Indoor toilet for cats: varieties and features

If you decide to get a kitten, you should think about purchasing a litter tray for it. It is better to buy a toilet for a cat immediately before purchasing an animal. This will make it much easier to accustom your furry friend to his place. The choice of cat litter today is quite wide. You can easily choose an option taking into account the area of ​​the apartment, as well as the preferences of the animal itself.

But before you make a purchase of a tray, you need to understand what types distinguish it, the positive and negative sides of each type, as well as what needs to be taken into account when choosing. The article will tell you about all this.

Rating of the best indoor toilets for cats

Main types of toilets for cats

Before you buy a dry toilet for cats, you should understand the varieties of this item. A fairly popular model at the moment is a one-piece plastic tray. The shape is a rectangular product with low sides. As a rule, no additional elements are attached to it. The main advantage of this specimen is its low price and compactness. The product is quite convenient to maintain. Ideal for kittens: it’s very easy for babies to climb into this tray.

But for adult cats and cats, this is not the best choice: due to the shallow depth, when burrowing, they throw out most of the litter from the litter box. To avoid this, for adult cats it is better to purchase a large cat litter box with a mesh, a tray with high sides, or a closed type product. Another disadvantage is that the solid plastic tray is used only with filler.

A tray with high sides is similar to the model described above, but has removable sides. This addition can also be used to secure a film that can be easily removed after the pet has gone to the toilet. This makes caring for the tray much easier: you don’t have to wash anything. In addition, by creating the required depth, the cat will not scatter the litter outside of its litter box. This model allows you to use either filler or film. But this type of tray also has a drawback: it takes up much more space than a regular plastic product.

The next type - a cat toilet with a mesh - is similar to a regular plastic one, only a mesh is put on top of the product.

Thanks to this, all feces flow through the mesh into the tray, and the animal’s paws remain clean and dry.

For this option, no filler is needed. But after each trip to the toilet, the net and potty must be washed. Another disadvantage that can be noted is that the smell is not neutralized, but spreads throughout the room. Therefore, after each visit to the tray by your pet, you will have to clean it. In addition, not all pets like this type of toilet: when a cat instinctively buries, its claws get stuck in the mesh, and this scares many people away.

The best indoor toilets in the mid-price segment

Toilet house for cats Curver PetLife, 51*39*40cm

Rating: 4.9

First place is given to a durable and comfortable design, in which an animal of any age will feel comfortable, and the owner will appreciate the practicality and ease of care. For small breeds and kittens there is an additional step for entry. Environmentally friendly plastic used in production meets safety requirements. It will not affect the health of the animal and will not have a negative impact on the environment, since it does not contain toxic or harmful substances.

The toilet is easy to disassemble and assemble. After closing, the casing is attached to the tray using special clamps. The tray slides out easily. At the top of the body there is a storage compartment for the scoop, which is used for collecting solid waste. The model has a handle for transportation. The interesting design makes the house not only a practical item in the home, but also a unique interior decoration.

Curver PetLife has released a product with an expanded color line. It features anthracite, creamy brown, dark gray, brown and beige shades that will harmoniously fit into rooms with light and dark decor.

Advantages

• for all cat breeds;
• fabric odor filter;
• easy cleansing;
• convenient transportation.

Flaws

• not identified.

Recommendations for use

Your pet sees a closed cat litter box for the first time, and you are faced with the problem of training. There are several tips to simplify and speed up the process:

1. If you purchased a toilet with a lid or door, it is better to dismantle them at the initial stage. The feeling of free space will not cause fear and rejection. The cat will be interested in the new product and will study it.
2. Transfer the cat's scent to a new pot. It is possible to use a small amount of labeled litter from an old toilet. Or try covering the previous tray with the lid from the newly purchased one.
3. After about one to two weeks, you can mount the door back. Make sure your pet understands how to get in and out.
4. If you are away from home for a long time, leave the entrance to the toilet open. At first, you can open the lid at night.
5. Buy an attractive spray at the pet store - this will speed up the training process.
6. Do not suddenly change the location of the toilet in the house and the type of filler.
7. Change the carbon filter in the dry closet once every four months.
8. Place an anti-slip mat under the tray. It will fix the position and help keep the floor around the potty clean.

If your pet accepts the improved litter box favorably, consider yourself lucky. Now you will appreciate the ease of cleaning, the level of cleanliness in the apartment and create comfort for your beloved pet. Perhaps at first buying a closed litter box may seem like a waste of money, but in fact it is a great thing for any cat owner.

