If you've shopped for a litter tray for a large cat, you've probably noticed the same thing we did: "Jumbo," "Giant," and "XL" get used almost interchangeably across brands, with wildly different actual dimensions behind each label. There's no industry standard defining what any of these words mean — they're marketing terms, not measurements.
Why the Labels Don't Line Up
Unlike, say, clothing sizing (which is inconsistent but at least loosely standardised within a country), litter tray size names are set independently by each manufacturer. One brand's "Jumbo" tray might be genuinely enormous; another's might be barely bigger than a standard tray with a bigger-sounding name attached. Relying on the label alone tells you almost nothing.
What to Check Instead of the Name
- Actual internal length — the real usable floor space, not the exterior dimensions (which can include a raised rim or hood that eats into interior room).
- The 1.5x rule of thumb — a commonly cited guideline is that a litter tray should be at least 1.5x your cat's body length (nose to base of tail, not including tail), so the cat can comfortably turn and dig without their body extending outside the tray.
- Rim height vs your cat's mobility — a taller-sided tray can add usable capacity, but isn't ideal for kittens, senior cats, or anyone with mobility issues.
- Hooded vs open — a hood can reduce the tray's effective usable interior space even if the exterior footprint is large, which is part of why "large-sounding" hooded trays sometimes feel cramped in practice.
A Genuinely Useful Way to Shop
Measure your own cat (nose to base of tail, standing naturally) and compare that number directly against the tray's listed internal dimensions — not the name on the box. For large breeds like Maine Coons, this often rules out trays marketed as "jumbo" that turn out to be sized for an average domestic cat once you check the real numbers.
See our full breakdown of enclosed vs open litter trays for large cats, or browse our litter tray collection with real dimensions listed on every product page.