Choosing the right cat litter tray is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your cat’s wellbeing. Litter box avoidance is one of the most common reasons cats are surrendered to rescues in the UK — and in the majority of cases, it comes down to an unsuitable tray. This guide covers the best cat litter trays available in the UK in 2026, from basic open trays to self-cleaning units.
Types of Cat Litter Tray
| Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open/basic tray | Most cats; budget households | Easy to clean; cats can always see out | Odour spreads; litter scatter |
| Hooded/enclosed | Shy cats; odour control | Contains litter; reduces odour spread | Some cats dislike feeling trapped; needs frequent cleaning inside |
| Top-entry | Active diggers; multi-pet homes | Minimal scatter; dog-proof | Not suitable for kittens, seniors, or arthritic cats |
| Self-cleaning/automatic | Multi-cat; busy households | Minimal daily scooping; odour control | Expensive; can startle cats; requires clumping litter |
| Sieve/double-tray | Budget; crystal litter users | Simple; no scooping tool needed | Manual handling; less hygienic for wet waste |
Best Cat Litter Trays UK 2026
1. Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan ⭐ Best Overall
The Catit Jumbo is the UK’s best-selling hooded litter tray for good reason — it’s genuinely large enough for adult cats (including Maine Coons and large British Shorthairs), features a carbon filter door to reduce odours, and has a swinging flap that most cats learn to use quickly. The curved hood minimises litter tracking. Easy to fully disassemble for deep cleaning.
Suitable for: Adult cats up to 8kg | Price: ~£25–£35 | Available: Pets at Home, Amazon, Zooplus
2. Litter-Robot 4 ⭐ Best Self-Cleaning (Premium)
The Litter-Robot 4 is the global benchmark in automatic litter boxes. It uses a rotating globe to sift clumped waste into a sealed drawer — quietly, safely, and with app monitoring. Multi-cat capable. Weight sensors prevent activation when a cat is inside. The £550+ price tag is steep, but the payoff is never manually scooping again. Particularly popular in UK multi-cat households and flats.
Capacity: Up to 4 cats | Price: ~£550–£650 | App: Yes (Whisker app)
3. Petkit Pura Max 2 ⭐ Best Self-Cleaning (Mid-Range)
The Petkit Pura Max 2 offers Litter-Robot-level features at roughly half the price (~£300). Excellent for multi-cat homes, with advanced multi-sensor safety, large waste bin capacity, strong odour control, and a companion app tracking each cat’s usage frequency and health patterns. Notably quieter than many competitors.
Price: ~£280–£350 | App: Yes | Compatible litter: Clumping only
4. Moderna Trendy Cat Covered Litter Box — Best Budget Hooded
The Moderna Trendy Cat series provides a solid enclosed tray at sub-£20 prices. Multiple colourways, removable hood, replaceable carbon filter, and a handle for carrying. A practical everyday choice for single-cat homes where budget matters more than premium features.
Price: ~£12–£20 | Sizes: Large, XL | Carbon filter: Yes
5. Iris Top-Entry Cat Litter Box — Best for Messy Diggers
The Iris Top-Entry tray is the definitive solution for cats that scatter litter far and wide, or for households with dogs that raid the litter box. Cats enter from the top — automatically wiping their paws on the textured lid as they exit. Solid, easy to disassemble, and available in multiple colours.
Price: ~£20–£30 | Note: Not suitable for elderly cats, arthritic cats, or kittens under 6 months
Sizing Guide: How Big Should a Cat Litter Box Be?
The general rule for cat litter tray sizing: 1.5× the length of your cat from nose to base of tail. For an average adult UK cat (~45cm body length), this means a tray of at least 55–60cm in length. Most “standard” trays sold in UK pet shops fall short of this — especially for larger breeds.
| Cat Size | Minimum Tray Length | Recommended Options |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten / small cat (<4kg) | 40cm | Any standard hooded tray; shallow sides for easy entry |
| Average adult (4–6kg) | 50–55cm | Catit Jumbo, Moderna XL |
| Large cat / Maine Coon (6–9kg+) | 60cm+ | Catit Jumbo XL, Litter-Robot 4, custom trays/under-bed boxes |
How Many Litter Trays Per Cat?
The veterinary gold standard is n + 1 trays — one per cat, plus one extra. For a 2-cat household, that’s 3 trays minimum. This prevents territorial disputes, reduces stress, and significantly lowers the risk of inappropriate elimination. Keep trays in different rooms if possible — not side-by-side, which some cats treat as one large tray.
Placement Tips
- Quiet, private location — not near the washing machine, boiler, or busy doorways
- Away from food and water — cats don’t eat near their toilet; placing bowls near the litter box can cause food refusal
- Multiple floors for multi-storey homes — one tray per floor minimum
- Low-sided tray for kittens, senior cats, or cats with arthritis — entry/exit ease matters
FAQs
How often should I clean a cat litter tray?
Scoop daily minimum — twice daily for clumping litter households. Full tray replacement (wash + refill) should be done weekly for clay/clumping litter, or every 2–4 weeks for crystal/silica litter. A dirty tray is one of the primary causes of litter box avoidance — cats have a sense of smell approximately 14× stronger than humans and will refuse to use a foul tray.
Should a cat litter tray be covered or open?
Most adult cats are comfortable with either. Shy cats and cats in multi-pet households often prefer covered trays for privacy. However, some cats — especially anxious cats — dislike hooded trays because they cannot see what’s approaching while they’re inside. If your cat avoids the covered tray, try removing the hood. Senior cats and kittens often prefer open trays for easier access.
What is the best self-cleaning cat litter tray UK?
The Litter-Robot 4 (from ~£550) is the premium choice — most reliable, quietest, and best app integration. For a more affordable alternative, the Petkit Pura Max 2 (~£300) offers comparable features with good UK availability. Both require clumping litter and work best when placed on a smooth floor surface rather than carpet.
Also see: Best Cat Litter Boxes UK 2026 (including self-cleaning options)
🧹 Recommended Cat Litter Trays
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