Litter Tray: Open, hooded or self-cleaning, to suit your cat
Open tray, hooded litter box or self-cleaning model: find the litter tray that suits your cat, your home and your daily routine.
Kerbl Pet Cat Toilet Minka with Hood, Charcoal Filter, black / honey
Regular price: €20.90
Litter Tray: Finding the right model for your cat
Your cat uses its litter tray several times a day. If it feels comfortable there, it will stay reliably house-trained. Here you will find three designs: open litter trays such as the Kerbl Buxo, hooded models such as Minka, Cathy Comfort and Cathy Clever & Smart, and the self-cleaning Kerbl Smart. Which one is right depends on your cat, your home and your daily routine.
Hooded, open or automatic
An open tray is quick to scoop and ideal for cats that like to keep an eye on their surroundings while doing their business. Kittens and older cats also find it easy to climb into. A hooded litter box keeps litter and odours inside and gives your cat privacy, while the carbon filter in the lid freshens the air. The self-cleaning model separates the clumps from the litter after every visit. That saves you the daily scooping if you are often away from home for long hours.
Size, location and number
Your cat should be able to turn around comfortably in the tray without bumping its head or tail. As a rule of thumb for size, aim for about one and a half times your cat's body length, not counting the tail. Place the tray somewhere quiet, away from food and water and not right next to noisy appliances such as the washing machine. If you have several cats, plan for one tray per cat plus one, spread across different rooms. To help your cat settle in, put a new tray next to the old one for a few days and fill it with the familiar litter.
Frequently asked questions
Do cats prefer a hooded or an open litter tray?
It really varies from cat to cat. Many appreciate the privacy, while some feel cramped under a hood. If you are not sure, set up both types side by side and see which one your cat uses more often.
Which litter tray is best for large cats such as Maine Coons?
Large breeds need a long, roomy tray with high sides or a large hooded litter box with a wide entrance. The key is that your cat can stand inside without crouching. If the tray is too small, cats often position themselves so that something goes over the edge.
How do I teach a kitten to use the litter tray?
Gently place your kitten in the tray after eating, playing and sleeping, as that is when it usually needs to go. A low entrance and a quiet spot near its sleeping area help a lot. Praise it softly when it gets it right and never scold it after an accident.
How to choose the right litter tray
You can tell a good litter tray by the fact that your cat uses it happily and reliably. The open Kerbl Buxo comes with a lid and scoop, is easy to clean and suits cats that like a clear view. Hooded litter boxes such as Minka, Cathy Comfort or Cathy Clever & Smart keep litter in the tray and odours under the lid, while the carbon filter keeps the air fresher. If you are often out, the self-cleaning Kerbl Smart takes the scooping off your hands. When choosing, make sure there is enough room to turn around and an entrance your cat can manage comfortably. Put the tray in a quiet place, well away from the feeding area and the water bowl. With several cats, plan one more tray than you have cats, so nobody has to queue and every cat always finds a clean spot.