Cat tray: how to choose which one is better? Closed tray for cats, dry closet

What types of litter trays are there for cats? How to use them. Which cat litter to choose?

Owners of tailed furry pets living in apartments with their owners need to choose a tray to which the cat will quickly get used to and will not feel discomfort in order to fulfill their natural needs.

When choosing a tray or other design for a cat, take into account the natural instincts of an animal such as a feline:

• cats do not like to leave a smell behind them, they are ambush animals, so the home tray should be washed thoroughly, and the litter should “remove” the smell as best as possible.
• for the same reason, the cat must definitely rake in its items, it must make the appropriate movements with its paw.
• cats prefer to do their toilet chores so that no one is watching them at this moment; they, of course, are not shy, they are secretive.

It must be remembered that the success of training a cat to use a litter box largely depends on the configuration of the device itself and its location in the house. You can read about how to train a small kitten or an adult cat to use a litter box in this article.

Tray for cats with mesh

The most common, convenient and affordable invention. It consists of a plastic rectangular tray and a plastic mesh placed on top of it. It’s convenient for cats to enter it, do business, and turn around conveniently when they scoop up feces behind them. This type of tray comes in different colors, and the owner decides which color to choose based on his preferences.

A simple cat tray with a mesh.

IMPORTANT: The mesh inside the pot is needed to prevent the cat from getting its paws wet while doing the toilet. But incidents sometimes happen, so it is advisable to lay a rug under such a pot.

A tray with a mesh does not provide for the use of filler; this is the basis for the features of its use:

1. After the cat has relieved itself, the tray needs to be washed, since cats are very clean and do not like to do their toilet chores in dirty and unclean places. Also, a tray that is not cleaned for a long time will spread an unpleasant odor throughout the apartment, which is absolutely not necessary for anyone.
2. If the owner(s) go away for a long time and cannot clean up after their pet in time, you can purchase two litter trays for the cat.
3. You can also use special cat litter for trays in small quantities. This filler neutralizes the smell of animal feces, and in this case, the pet can use it several times. Usually, newspaper is laid on the mesh, and sand is poured on top for cats.
4. It happens that cats do not really like to scoop up feces in trays of this design, since the claws on their paws cling to the mesh. Then the owners can look for either trays of a different design, or come up with another solution, for example, laying newspapers on the bottom of the mesh, which they then throw away along with the filler.

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:

1. 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.
2. Size is very important: it should not constrain the animal.
3. It is better to decide in advance on the type of model - open or closed.
4. Pallets made of lightweight plastic are easily overturned, so it is better to choose more stable options.
5. 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.

Tray for cats with high sides

There are also simple trays on sale without a mesh, but with high sides. This is also a very convenient device, both for using cats and for caring for their owners.

Deep trays for cats.

1. Such a tray is easy to care for, but you will have to wash it every time the cat has done its job, or remove some of the used litter each time using a special scoop.
2. A tray with high sides is convenient because, while cats scoop it up behind them, they don’t scatter the litter all over the room.
3. Often trays with high sides are sold with an additional side, with which you can attach newspaper or film and throw away the used contents lying on it, leaving the tray clean.

It is more convenient for kittens to go into a low pot with a mesh, while adult cats prefer deep trays.

How many accessories do you need for one cat?

One tray is enough for an adult. Let us remember that cats are conservative by nature and, as a rule, defecate in only one place. But under certain circumstances, the number of bathrooms can be increased.

1. When accustoming a kitten to relieve its natural needs, the owner must determine which location will be preferable for his ward. To do this, you need to put several trays in the apartment where a new member of the household has already visited with certain intentions.
2. When a cat changes its place of residence, its litter box also changes. To help the client choose, the owner can also place several trays in different areas of the apartment. And only when the cat decides, leave one attribute.

How to fill a cat litter box?

Every cat owner will eventually find a convenient way to put litter in the tray.

If it is a tray with a plastic mesh, then you can pour filler under the mesh and clean it as needed. Or lay newspaper on top, as described above.

The filler is poured into the tray in a layer of 3-5 cm.

If this is a simple tray with high sides, then you need to pour 3 - 5 cm thick filler onto the bottom of the tray and also remove it as necessary, and also add the required layer of filler as necessary.

