Litter & trays
How much space does a self-cleaning litter box need?
Measure the machine, entrance, required wall gap, floor, socket and service space before an automatic tray arrives.
The Cat Standard / Authors
Kieran Simpson
Kieran Simpson writes The Cat Standard, alongside The Planet Brief and The British Uplift. Practical cat guides, considered purchases and life with Goldfish.
Litter & trays
What litter can you use in a self-cleaning litter box?
Exact-model rules for clumping, tofu, clay, mineral and mixed litter, plus the materials and grain sizes to avoid.
Litter & trays
Are self-cleaning litter boxes safe?
A model-specific safety guide to kittens, weight thresholds, sensors, manual modes, placement and daily checks.
Litter & trays
Self-cleaning litter box running costs
A practical UK worksheet for litter, liners, odour parts, electricity, subscriptions and the purchase price itself.
Litter & trays
Are self-cleaning litter trays worth it?
Who gains enough convenience to justify an automatic tray, who should keep an ordinary one and what to check before spending.
Litter & trays
Best automatic cat litter boxes in the UK
Our three UK picks for automatic scooping, with a clear starting choice, current offer observations and the costs to keep using them.
The Cat Uplift
Missing cat Phil returns home through a window after three days
Lost Cats Brighton reports a happy ending for Phil, who returned through a window in the early hours after three days missing.
Less waste
Donating bedding and equipment to a cat rescue: what to check first
What to check before offering towels, blankets or equipment, and why one rescue’s yes can be another’s no.
The Cat Uplift
Chompie reunited with owner after visits to Bolton Hospice
A hospice nurse helped trace the owner of a cat who had been missing since June.
Less waste
How to waste less cat food: buying, storage and serving
Choose practical pack sizes, improve storage and check what gets left behind, without changing the food your cat needs.
Scratchers & play
How to choose cat toys: wands, kickers and ball tracks
Three different games, three researched toy options, and the supervision and cleaning checks worth making before you buy.
Scratchers & play
How to play with your cat
Short games, a chance to catch the toy, and knowing when to stop. A practical play routine with room for your cat to have an opinion.