Most cats want the same few things: a fine, soft, unscented litter about 3 cm deep, in a tray big enough to turn round in, kept clean and placed somewhere quiet. Get those right and most toileting problems never start.
The numbers to remember come from International Cat Care and Cats Protection: one tray per cat plus one extra, a tray roughly one and a half times your cat’s length from nose to base of tail, and soiled litter scooped out at least twice a day.
If your cat already uses a litter happily, stick with it. Cats Protection notes that cats often prefer the litter they used as kittens, so the best litter is usually the one your cat is used to, not the one with the boldest claims on the bag.
Types of cat litter compared
| Type | Feel | Good points | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay, clumping | Fine, sand-like | Easy to scoop urine and faeces | Some brands are dusty; not for young kittens |
| Clay, non-clumping | Fine to coarse | Cheap, absorbent | Urine is harder to remove, so it needs changing more often |
| Wood pellets | Hard pellets | Less likely to stick to paws, often biodegradable | Some cats find pellets uncomfortable |
| Paper | Soft pellets | Low dust | Unfamiliar texture for cats used to fine litter |
| Silica crystals | Crystals | Very absorbent, good odour control | Feels different underfoot; will not suit every cat |
| Plant-based (corn, tofu) | Soft, fine | Often biodegradable, low dust | Preferences vary |
You will find all of these in the cat litter range. Most cats lean towards a fine, sand-like texture that is easy to dig in, which is why clumping litters are so popular.
Clumping or non-clumping
Neither is better for every cat. Clumping litter lets you lift out urine as well as faeces, so the rest stays clean for longer. Non-clumping litter needs a full change more often. The main exception is kittens: Cats Protection advises avoiding clumping litter while they are young, because a kitten that swallows it risks a gut blockage. Use a non-clumping type for kittens, as covered in the new kitten checklist and the kitten products range.
Scented or unscented
Choose unscented. A cat’s sense of smell is far more sensitive than ours, and a fragrance that seems mild to you can be enough to put a cat off the tray. The same goes for litter deodorisers and strongly scented cleaning products. If the tray smells, it needs cleaning more often, not perfume.
Dust
Clay litters tend to be the dustiest. For cats with breathing problems such as feline asthma, ask your vet about a low-dust option such as paper or a plant-based litter.
Choosing the litter tray
Size matters more than style. International Cat Care suggests a tray about one and a half times the length of your cat from nose to base of tail. A cat measuring 45 cm needs a tray close to 68 cm long, which is jumbo size, so check the listed dimensions before you buy. Kittens can start with a small, low tray and move up as they grow.
Open or covered
Covered trays give privacy and keep litter in, but they also trap smells inside, make scooping harder and can leave some cats feeling cornered, especially in homes with more than one cat. Large cats may not be able to turn and dig in a small hooded tray. If you choose a covered one, Cats Protection recommends removing the flap. If you are unsure, offer one of each from the litter trays range and see which your cat uses.
Other features
- Low sides or a low entrance for older cats and any cat with arthritis or stiff joints.
- High edges around the back and sides help if your cat digs enthusiastically or stands up to wee.
- Liners: many cats dislike claws catching in plastic, and Cats Protection advises against lining the tray with plastic or newspaper.
- Self-cleaning trays can startle cats with sudden noise or movement, and many are on the small side.
How many trays, and where to put them
The rule is one tray per cat plus one, so two trays for one cat and three for two. Some cats prefer to wee in one tray and poo in another. Spread the trays around the home; Cats Protection points out that trays lined up side by side count as one tray to a cat. In a house with stairs, put one on each floor.
Good spots are quiet corners with an easy escape route. Avoid:
- Next to food bowls, water bowls or beds.
- Busy hallways and doorways.
- Beside noisy appliances such as washing machines.
- Next to cat flaps or full-length windows.
Keeping the tray clean
- Scoop twice a day. Remove faeces and wet clumps morning and evening, and top the litter back up to about 3 cm.
- Empty and wash regularly. Cats Protection suggests a full clean at least weekly. International Cat Care says a well scooped clumping litter can go two to four weeks between full changes, while non-clumping litter should be changed weekly. Covered trays need cleaning more often.
- Use hot water and a mild detergent, then rinse and dry well. Avoid disinfectants that turn cloudy in water, such as Dettol, which International Cat Care warns are toxic to cats.
- Bag used litter and put it in household waste. Do not flush it: Anglian Water warns that cat litter can block sewers and that treatment works cannot remove the parasites found in cat faeces.
Pregnancy and toxoplasmosis
Cat faeces can carry the toxoplasma parasite, but International Cat Care explains that eggs are not infective until at least 24 hours after they are passed, so daily emptying reduces the risk. The charity advises that pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and young children should not handle the tray at all. Everyone else should wear gloves and wash their hands afterwards.
Changing litter, and when to worry
Change litter gradually. Mix a little of the new litter into the old and increase the proportion over at least a week, or put the new litter in one tray and keep the usual one in the others. Change one thing at a time, not the litter, tray and location together.
Signs that your cat dislikes its set-up include hesitating at the tray, perching on the edge, not digging or covering, shaking its paws and leaving quickly. A cat that suddenly toilets elsewhere may be unwell, so see your vet before blaming the litter. If your cat is straining with little or no urine coming out, treat it as an emergency: PDSA describes being unable to pass urine as life threatening and says to contact a vet immediately. Diet can play a part in urinary health too; the guide to wet or dry cat food explains why.
Quick checklist
- Fine, unscented litter, about 3 cm deep.
- Non-clumping litter for young kittens.
- Tray about one and a half times your cat’s body length.
- One tray per cat plus one, spread around the home.
- Quiet spots away from food, water, beds and cat flaps.
- Scoop twice a day; full clean at least every one to two weeks.
- Hot water and mild detergent, never cloudy disinfectants.
- Used litter bagged in the bin, never flushed.
Common questions
How often should I change the litter completely?
With clumping litter that you scoop twice a day, a full empty and wash every one to two weeks suits most homes, and International Cat Care says up to four weeks can be fine. Non-clumping litter should be changed weekly. Go by smell and appearance as well: if the tray smells between scoops, clean it sooner.
Why has my cat stopped using the litter tray?
The usual causes are a dirty tray, a recent change of litter or tray, a stressful location, or too few trays for the number of cats. Pain or illness can also be behind it, so book a vet check first, and go straight to a vet if your cat is straining.
Is flushable litter safe to flush?
It is safest not to. Anglian Water, for example, says cat litter should never be flushed, both because of blockages and because treatment works cannot remove parasites from cat faeces. Bag it and put it in your household waste.
Do I need a covered tray to control smell?
No. A covered tray hides smell from you but concentrates it for your cat. Regular scooping, the right amount of litter and enough trays do far more for odour than a lid.
