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A litter tray for large cats must be at least 1.5× the body length of the cat. For a Maine Coon of 70 cm that means a tray of at least 105 cm. The opening must be wide enough to turn around freely. A standard tray of 45 cm is too small for large breeds.
Large cats — Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats, Siberian cats — are magnificent animals, but they have higher requirements for their litter tray than the average European Shorthair. The most common problem with large cats: the tray is too small. A tray that is too small leads to refusal, eliminating beside the tray or uncomfortable use where the cat touches the rim. Not out of disobedience — but simply because the cat does not fit properly.
| Breed | Average length (nose–tail) | Weight | Minimum tray length | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Shorthair | 40–50 cm | 3.5–5 kg | 60–75 cm | Standard sufficient |
| British Shorthair | 45–55 cm | 4–8 kg | 68–83 cm | Standard or XXL |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 50–65 cm | 4–9 kg | 75–98 cm | ✓ XXL recommended |
| Ragdoll | 55–70 cm | 5–9 kg | 83–105 cm | ✓ XXL required |
| Maine Coon | 55–75 cm | 5–12 kg | 83–113 cm | ✓ XXL required |
| Siberian cat | 50–65 cm | 5–9 kg | 75–98 cm | ✓ XXL recommended |
A low entry point is also a requirement for older large cats: large breeds gain weight faster and develop joint problems earlier. A litter tray with a low entry point (less than 15 cm high) is not a luxury for Maine Coons over 8 years old but a requirement. The XXL version of our self-cleaning litter tray has an entry height of 12 cm.
Owners think their cat is displaying "bad behaviour" when it eliminates beside the tray. In many cases the tray is too small:
Read also: Is an automatic litter tray suitable for large breeds? Automatic XXL litter box: who is it worth it for? — including a capacity table and standard vs XXL comparison.
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