Choose a litter tray your cat can enter and use comfortably before thinking about how to hide it. A neat-looking enclosure is not useful if its opening or inside space makes toileting awkward.
Compare the inside, not just the outside
Outer dimensions can include a hood, rim or surrounding furniture. Ask for the usable tray dimensions and opening size. Think about the space the cat has to turn as well as the floor area occupied by the product.
Cats Protection's toileting guidance explains tray choice, location and cleaning. Use that context when deciding between an open and covered tray; do not assume the lid is automatically an improvement.
Catit AiRSiFT Jumbo hooded litter tray
Best for: Cats comfortable using a covered tray
A covered tray with a lifting hood section and removable top for cleaning access. Consider it if your cat already accepts a covered tray, rather than choosing a lid solely to make the room look tidier.
What stands out
- Hood can be removed to inspect the whole tray
- Lifting section helps with everyday scooping
Keep in mind
- Check usable inside space and doorway dimensions
- An odour filter does not replace cleaning
- Jumbo hooded model
- Removable hood
- Carbon filter
Low entry or high sides?
A high-sided tray may help contain litter, but its entrance still needs to suit the cat. For a cat that finds stepping difficult, compare the actual entry height and approach. A top-entry design asks for a different movement from a low front entrance.
New toileting difficulties need a vet's advice. A change in tray may be helpful, but it should not be used to explain away a possible medical problem.
Savic Aseo open litter tray, Bluestone
Best for: An open tray with a raised back
An open tray with raised sides and back, and a lower front approach. It offers a different layout from a hooded box, but the front still needs to be measured against the way your cat steps into a tray.
What stands out
- Open layout is easy to inspect
- Raised sides may help contain displaced litter
Keep in mind
- Outer size is not the usable tray area
- A lower front is not a guarantee of easy access
- 56 × 39 × 27.5 cm outer size
- Open top
- Lower front than back
More than one cat
Count locations, not just trays beside one another. Cats Protection's household preparation advice recommends one tray per cat plus an extra. Plan separate quiet positions away from food and water, and check that each location can be reached without another cat blocking access.
Mats, scoops and easy cleaning
A mat needs to leave a comfortable approach to the tray and be easy to lift and clean. Compare its actual dimensions, underside and drying instructions. A mat advertised as litter trapping is not a guarantee that no litter will leave the area.
Match a scoop's slot size to the litter you use and check that it reaches corners without damaging the tray. With a covered tray, assess how easily the entire hood comes off and whether you can inspect every surface.
We focus on ordinary trays and practical accessories here. Automatic litter equipment needs model-specific safety and operating checks. It is not the default answer to a cleaning problem.
Catit litter mat, large grey
Best for: Catching some litter beside a tray
A 60 × 90 cm textured mat to place beside the tray, with enough area to cover part of the route out. It is a finishing accessory once the tray and its position work, rather than a reason to compromise access.
What stands out
- Generous area beside the tray
- Can be lifted separately for cleaning
Keep in mind
- Needs space without obstructing the approach
- Will not catch every piece of litter
- 60 × 90 cm
- Grey textured surface
- Separate tray accessory
Choose the tray around access and usable space
Start with how big a litter tray should be, then compare low-entry trays or large open trays for the relevant need. A low doorway does not establish a large floor, and an open top does not establish an easy step over the wall.
The covered versus open comparison looks at entry, turning room and cleaning access. If material is your next decision, stainless-steel trays still need the same sizing and entry checks. Choose fit before claims about odour or an easy-clean finish.
Make the daily routine fit a small home
Use litter-tray placement in a small home to plan quiet approaches and separate locations. Keep room to remove a hood, lift a mat and carry a tray for washing; a setup can fit the room yet be difficult to maintain.
For everyday care, cleaning a litter tray separates scooping, full washing and special hygiene advice. Compare mats and scoops by surface, slots and access. If a disposal bin helps the routine, check its refill compatibility and replacement format before choosing the bin itself.
Read the guides
Find the next useful guide
Check usable tray space and entry first, then plan placement, cleaning tools and waste disposal.
Choosing, setup & care
Work through fit, everyday decisions and upkeep.
- Covered versus open litter trays Compare covered and open litter trays by usable space, visibility, access and cleaning. Offer a fair choice without assuming every cat wants a hood.
- How big should a cat litter tray be? Work out litter tray size from your cat’s body length, then check usable floor, width, entry and turning room. Includes measurement examples and a fitting checklist.
- How to clean a litter tray Build a practical litter-tray cleaning routine: scoop, empty, wash, rinse and dry. Separate everyday cleaning from veterinary infection-control instructions.
- Where to put litter trays in a small home Plan full-size litter trays in a small flat or house using quiet access, separate locations and realistic cleaning space. Avoid shrinking the tray to fit furniture.
Parts & compatibility
Match replacements to the exact equipment.
Frequently asked questions
How many litter trays should I provide?
Cats Protection recommends one per cat plus an extra. Plan suitable separated locations as well as the count, with quiet accessible approaches away from food and water. Several trays lined up together do not automatically offer independent choices around the home.
Should I choose low entry or high sides?
Assess the entrance and the rest of the wall separately. A tray may combine a lower front opening with higher surrounding sides. Check your cat’s actual step and usable floor, especially if movement has changed, rather than choosing by the overall wall height alone.
Is a covered litter tray always better for containing mess?
A hood changes the opening, inside space, visibility and cleaning access as well as the outside outline. Assess whether the cat can enter, turn and leave comfortably. A cleaner-looking room is not a reason to accept an unsuitable interior or awkward doorway.
Does a stainless-steel tray remove the need for routine cleaning?
No. Waste and residue still need removing, and the exact pan needs its permitted washing method. Compare internal floor, entry height, edges and grip before material. Claims about odour or non-stick surfaces do not establish suitable size or a maintenance-free setup.
Can I use any refill bag in a litter disposal bin?
Check the precise bin family and supported refill format. Preformed bags, continuous film and regional cartridges can differ even under similar branding. An improvised fit may interfere with closures or bag changes. Keep the model details and follow the supported loading method.