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Key points when choosing a tray

Thus, today the market offers a wide range of cat litter boxes. There are open and closed models, there are automatic ones and those that need to be cleaned manually. It is important to choose exactly the type that your pet will like.

To determine which toilet is best for a cat, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Material of manufacture. The product must be strong enough. And also not be too light, so that the animal does not accidentally turn the pot on itself when burying it.
• Shape, depth, size. The tray should be of such a size and shape that the cat can move freely in it. After all, if she feels uncomfortable in such a house, she can find herself another, more spacious place. It is important to buy a cat litter box of such depth that you can pour a sufficient amount of litter into the product, and so that the litter does not fly out of the tray when buried.
• Surface smoothness. The product must not have any defects such as sharp protruding elements. Even if there is no filler in the pot, the animal will instinctively bury it. And if he bumps into something sharp, he might get hurt. To avoid this, before you buy a cat litter box, you should evaluate it for its smoothness. To do this, you need to carefully run your palm along its inner surface.

Thus, today the choice of dry toilets for cats is very diverse. When you cross the threshold of a pet store, you can get confused by the wide range of products. There are both regular open plastic trays and closed self-cleaning options. What to choose? The answer to this question depends only on the preferences of the pet and the financial condition of the owner. If your cat is constipated, then read the article “Multi-day constipation in a cat and its treatment at home.”

Owner reviews

I've been using an indoor cat litter box for a couple of months now. I was preparing for the purchase for a long time, because the toad was terribly pressing: 2350 + delivery... But having thoroughly tested this miracle of design, I can share my positive impressions with a clear conscience. My main fears were that the filler would still spread a lot, if the cat peed while standing, then everything would leak onto the floor, there was not enough space. All these fears did not come true. The step grate “works”, nothing leaks outside the toilet, the filler hardly spreads: I now sweep 1-2 times a day!

dizigner_ru

https://ori-cats.livejournal.com/713588.html

We have been using the house for three years now. The absolute truth is there is no smell. I put wood filler in the tray. Which to choose? I think this is not important for a cat. I recommend!

alinav

https://www.kharkovforum.com/showthread.php?t=2244880

I bought a closed potty for my girl, but then I just threw it away because it’s impossible to wash it well. Now for 5 years he has been using a regular litter box, “dry paws” without any filler. Once I tried to pour some filler into her, and she stood there like that, walked up to the pot and scooped it onto the floor with her paws. Until I removed the filler, nothing happened. So understand these animals...

Lunyavka

https://www.kharkovforum.com/showthread.php?t=2244880

I have a cat and a cat, a toilet house + 2 trays. As soon as such a toilet appeared, both of them immediately began to go to it; the trays now stand idle. The filler is still carried out a little on the paws. But I'm extremely pleased with them. The thing is simply incomparable. No smell, no dirt. Cats feel protected in an intimate environment. Moreover, their feelings of disgust in him have disappeared, they want to go there calmly one after another, despite the fact that one of them pooped, the other pooped next to him and peed the same way. My filler is clumping wood. They used to throw them all over the corridor. So I highly recommend the toilet house.

Stefani

https://zooforum.ru/index.php?showtopic=53803

It is inconvenient to remove from it, we used it, then we returned to the old one, since we have to remove the top to remove it. Tired of it.

LUCKY

https://deti.mail.ru/forum/dosug/bratja_nashi_menshie/tualet_domik_dlja_koshki_udoben_ili_net/

When we first bought this toilet, the consultant at the store advised us to first glue the door to the ceiling of the toilet with tape so that the cat would not be afraid to go in there - they sealed it. I get up in the morning - the cat is gone... well, I think he’s sleeping somewhere, strange, he didn’t come out to eat either... I went to look and found it in the toilet)) The tape came off and “bricked up” the cat in the toilet. There was so much joy when the cat saw me through this glass)) I thought he would be afraid to go there - no, everything is fine - the tape was torn off and no longer glued...

Anonymous

https://www.u-mama.ru/forum/family/pets/534873/index.html

We've had one like this for a couple of years now. The mesh there is quite large, the wood filler gets stuck in it. It won’t work without filler, the mesh has no legs, and the paws will be covered in urine. My cat doesn’t like to dig into the litter, he likes to scratch the sides with his claws, so I sprinkle it under the bottom. The toilet is quite big. The downside is the door, it doesn’t let light in, the cat panics, I had to remove it. In general, I am satisfied and will exchange it for the same one, anyway, there are no other toilet houses with a mesh.

