The Perfect Litter Tray Setup: Everything Your Cat Actually Needs

A well-designed litter tray setup is one of the most important things you can do for your cat's wellbeing. Many litter tray problems that seem mysterious have straightforward solutions rooted in getting the basics right.

Number of trays

The standard recommendation is one tray per cat, plus one extra.

• 1 cat: 2 trays
• 2 cats: 3 trays
• 3 cats: 4 trays

In practice, many single-cat households manage perfectly well with one tray. But if you have any litter tray problems, adding a second tray in a different location is often the quickest fix. The plus-one rule matters most in multi-cat homes, where one cat may guard or block access to the tray.

Location

This is often where the setup goes wrong.

Good locations: Quiet, low-traffic areas. Spots where your cat has at least two directions of approach and exit so they cannot be ambushed. Different areas of the home, including upstairs and downstairs if you have multiple floors.

Locations to avoid: Next to food or water bowls (cats find this aversive). All in the same room. Beside noisy appliances like washing machines or boilers. Corners with only one exit, which feels threatening to cats in multi-cat households.

Tray type

Open trays are preferred by most cats. Smells disperse more easily, they can see approaching threats, and entry and exit is straightforward. Start with open trays unless you have a specific reason to use covered ones.

Covered trays suit some cats who prefer privacy and help contain litter scatter, but the hood traps smells, which many cats find unpleasant. If you use a covered tray, clean it more frequently than an open one.

High-sided trays work well for cats who dig enthusiastically, but can be difficult for kittens, older cats, or cats with joint problems. Low-entry, high-sided trays that combine both are widely available in UK pet shops.

Self-cleaning trays are convenient but can startle cats if they hear or feel the mechanism activate. Make sure your cat is using one reliably before relying on it as your only tray.

Litter choice

Cats tend to prefer fine-grained, unscented, clumping litter. This is closest to sand, which is what cats would naturally choose outdoors.

Clumping litter: Makes scooping easier and controls odour well. Most cats accept it readily. Scoop daily and change the full tray weekly.

Non-clumping clay: Less expensive but less effective at odour control. Harder to tell what needs removing and requires more frequent full tray changes.

Wood pellets: Environmentally friendly and low dust, but the texture is very different to sand. Some cats refuse them. Transition gradually if switching.

Silica gel crystals: Good odour control, low maintenance, but the crunching texture can put some cats off and they are more expensive.

Paper-based litter: Very gentle and dust-free. Often used for post-surgery recovery. Less preferred by most cats for everyday use due to poor odour control.

Never use heavily perfumed or scented litter. The artificial fragrances that smell pleasant to us are often aversive to cats.

Cleaning routine

• Scoop at least once daily
• Full litter change weekly for clumping litter, more often for non-clumping
• Wash the tray monthly with warm water and mild unscented washing-up liquid. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid bleach and strong disinfectants.
• Replace the tray itself every 6 to 12 months. Plastic absorbs odours over time that no amount of cleaning removes.

Making changes

If you need to change litter type, location, or tray type, do it gradually. Introduce the change alongside the existing setup rather than replacing it outright. Let your cat make the transition in their own time.

Signs your setup needs improving

• Cat using the tray but scattering litter excessively: tray may be too small or sides too low
• Cat scratching at the floor outside the tray before or after using it: may prefer a different litter
• Cat using the tray but also going elsewhere: may not have enough trays
• Cat sitting beside the tray but not entering: cover may be an issue, or tray may be dirty
• Cat toileting in a specific corner of a room repeatedly: consider placing a tray there

Related articles

• Cat Litter Types Compared
• Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Tray
• Cat Spraying Indoors

Frequently asked questions

How many litter trays does one cat need?

At minimum, two trays for one cat, ideally in different locations. The standard recommendation is one per cat plus one extra.

Where is the best place to put a litter tray?

A quiet, low-traffic area where your cat can enter and exit without being startled or ambushed. Not next to their food or water. Not in a corner with only one exit if you have multiple cats.

Should I use a covered or open litter tray?

Most cats prefer open trays as they can see what is approaching and the smell disperses more easily. Some cats do prefer covered trays for privacy. If your cat is avoiding a covered tray, try removing the lid first.