DIY toy guide

Non-Slip Yoga-Mat Litter Mat

An old yoga mat cut to size becomes a grippy, litter-catching mat for outside the tray

A worn-out yoga mat is the perfect free litter mat: cut a piece to sit in front of the tray and its soft, textured rubber grips the floor, catches the granules that stick to paws, and gently wipes them off as your cat steps out — cutting the trail of litter across the house.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10 minutes
Cost
£0 (upcycled)

🧺 You will need

  • An old yoga or exercise mat (a clean, closed-cell foam or rubber one)
  • Scissors or a craft knife and a straight edge
  • A tape measure
  • Optional: a second offcut to double up for heavy trackers

🔧 How to make it

  1. Measure the space just in front of the litter tray — the mat wants to be a little wider than the tray and a paw-step or two deep.
  2. Cut the yoga mat to that size, keeping the edges straight so it lies flat.
  3. Lay it textured-side up, snug against the front of the tray where your cat steps out.
  4. For a cat that tracks a lot, cut a second piece and lay the two side by side to widen the catch zone.
  5. Lift and shake or rinse the mat every few days, and let it dry fully before putting it back.

💡 Tips

The dimpled, tacky texture of a yoga mat holds granules far better than a smooth mat, and its grip stops the mat skidding when a cat leaps out of the tray. The same offcut idea works as a non-slip mat under food and water bowls to stop them sliding. Trim the corners round if your cat catches claws on square edges.

Safety: Use a plain mat with no flaking foam or crumbling surface — if the mat is degrading and shedding bits, it is past reuse, as a cat could ingest loose foam. Wash it with plain water or a pet-safe cleaner rather than strong disinfectants, and replace it once it is stained or torn. Keep it as a floor mat only; it is not a toy or a chew.

📝 Notes

One of the most useful upcycles there is — it costs nothing, solves the universal litter-tracking nuisance, and rescues a mat that was heading for landfill. When it finally wears out as a litter mat you can cut it down again for bowl mats.

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