There’s nothing like snuggling up with your favorite feline after a long day. Cats are one of the most popular pets in the country. More than 36 million households have a feisty kitty in residence. Cats have a reputation for being harder to win over than dogs, but if you learn how to read them, they’ll be crawling into your lap in no time.

Cats are very sensitive to their environments. Moves, new roommates or even a new piece of furniture can stress them out. One of the most important parts of your cat’s environment is the one thing we’d like to hide away: the litter box.

Choosing the right litter box is essential for your cat’s health. Cats that are comfortable in their litter boxes are less likely to have accidents outside of the box. Plenty of people grab the cheapest litter box at the pet store and call it a day, but there’s more to consider if you want a happy home for your feline.

First off, your cat’s litter box needs to be easy to get into. This might seem like a no-brainer, but different kitties have different priorities when it comes to litter box entry. Most cats are fine with an open-top box, like Petmate’s Open Litter Pan. However, older cats might need a little help getting in and out. Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box dips down at the entrance, so your cat can stroll inside instead of hopping into the box.

Other cats do well with a hooded litter box. Hooded boxes reduce the amount of litter that your cat kicks out when they’ve finished their business, and Catit’s pan also has a clear door for even more litter tracking control. If your cat likes hooded pans but balks at using a box with a door, Purina’s Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter Box System might be a better choice.

Picking the right pan for your cat is important, but your cat can’t comfortably use it if you don’t buy the right size. You wouldn’t want to use a bathroom with your knees shoved against the door when you sit down, and neither does your cat.

Cats need to be able to turn all the way around in their box so they have enough room to bury their business. The perfect litter box is at least one-and-a-half-times the length of your cat. Mid-sized cats or kittens can get away with the slightly smaller dimensions of Petmate’s Open Litter Pan.

Maintaining a pristine litter box is crucial for a healthy kitty. You should scoop the box at least once a day (more if you have multiple cats using the same box). Every few weeks, you should also dump out all the old litter, disinfect the box and refill it with fresh litter. However, certain litter boxes are easier to scoop out than others.

Open pans, like Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box, are a snap to scoop. Hooded pans take a little more maneuvering, but the Catit Jumbo Pan’s hood lifts up for simpler scooping. Purina’s BREEZE Box absorbs urine with disposable pads, so you might not have to scoop out clumps of urine as frequently.

Many first-time cat owners hide the litter box away in a basement, utility room, garage or another room where people don’t usually hang out. They usually do it because they want to keep the box’s smell or appearance away from visitors.

However, placing your litter box in an unpleasant environment discourages your cat from using it. Keep the box in a warm, friendly spot that’s easily accessible for your cat. If you really want to hide the inside of the box, a hooded box can keep your litter under wraps.

Scooping litter is a reality you’ll have to face as a cat owner. Self-scooping litter boxes exist, but the noises they make are a turnoff for some kitties. There are plenty of other options that make life easier without the mechanical sounds of an automatic scooper. For example, Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter Box System uses a combination of disposable urine pads and anti-tracking, clumping litter pellets to keep your cat’s box a little cleaner.

A dream litter box would scoop itself, never smell, turn invisible when guests come over and be comfortable for your cat. That magic box doesn’t exist, but you can get pretty close if you follow our tips and advice below.