Replacing a litter tray is a change to one of your cat's familiar routines. A larger or more convenient model may suit the household, but your cat still needs to find it comfortable to use. Keep the transition simple: preserve access to a familiar tray, introduce the new option calmly and avoid changing the litter, location and tray all at once.
Check suitability before the introduction
Read the model's instructions and check the entry, usable interior and any age or weight restrictions. Your cat should have room to use the tray without being forced into a tight posture. Automatic models need particular care: confirm the safety instructions and the permitted operating conditions rather than assuming a large-cat label covers every cat. If the manual is missing or unclear, ask for it before use.
Keep a familiar option available
Do not remove the old tray as a way of making your cat choose the new one. Place the new tray in a suitable, accessible position while retaining the established option. Keep daily cleaning consistent. Cats Protection advises making changes to trays, litter and location gradually in its litter tray guidance. Although that page discusses kittens, the advice provides a useful principle for avoiding several simultaneous changes.
Keep the litter familiar where compatible
Check whether the new tray accepts your current litter. For an automatic model, use only the type and quantity the manufacturer specifies. If compatibility requires a change, ask for an introduction approach that respects both the cat's routine and the equipment instructions. Do not mix materials in a powered mechanism simply because gradual mixing is sometimes suggested for ordinary trays. Equipment requirements take priority over a generic transition tip.
Let the cat investigate voluntarily
Do not place your cat inside a powered tray or trigger a cleaning cycle to demonstrate it. Follow the manufacturer's introduction procedure, including any guidance on leaving automatic functions inactive initially. A cat may sniff the entrance, step away or visit at a quiet time. Keep access predictable and avoid standing over them. There is no universal number of days by which every cat should accept a new tray.
Change one variable at a time
Keep a simple record: where the trays are, which litter is used and whether each tray is being used. If you change the position, leave the litter unchanged where possible. If you change the litter, avoid moving both trays at the same time. This makes it easier to identify what your cat accepts. In a multi-cat home, observe each individual rather than assuming that use by one cat means the arrangement suits all of them.
Know when to stop troubleshooting at home
Contact your vet about a sudden change in toileting, discomfort or repeated avoidance. Straining to urinate, or passing little or no urine, needs urgent veterinary attention. Do not wait for a furniture adjustment to work. Once health concerns have been addressed, your vet or a qualified behaviourist can help assess the environment if the problem continues.
Choosing and maintaining the new option
The Bothy is one self-cleaning option in our litter range. Ask for its current operating guidance before introducing it. Our existing manual versus self-cleaning guide addresses the buying decision, while the maintenance guide covers ongoing care. Neither replaces the instructions supplied with your model.
A comfortable transition begins with a suitable tray and clear instructions. Explore the Giant Paws range, then ask about any model-specific details before ordering.
Related Giant Paws guides
- Self-Cleaning vs Manual Litter Trays for Large Cats: The Honest Tradeoffs
- How Often Should You Clean a Self-Cleaning Litter Tray?
