This is a specific conversation about Cat litter boxes — size, type, and placement — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Abyssinians are notorious high-sprayers — that powerful, athletic build means they don't just scratch around the litter, they launch themselves at it. A standard low-sided tray is basically useless, and you'll be cleaning the wall behind it daily. Most litter boxes are also too small in general: cats need a tray at least 1.5 times their body length to feel comfortable, and an Aby at full stretch is a lot of cat. Covered boxes might seem like the obvious fix for the spray problem, but many cats — especially active, independent breeds like Abyssinians — hate feeling enclosed and will simply refuse to use them. How big is your Aby, and is the high-spraying the main issue you're dealing with, or are there other problems like missing the tray entirely or avoiding it sometimes?
Yeah, the spraying is the big one. He's a pretty standard size Aby, maybe 4kg. He doesn't avoid the tray but he definitely goes right up against the back wall and it goes everywhere. I've tried a covered box once and he just sat outside it looking offended.
inparticular.ai
That's a very Abyssinian response to a covered box. You were right to ditch it. At 4kg and with that spray angle, you need serious side height — at least 20cm on the back and sides — without a lid. What you want is a high-sided open tray, large enough that he can turn around and position himself without hitting the sides. Are you using clumping litter at the moment, and is he the only cat in the house?
Just him, yes. And yes, clumping litter, the clay kind.
inparticular.ai
Perfect — clumping clay in a high-sided open tray is exactly the right combination for a cat like him. My recommendation is the Savic Nestor Giant. It's a large, open-top tray with high sides — around 21cm at the back — which will catch that spray before it escapes. The footprint is generous enough for an Aby to move around properly, and the open top means no claustrophobia. It's straightforward, easy to scoop, and built solidly enough to take daily use from an active cat. No gimmicks, no hood to fight with. That's the one I'd get.
That sounds ideal actually. Is there anything I should know about placement with a high-sprayer like him?
inparticular.ai
Yes — give it a bit of clearance from the wall, maybe 5–10cm, so any residual spray hits the tray rim rather than the skirting board. Put it on a hard floor rather than carpet if you can, and a litter mat in front catches what gets kicked out on exit. Low-traffic, quiet corner is best for an Aby — they like to feel in control of the situation. Avoid anywhere near his food or water. One tray is fine for a single cat as long as you're scooping daily, which with clumping clay is quick.
Great, that all makes sense. I'll go for the Savic Nestor Giant.
inparticular.ai
Good call. It'll make a real difference — you'll notice immediately that there's far less mess outside the tray. Scoop daily, full change every couple of weeks, and he should take to it without any fuss. Abyssinians are opinionated about their litter setup but they're not complicated once you give them the space and height they need.