Victoria

https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?p=2378840

In some cases, closed tray designs turn out to be extremely convenient and useful. But when choosing such a toilet, you need to take into account not only the appearance and shape of the model. It is important to choose a product that will be convenient for your furry pet to use, otherwise he may simply ignore it.

Manufacturers rating

Let's look at a small rating of the most popular and high-quality closed cat litter boxes from different manufacturers.

• Petmate Booda Cleanstep. This inexpensive model from the Petmate brand has large sizes, a spacious tray, an outlet ladder and a lid with a filter. In this model, it is necessary to change the filler and carbon filters on time. In great demand.

• Nyan-tomo Seiketsu Toilet. This model from a Japanese manufacturer has high sides, a deodorizing mat and pine filler with antibacterial properties. Does not emit unpleasant odors. It can even be placed in the living room.

• Litter Spinner. An interesting model with an original design from a well-known manufacturer. It features quick cleaning and a separate waste compartment. Made from environmentally friendly and safe materials.

• Oster. This model has the function of forced air filtration, as well as light indicators. The toilet dashboard is electronic and easy to operate. The fan does not consume much energy. You can add any filler.

• Cat Genie. Rounding out our ranking is the fully automatic toilet from the Cat Genie brand. It contains special washable granules - they do not need to be constantly changed. There is a cartridge with shampoo and economical consumption. This model is simple and straightforward to use.

Automatic dry toilet

The automatic dry closet is an original self-cleaning design.

How to wash, how to clean

Hygienic procedures are mandatory when using filler and without it. In the second case, you will have to clean the litter box after each time your pet goes to the toilet.

If the attribute is not taken care of, then one of the consequences is an unpleasant odor that will quickly spread throughout the entire apartment.

But the tailed pet will begin to regularly look for new places to relieve its natural needs, since the smell of excrement scares them away.

To clean your cat's litter box, you will need disinfectant (eco-friendly) detergents, a soft brush and paper towels.

Procedure. Everything will take no more than five minutes.

1. The used filler is sent in a plastic bag.
2. Having unfastened the removable mesh, the base is washed under warm water.
3. Apply or spray detergent onto the tray and leave for a few minutes. Then the base is cleaned with a brush.
4. The removable grate is cleaned in warm water.

Tray cleaner

Choosing a detergent

The most important criterion is the absence of strong odors. Be careful when using toilet bowl cleaners. Many of them have a pungent “aroma” that can scare away a cat.

As a result, the pet will have no choice but to go looking for a more comfortable place to go to the toilet.

Acid-containing products effectively fight urinary stones, which settle on the surface of the tray over time. An analogue of these is ordinary vinegar, but it only eliminates the smell and is not suitable for regular cleaning.

Eco-friendly disinfectants are the best option. They smell nothing and contain virtually no chemicals.

Traditional trays and open models with sides and mesh

1

Triol P666 54 x 40 x 15 cm

1,130 rub.

The model is made in the shape of a triangle, so it can be placed in an inconspicuous corner and thereby provide a private place for the pet. The sides of the tray are high, they are rounded at the corners, due to this, the filler does not spill out even when the cat is digging intensively. The manufacturer uses high-quality plastic that is safe to use. It is easy to wash and disinfect. The package includes a scoop.

9.9 /10

rating

pros

• When filled, the tray is very stable
• Its dimensions are suitable for pets of different sizes
• Nice colour
• Convenient form

Minuses

Triol P666 54 x 40 x 15 cm

2

SAVIC Aseo 56 x 39 x 27.5 cm

814 rub.

The model is simple, but has a convenient, well-thought-out design. Externally, the product looks like a trough, but the back is higher than the front. The large depth helps fill the bowl with any filler. And it will not spill out, even if the cat likes to dig a lot.

The material used is high-quality plastic, it is durable, reliable, easy to clean, and does not absorb odors. And along the edges there is a profile that can be removed if necessary - and the tray will become more spacious. And it’s easy for kittens to climb inside over the lowest edge.

