{
 "schema": "whattobuyfor/v1",
 "type": "comparison",
 "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/covered-vs-open-litter-tray/",
 "json": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/covered-vs-open-litter-tray.json",
 "publisher": "What to Buy For",
 "method": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/how-we-build-a-basket/",
 "pricesAsOf": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
 "priceNote": "Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.",
 "affiliateDisclosure": "Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.",
 "title": "Covered or open litter tray?",
 "answer": "An open tray for most cats: Battersea advises avoiding covered trays where possible, as they trap smells and limit what the cat can see. A covered tray can suit a nervous cat that wants privacy, with the flap taken off. Unsure? Put down one of each and watch.",
 "published": "2026-09-29",
 "updated": "2026-09-29",
 "noindex": false,
 "kind": "format",
 "table": {
  "columns": [
   "",
   "Covered tray",
   "Open tray"
  ],
  "rows": [
   [
    "Battersea's advice",
    "Avoid if possible",
    "No such warning"
   ],
   [
    "Smell",
    "Can trap odours that put cats off",
    "Nothing to hold them in around the cat"
   ],
   [
    "Full clean",
    "May need one a couple of times a week, says Cats Protection",
    "At least once a week, says Cats Protection"
   ],
   [
    "Privacy",
    "More, which a nervous cat may appreciate",
    "Less, but nothing blocks the cat's view"
   ],
   [
    "Flap",
    "Take it off: Cats Protection says flaps put cats off",
    "None"
   ],
   [
    "Headroom",
    "Set by the hood: 38.7cm tall overall on our pick",
    "No limit"
   ],
   [
    "Litter scatter",
    "Hood and deep base keep it in, the listing says",
    "A high rim helps, the listing says"
   ]
  ]
 },
 "sections": [
  {
   "heading": "Do cats prefer open or covered litter trays?",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Cats differ on this. PDSA and the RSPCA both say some cats like a covered tray, and Cats Protection says a nervous cat may appreciate one. Battersea's general advice runs the other way: avoid covered trays if possible, because they can trap smells and limit what the cat can see.",
    "If you are not sure which type your cat likes, Cats Protection suggests putting down two different kinds and seeing which one gets used. That sits easily with its rule of one tray per cat plus one extra, so even a one-cat home has room for both."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "If you choose a covered tray",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Take the flap off. Cats Protection says a flap puts cats off using the tray. It also warns that hooded trays can trap odours which put cats off, so keep them very clean: a covered tray may need a complete clean a couple of times a week, not once.",
    "For privacy without a hood, Cats Protection suggests an open tray inside a cardboard box that is open at the top, with two holes cut on adjacent sides as the way in and out. The cat gets cover and the smell is not kept in."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Size and access",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Battersea's guide is a tray big enough to stand, turn around and dig in, at least 1.5 times your cat's length from nose to base of tail. A hood also caps the headroom, so measure a large cat before you buy one.",
    "Start kittens on a small tray with a low entry, Battersea says, then move them to a full-sized tray once they can climb in easily. If a cat goes just outside the tray, Battersea says it may be too small or the sides too high, and a low entry helps kittens and older cats alike. For any sudden change in toilet habits, Cats Protection says see the vet first."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Where to put it and how often to clean",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Whatever the style, Cats Protection says to place the tray somewhere quiet, away from washing machines, doorways and cat flaps, and away from food, water and beds. Trays side by side count as one to a cat, so spread them out.",
    "Battersea advises scooping at least once a day and washing the tray weekly with mild, unscented washing-up liquid. It also suggests skipping plastic liners, which can catch on claws."
   ]
  }
 ],
 "picks": [
  {
   "role": "A roomy hooded tray with a removable flap",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/covered-vs-open-litter-tray/#role-covered",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B01CA1X7U6",
    "name": "CAT CENTRE Hooded Cat Litter Tray",
    "amazonTitle": "CAT CENTRE Hooded Cat Litter Tray, Dark Grey, Charcoal Filter, Deep",
    "brand": "Cat Centre",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/415+dNYbdPL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CA1X7U6",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B01CA1X7U6.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 21.82,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T03:26:51.295Z",
     "rating": 4.3,
     "ratings": 5921,
     "boughtLastMonth": "700+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 8,
      "category": "Cat Litter Boxes"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 10,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "Deep base and hood keep most of the litter inside, even with messy cats",
       "count": 3
      },
      {
       "text": "Roomy enough for bigger cats, with a wide door",
       "count": 4
      },
      {
       "text": "Cats used it straight away or after a spell with the door off",
       "count": 3
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "Lid clips are fiddly, and some arrive snapped or will not hold",
       "count": 4
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Cat Centre hooded litter tray",
    "ourTake": "For a nervous cat that wants cover, this deep tray is 51cm long, and the listing says both the hood and the flap come off. Remove the flap from the start, as Cats Protection advises. The listing says the charcoal filter cuts odours, but the hood still keeps smell close to the cat, so plan a full clean a couple of times a week."
   }
  },
  {
   "role": "A large, high-sided open tray",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/covered-vs-open-litter-tray/#role-open",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B09B2JXLFR",
    "name": "CAT CENTRE Big Open Cat Litter Tray",
    "amazonTitle": "CAT CENTRE Big Open Cat Litter Tray, Grey, 56cm, Extra Deep, Detachable Rim",
    "brand": "Cat Centre",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31HpeTGRqvL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B2JXLFR",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B09B2JXLFR.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 18.66,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:19:44.929Z",
     "rating": 4.7,
     "ratings": 1578,
     "boughtLastMonth": "300+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 10,
      "category": "Cat Litter Boxes"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 13,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "High sides keep wee in the tray, even from cats that sit high",
       "count": 7
      },
      {
       "text": "Roomy enough for large and older cats to turn round",
       "count": 7
      },
      {
       "text": "The rim comes off so the tray is easy to clean",
       "count": 3
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "Keen diggers still flick some litter out over the front",
       "count": 4
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Cat Centre big open litter tray, 56cm",
    "ourTake": "For most cats, a tray this size, 56 x 39 x 23cm by the listing, gives room to stand, turn and dig, which is Battersea's test. The listing says the high rim keeps litter and spray in and clips off for washing, so scatter is handled without a hood. A lowered entry step makes it easier for older cats to get in."
   }
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "Battersea: how to create the best litter tray setup for your cat",
   "url": "https://battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-advice/search-cat-advice/cat-litter-trays",
   "checked": "2026-09-27"
  },
  {
   "name": "Cats Protection: cats and toileting",
   "url": "https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/toileting",
   "checked": "2026-09-27"
  },
  {
   "name": "Cats Protection: behaviour focus, litter trays",
   "url": "https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/behaviour-focus-litter-trays",
   "checked": "2026-09-27"
  },
  {
   "name": "PDSA: how to litter train your cat",
   "url": "https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/how-to-litter-train-your-cat",
   "checked": "2026-09-27"
  },
  {
   "name": "RSPCA: litter trays for cats",
   "url": "https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/environment/litter",
   "checked": "2026-09-27"
  }
 ]
}