The best cat litter trays, with buying advice from cat experts

Cat litter trays aren't the most attractive part of owning a cat, but they are essential for your feline's comfort and the safety of your carpet. Choosing the right cat litter tray will not only make your cat feel sheltered and secure but also protect your home from unpleasant smells and unwanted cleaning jobs.

Cat litter trays come in all shapes and sizes, from very basic to high-tech designs. With thousands of options available, picking the right one can be a tough task. To help, we've gone on a mission to find the best cat litter trays for your home.

We've spoken to two experts, a leading veterinarian and a seasoned animal behaviourist, to get their take on what you should look out for (and avoid) when purchasing a cat litter tray. Here are some of their favourite cat trays and advice on how to choose the right cat litter tray for you.

The best cat litter trays at a glance:

• Best open litter tray: Iris Ohyama Cat Litter Tray, £23.99 at Amazon
• Best litter tray with hood: Trixie Vico Litter Tray, £16.59, at Zooplus
• Best discreet litter tray: Archie & Oscar Messer Litter Box Enclosure, £102.99, at Wayfair
• Best self-cleaning litter tray: PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Tray, £286, at Argos
• Best private litter tray: Pets at Home Casetta Hooded Cat Litter Tray, £50, at Pets at Home
• Best large litter tray: CatCentre Large Litter Tray, £16.95, at Amazon
• Best metal litter tray: Yangbaga Stainless Steel Litter Tray, £42.99, at Amazon
• Best travel litter tray: Petsfit Portable Litter Box, £28.95, at Amazon

The best cat litter trays

Best open litter tray: Iris Ohyama Cat litter tray

High walls for good protection

While this litter tray is made with an open-top design, the high sides prevent mess, and the transparent plastic allows your pet to see their surroundings, helping them feel safe and secure. This cat litter tray is made of durable plastic and comes equipped with a litter scoop.

It's less restrictive than a hooded design while still working to keep litter contained thanks to its high sides. The sides detach from the base for easy cat litter tray cleaning, and the moulded feet keep the design sturdy on a variety of surfaces.

Best litter tray with hood: Trixie Vico Litter Tray

For added privacy

With a hooded design and door flap entrance, this cat litter tray offers a more concealed design and allows your pet some privacy. This litter tray is also designed with a removable hood that clicks out of place for easy cleaning.

Equipped with a built-in handle, this tray can be moved with ease, and the double-rim design helps to stop litter from escaping. It can also be used outside and offers some protection from the elements.

Best discreet litter tray: Archie & Oscar Messer Litter Box Enclosure

Practicality and style

This litter tray works to bring together practical usage and interior aesthetics with a stylish wooden exterior. The wooden litter tray is designed with a door at one side and a removable interior divider allowing you to customise the space.

It promises to be durable and easily assembled, so this cat litter tray is a discreet option that won't sacrifice your decor. The top of the cat litter offers space for storage of your pet's toys or your own items.

Best self-cleaning litter tray: PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Tray

Does the dirty work

This scoop-free, self-cleaning litter tray does what it says on the tin. Equipped with automatic cleaning technology, this tray is designed with an inbuilt rake programmed to activate after every use and sweep your cat's mess away.

Designed with sensors that stop the rake when your cat enters the tray, this litter tray prioritises your pet's health and safety with an inbuilt health monitor to record your pet's toilet usage. The tray base is then easily removed for convenient litter disposal and cleaning.

Best private litter tray: Pets at Home Casetta hooded cat litter tray

Privacy protection

This litter tray is perfect if you have a shy cat who wants some privacy whilst going to the toilet. The handy lid on top helps to keep unwanted odours at bay and provides easy access for you to clean the tray.

The box is also scratch and UV-proof with handles on the side, making it very easy to transport and pick up to clean. It has a low entry hole to the litter tray, which makes it suitable for cats of all ages and sizes.

Best large litter tray: CatCentre Large Litter Tray

Extra wiggle room

Our experts recommended buying a cat litter tray with ample space, and this is exactly what this litter tray offer. The tray gives your cat extra room to move, allowing ease of use, and the lowered entrance enhances accessibility for cats of all ages and sizes.

This litter tray is designed with rounded corners that promise to stop litter from sticking, and the deep-sided design is suitable for use indoors and outdoors (when it's not raining). It also has a rubber bottom to stop sliding when in use.

