Best Cat Litter Mats to Stop Litter Tracking

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Last updated: 11 November 2026

You step out of bed in socks, cross the landing in the dark, and there it is: that gritty crunch underfoot. The cat used the tray at 4 a.m., kicked half of it over the edge, then walked the rest down the stairs on four little paws.

The best cat litter mat is one big enough to catch your cat on the way out, textured enough to pull granules from between their toes, and easy enough to clean that you will actually do it. Size and texture matter far more than colour or brand.

The quick version

Litter tracking is mostly a paws problem, so the mat has to sit where your cat lands after jumping out. A honeycomb trapper mat catches the most, a soft rubber mat suits fussy paws, and a waterproof raised-edge mat protects floors from overspray. Shake or vacuum it every couple of days and the stairs stay crunch-free.

What to look for in a cat litter mat

Start with size. A mat that only fits the tray’s footprint misses the leap. Measure from the tray entrance to where your cat usually lands; for many cats that is 40 to 60 cm, more for a cat who launches out like the floor is lava.

• Texture that grips grit. Deeper grooves or holes catch more litter, but very rough surfaces can put a sensitive cat off.
• Waterproof backing. Worth it if urine ever misses the tray. A backing also stops wet litter staining wooden floors.
• Easy emptying. Double-layer mats open like a book so you can tip the litter straight back into the bin or tray.
• Non-slip underside. A mat that skids every time your cat jumps off is worse than no mat.
• No strong smell. Some cheap PVC mats arrive with a chemical whiff. Air it out for a day first.

Your litter type changes things too. Fine clumping clay sticks to fur and toes more than large pellets, so it benefits most from a deep-textured mat. If you are still choosing a litter, our guide to litter for multi-cat homes covers how each type behaves.

Which mat suits your cat? A quick decision table

Your situation	Best mat type	Watch out for
Litter everywhere, cat not fussy	Honeycomb double-layer	Urine can seep through if not sealed
Cat avoids rough surfaces	Soft rubber or flat PVC	Traps less than deep-textured mats
Cat sprays, misses or kicks wet litter	Waterproof with raised edges	Needs wiping, not just shaking
Senior cat or stiff joints	Thin, flat, non-slip mat	Thick mats can be a tripping lip

Three litter mat styles worth a look

The honeycomb double-layer mat

This is the workhorse. The top layer is full of holes, granules fall through into the sealed lower layer, and you peel it open to empty it. For a heavy kicker or a house with fine clumping litter, it is the one I would choose first. Look at a large honeycomb double-layer cat litter mat on Amazon and size up rather than down.

Skip if: your cat has ever walked round a mat to avoid touching it. Some cats simply hate the feel.

The soft rubber or flat PVC mat

Thinner, quieter, and gentler on paws. It will not catch quite as much, but a cat who refuses the honeycomb will happily walk across this. It also wipes clean in seconds and works well under a tray in a small bathroom. A soft non-slip rubber litter mat on Amazon is a fair middle ground.

The waterproof raised-edge mat

Think of this as a tray for the tray. The lip holds in scattered litter and any overspray, which matters if you have a cat who stands up to wee or a kitten still working out the edges. A waterproof raised-edge litter mat on Amazon is easy to lift and rinse in the shower.

Best for: sprayers, high-sided trays with a low entry, and rented flats with carpet you would like to see again.

Where to put the litter mat

The mat goes wherever your cat exits, which is not always the front. Top-entry trays fling litter in a wider circle, so a bigger mat helps there.

The tray’s position matters more than the mat. International Cat Care recommends a quiet spot away from food, water and busy areas, and Cats Protection advises keeping trays away from doorways, cat flaps and noisy machines like washing machines. A mat should never push the tray somewhere your cat feels exposed. If you are planning a setup from scratch, see how many litter boxes your cats need and our pick of the best litter boxes.

How often should you clean a litter mat?

Shake or vacuum it every day or two, at the same time you scoop. Cats Protection suggests removing waste from the tray twice a day and fully washing the tray at least weekly; giving the mat a rinse on the same weekly wash day keeps it simple.

Use hot water and a mild, unscented detergent. International Cat Care warns that some disinfectants that turn cloudy in water are toxic to cats, so skip those, and avoid heavy fragrance near the tray. Dry the mat fully before it goes back down.

Special cases

Multi-cat homes: one mat per tray, and spread the trays out. A single giant mat linking two trays side by side tends to turn them into one tray in your cats’ eyes.

Long-haired cats: litter clings to the fur between toes. Getting your cat relaxed about having their paws handled makes a quick wipe or tidy far easier; our guide on how to trim cat claws covers gentle paw handling.

Sudden mess outside the tray: a mat will not fix this. If your cat starts going beside the tray rather than in it, read our guide on a cat peeing outside the litter box and check in with your vet, since pain or a urinary problem can be behind it.

Do litter mats really stop tracking?

Not completely. Honestly, nothing does. A good mat catches most of it, and a little regular grooming and a bigger tray deal with the rest. You will still find the odd granule in the bed. You just stop finding them on every stair.

Sources: International Cat Care, Choosing a litter tray for your cat; Cats Protection, Cats and toileting.