Open or covered litter tray? A practical comparison with pros and cons, an overview table and a checklist to help you make the right choice for your cat.

Open or covered litter tray: which is better for your cat?

You're standing in the shop or scrolling through the options online, and you can't decide: an open litter tray, or a covered one with a hood? The short answer: most cats feel most comfortable with a spacious, open litter tray, but a covered tray can actually be the better choice in specific situations — think smell-sensitive households, small spaces, or a cat that likes its privacy. Below you'll find out exactly why, along with a comparison table, real-life scenarios and a checklist, so you can make a choice that suits both your cat and your home.

What's the difference between an open and a covered litter tray?

An open litter tray is a simple tray without a hood: the cat is fully visible and can look and flee in any direction. A covered litter tray has an enclosed hood with an entry opening, so the cat is out of sight while using it. Both types come in dozens of sizes and materials, from simple plastic trays to design litter trays that look like a piece of furniture.

Pros and cons of an open litter tray

Open litter trays have been the most widely used option for years, and that's no coincidence.

• Advantage: the cat always has a clear view of its surroundings and an unobstructed escape route — important for a prey animal that feels vulnerable while urinating or defecating.
• Advantage: odours and moisture can escape instead of building up, which means the tray is less likely to smell overpowering to the cat itself.
• Advantage: easier to clean and quicker to check for urination and bowel movement patterns, which helps with spotting health issues early.
• Disadvantage: litter and sand can more easily end up outside the tray.
• Disadvantage: the tray (and the smell) is visible in the house, which not everyone likes.

Pros and cons of a covered litter tray

A covered litter tray looks neater, but also comes with a few points to consider.

• Advantage: less litter spilling outside the tray, and the contents are hidden from view.
• Advantage: gives a shy or stressed cat the feeling that it can do its business undisturbed.
• Advantage: practical in a small space, as the tray stands out less.
• Disadvantage: odours and ammonia build up in the enclosed space, which can actually cause some cats to avoid the tray.
• Disadvantage: only one exit and limited visibility, which can make anxious cats, or cats in a multi-pet household, feel uneasy.
• Disadvantage: you're less likely to notice quickly that the tray is dirty, so it can more easily be left too long before cleaning.

💡 A covered litter tray is also often physically smaller on the inside than it looks from the outside — the hood takes up space. If you choose a covered tray, always pick a model that still leaves plenty of floor space.

What do we know about cats' preferences?

International cat welfare organisations, such as International Cat Care (iCatCare) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), recommend in their guidelines for a cat-friendly environment that, as a general rule, you choose an open, spacious litter tray, unless a cat clearly shows a different preference of its own. The reason: cats are both hunter and prey animal, and want to be able to survey their surroundings during a vulnerable moment such as using the litter tray. A tray that's too small or too enclosed is regularly cited in behavioural research as a risk factor for litter tray avoidance.

That doesn't mean every cat prefers an open tray: shy animals, or cats that grew up with a covered tray, often show no problems at all. The rule of thumb: pay attention to your own cat's behaviour, not just the theory.

Open vs covered at a glance

Which litter tray suits your situation?

• Household with multiple cats: preferably choose open trays, so no cat can get "trapped" at the single exit of a covered tray. Rule of thumb: one tray per cat, plus one extra, spread across different spots in the house.
• Kitten or senior cat: a low entry is more important than open versus covered. Kittens often benefit from an open tray with a low rim; older cats with joint problems benefit from a tray without a high entry or a hood that gets in the way.
• Shy or easily stressed cat: a covered tray, or an open tray in a quiet, sheltered corner, can offer more security.
• Small space, such as a studio or one-bedroom flat: a covered tray or a design litter tray that blends into the interior looks neater, as long as you clean it often enough.
• Smell-sensitive occupants: if you use a covered tray, definitely use an odour-absorbing litter tray freshener and clean daily.
• Cat that has been avoiding the litter tray for a long time: first try an open, extra-large tray in a quiet spot, before making other changes.

Common mistakes when choosing a litter tray

• Choosing too small a tray. The tray should be at least one and a half times your cat's body length, including the tail. If in doubt, choose a size up.
• One tray for multiple cats. This increases the chance of conflict and of the tray being avoided by the less dominant cat.
• Placing the tray in a busy through-traffic area. Cats avoid trays that are next to a noisy washing machine, a busy hallway, or right next to the food bowl.
• Not cleaning daily. Both open and covered trays are avoided more quickly the dirtier they get — with covered trays, you're less likely to notice this yourself.
• Switching from open to covered (or vice versa) without warning. Do this gradually: place the new tray next to the old one first, so your cat can get used to it without the familiar option disappearing straight away.

Checklist: choosing the right litter tray

• ☐ At least one and a half times your cat's body length (including tail)
• ☐ Low, easy entry, especially for kittens and senior cats
• ☐ Quiet, draught-free spot, not next to the food bowl
• ☐ One tray per cat plus one extra if you have multiple cats
• ☐ Clean out daily, regardless of open or covered model
• ☐ For a covered tray: extra attention to ventilation and odour control
• ☐ Let your cat get used to a new tray gradually, placed next to the old one

Frequently asked questions

How many litter trays do I need?

The general rule of thumb is: one litter tray per cat, plus one extra. So with two cats, that's three trays, spread across different spots in the house, not all next to each other.

My cat urinates next to the covered litter tray. What now?

First check whether the tray is big enough and is cleaned daily. If that doesn't help, temporarily place an extra open tray in a quiet spot alongside it. If the problem continues, consult a vet to rule out medical causes, such as a bladder infection.

How do I stop a covered litter tray from smelling?

Scoop at least once a day, fully replace the litter at set intervals, and use an odour-absorbing freshener. Don't place the tray in a small, unventilated space such as an enclosed cupboard.

Can I just switch from open to covered?

You can, but do it step by step. Place the new tray next to the old one for a while, so your cat has a choice. Only remove the old tray once you see the new one is being used consistently.

In short

There's no single universal best answer, but there is a clear rule of thumb: if in doubt, choose a spacious, open litter tray, since most cats feel safest with this option. If you have a smell-sensitive household, little space, or a cat that clearly has no problem with a hood, then a covered litter tray is a fine alternative — provided it's big enough and cleaned daily. Ultimately, pay most attention to your own cat's behaviour: a tray that's avoided is never the right choice, whatever the type.

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