Toilet for a cat: how to choose. 3 tips from breeders

Types of cat litter boxes

Today, the choice of cat litter boxes is wide: closed, with carbon filters, trays for very small kittens, there are models for toilet training a cat... How to choose from all this variety and at the same time ensure comfort for your pet? To begin with, you should familiarize yourself with the entire range.

Tray with mesh

The most common and very cheap tray with a double bottom. The average price of such a tray is 300 rubles, but you can find it cheaper, for 200 rubles.

Pets will be happy to go to the tray if you choose it correctly

The tray consists of a plastic box and a mesh insert. You can put a filler under the mesh, for example, wood or silica gel, due to this, most of the unpleasant odors will be absorbed. Since the filler does not come into contact with the paws, the area will always be clean. But because of this, a tray with a mesh for a cat can become a reason for a boycott - not being able to bury “its work,” the pet may flatly refuse to go into it.

High-tech cat tray CatGenie 120

Toilet for kittens with high sides

High sides are needed to prevent the pet from scattering the litter from the tray. If the product is purchased for a small kitten, there should be a recess on one edge so that the baby can climb into it.

Flat plastic tray with low sides

The most economical and easy to maintain option. It is inconvenient because the filler will always spill over the edge. If your cat really likes to dig, you should pay attention to a cat tray with high sides.

Additional information: you can put a special ribbed plastic mat in front of a regular tray; it will retain some of the filler.

Closed tray house

For shy people, a toilet that is completely closed (with a door) or partially closed (without one side wall) is suitable. They will not quickly jump out of it without finishing their work if one of the people passes by.

There are a lot of models in this category, they come with a regular door (Bergamo Oliver), a tunnel entrance (Petmate Clean Step) or a hole at the top (Moderna Top Cat).

Tray with built-in filtration system

This is a tray with one or several grating inserts; fine filler is poured into the topmost one (directly onto the grate).

After the cat goes to the toilet, the contents are sifted and the waste remaining on the mesh is easily removed.

Of the minuses: due to the weight of the filler, it can be difficult to hold and sift, dust rises.

Self-cleaning dry toilet for cats

A fully automated device that sifts or rinses the filler and removes waste into a special compartment or even into the sewer.

Cons: high price, some models require constant connection to electricity, water and sewerage.

This is interesting! CatGenie 120 is the most expensive dry closet model at the moment. The filler granules are mixed, the excrement is washed down the drain, the filler is washed and dried with hot air. Approximate cost - 35 thousand rubles.

A simple rectangular tray with a frame on the side

In this option, it is very convenient to replace the absorbent filler - just take out the bag with the old one and tie it. The frame is used to secure the plastic bag in the tray.

Sometimes such a tray is used without bags; due to the frame, the filler hardly spills out. The disadvantages are that cats often tear the bags, and the frame is more difficult to clean than a regular flat tray.

Closed tray-house for a cat

A closed tray-house is an original design with a door, side walls and a top lid that limit the visibility of what is happening inside. In such a toilet, the cat feels fully protected from prying eyes.

Advantages of the tray-house:

beautiful design and aesthetic appearance;
prevents the filler from spreading outside the structure;
blocks odor well;
can be installed in any part of the apartment.

When accustoming a domestic cat to such an unusual toilet, it is recommended to remove the door for the first time so that the animal can freely pass inside the litter box.

Popular cat litter models

Litter box for cats: closed corner tray

Below is a selection of models from various manufacturers that are in great demand.

NETTA Open

A simple cat litter box with high sides at the back and sides, a lower side at the front and a wide, perforated step to keep litter out of the paws.

Tray toilet NETTA Open

Minimum cost*—950 rub. excluding delivery.

Imac DUO

A regular deep tray with a side and an attached scoop stand. Costs about 1500 rubles.

