I've been working on some DIY tonight to create a bigger litter tray for my kitties.
(coco-top and Blu-down)
Although I let them outside for a little roam, it's only around noon—when the birds have already fed and are usually high up in the trees.
They come back inside before the birds settle in to roost, ensuring there's no risk of them hunting, especially for Coco, who loves to be up high.
They love their little time roaming around outdoors.
Sniffing plants and eating grass.
And since they spend a reasonable amount of time indoors, they still need a litter tray.
As they're growing, especially Blu, they needed something more spacious and comfortable to prevent any stress while using it. My previous DIY litter tray worked, DIY Litter Tray but I revised it for much better—and honestly, this is the best litter tray I've ever had! It's even better than the fancy, expensive ones on the market, and it's super easy to clean.
Here's how I made it: 📥
You'll need two stackable trays—the top tray should rest inside the bottom one, leaving a slight gap in between so the liquid doesn't wet the litter, keeping the bleach solution separate in the bottom tray.
I made small drainage holes in the top tray using a heated screwdriver (shh! 😆). Don't worry!
To make the holes, I heated up the screwdriver and gently placed (not pushed) it against the plastic, allowing it to melt through.
I spaced the holes as close together as possible to ensure that any liquid drains straight down instead of spreading.
I scraped the excess plastic for easy drainage.
In the bottom tray, I poured a little water and added a small amount of bleach; this keeps odours away completely. Surprisingly, the smell doesn’t bother the kitties at all!
Edit: I’ve removed the bleach, as bleach and urine can create harmful fumes. Instead, you can use a mix of baking soda and vinegar in the bottom tray to help control odours naturally.
In the top tray, I filled it with litter. I used crushed oats, which are cheap and easy to find here. You could also use leaf litter or husks.
I've noticed that this setup keeps the litter fresh for up to a week without getting soiled! The solid waste is super easy to scoop, and the crushed oats coat it nicely—almost like clumping litter. Just make sure to regularly scoop out the solids to maintain cleanliness and freshness.
As soon as I set it up, Coco jumped on it immediately! Even though she’s toilet-bowl trained, she seems to prefer this—it must feel more natural to her.
Before using this version, I had to clean the litter box at least three times a day, and it still smelled. Now, with this setup, there’s no bad odor, cleaning is a breeze, and kitties keep their paws clean.
If you have an indoor kitty, I highly recommend trying this! It’s been such a relief, and you'll have a happy, clean Kitty.
Sustainability Note:
Oats are biodegradable, but if sent to a landfill, they can contribute to methane emissions due to anaerobic decomposition. If you have a way to compost safely—like a dedicated pet waste composting system—this could be a more eco-friendly alternative. or stick to leaf litter, paper pellets or husks.
Wishing you all a wonderful day!
— Mariah 😺💖
