Which Litter Box Is Better for Large Cats?

If your cat’s litter box smells bad even after cleaning, the problem may not be your cleaning routine. The material itself can make a big difference. Plastic litter boxes can become scratched, stained and increasingly difficult to keep fresh, while a smooth stainless steel surface gives waste and litter far fewer places to cling.

That brings us to the Zarler XXL vs Modkat XL comparison. Both are designed with larger cats and messy litter habits in mind, but they take very different approaches. The Zarler XXL uses a large stainless steel litter pan with high sides, while the Modkat XL is a sophisticated plastic system that can be configured for top or front entry.

In this guide, we’ll compare their size, materials, cleaning, odor control, durability and practical day-to-day use. Most importantly, we’ll explain why stainless steel deserves serious consideration if your priority is a litter box that stays cleaner and fresher for longer.

The Core Problem with Old Materials

Plastic has been used for cat litter boxes for decades because it is cheap, light and easy to manufacture. It works. But there is an important weakness that becomes obvious with time: plastic can develop scratches and retain odors.

Every time you scrape a plastic litter box, particularly with a hard scoop, tiny surface marks can develop. Those scratches may look insignificant, but they create additional places for residue and organic material to remain after cleaning.

Urine is the bigger concern. If a plastic box has been used for months or years, the surface can gradually develop a persistent smell that ordinary washing no longer seems to remove. You may clean the box thoroughly and still notice that familiar litter-box odor returning surprisingly quickly.

Stainless steel takes a different approach. A quality stainless steel pan has a smooth, non-absorbent surface that does not soak up urine or odors in the way an aging plastic surface can. That does not mean a steel litter box is automatically odor-free. Waste still needs to be removed regularly, and the litter itself matters.

The advantage is simpler: the box itself is less likely to become a permanent source of smell.

This is one reason stainless steel has become so appealing to cat owners who are tired of replacing plastic boxes every year or two.

Zarler XXL vs Modkat XL: The Main Differences

1. Material: Stainless Steel vs Plastic

This is the biggest difference between the two.

The Zarler XXL is built around a stainless steel litter pan. Available specifications list the XXL at approximately 27.8 inches long by 20 inches wide and 12.9 inches high, or about 70.6 × 50.8 × 32.8 cm. It is designed as a very large, high-sided litter box.

The Modkat XL takes a completely different route. Its official specifications list a footprint of 21 × 16.5 × 17 inches, with a seamless ABS plastic base and polypropylene components. (Modkat)

That makes the Zarler considerably longer and wider.

For a large Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat or simply a big-bodied cat that likes plenty of room to turn around, that extra floor space can be valuable.

2. Cleaning and Odor Control

This is where stainless steel has a major practical advantage.

The Zarler’s steel pan can be emptied, washed and wiped without worrying about an aging plastic surface holding onto previous odors. Reviews also commonly praise the steel construction because litter and waste are easier to scrape from the surface.

The Modkat XL is not difficult to clean. In fact, its removable frame and reusable liners are designed specifically to make maintenance easier. The manufacturer says its liners can last up to three months. (Modkat)

However, there is an important distinction.

With Modkat, you are maintaining a plastic box and a liner system. With Zarler, you are primarily cleaning a metal pan.

If your number-one priority is minimizing the possibility of the litter box itself retaining odor, stainless steel gets the edge.

3. Entry Style

This is an area where Modkat XL is particularly clever.

The Modkat XL can be configured for top entry, front entry or dual entry. Its top entrance is approximately 10.25 inches wide, while the front entrance is approximately 8.3 inches wide and 9.8 inches high. (Modkat)

That flexibility can be useful in a multi-cat home.

Top entry may reduce litter tracking because cats step onto the walk-off platform before leaving. Front entry, however, can be easier for older cats or cats that dislike jumping. Modkat itself notes that front-entry solutions can be preferable for cats with mobility limitations. (Modkat)

The Zarler XXL is more straightforward. It is essentially about giving the cat a huge, high-sided toilet area with a stainless steel base.

