The 8 Best Cat Litter Mats, According To Reviewers

To help you keep your house and your furball's paws clean, the best cat litter mats have gentle, textured elements that will effectively catch loose litter particles. For further floor protection, they should also have a waterproof, slip-resistant bottom. The style you choose will come down to your space and personal preferences.

Most mats will incorporate a textured surface, like wavy ridges or a honeycomb pattern, which works to contain the spread of granules, but from there they differ by the material. In my experience with my own cats, they will generally avoid harsh, bristle-like surfaces and favor softer ones. Microfiber is extra-gentle on feline paws, has the advantage of being machine washable, and tends to be the most aesthetically similar to a traditional bath mat. However, the longer fibers can soak up urine, which can cause smells to linger, so they may require more frequent washings. Similarly, other synthetic materials (like foam or rubbery mesh PVC) are soft and won't irritate your cat's paws, but they can more easily be wiped down or even vacuumed. That said, depending on their design, they can still hold onto liquid messes, which may require more scrubbing.

If your pet regularly overshoots when they are doing their business or have any incontinence issues, a silicone mat will be much easier to wipe or spray down and will dry quickly. They are still pliable and provide a nice cushion, just keep in mind it may take a couple of days for your cat to get used to the feeling of them.

Finally, you'll want to consider the size of your mat. If you have a traditional litter box (or one that doesn't have particularly high sides), go for a mat that's big enough to cover at least a few inches around the perimeter. Covered litter boxes, on the other hand, might only need a mat that comes up to the entrance. To make it easy for you, most mats come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The best cat litter mats can make a huge difference in how much time you spend cleaning up after your furball — find them all below.

1. Editor’s Pick: The Best Mesh Mat

• Available sizes: Small (24 x 17 inches), Large (35 x 23 inches), Half Circle (30 x 20 inches), Corner (32 x 32 x 45 inches), and Jumbo (47 x 35 inches)

With more than 25,000 five-star reviews, this Gorilla Grip litter mat is one of the most popular picks on Amazon and it’s been tried and tested in the home of Bustle editor Cristina Sanza. One reviewer called it a "lifesaver," adding, "I literally don’t step on litter anymore!" The textured, mesh squares are made of thick, rubber-like PVC coils that easily trap litter. Though it's durable enough to be scratch- and tear-resistant, users love how soft it is, with one writing that their cats even love to lay on it. The phthalate-free mat can be wiped down or vacuumed clean and has a slip-resistant, waterproof bottom to keep it in place. It's available in 16 colors, including black, beige, and hunter green, and you can choose from multiple shapes and sizes to accommodate multiple litter boxes.

One cat parent's take: "Anyone who has a kitty knows how much they insist on making a mess kicking around the litter and dragging it outside the litter box. This catches about 95% of that and actually somehow brushes it off the bottom of their paws so it all stays on the mat! It’s awesome.”

2. The Best Double-Layered Foam Mat

• Available sizes: 24 x 15 inches, 30 x 24 inches

The clever part of this cat litter mat is that when you peel the layers apart on the side, the liter bits that were trapped in the honeycomb weave get strained down to the bottom layer so that you can easily pour the remnants straight into your garbage can. The top layer is made of soft EVA foam and should feel cushy for most paws. The nontoxic mat is waterproof and has a slip-resistant bottom. It can also be vacuumed, wiped down with a cloth, or even sprayed down with a hose for a deeper clean. It's available in three colors: black, gray, and brown.

One cat parent's take: "I have 3 cats and a kitten, and this mat is perfect for keeping the litter tracking in check. I ended buying a second smaller one for the kitten's personal litter box in her room. When we first got it, the cat looked at it like strangely, but they don't think twice about it now. It's super easy to clean, dries fast, when you wash it. I have no litter tracking across my floor any longer, it's just what I was looking for!"

3. The Best Microfiber Mat

• Available sizes: 31 x 20 inches, 35 x 25 inches

Especially great for sensitive toes, this Vivaglory mat is made with thousands of soft, deep microfiber strands that can help catch all kinds of litter. The mat is easy to shake out and can also be tossed in the washing machine. Plus, the bottom is waterproof and there's a slip-resistant backing to keep it in place. Color options include beige, brown, gray, and navy blue.