Imac DUO open tray

Trixie toilet "Berto"

One of the toilet options with filtration. Three identically shaped pallets, solid ones should be at the top and bottom, with a mesh in the middle. After the cat goes into the tray, the contents from the upper tray are poured into the mesh insert, the filler is sifted into the lower tray, and the waste that gets into the mesh is removed.

Trixie toilet Berto

Next, the mesh is inserted into the empty part, and a tray with cleaned filler is placed on top. Prices in online stores start from 1,700 rubles.

Ferplast Bella

Toilets-houses with carbon filters that stop unpleasant odors.

Dry toilet Ferplast Bella

There are several size options:

Maxi (65.5 × 50 x h47 cm) will cost 4,500 rubles,
Cabrio model (56 × 43.5 x h38 cm) costs from 2,500 rubles.

Replacement filters are sold for 180 rubles.

SAVIC Nestor Jumbo

Inexpensive closed tray, easy to clean - part of the lid rises along with the door. You can order it online for 1,700 rubles.

SAVIC Nestor Jumbo

Curver Petlife Litter Box for Cats

An elegant house with a pull-out tray and a small mesh that can be used as a catcher for bentonite or silica gel granules both outside and inside the toilet. There is a built-in carbon filter, the scoop is hidden in a recess near the carrying handle.

Minimum cost - 4500 rubles.

Curver Petlife Litter Box for Cats

*Prices shown above are current as of October 2021.

Tray with ventilation

Advantages:

The presence of a tray with holes through which air penetrates;
Due to constant air circulation, the filler dries out quickly;
The smell is practically eliminated;
It is an economical version of a dry closet.

Flaws:

The kitten can pull the filler away on its paws;
Unlike an automatic dry closet, it needs to be cleaned by the owner.

How to choose the right cat litter box: what to consider when purchasing

This thing can also be of high quality or not. In addition, there are other selection criteria.

Plastic quality

Automatic cat litter box (self-cleaning)

Although these are not dishes or toys that a pet can chew, the quality of the material should still be high. A new cat litter box should not smell unpleasant, especially if it is not located in the bathroom.

These animals have a very good sense of smell; the strong chemical smell of plastic can scare them away. The material of the product should also not absorb the odors of cat waste during use.

Note! The plastic should not be too thin and brittle so that the animal is not injured. There should be no protruding sharp burrs left after production along the edges of the product.

How is waste removed?

The cat tray can be with a regular mesh, a scoop, or it can be fully automatic. It all depends on the owner’s habit, or, in the case of self-cleaning, on the budget.

Tray size, shape and location in the apartment

A huge Maine Coon may not have enough space in a triangular tray that comfortably accommodates a miniature adult Angora.

When choosing a product, especially online, you need to pay attention to the external and internal dimensions - now you can choose one for any size of animal, from small kittens to really large animals.

The usual location of the tray is a bathroom, corridor, balcony; such trays can be of any type. If it is placed in a living room, it is better to give preference to a closed house, so there will be less unpleasant smell.

Using filler

If you don’t need filler, you should choose the cheapest and most easy-to-clean options - simple trays or a toilet with a mesh.

Price

Are you on a very limited budget and have several pets? There are a huge selection of inexpensive options! But if the cat is alone, loved and spoiled, and has its own room with toys, then you can choose the most extravagant model.

Note! Animal experts advise placing as many litter boxes at home as there are cats living there, plus one extra.
In fact, you need to look at the situation, because it happens that several pets can get by with one tray in turn.

What to consider when choosing?

When choosing a model, you need to take into account not only the preferences of your little pet, but also the ease of use of the tray for humans: cleaning, absorption of unwanted odors, transportability. It is important to immediately decide on the location for the toilet so that you know what size will suit you. Experienced breeders give the following recommendations:

The kitten should easily climb into the container, so you need to choose a height for the sides so that they do not become an obstacle for the baby. Otherwise, he may relieve himself not in the right place, but nearby.
Size is very important: it should not constrain the animal.
It is better to decide in advance on the type of model - open or closed.
Pallets made of lightweight plastic are easily overturned, so it is better to choose more stable options.
If the model is difficult to care for, it is not easy to wash it and remove the filler, it is better to abandon it. Cats are very clean and can ignore a poorly cleaned litter box.

