Van Ness cat litter essentials
Van Ness is a straightforward litter and feeding accessories range for cats — an enclosed litter pan, a litter scoop, a food scoop and a crock-style bowl. Nothing in it is complicated; it covers the basic equipment a cat household needs and does it plainly.
The enclosed litter pan
An enclosed, or hooded, litter pan gives a cat more privacy than an open tray and helps contain litter scatter and odour better than an open design, which matters in a smaller home or a room the tray cannot be tucked out of sight in. Some cats take to the enclosed style straight away; others, particularly larger cats or ones wary of confined spaces, prefer an open tray they can see out of easily.
If you are switching a cat from open to enclosed, introduce it alongside the existing tray for a while rather than replacing it outright, and watch that your cat is using it comfortably before removing the old one. A cat who suddenly stops using its tray after a change is worth investigating rather than waiting out.
Scoops and the crock bowl
A dedicated litter scoop with a slotted design sifts clumps or waste out while letting clean litter fall back through, which keeps a tray usable for longer between full changes. Keep it specifically for the litter tray rather than reaching for it for anything else.
The crock bowl and food scoop are unrelated to litter entirely — a simple, weighted feeding bowl and a scoop for dry food, useful for a multi-cat household measuring out portions consistently rather than guessing by eye.
The range
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Stainless Steel Pet Travel Water Bottle
A compact 304 stainless steel travel bottle with a leak-resistant cap and wrist strap for walks.
From£14.99
Ceramic Pet Food Bowl
A solid matte-glazed ceramic bowl with a heavy base that stays put through a keen eater's dinner.
From£10.99
No-Spill Slow-Drink Pet Water Bowl
A no-spill water bowl with a floating disc that lets pets drink freely while stopping splashes.
From£10.99
LickiMat OH Bowl for Dogs — Slow Feeder with Tongue-Cleaning Tips
A vet-developed dog feeding bowl with raised rubber tips that clean the tongue as your dog licks — calming, dishwasher safe, and available in three sizes.
From£12.99
Paw-Shaped Silicone Cat Treat Spoon
A soft silicone feeding spoon with a cute paw-shaped scoop, made for serving lickable wet treats and purees straight from the pouch. Mess-free, easy to clean and ideal for hand-feeding and bonding.
£9.99
Airtight Pet Food Storage Container
A high-capacity airtight storage container that keeps dry dog, cat or bird food fresh and moisture-free. Sturdy thick walls, a sealed push-lid and a clear window let you check levels at a glance, with a built-in measuring cup included.
From£10.99
Raised Double Ceramic Cat Bowls with Stand
Two tilted ceramic bowls in a gold stand with a cat-ear motif for easier eating.
£19.99
Tarhong Paw Ikat Teal Pet Placemat – BPA-Free PVC & EVA
A vibrant teal ikat placemat with paw print accents — BPA-free, wipe-clean, and 29 × 48 cm for protecting floors under pet bowls.
£8.49
Foldable Silicone Travel Water Bottle
A leaf-textured silicone travel bottle that folds open into a drinking cup, giving your dog fresh water on every walk. Soft, squeezable and roughly 14.5cm tall, with a carry strap for hands-free trips.
From£14.99
Tarhong Country Orchard Melamine Pet Saucer
A pretty fruit and floral orchard-print melamine saucer for pets — BPA-free, non-slip, shatterproof, and dishwasher safe at 13.2 cm.
£9.49
Smart Auto-Lid Pet Bowl with Stainless Steel Insert
A smart pet bowl with a motion-sensor lid that opens automatically as your pet approaches and closes to keep food fresh, dust-free and protected from insects. Includes a detachable stainless steel bowl.
£34.99
Tilted Ceramic Pet Bowl with Raised Stand
A ceramic bowl set in a raised, tilted stand to bring food to a comfortable height and reduce neck strain.
£11.99
Common questions
- Should I get an open or enclosed litter tray?
- It depends on your cat. Enclosed trays give more privacy and contain scatter and smell better, but some cats, especially larger ones, prefer the open visibility of a standard tray. If you are unsure, most cats will show a preference once given the choice.
- How often should I scoop the litter tray?
- At least once a day for most households, with a full litter change on a schedule that suits how quickly it becomes soiled. A slotted scoop makes daily maintenance quicker by sifting out clumps while keeping clean litter in the tray.
- Why has my cat stopped using its litter tray after a change?
- A sudden change in tray type, position or litter can put some cats off using it. Reintroduce the old setup alongside the new one for a transition period, and speak to your vet if the avoidance continues, since it can also signal a health issue.
- Do I need a separate scoop for food and litter?
- Yes, keep them completely separate for hygiene. A dedicated food scoop for dry food and a dedicated litter scoop for the tray avoids cross-contamination between the two.
- How many litter trays should a multi-cat household have?
- A common guide is one tray per cat plus one extra, positioned in different spots around the home rather than side by side. This gives every cat a choice and reduces competition or guarding around a single tray.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.