Cat Litter Trays
Most litter-tray problems are tray problems: too small, too covered, or too few. Get the basics right and the cat uses it reliably — get them wrong and they’ll find somewhere you like less.
Open, hooded or high-sided?
Open trays are what most cats prefer — they like to see around them while they go. Hooded trays contain odour and scatter and give shy cats privacy, but some cats feel trapped in them, so introduce one carefully. High-sided open trays are the best of both: they keep litter and over-the-edge spraying in without enclosing the cat.
Whatever the style, bigger is better. The tray should be at least one and a half times your cat’s body length so they can turn around and dig comfortably — cramped trays are the number-one reason cats go elsewhere.
How many, and where
The rule is one tray per cat, plus one spare — two cats means three trays — and never line them all up in a row, as cats treat a row as a single resource. Spread them across the home.
Site trays somewhere quiet, away from food and water and from busy through-routes. Scoop daily and do a full litter change and wash regularly; cats are fastidious and a dirty tray is quickly rejected.
Everything here is chosen to be genuinely useful in everyday life with your pet — quality-checked, fairly priced and shipped tracked across the UK. For any health concern, your vet is always the best first port of call.
Common questions
Open or covered litter tray — which is better?
Most cats prefer an open tray with a clear view around them. Covered trays trap odour and offer privacy but can feel confining, so if you use one, make sure it’s roomy and introduce it gradually.
How many litter trays do I need for two cats?
Three — the guideline is one tray per cat plus one spare, placed in different locations rather than side by side, so neither cat can guard them all.
Why has my cat stopped using the litter tray?
Common causes are a dirty tray, one that’s too small or too covered, a bad location, or a sudden litter change. Rule out a urinary or health problem with your vet if it’s out of character.
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