Where to Put the Cat's Litter Tray in a Flat, Even a Small One

October 22, 2026

A cat that goes beside the tray usually has a good reason. Very often, the litter tray is badly placed, not clean enough or poorly suited. Here is how to set it up in a flat, even a small one, so that your cat uses it without hesitation.

What your cat expects from their litter tray

To relieve themselves, a cat puts themselves in a vulnerable position. They therefore need:

calm, with no sudden noise or constant traffic;
easy access, at any hour, with no closed door;
a way out: they must be able to see someone coming and be able to leave;
distance from their food and water;
cleanliness, because their sense of smell is far keener than ours.

Good positions

Places that often work

A bathroom or a cloakroom, with the door wedged open.
A little-used corner of the entrance or hallway.
A utility room, if the machines are not running all the time.
A cupboard with the door removed or an opening cut in it.

Places to avoid

Next to the bowl or the water fountain.
Against a noisy washing machine or tumble dryer: a spin cycle starting while they are in the tray can be enough to put them off it.
At the end of a dead end, if another animal can corner them there.
On a balcony, exposed to cold, heat and noise.
In a room whose door is often closed.

To set up the feeding corner at a good distance, see Cat Bowl and Feeding Corner: The Right Habits.

How many trays?

The rule often advised by vets is simple: one tray per cat, plus one. Two cats, three trays. It limits conflicts and ensures that a clean tray is always available. Put them in different places: two trays side by side often count as one in a cat's eyes.

With a single cat in a large flat or on two floors, a second tray is still useful, especially for a kitten or an older cat.

Small flat: how to manage

In a studio, space is short. A few ideas:

a litter-hiding piece of furniture, as long as it is big enough and well ventilated;
the bathroom, with a mat in front of the tray to catch the grains;
a corner behind a screen or a curtain, which leaves a clear way through.

The smaller the space, the more daily cleaning counts.

The tray and the litter

The tray must be big enough for your cat to turn round in without difficulty. We often advise about one and a half times the length of their body, excluding the tail. For a kitten or an older cat, choose low sides.

Open or covered tray? The covered one holds smells in for you, but concentrates them for the cat, and some refuse to go in. If you are unsure, offer both and let them choose.

As for the litter, many cats prefer a fine, unscented texture. If your cat uses their current litter well, keep it. If you have to change, mix the old and the new for one to two weeks.

Upkeep

Remove the stools and urine clumps every day, twice if possible.
Top up with clean litter to keep a good depth.
Empty the tray completely and wash it regularly with hot water and mild soap.
Avoid bleach and strongly scented products: their smell can put the cat off.

If you are pregnant, if possible have someone else look after the litter or wear gloves, and ask your doctor for advice about toxoplasmosis.

Moving the litter tray

A cat does not like sudden changes. Move the tray a few tens of centimetres a day, or set up the new tray before removing the old one. Show them the new position without forcing them.

When they go beside the tray

A cat that urinates outside the tray may be suffering from a urinary infection, stress-related cystitis or pain. Make an appointment with your vet before changing anything. A cat, especially a male, that goes to the tray often without managing to urinate must be seen as an emergency.

Once a medical cause is ruled out, review the position, the cleanliness and the number of trays. Do not scold your cat: they would link the litter with fear. To clean soiled spots, avoid ammonia-based products: their smell is like that of urine and invites the cat to do it again.