4. Which Is Better for Large Cats?

For pure internal floor space, the Zarler XXL has the advantage.

Its approximately 27.8 × 20-inch footprint gives a large cat plenty of room to enter, turn, squat and reposition without feeling boxed in.

The Modkat XL is still genuinely large and is specifically marketed for large cats and multi-cat homes, but its footprint is smaller at 21 × 16.5 inches. (Modkat)

If your cat is exceptionally large, sprays high or simply refuses to use cramped litter boxes, I’d put more weight on usable floor area than clever features.

How to Get the Most From Your Litter Box

Regardless of which model you choose, a few habits make a dramatic difference.

Choose enough litter depth. Most cats prefer enough litter to dig and cover their waste. Follow the recommendations for your chosen litter, but avoid filling the box so high that your cat easily kicks it over the sides.

Scoop frequently. A stainless steel box will not magically eliminate litter-box odors if waste sits inside it all day. Removing clumps and feces at least once or twice daily is a good starting point.

Clean the pan regularly. Empty the litter completely when needed and wash the surface with warm water and a mild, cat-safe cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and dry before adding fresh litter.

Choose litter carefully. Clumping clay, tofu, wood and other litter types can all work, but odor control and tracking vary considerably. If odor is your biggest complaint, test one litter at a time rather than changing several things simultaneously.

Measure your cat, not just the product. A litter box should allow your cat to turn around comfortably. If your cat is a large breed or tends to urinate toward the edges, bigger is usually better.

Our Top Recommendations for a Better Litter Box

When comparing the Zarler XXL vs Modkat XL, the right choice ultimately depends on what matters most in your household.

Choose the Modkat XL if you want a highly designed litter system with flexible entry options, a covered configuration, reusable liners and features intended to reduce tracking. Its 3-position lid and front/top-entry configurations make it unusually adaptable. (Modkat)

Choose the Zarler XXL if your priority is maximum floor space, high sides and a stainless steel litter pan.

For many cat owners, that last point deserves more attention.

A litter box is not furniture. It is a container holding urine, feces and litter every day. The material therefore matters.

When shopping for any stainless steel litter box, look for:

• High sides to contain litter and urine spray.
• Rounded corners that are easier to wipe clean.
• A smooth stainless steel surface with minimal seams or crevices.
• Non-skid rubber feet where available, particularly on smooth flooring.
• Enough length and width for your cat to turn around comfortably.
• A sturdy construction that will not flex easily.
• Easy access for scooping so cleaning does not become a chore.

Stainless steel also offers a long-term advantage. Unlike plastic, it does not need to be replaced simply because the surface has become permanently smelly or heavily scratched.

That makes a steel litter box more than an upgrade in appearance. It can be an upgrade in everyday hygiene and maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zarler XXL bigger than Modkat XL?

Yes. The Zarler XXL is listed at approximately 27.8 × 20 × 12.9 inches, while the Modkat XL measures approximately 21 × 16.5 × 17 inches. The Zarler therefore provides substantially more floor area.

Does the Modkat XL smell less than a plastic litter box?

The Modkat XL has a seamless plastic base, reusable liners and an odor-filter holder, which can help with maintenance and odor management. However, its main box components are still plastic. (Modkat)

Why choose stainless steel over plastic?

Stainless steel is non-absorbent and does not retain odors in the same way an aging, scratched plastic box can. It is also durable and easier to thoroughly wash.

Is stainless steel better for large cats?

It can be, particularly when the box provides a large open floor area. The Zarler XXL’s generous dimensions make it especially interesting for large breeds and multi-cat households.

Conclusion

Between Zarler XXL vs Modkat XL, the Modkat wins on flexible entry design and clever features, while the Zarler XXL stands out for its much larger footprint and stainless steel construction. If long-term cleanliness, durability and resistance to odor retention are your priorities, upgrading from plastic to stainless steel is a smart move.

Give your cat a cleaner place to go—and make your own cleaning routine easier—with a properly sized stainless steel litter box.