Comparison table of characteristics

For a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of product items, we have prepared a summary table:

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Indoor cat tray

Considering the tendency of cats to do their toilet chores away from prying eyes, as well as the fact that a closed toilet in the form of a house in the room where the animal is located looks aesthetically pleasing and prevents the spread of unpleasant odors, many owners of domestic cats choose this particular model.

The closed cat tray is aesthetically pleasing.

IMPORTANT: An enclosed cat house consists of a plastic tray bottom and a high lid with an opening for entry, which together looks like a house or a cat carrier.

1. In such a toilet it should be convenient for cats to spin and turn around.
2. The lid of the house should be easily and easily removed to make it convenient to clean.
3. You also need to make sure that there are ventilation holes in the lid of the toilet house, because this is important.

A cat may associate a closed litter box with a carrier.

IMPORTANT: Although the toilet house creates a closed environment for cats, not all animals get used to it. The fact is that they may associate such a toilet house with carrying, and carrying for many of them means a change of environment, or, worse, visit to the veterinarian. But this is always psychological stress for the animal, even if there is a routine examination.

Top 10 cat litters

The rating is presented by models that our editors recognized as the best in their segment (traditional, with a grate, with high sides, a toilet-house, a composting toilet, an automatic toilet and a travel tray). Each model has a brief description, approximate cost and a link to the store where you can buy the tray.

Automatic cat toilet

The automatic litter box for domestic cats is a new technological invention that has a self-cleaning function. Everything necessary for this - disinfection and rinsing of the tray after use - is done in such a way as not to cause harm to the animal from contact with chemicals or bacteria.

Automatic toilet for cats.

Of course, such convenience comes at a rather high price. In addition, the process of cleaning the litter box can frighten some cats who are not accustomed to this task.

Self-cleaning dry toilet for cats

For advanced owners of domestic cats, a self-cleaning dry closet has been invented, which works on the same principle as all dry closets.

IMPORTANT: This feline convenience will need to be connected to the sewerage system and electricity, then the owners can forget about cleaning the trays manually

1. As a rule, all the necessary parts and hoses for connecting a dry closet are included in its kit.
2. The composting toilet itself contains washable granules, which are convenient for cats to make their own toilet.
3. If it is urine, then the liquid after visiting the animal is immediately washed off through special holes into the sewer.
4. For excrement, the dry closet has a special shovel, with which it is easily crushed and drained into the sewer.
5. After using the program, clean water with shampoo is supplied to the toilet and the granules and holes are washed. Next comes the function of drying the dry closet using warm steam.

Dry toilet for cats.
The dry closet, depending on the manufacturer, can be programmed in the following modes:

• automatic flushing several times a day
• automatic flushing after the cat visits the toilet after some time
• manually starting toilet cleaning when you press the “start” button

Varieties

Let's consider in order, from the simplest option to the automated one, what closed cat litter boxes the market provides us with.

For convenience, we have divided all the houses into two categories: with a retractable tray and automated.

Let's start with pull-out trays.

A simple plastic house. Consists of two parts: a plastic cover and a tray. The package includes a retractable pot. Comes with a handle for easy transportation. There is also a mobile door. In terms of cost, it is the most economical option.

When purchasing such a tray, pay attention to the attachment of the top part of the house to the bottom. Assembly should not be awkward or unreliable

When choosing this model, you need to take into account the cost of carbon filters and take several replacement units at once. Be sure to change filters after their expiration date, usually every 4-6 months.

The convenience of such a house lies in its practicality, because it can be used, among other things, to store various pet accessories (combs, toys, nail clippers and others).

To prevent bad odor from being absorbed into the material of the piece of furniture and into the things stored there, a mandatory component of such a house is its reliable interior decoration with water-repellent materials and timely, frequent cleaning.

Automated Models

Modern technologies have also reached the point of caring for pets: an automatic tray reduces the owner’s intervention in cleaning the tray to a minimum.

There are different types of this kind of toilet: some are fully automatic, others require periodic cleaning, which consists of changing the bag in which solid excrement is deposited.

State-of-the-art self-cleaning models (also called electronic) are connected to electricity, sewer and water supply. A special sensor detects the cat’s movements, and when the animal leaves the toilet, flushing and self-cleaning occurs: the used litter is removed along with the waste and a new one is added. Such a toilet house does not require the intervention of the owner, except for adding filler and, if desired, programming the number of cleanings per day.