at airports and hotel lobbies so much that I'm not bothered by it anymore.

Setup/cleaning in small spaces

Have a system ready for hotel bathrooms or other tight quarters. I always bring cleaning wipes specifically for the box (disinfecting ones). When we are leaving the space I scoop the litterbox, wipe it off and pack it up.

Top Features to Look for in a Travel Litter Box

Not all portable options deliver equal performance. These features separate the truly travel-worthy from the merely foldable:

Made to Last - Material Quality

Polyeaster with PVC coating offers the ideal balance of waterproofing and durability. It's the material used on premium duffel bags (the part that touches the floor. It doesn't get scratch easy and prevents liquid from sipping through.

This material also folds without cracking, cleans easily, and resists odor absorption. Nylon options work well but may retain smells over time. And trust me, "eau de litter box" is not the signature scent you want for your luggage.

Leak-proof construction

Examine seams carefully—they should be sealed or seamless. Waterproof backing is essential, especially for soft-sided models. I would look for a litterbox that has no seams in the area the cat uses.

Once you have bought your litterbox, you can test them at home very easily. Fill the litterbox with a small amount of water on a towel and see if anything gets out.

Flat surface for the cat

Many travel litterboxes out there are basically a box with a lining. The problem with that system is that when the litterbox is set up, the lining is all wrinkled.

A wrinckled lining poses 3 problems:

It's uncomfortable for the cat and might cause an elimination accident
It's very hard to clean all the crevisces
It makes it easier for the cat to scratch through them

I look for a litterbox that will lay flat on the floor. Look for OutdoorBengal Travel Litterbox Kit.

Collapse mechanism

Look for intuitive folding patterns that don't require an engineering degree to figure out. The best boxes fold flat in seconds without complicated steps. If the instruction manual is longer than this blog post, keep shopping.

Size dimensions

Seek the balance between comfort for your cat and practicality for travel. Most cats need at least 13" x 13" of floor space, but the sides can be lower than standard boxes.

The Outdoor Bengal travel litterbox is 14"x14". Your cat may give you the stink eye for the smaller accommodations, but they'll get over it.

Portability

Do you know that feeling of "I'm missing something"?

A dedicated storage bag that keeps all your travel litter solution together prevents leaving one of the pieces of the gear behind.

You also want a bag that won't break and spill all the dirty litter around the rest of your luggage.

Cleaning ease

I sort of covered this one already but non-stick surfaces that wipe clean without scrubbing will save tremendous hassle on the road. When you're on vacation, do you really want to spend time scrubbing dried cat litter with your fingernails? I think not.

The perfect travel box balances all these factors with your specific travel style in mind. Our Portable Litterbox was designed with these exact features after countless travel trials with Mia. It's basically the result of all my travel litterbox disasters so you don't have to experience them yourself. You're welcome.

Soft-Sided vs. Hard-Shell Foldable Litter Boxes

Feature	Soft-Sided	Hard-Shell
Portability	Lightweight and packable, making it a breeze to squeeze into tight spaces.
Setup	Easy to set up, but more wobbly when in use.	May require a bit more assembly time but are sturdier when up.
Cleaning	Often machine-washable – a serious win for lazy cat parents (like myself!).	Easy to wipe down. Grab a disinfectant wipe and you're good to go!
Space Efficiency	Minimal and compact.	Can take up more space when stored, which might be a deal-breaker if you're a minimalist packer.
Cat Comfort	A bit more wobbly and has lower sides making litter tracking more common.	Offers more stability, which can be reassuring for skittish cats.

The Verdict: Soft-sided boxes are the go-to for short trips and convenience. Hard-shell versions are better for extended adventures where durability reigns supreme. Choose your fighter!

Check out our Best Portable Litterboxes Guide for top recommendations.

DIY vs. Store-Bought Litter Boxes: The Epic Battle

The choice between crafting your solution (with an oven tray or similar) vs. purchasing a ready-made option depends on several factors:

DIY Advantages:

Cost savings (often under $10 in materials)
Can match your specific space constraints
Satisfaction of creating something functional
Bragging rights on social media: "Look what I made for Mr. Whiskers!"

DIY Disadvantages:

Typically less durable than commercial options
May lack proper leak-proofing
Often bulkier when packed
Can look less presentable in public settings (nothing says "I'm winging this whole trip" like a repurposed plastic container with duct tape reinforcements)

Simple DIY Option: an aluminum, disposable oven tray.

If you are a very occasional traveler, a simple DIY might be the best way to get started. If you and your cat manage to get comfortable traveling, then consider getting a store-bought one.

Store-Bought Advantages:

Engineered specifically for travel challenges
Better odor and leak containment
More compact folding designs
Dedicated storage cases included
Professional appearance in hotels or others' homes
Won't make you look like you're transporting contraband through hotel lobbies

Store-Bought Disadvantages:

Higher initial investment ($15-40)
Limited customization options
Some features you pay for may go unused

For frequent travelers, the convenience and reliability of commercial products usually outweigh the cost savings of DIY. Our Portable Litterbox was designed after I experienced the limitations of DIY solutions firsthand. Some lessons are best learned from others' misadventures—this is one of them.

For serious travelers, investing in a quality portable cat litter box is worth it. See our Best Portable Litterboxes Guide for expert picks.

Why Your Emergency Kit Needs a Portable Litter Box (And Your Cat Will Judge You If It Doesn't)

When disaster strikes, your cat's routine matters more than ever. A portable litter box should be a non-negotiable component of your pet emergency kit because:

Stress reduction

Familiar bathroom options decrease anxiety during chaotic situations. Cats often refuse to eliminate in strange environments without proper facilities, leading to health issues and additional stress. Your cat might be thinking: "Oh sure, the world is ending, but where exactly am I supposed to poop?"

Shelter requirements

Many emergency shelters that accept pets require you to manage your animal's waste. Having your own solution prevents being turned away when you're already in a difficult situation. Nothing adds to the stress of evacuation like being the unprepared pet parent.

Sanitation concerns

During emergencies, human bathroom facilities may be limited. Keeping pet waste properly contained becomes a public health issue that shelter managers take seriously. No one wants to be "that person" whose cat created a biohazard in corner 3 of the emergency shelter.

Ready-to-go factor

Pre-packed litter boxes deploy instantly when time is critical. Even five minutes spent creating a makeshift solution could be crucial in emergency evacuations. When seconds count, you don't want to be engineering a litterbox out of an Amazon box and wishful thinking.

Your emergency kit should include:

Foldable litter box
3-day supply of your cat's regular litter in a sealed container
Waste bags for disposal
Portable scoop
Gloves and sanitizing wipes
Your cat's favorite treats, because bribery works when all else fails

For more information on helping your cat through stressful situations, our article on cat body language can help you recognize signs of anxiety early. Being able to read your cat's stress signals before they escalate can make all the difference.

Pro Tip: Check out the Emergency Evacuation Kit Guide for a full pet emergency checklist.

Why Your Emergency Kit Needs a Portable Litter Box