Inappropriate litter tray provision is a major cause of feline lower urinary tract disease, stress, and house soiling, and understanding cats' elimination needs significantly improves welfare.
Litter tray problems are one of the most common reasons cats are surrendered to shelters, yet most can be resolved by meeting cats' natural elimination preferences. Cats in multi-cat households with inadequate tray provision live under chronic stress as they compete for access or feel vulnerable during elimination. The connection between stress and feline lower urinary tract disease means that proper litter management has direct health welfare implications beyond just hygiene. Getting litter provision right is one of the most impactful welfare improvements for indoor cats.