Picking the a litter tray for your cat is not as simple as pulling the first tray you see off the shelf. The best litter box for a cat is one that matches their litter habits and your own preferences.
Read on to learn what type of litter tray your cat might like and some bonus advice on litter box maintenance and hygiene.
Contents
- Recommended litter tray size
- Recommended number of litter boxes
- Recommended placement of litter boxes
- Types of litter boxes
- Litter tray FAQs
Key considerations when choosing a litter box
No matter what type of litter tray you have, the following principles apply.
How big should a litter box be?
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the bigger your cat, the bigger litter tray you need. But just how big should it be?
Your cat’s litter box should be big enough for your cat to comfortably fit in and turn around in. If part of their body is hanging over the edge while they’re trying to do their business, it’s too small.
There is no exact measurement, just a simple rule of thumb: the litter tray length should roughly 1.5x the length of your cat at minimum.
How many litter boxes do you need?
Not having enough clean litter tray options can be a source of stress for your cat and may result in them urinating in inappropriate places. Greencross Vets recommend you have at least one litter box per cat plus one more:
- One cat = two litter boxes
- Two cats = at least three litter boxes
- Three cats = at least four litter boxes
- And so on
Where should you put a litter box?
Cats like their privacy. Your litter box should be in a calm, quiet area of the house that doesn’t get too much foot traffic and is easy for your cat to access. If you have multiple litter trays, place them in different areas around the house. Make sure they’re away from your cat’s eating and resting areas.
Types of litter boxes for cats
Standard litter box
When you think of a litter tray, you probably picture the rectangular trays with short edges. The low sides make it easy for kittens and elderly cats to climb in and out of the tray. These trays are generally the simplest and often the most affordable.
High-back litter boxes
If you have a cat that loves to dig and make a mess of the floor around their litter tray, these litter boxes are for you. These litter trays have high edges (with one part kept low for easy access) which make it harder for your little digger to fling litter all over the floor.
Covered or hooded litter boxes
These litter boxes are for the shy poopers – the cats who don’t want to be perceived as they do their business. The semi-enclosed space offers plenty of privacy for your feline friend. However, they may be harder to move around in, especially for large cats, so pay close attention to the space available inside.
Ezi-Lock Odour’s Dual Layer Cat Litter System
Ezi-Lock Odour litter trays are a unique dual-layer system designed for odour control, available in both open and hooded styles. It consists of two layers: on top, natural mineral zeolite pellets with micropores that lock away order. Underneath is a highly absorbent pad that soaks up all the urine that passes through the pellets and locks away odour.
Cleaning these trays is easy: while you still need to scoop out faeces daily, the pads only need to be changed once a week and the litter once a month.
Automatic litter boxes
If you struggle to find time to clean litter boxes daily or have a fussy cat who refuses to go in a tray that has even a hint of waste in it, an automatic, self-cleaning litter tray might be a good option for you.
There are many different litter boxes on the market in a range of shapes and sizes, all with their own features, but they all do one thing the same: detect when your cat goes to the toilet and automatically remove waste, keeping the litter fresh and clean.
If using an automatic litter box, make sure you know which cat litter substates are compatible with your machine.
Frequently asked questions about cat litter boxes
How often should you clean your cat’s litter box?
It depends on what type of litter tray and litter substrate you’re using. For most, you should remove solid waste and wet litter at least once a day and fully change the litter and complete a deep clean at least every few weeks.
How do you reduce the smell of the litter box?
Cat pee has a strong smell. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming. If your litter tray is stinking out the room, there are a few things you can try:
- Clean the litter tray more regularly or invest in an automatic litter box that cleans the litter every time your cat goes to the toilet.
- Use a litter tray odour neutraliser
- Change litter substates – some have better odour control than others. Just remember to transition your cat to the new litter slowly!
How much kitty litter should you put in the litter box?
Cats like to bury their waste. The exact depth depends on your cat’s individual preferences – some cats like their litter deeper, others prefer it shallower. The key thing is to make sure they have enough litter to cover their faeces.
Are litter tray liners worth it?
Litter tray liners make removing old litter easier and can help keep the material of the tray cleaner. However, if your cat really likes to dig, they can be shredded by claws.
How do you stop litter from being tracked all over the house?
One option is to place a litter mat in front of the tray. As your cat walks over the mat, it’s designed to trap litter they carry out on their paws.
Another option is using a low-tracking litter substrate, like tofu litter and some natural litters.
Looking for more advice on cat litter?
Have a new kitten that is still learning how to use the litter box? Read our guide on how to litter train a kitten.
Wondering what type of litter is best for your cat? Read our comprehensive cat litter guide to learn the pros and cons of the most common cat litter types or take our Litter Finder quiz to get some recommendations.
And if you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask the friendly team members at your local Petbarn store.