9.1 /10

rating

pros

• The tray is large, suitable for two pets at once
• Convenient for kittens
• Does not absorb odors, easy to clean

Minuses

SAVIC Aseo 56 x 39 x 27.5 cm

3

Moderna Lift to Sift Large 50.2 x 38.4 x 24.1 cm

RUB 1,276

The product has a solid body, but its design is designed in such a way that a grid is installed directly above the tray, and there are still high sides on top of it. They are on three sides, and the fourth is open, which allows the pet to comfortably climb inside. The material used is dense plastic, so the grille will not be pressed under the weight of the cat.

8.8 /10

rating

pros

• The design does not involve the use of a storage device
• The cat litter area is always clean
• Interesting design, discreet color

Minuses

• The model does not retain odors at all
• If your cat likes to dig, a product with a grid is not suitable for her.
• You will have to clean the tray more often and disinfect it after each wash.

Moderna Lift to Sift Large 50.2 x 38.4 x 24.1 cm

4

Moderna Arist-O-Tray Small 36.8 x 27.6 x 6.1 cm

165 rub.

This tray has low sides, so the product is more suitable for toilet training small kittens. The bright yellow trough looks interesting.

The dimensions of the product are such that it is convenient to pick it up and pour the contents into a bag or down the drain, as well as transport it from place to place (from an apartment to a country house, for example). The tray is inexpensive, so if it cracks or breaks, you won’t mind throwing it away and buying a new one.

8.3 /10

rating

pros

• Plastic washes well
• Cheap
• The shape is extremely simple, which also makes cleaning much easier

Minuses

• Low sides do not protect against spillage of filler
• The plastic is soft, so it breaks quickly
• Smells quickly spread throughout the apartment

Moderna Arist-O-Tray Small 36.8 x 27.6 x 6.1 cm

5

Imac Fred 51 x 51 x 15.5 cm

RUB 1,265

Models of this type have high sides with edges slightly curved inward. They are designed for adult cats and are made of hard plastic so they last a long time. High walls protect the room from contamination. The filler does not fly out even when the cat paddles with all its might.

The angular shape of the tray makes it easy to hide it from prying eyes. And the recesses on the sides allow the animal to easily jump into it.

7.9 /10

rating

pros

• Convenient form
• Durable
• Protects the room from pollution

Minuses

• Not suitable for small kittens
• Expensive

Imac Fred 51 x 51 x 15.5 cm

What else to consider?

There are different models of cat litter with high sides. Options with a removable frame are convenient because, if necessary, it can be removed, thereby making the tray more spacious. If desired, a tray can be purchased to match the style concept of the toilet. This will allow the tray not to stand out from the general background and, as a result, not to attract increased attention.

Preference can be given to designs with curved sides or different heights of the rear and front sides. In such trays, the granules of the filler used do not fall outside the container even when the animal is intensively digging. It will be more convenient for the cat to climb into the tray from the front sides.

If a large cat lives at home (for example, a Maine Coon), take a large tray for it. For two cats, buy large boxes with the greatest possible depth. This need is not accidental, because in a shallow pot the cat will experience inconvenience, scooping up the filler with its large paw. In addition, the box itself must be large.

If ease of cleaning the tray is important, you can take a closer look at products that can actually put garbage bags inside. These can be structures with a frame or even simple trays without a mesh

But before purchasing such options, you should pay attention to the cat’s behavior. Some pets are afraid of unnecessary noise; they may not like the rustling of the bag

If the cat is accustomed to a litter box with a plastic bag from a young age, the purchase will be worthwhile. It will be easier for the owner to clean the toilet and change the filler

When purchasing, it is important to inspect the frame clamps: they must be reliable. If the frame is poorly secured, it may fall off during operation.

For an overview of a closed-type tray with high sides, see below.

Where to place it?

In the case of a closed tray, the choice is not very wide. But do not forget that the tray should be placed in accordance with the habits and opinion (yes, exactly the opinion) of the cat himself. Fortunately, the toilet house is chosen for an adult cat, with an established place to meet its needs.

In the case of an automated litter tray, it is better to choose a bathroom or toilet as the location as it will make noise when cleaning starts.

In the case of a built-in toilet, there will be no problems with the location, since it depends solely on the piece of furniture chosen for this purpose.

On the Internet you can easily read various reviews from owners of closed trays. In most cases, people approve of this type of cat litter. Among others, there are reviews from veterinarians who advise using only high-quality closed trays so that the pet does not get injured (which can easily happen when using Chinese trays) and does not experience any inconvenience.

Breeders who have chosen a toilet house for their cats agree on one thing: problems with odor and scattered litter disappeared after purchasing a toilet house.

