- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
When it comes to feline toileting territory, trying to figure out your new kitty’s litter box situation might pose some questions. For instance, what kind of litter box should you get? How do you make sure your cat keeps using it? And if you add a second or third feline family member to your household, how many litter boxes per cat do you need?
The easy answer should be one per cat, right? But, as many cat lovers know, few things are ever that black and white with cats—unless they’re Tuxedos, that is!
We spoke with a certified cat behavior consultant to get the scoop on where your cats should poop, exploring whether cats can share a litter box and how many you should have in your home.
Why One Cat Needs Two Litter Boxes
Also known as the “magic number” of litter boxes, the rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one extra. That means for one cat, you’ll need two litter boxes. For two cats, you’ll need three. And so on.
The logic behind this number comes down to our finicky felines. As Laura Cassiday, cat behaviorist consultant and founder of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training, points out, cats can get downright possessive over where they use the bathroom. “Cats are territorial animals, and their resources are very important to them,” she says.
Why do two cats only need three litter boxes?
Even if you think your two cats don’t need three litter boxes and are okay with sharing the same litter box, there may be more under the surface. “Cats tolerate a lot, but that doesn’t mean they’re fine,” says Cassiday. “Your cat should always have a choice.”
Giving your cats more space to do their business can prevent conflict between feline siblings and help keep your house clean. For instance, if your cat thinks the litterbox is too full of your other cat’s droppings, they may find another place to relieve themselves, like your carpet or couch.
Using the same litter box can also cause some cats to experience stress-based behaviors, like holding in their pee, which could ultimately lead to health issues like a urinary tract infection.
“Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is an inflammatory process in the urinary bladder and lower urinary tract. [It’s] the most common urinary disease in cats and is directly linked to stress and anxiety,” says Dr. Anita Patel, DVM, a Fear Free Certified veterinarian at IndeVets.
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Can a cat have too many litter boxes?
Just because you need more litter boxes doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to fill your house with the latest high-tech options. “The vast majority of cats prefer an XL uncovered box with lower sides and unscented, clumping clay litter,” says Cassiday.
And if you’re hesitant about overwhelming your cat with too many options, Cassiday says pet parents can take heart in the fact that a cat can never have too many litter boxes.
Preventing Litter Box Problems
Beyond increasing the number of litter boxes in your home, one of the best ways to prevent problems is to provide plenty of space between them. While some cat guardians may think it’s okay to put two litter boxes next to each other where their cats tend to hang out, this can create issues. If you have a cat that’s more assertive or territorial than another, he may stake claim over the entire area, preventing your other more docile cat from being able to use the litter box.
“If you must place two litter boxes next to each other, know that it only counts as one in your one per cat plus one extra formula,” Cassiday warns. She adds that when setting up your cat’s litter boxes, follow the three Cs: cleanliness, choice, and convenience.
1. Cleanliness
If using a standard litter box, scoop every day, preferably twice daily. Cassiday suggests doing a “deep clean,” where you dump out all the litter and scrub the whole box with mild soap and water about once a month. However, don’t be afraid to follow your instincts (and nose!) and scrub out the box if it still smells unpleasant after you’ve scooped it, even if it’s been less than a month.
2. Choice
“Cats deserve to have access to a bathroom that they feel safe and comfortable using,” says Cassiday. By giving each cat in your home their own personal litter box (and one extra to boot), you can help eliminate stress and anxiety.
Cassiday also points out the importance of choosing litter your cat will enjoy using. She says the easiest way to tell if your cat prefers the shape, style, and type of litter in their current litter box is to put another box with other options next to it and see which one they pick. Providing two litter boxes allows you to easily identify your choosy cat’s preferences and save yourself from potential discomfort.
3. Convenience
Ensure all your cats can conveniently access a litter box to avoid accidents and conflict, especially if you live in a multi-floor home. “I am a big advocate for at least one litter box per floor of your home,” says Cassiday. “You would never buy a three-story house where the only bathroom is in the basement, so don’t make your cat live in one!” This simple act of providing accessibility can make a huge difference in your cat’s comfort and well-being.
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Signs Your Cat Needs Another Litter Box
“Cats can share litter boxes in the sense that two cats can both use any of the three boxes they’ve been given in the home. However, I strongly advise against two cats being given only one litter box,” Cassiday says. “In my work, I see a lot of cats who suddenly stop using the litter box that they’ve used their entire life. Owners are confused because nothing has changed. The cats have simply become fed up with their circumstances and stopped putting up with it.”
Unsurprisingly, signs your cat needs another litter box are related to their litter box habits. For instance, if your cat is pooping and peeing outside of their litter box, Cassiday says that’s a pretty clear way for the cat to communicate that they’re unhappy with their situation.
Other signs that there’s trouble with your cat’s litter box setup include the following:
- Spraying and other inappropriate urination
- Changes in appetite
- Increased vocalizations
- Hiding and reclusive behavior
- Obsessive-compulsive behaviors like overgrooming and self-licking that result in injury like raw, bald patches and skin lesions
The great news is these behavioral and health problems can be reversed and resolved by adding more litter boxes per cat in your home. Done and done (plus one more!).