The cost of an accessory does not always determine the right decision. The most important points are comfort and suitable size. If the tray is inconvenient for the baby, the process of toilet training will be delayed and will require additional effort and time from you.

How to train a kitten to go to the litter box

The headache of all owners of small kittens and puppies is to teach them to relieve themselves where they need to, and not where they want.

How to toilet train a kitten: options for making it go to the litter box

You should choose a tray with low sides so that the baby can climb into it on his own, and add a thin layer of filler to the bottom. You need to put the kitten in the tray after sleep, active games, 20 minutes after eating, stroking its belly. When you first get acquainted with the potty, you should scrape the filler a little with your fingers to interest the baby.

If the kitten has gone big outside the toilet, you need to put the pile in the tray and show it to your pet. As soon as he sits down somewhere with the clear intention of defecating, you need to carefully transfer him to the tray. Places where the kitten mistakenly went should be thoroughly washed so that the animal is not tempted to reuse them for the toilet. Experienced cat owners advise putting food or water there after cleaning, then the pet will disdain to go to the toilet nearby.

Important! You cannot hit the kitten, pull it by the scruff of the neck, or shout at it. This behavior of the owners further aggravates the animal’s reluctance to go to the toilet in a specially designated place.

It’s worth trying different fillers for the litter tray; perhaps the kitten will like some of them more.

Automatic toilet

The automatic toilet for cats runs on electricity and is connected to sewerage and water supply. It is equipped with a touch control system, replaceable cartridges with a cleaning device.

The “smart” toilet independently cleans the “territory”. This process lasts 30 minutes. Disinfection occurs using special detergents that are absolutely safe for animals. Periodically you need to change the cartridges with the cleaning composition and fill the system with detergent fillers.

Recommendations for use

A tray with high sides may be uncomfortable for older cats, so you may need to provide a step or cutout on the side.

If litter is used in a cat's litter box, then it should be covered with a thick layer of 5-6 cm. This amount will allow you to change the contents less often.

A house on a bench - this can also be placed in the corridor of an ordinary apartment, for example, in the hallway

If your cat doesn't bury her waste, she's trying to signal that the litter box is full or doesn't have enough litter.

You need to wash the tray at least once a month, ideally every time you completely change the filler. Products are best used with a neutral odor and wash off easily. You can sprinkle baking soda under the litter; many cat owners claim that this really neutralizes the unpleasant odor.

Important! A cat walking outside can be a carrier of toxoplasmosis or helminthiasis, so children and pregnant women should not come into contact with the litter tray, as infection is most dangerous for them.

Plastic tray with mesh

The second copy of the kitten tray is an improved version of the first.

Advantages:

The presence of a strong and durable mesh placed on a tray (the kitten stands on it and relieves itself, moisture flows through the holes to the bottom of the tray, and solid feces remain on the grid - cleanliness is maintained);
Convenience for the owner when cleaning the toilet (the mesh, like the tray, can be easily washed under running water);
The filler is poured into a tray and is located under the grate - the kittens cannot reach it with their paws and cannot make a mess around the tray or taste the composition).

Flaws:

Without filler, the tray does not retain odor well;
It is necessary to wash the tray and mesh separately after each visit to the toilet by the cat;
When using a container with low sides, kittens often get dirty;
Not suitable for those who like to dig into the litter and bury feces.

How often do you need to change your cat's litter?

Any cat will be happy to go to a clean tray. How can I determine if the filler is still suitable for use? It's simple, it depends on its type:

woody - every 2-3 days;
clumping - once a week, in smaller granules - once every 10 days;
from silica gel - approximately once every 2-3 weeks.

You need to clean the tray with the above fillers once or twice a day. If you use good old newspapers or nothing at all, then you need to wash the tray several times during the day, every time the kitty visits it.