If your dog keeps reaching the cat’s litter tray, put the tray in a quiet area the cat can enter freely but the dog cannot. Check that the access route really works for your particular cat; a barrier that stops the dog but also deters the cat is not a solution.
Start with the cat’s access, not the barrier
Choose a quiet, private spot that remains easy for your cat to reach at all times. Keep the tray away from food and water. If you move an existing tray, make the change gradually and watch whether your cat continues using it. For more on tray placement and upkeep, see our litter-tray setup guide.
Keep a choice of trays in separate locations rather than relying on a single room. Scoop out urine and faeces daily and clean the trays regularly. Physical separation matters especially when a dog waits near the entrance or interrupts the cat while toileting.
Choose a way to separate the spaces
A room door can create a cat-only area, but first consider how your cat gets through it. Some households use a suitable gate or a door held partly open. A cat door holder latch with adjustable openings is one option designed to leave a gap for the cat while restricting a larger dog’s access to the litter area. It is not a guarantee: a small dog may also fit through, and some cats may not accept the gap.
Before relying on any door-gap arrangement, check that the door cannot swing shut or trap a pet, that the cat can pass comfortably in both directions, and that the dog cannot squeeze through or reach the tray. Consider kittens, older cats and cats with reduced mobility individually; do not make them jump or squeeze to toilet. If your cat hesitates, provide a more accessible route instead.
Test the setup while you are home
- Let your cat explore the new access without the dog nearby; do not push the cat through.
- Observe your cat going in and out, including after the tray has been used. Keep an accessible alternative tray during the change.
- With the dog supervised, check the barrier from the dog’s side. If the dog gets in, change the setup rather than assuming the product will keep them out.
- Watch for avoidance, toileting elsewhere or a dog guarding the entrance, and adjust promptly.
If your cat begins urinating or defecating outside the tray, or seems uncomfortable or unable to toilet, contact a veterinarian. A physical barrier cannot diagnose or resolve a medical problem.
The best setup is the one that reliably keeps the dog away and leaves your cat with easy, predictable access to a clean tray.
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