Top Tips for Your Cat’s Litter Trays

If you have a cat you probably have a litter tray. But do you know the dos and don’ts of the cat litter tray world, and how many you should have?

Litter trays are considered an essential accessory for cat owners. But do you know how many litter trays your household should have?

Provide one per cat + 1

Determining how many litter trays you should have in your home requires some basic maths. The rule of thumb is that you have one litter tray per cat, and then one more. So, if you have one cat, you should have two litter trays, two cats, three litter trays and so on.

While this may seem a little excessive, cats like to have somewhere private and secluded to do their business and they like to be able to go somewhere clean. So, it’s a good idea to have multiple litter trays located around the house. This is not only so they can have some peace but also so that if you haven’t had a chance to clear their tray yet, they have somewhere clean to go.

Now that you know how many litter trays you should have, here’s what else should you know about these poop and pee receptacles.

The ‘dos’

Do keep them clean. As mentioned above, cats like somewhere clean to go, so make sure you’re not allowing the poop and pee to pile up. This will also help avoid attracting flies and your house from getting smelly.

Do stick to one type of litter. Cats are creatures of habit, so changing up the type of litter you put in their tray could cause them to go elsewhere. The only time to break this rule is when you’re trying to find out what type of litter your cat likes. But once you’ve found it, stick with it as far as possible.

Do make sure there’s enough litter in the tray. Cats like to dig and cover their poop so make sure there’s enough litter in the box so they can do this comfortably - about 5-10 cm, depending on the type of litter you use.

Do place the litter trays in appropriate places. This includes keeping them away from where they eat and play or relax. And for older and less mobile cats, keep them close to the ground, so they’re more easily accessible.

Do have a litter box available indoors even if your cat typically lives outdoors. There could be circumstances like bad weather or an aggressive neighbourhood cat that might mean your kitty isn’t comfortable going outside. Having a litter box available indoors means it’s less likely they’ll leave a surprise behind the couch or in the corner.

The ‘don’ts’

Don’t flush cat litter down the toilet, as this could block the drains.

Don’t use harsh cleaning products, like ammonia, to clean the litter tray as they could irritate your cat. It’s best to use an unscented detergent.

Don’t allow waste to build up. Ideally, scoop out the waste at least once a day and top up the litter if required. You also don’t want to go for more than about a month without giving the litter tray a good wash, using unscented detergent. This will keep it clean and attractive for your cat to use.

Don’t have a litter tray that’s too small. The litter tray should be about one and a half times the length of your cat, from their nose to the base of their tail, so they have plenty of space to dig and move around.