Best metal litter tray: Yangbaga Stainless Steel Litter Tray

Durable design

Made with stainless steel, this litter tray promises to be extra sturdy and odour-resistant, while the anti-rust design promises long-lasting quality. Designed with a non-stick coating, it is easy to clean, and the extra-large design delivers on our expert's recommendations of allowing your pet ample space.

The litter tray promises to harbour fewer bacteria than its plastic counterparts, claiming to be a healthier option for both pets and owners. On the bottom of the litter tray, rubber grips keep it stable by stopping it from sliding around whilst in use.

Best travel litter tray: Petsfit Portable Litter Box

On-the-go convenience

This lightweight cat litter tray is easily folded for convenient storage, and the handle allows for portability. It is equipped with a waterproof, leak-preventing inner layer that is machine-washable for easy maintenance.

With a detachable hood, this litter tray can be adapted for indoor and outdoor use. When not in use, it can be folded away and stored until you need to transport your cat's toilet around again.

Our cat expert recommendations

Our cat experts, Caroline Clark and Johnny Mullins have decades of experience between them. Both qualified veterinarians, Caroline and Johnny, have dedicated their careers to the health and wellbeing of cats and companion animals.

Caroline Clark is a registered veterinary nurse and clinical animal behaviourist with over 30 years of experience in the field. Caroline favours a holistic approach to diagnosing, treating and managing behavioural problems and uses positive reinforcement to improve the well-being of pets and owners alike. Caroline has previously shared her expert insight on a variety of topics for The Recommended, including the best cat litter and the best dog treats.

Johnny Mullins is a qualified veterinarian and graduate of the Royal Veterinary College who spends his days working in a UK veterinary practice treating the nation’s pets and advising owners on pet management and care. Johnny has a wealth of knowledge and advice when it comes to purchasing pet products, he gave us some great insight into what makes the best dog beds and best dog crates.

What should you look for when buying a cat litter tray?

When asked what to consider when looking for a litter tray, Caroline encouraged us to think about size, telling us to ideally purchase a tray “that is one and a half times their own length - that’s from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail” as “this makes it easier for them to move around and dig in the litter with comfort”.

Johnny told us that the “provision of multiple litter trays is the most important thing” he continued that “the current recommendation is to provide an average of 1.5 litter trays per cat in the household” to help avoid conditions such as feline interstitial cystitis, a sterile inflammatory condition affecting the urinary bladder, which experts believe can be brought on by having too few litter boxes available for cats in your home.

What should you avoid when looking for a cat litter tray?

Caroline tells us to consider the age and health of our pets, telling us that “as cats get older, they can develop arthritis. So when choosing a tray for an elderly cat, avoid ones that are too deep as it can be painful for them to climb in and out. A little ramp up to it can be helpful.”

Caroline also stressed the importance of size, telling us, “litter trays that are too small can be uncomfortable for cats when they are trying to adopt a suitable posture for voiding the bladder and bowels. This can lead to accidents occurring outside of the tray”.

What is cat litter made of?

When we're setting up our trays, the next job is to fill them with cat litter, but what actually is cat litter? Cat litter is a granular material put inside the tray which is used to absorb a cat’s urine and mask the smell of its waste. It can be made from several materials, but the most popular are clay, wood, paper, or silica gel.

The different materials offer different properties, which you can then match to your personal preference. There is clumping cat litter, for example, which is made from clay that forms solid clumps when wet, making it easy to scoop out waste and keep the litter tray clean. On the other hand, non-clumping litter doesn’t form clumps but still absorbs moisture and odour effectively.

Other types of cat litter include crystal litter, which is made from silica gel and has excellent moisture absorption properties, and recycled paper litter, which is eco-friendly and biodegradable. It’s worth noting that some cats may have preferences for certain types of litter, so experimenting could be a good option to help you find the perfect litter for your furry friend.

Cat litter buyer's guide

Here is our buyer's guide to cat litter to help assist you when you make your next tray purchase.

Does cat litter smell?

If you regularly clean your cat litter tray, the smell shouldn't become a problem. But, because cat litter is designed to absorb your cat's waste, unpleasant smells do sometimes escape. The odour becomes more noticeable if the litter box is not regularly cleaned and maintained, so you must stay on top of this.