If your family has not one pet, but two or more, you can purchase a tray for each of them or put one large one. Many reviews say that cats appreciate the privacy that the litter box provides them and are not “ashamed” to take turns going into it.

There are very few negative reviews, and the undeniable advantages of a closed tray are obvious.

Review of the coal toilet house with a triple bottom in the video below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XGufb6KuSq4

Pros and cons of a closed tray

Before you make a purchase, you need to evaluate its positive and negative sides.

The positive aspects of using the toilet include:

• lack of aromas . The specific smell of cat urine remains inside the “house”. A carbon filter is used to absorb it. It traps odor inside the tray. One filter is enough for 6 months of use;
• form . Manufacturers offer cat litter boxes in both standard rectangular and triangular shapes. The latter can be successfully placed in the corners of rooms;
• aesthetic appearance . This advantage of this type of tray can be called one of the main ones. A beautiful plastic box, sometimes imitating furnishings, will fit perfectly into any interior;
• size . The owner will be able to choose an enclosed toilet for an animal of almost any size.

The negative points include:

• high cost . This is the main disadvantage of a closed tray. Such cat litters are much more expensive than classic ones. The volume of filler is also standard and you won’t be able to save on this cost item;
• In a small apartment it is not always possible to find a place for a closed dry closet. Its minimum size is 50 cm;
• structural inconvenience for cats . A pet can simply ignore a closed tray, refusing to use it for its intended purpose. The animal may not like, for example, the presence of a door.

Types of cat litter

There are several options for cat litter for your home. Let's talk about each one separately.

Tray

A simple classic version of a cat toilet is an open tray. Select a tray depending on the size of the pet. As mentioned above, when choosing a tray you should pay attention to the height of the sides. It should be as comfortable as possible for the cat, and at the same time not allow the contents to spill out when buried.

Depending on your pet’s needs, you can pour a special filler into the tray or install a limiter grid to prevent its paws from getting wet. It is very convenient to clean such a tray, and it is usually inexpensive.

Indoor cat litter

There are also special indoor cat litter boxes. These devices are shaped like houses, which allows the cat to feel especially protected inside. Such a closed toilet may have a door that the cat can open on its own. Closed toilets have their advantages. The filler does not spill out of it, and odors linger for as long as possible.

When purchasing, pay attention to the possibility of removing the upper structure, since such a toilet needs to be washed as regularly and thoroughly as an open one.

Such a toilet should be selected based on the size of the pet, since it may simply be cramped, and the cat will want to look for another place for the toilet. A closed toilet costs more than a regular litter box. There are models of toilet houses of special design on sale, which, if desired, can become an excellent addition to the interior. An inexpensive alternative to a closed cat litter box can be an ordinary litter box built into a small closet or bedside table.

Dry toilets for cats

Closed cat litter boxes also include special dry closets for cats. Such devices are able to protect against unpleasant odors for a long time without replacing the filler, thanks to the presence of a special filtration system. Typically, dry toilets for cats are equipped with a special carbon filter located on the lid of the device to absorb odors.

Often, dry closets are filled with a special filler that retains moisture, and an absorbent and deodorizing napkin is placed at the bottom, which completely absorbs and eliminates odors.

Toilet nozzles

Many owners want their cat to go to the toilet on his own. For this purpose, there are attachments on the toilet rim with special holes of different diameters, with the help of which you can gradually teach your cat to go to the toilet while sitting on the toilet. To begin with, such a nozzle on the toilet rim, without a hole, but with filler, is placed next to the toilet. Gradually changing the height of this structure, the nozzle is moved to the toilet. The hole in the nozzle is enlarged once every two weeks as the cat gets used to it. Such toilet training may take three or four months, since a rapid enlargement of the hole in the nozzle can greatly frighten the cat and negate previous efforts.

For owners who value maximum convenience and ergonomics in cleaning, there are special automated cat litter boxes.

The principle of operation of such devices is aimed at self-cleaning after each visit to the toilet by the cat. These devices can be programmed to clean themselves using cleaning agent cartridges after each cat visit. Or you will need to press a button to activate the cleaning function. Such a toilet is connected to a common water supply system, sewerage system and an outlet. The cost of an automatic toilet is quite high.

However, this type of toilet has one significant drawback: for all its convenience, automatic toilets make a lot of noise when cleaning, which can scare the cat and discourage them from using such a device.