One cat parent's take: "I have much less daily sweeping, and can now just pick up the small mats once a week to shake out and toss in the washer. My floors are protected (they are waterproof), and they are incredibly soft.”

4. The Best Silicone Mat

• Available sizes: 38 x 26 inches
• Also available on Chewy, $40

This silicone mat's elevated inner ridges and outer lip provide a barrier for flying or tracked debris. This pick gets especially enthusiastic feedback from reviewers whose cats are prone to peeing outside the box, with one reviewer calling it "invaluable if you have a cat who likes to stand to pee and sometimes aims out of the entrance.” The pliable FDA-grade silicone mat is moderately soft and can be folded up to pour out litter through the side indents specially designed for the job. The mat can also easily be vacuumed, wiped down, or swept with a broom. It's also waterproof, nontoxic, antimicrobial, and has anti-slip traction on the bottom.

One cat parent's take: "This is far the 'BEST' mat on the market. It is soft so the cats like to walk on it, super easy to clean, keeps the litter contained and keeps tracking down, you can just dump the litter back into the litter box. I have used all kinds of mats through the years and you may find one that does something really good but then you find it is so hard to clean or your cats don’t want to walk on it. This mat has met all the criteria I want in a litter mat. I am 100% pleased and it looks nice too."

5. The Best Foam Litter Mat

• Available sizes: 40 x 25 inches

The ridges in this ribbed foam mat catch cat litter and keep it from tracking all over. Lightweight and easy to clean with a vacuum, the mat can also be cut down to fit any space. It is BPA- and phthalate-free and has a nonslip bottom to keep it in place. However, the foam mat is not waterproof, so would not be a good choice for kittens still being litter-trained or cats that tend to go outside the box.

One cat parent's take: “Love this mat. It is the perfect size for my cat to walk along to get litter off her feet. And it is long enough to catch any litter that flings out of her litter box when she jumps out. My favorite part is the black pattern.”

6. The Best Corner Cat Litter Mat

• Available sizes: 37.75 x 30.8 inches

If you have a triangular litter box tucked out of the way, this corner litter mat will fit the space perfectly while still having a wide litter-trapping radius. Made from a rubberized material, the mat is soft on kitty’s paws. The webbed material traps littler particles and can be either shaken clean or vacuumed.

One cat parent's take: “What a perfect cat litter mat for our bathroom. It fits perfectly in the corner of our bathroom and we have a matching grey litter box. It looks very nice and catches the litter on the mat, not on the floor.”

7. The Best For Covered Litter Boxes

• Available sizes: 17.1 x 14 inches
• Also available on Chewy, $6

If your litter box is tucked away in a cabinet or has a cover, chances are your kitty’s litter kicks are contained, for the most part. But you’ll still want to give them a place to wipe their paws when they exit, and this small rubber mat will trap litter without taking up a lot of space. Crevices in the flexible mat catch particles of different sizes, but are still gentle enough for cats to walk on. Reviewers note that the mat stays in place and is super easy to clean with a shake or a vacuum cleaner.

One cat parent's take: "Does a great job of catching the litter that would have otherwise been tracked all over the room. I am using it with a covered litter box that has a flap door, so the cat only has one point of exit, which is what makes this mat work.”

8. The Best Pattern

• Available sizes: 30 x 18 inches, 35 x 24 inches

Not only does this cat litter mat have a decorative motif to disguise its true purpose, but it’s also available in six colors — including tan and sky blue — that let you better match your kitty’s accessory with your decor. The mat is phthalate- and BPA-free and waterproof. The decorative pattern helps trap litter particles while being gentle on your cat’s paws. A nonslip bottom keeps it firmly in place, and you can vacuum the mat to clean or simply shake it off. A popular choice with pet owners, the mat has earned more than 2,400 five-star ratings.

One cat parent's take: "I'm always on the quest for the ultimate litter mat and this one fits the bill nicely! It looks very stylish and it actually works. It's easy to clean too.”