To keep your home smelling fresh and maintain a healthy environment for your cat, it is essential to scoop the litter box daily, removing any clumps and waste. Regular cleaning and changing of the entire litter box will also help control these smells. If you're worried about the smell, some cat litters also come with odour-absorbing properties, which can help reduce the smell further.

If you notice a sudden change in the smell of your cat's litter, it could be an indication of a health issue. To be on the safe side, it's important to consult with a vet if you notice this has happened.

How often do you change cat litter?

The recommended frequency for cleaning your cat's litter tray and replacing the litter is determined by various factors, such as the number of cats in your household, the type of litter tray used, and the type of litter chosen.

The cleaning process involves two stages. First is 'scooping', which involves removing a small portion of the litter after the cat has used that area. Next is a complete replacement where all the litter is discarded and replaced with fresh litter.

Experts suggest that daily scooping is highly recommended to prevent odours from accumulating and to maintain a hygienic environment that encourages your cat to use the litter tray consistently. Regular scooping also prevents the litter box from becoming too full, which could lead to health issues for your cat or even prompt them to find alternative places for their needs.

You should also perform a full litter replacement once every two weeks. This helps eliminate the accumulated smell of urine and faeces, which can become absorbed by the litter over time.

Understanding the different types of cat litter

Cat litter is a granular material put inside a tray which is used to absorb a cat's urine and mask the smell of its waste. It can be made from several materials, but the most popular are clay, wood, paper, or silica gel.

The different materials offer different properties, which you can then match to your personal preference. There is clumping cat litter, for example, which is made from clay that forms solid clumps when wet, making it easy to scoop out waste and keep the litter tray clean. On the other hand, non-clumping litter doesn't form clumps but still absorbs moisture and odour effectively.

Other types of cat litter include crystal litter, which is made from silica gel and has excellent moisture absorption properties, and recycled paper litter, which is eco-friendly and biodegradable. It's worth noting that some cats may have preferences for certain types of litter, so experimenting could be a good option to help you find the perfect litter for your furry friend.

Clumping vs non-clumping cat litter: the pros and cons of each

The difference between clumping and non-clumping cat litter often comes down to the owner and cat's preference. You may start with one and then choose the other because it doesn't work for you or your cat. If you haven't used either before, here are their main pros and cons.

Clumping cat litter

• Pros: Easy to clean due to tight clumping, effective odour control, lasts longer before requiring a complete change, often low in dust.
• Cons: May be prone to sticking to the cat and moving outside the litter box, clumps can break apart during scooping, potential risk of ingestion if cats groom their paws after using the litter box.

Non-clumping cat litter

• Pros: Reduced sticking and spread outside of litter box compared to clumping litter, no clump breakage concerns during scooping, no risk of ingestion.
• Cons: Less effective odour control, more frequent cleaning required, can be more labour-intensive compared to clumping litter.

Tips for introducing a new cat litter to your feline friend

If you're introducing your cat to new litter, there are some key tips to consider in order to make this a comfortable transition. Here are some top tips to make the change easier for your cat and owner:

• Make it a gradual transition: Cats can be sensitive to changes in their environment, including litter. When introducing a new cat litter, do it gradually. Mix a small amount of the new litter with the old one, increasing the ratio of new litter over several days until you have completely switched to the new litter.
• Observe your cat's reaction: During the transition, closely observe your cat's behaviour and reactions to the new litter. some cats may immediately take to the new litter, while others may be more hesitant. look for signs of discomfort or avoidance, such as avoiding the litter box or excessive scratching around it. if you notice any adverse reactions, consider slowing down the transition process or trying a different type of litter.
• Maintain a clean litter box: Make sure to keep the litter box clean and fresh. Cats are more likely to accept new litter if the litter box is inviting and pleasant to use. Scoop waste daily and change the litter as needed.
• Use familiar smells: Cats rely on their sense of smell, so to ease the transition, consider placing a small amount of your cat's old, used litter on top of the new litter. The familiar smell can reassure your cat that it's still their designated bathroom area.
• Litter box placement: Ensure the litter box is placed in a quiet and easily accessible location. Cats prefer privacy when using the litter box, so choose a spot away from high-traffic areas and any noisy appliances.

Want to read more expert-recommended pet product round-ups? Check out our pets page for a full list of recommendations, including our list of the best cat litter, as recommended by cat experts.