Should my cat explore a litter cabinet before I add the tray?

Letting the cat explore the cabinet before it contains the tray can make the new object more familiar, provided access is safe and voluntary. Assemble and secure the furniture fully according to its instructions first; do not leave loose panels, packaging or fittings available for investigation. Open the intended entrance and give the cat time to sniff or walk around it. Avoid pushing the cat through the doorway, shutting it inside or using food to lure it into a position where it seems uncomfortable.

Exploration can also reveal practical problems before the tray is installed, such as a tight turn or a door that moves unexpectedly. However, walking through an empty cabinet does not prove the final tray arrangement will be spacious enough. Recheck the layout once the tray is in place and keep the familiar toileting option available while the cat adjusts to the complete setup.

An empty-cabinet walk-through answers only whether the cat will approach that object. Photograph the final interior with the tray in place as a separate layout check, because the tray may remove much of the clear route seen during exploration.