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The IRIS Top Entry Litter Box has been carefully designed with several common concerns of cat owners in mind. When shopping for a litter box, most consumers are looking for something that masks unpleasant odors, looks good, and minimizes the chance of debris being tracked and scattered outside the bin.
Ratings
- Easy to clean – 8/10
- Odor Control – 9/10
- appearance – 9/10
- put up – 8/10
- price – 10/10
Total score: 8.8/10
With nice high walls and a top cover with an entrance where cats can hop in and out of the litter box to do their thing, this litter box will probably meet the needs of most cat owners.
As far as what IRIS offers for box-using cats, there’s a lot they should appreciate. The top lid provides privacy, and the box itself is large enough for most cats to move and move around comfortably.
Still, like most pet supplies, it’s not for every cat, especially kittens, older cats who aren’t as active as they used to be, and cats who have trouble jumping into the top entrance. So let’s dive into the pros and cons of the IRIS top-entry litter box so you can decide if it’s right for you and your cat.
Our Head of Content, Mallory Crusta, tested the Iris Top Entry Litter Box in May 2020, and I tested it myself this year. Watch Mallory’s in-depth video review of the Iris Top Entry Litter Box on the Cats.com YouTube channel.
how we test
I purchased IRIS and tested it on my two cats. Both of my littermates are healthy adult cats and neither has any physical issues with jumping or climbing. I put the box on my covered porch where the cats spend most of their time sunbathing and let them enjoy their new potty for a few weeks.
I monitored how often or how often the box was used, and how much trash was found from the box. At the end of the beta period, I was so excited to try out IRIS! Not only has this been a hit with me, it’s been a hit with my two cats too.
How big is the IRIS top-loading bin?
The IRIS litter box I purchased is the large model, measuring 20.47″L x 16.14″W x 14.56″H. The entry point on top where the cover is located measures 10.5″ x 9″, large enough for most adult cats to enter and exit comfortably.
The box also comes in a medium size, measuring 17.32 L x 13.39 W x 12.2 inches H. The different size options are great as not all cats will be able to use the large size such as kittens, older cats who may have difficulty reaching the top entrance, or cats with injuries that may make jumping into the box even more difficult.
In these cases, IRIS may still not be suitable for cats of these two sizes, but they may require a litter box that offers a much lower entry point from the ground. Before deciding whether an IRIS is the best litter box design, be aware of your cat’s specific needs.
READ ALSO: 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes of 2022 — We’ve Tried All
design
The IRIS is a covered, top-entry litter box designed to give your cat some much-welcomed privacy and keep the litter out of, well, out of sight! It’s tall, oval in shape, and feels like it might just be another plastic bin for storage.
The entry/exit is off-center enough to give your cat a platform to stand on before jumping into the litter. Lid is made of hard, sturdy plastic and can hold up to 20 lbs.
The part of the lid that serves as a platform for cats is designed with grooves that are obviously supposed to help clear litter from their paws as they leave the box, but I honestly don’t see it making a difference, although the overall design of the litter box does help Keep the clutter to a minimum (more on that later).
IRIS comes in a variety of colours: orange and grey, black and grey, gray and white, and white with a beige cover. All color combinations are understated and neutral, blending easily into most decors, so wherever you decide to place your IRIS, it won’t be an eyesore screaming “Hey, I’m a dumpster, look at me!” All I can say is, the owner of this cat really appreciates it!
The design is actually quite attractive, with cute little paw prints on the sides where the lid snaps into place. Hey, it’s a small detail, but those small details show that IRIS was designed with care.
Scatter and track
Because the entrance to this litter box is at the top, the cat has to jump to the top of the litter box to get in and out, and because most of the litter box is covered except for the entrance hole, very little litter is tracked to the cat outside the sandbox.
The lid’s built-in grooves are designed to help remove litter particles from your cat’s paws, making it easy to keep messes to a minimum. Maybe this helps some cats whose litter literally gets stuck in their paws and fur, but I haven’t really seen it affect my little ones much.
In fact, with the entrance/exit positioned off the center of the cover, my cats jumped straight out of the hole after completing their mission – their feet only jumped in when they first made contact with the grooved cover , not after, that’s when their claws go into the litter.
Still, because the walls are nice and high, with covers on top. This keeps litter scatter and tracking to a minimum as there is no way to kick litter all over the place. Everything fits nicely, making it one of the least messy litter boxes I own. I like this.
How much does an IRIS top entry litter box cost?
On Chewy’s Web site, IRIS sells for $35.99. While it’s not the cheapest litter box on the market, it’s far from the most expensive either.
The price tag is on par with most other lidded bins offered on Chewy, though it’s at the higher end of the range. The box is made of hard and durable plastic, so you and your cat should be able to use it for quite a while.
Unboxing and Assembly
IRIS is very easy to assemble. It comes with a removable cover that pops into place easily, and perhaps best of all, it doesn’t pop off too easily. That said, the lid is easy to remove when it’s time to scoop up some poop.
Speaking of spoons, the IRIS also comes with a small spoon, which is a nice little bonus.
Benefits of IRIS Top Entry Litter Boxes
- Provides excellent privacy for your cat
- beautiful
- Keep spam tracking to a minimum
Disadvantages of IRIS Top Entry Litter Boxes
- Not suitable for kittens or cats who have difficulty climbing/jumping to entry/exit
- A little more expensive than other covered bins
Overall, is the IRIS Top-Entry Litter Box a good choice?
After using this litter box with my two cats for a few weeks, I have to say yes, IRIS is a great litter box, provided your little furry friend doesn’t find the litter box walls too high to Can’t reach entrance/exit.
I found that the IRIS quickly became my favorite litter box after years of owning cats and trying many different litter box designs. So, as long as your cat has no problem with how to use this particular model of litter box, it should be a welcome addition to your and your cat’s lives.
Your cat may love the privacy this design affords them, and you’ll love the lack of mess that IRIS creates for you. The litter box is attractive and blends well into any decor, making it understated yet pleasing to the eye. Highly recommended dumpster gem!
Click here to buy Chewy IRIS Top Entry Litter Boxes
Also read: Petphabet Jumbo Covered Litter Box Review
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Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.