And when they are doing something as private as elimination, sharing the same litter box can be stressful for some cats. Ideally, a multi-cat household should have the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats, plus one extra box; in other words, for two cats, there should be three litter boxes.
If you have multiple cats, they may be comfortable enough with each other to share the same litter box. However, there are several reasons, including territorial behavior, why some experts would advise at least one extra litter box in your home.
Cats can share a litter box but that should be a choice they make. Forcing them to share could result in aggressive behaviour and litter box aversion. The best thing you can do is to give each cat its own litter tray. If they decide that they want to change where they go to toilet, they have somewhere to go.
"The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one extra," Galaxy says. As a cat foster mom, I recommend that new adopters have at least 1.5 litter boxes per cat. So if you have one cat, you need two litter boxes; two cats, three litter boxes.
For a multiple cat household, we recommend selecting a litter box that has more than 400 square inches of litter surface area. To find this number, all you need to do is multiply the interior width by the interior length.
After months of testing, our overall favorite is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter, which clumps well, absorbs scents even better, and won't spread dust everywhere. We've found it to be especially effective in multi-cat households.
However, Cats Can Share Water Bowls
But, cats tend to get thirsty and drink at different times. So, it is less likely that multiple cats will try to drink at the same time from the same water bowl. There also is usually a lot more water, enough for everyone.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
There is also the chance that a choosy cat might prefer one type of litter box (covered/uncovered), a specific litter, or even one placement over another. By providing two litter boxes you can easily identify your cat's preferences and save yourself both from potential discomfort.
Most cats prefer an open litter box. Most cat owners prefer a covered litter box. Covered litter boxes may trap odors and make the human environment smell better but for those reasons they may not be as desirable for the cat. If boxes are not cleaned regularly, the odor may be aversive to them.
Keep the litter box as far away from your bed as possible – if possible, behind a protective screen or plant.
"It's certainly not ideal for a cat to sleep in the area where she urinates and defecates," Wieber explains. "It could lead to bacterial infections of the eyes, ears, and perhaps the bladder." Skin infections can occur as well.
“Cats are very sensitive to sudden changes to their environment. They may not take the time to look” for the box's new location.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
Cats are biologically programmed not to drink water which is near their food or near their toileting area - this is thought to be their instinctive avoidance of contaminating their water with potential sources of bacteria.
In the wild, cats know to keep their prey – their food – far away from a clean water source. They know that their prey could contaminate their fresh water source. This is why feline behaviorist and vets recommend keeping the water bowl far away from a cat's regular meal spot.
Multiple locations trumps number of boxes. 4. Amount of light: Contrary to belief, cats do need some light to see. Try placing a night light near their litter box and turning it on in the evenings so they feel safe and can navigate to their box easily.
The Humane Society and other sources suggest having 1.5 litter boxes per cat. That means three litter boxes for two cats and five litter boxes for three! Think about all of the crouching, scooping and replenishing involved in a three-cat home.
When multiple cats use the same box, it will get dirty and start to smell much faster. Some self-cleaning litter boxes can be a solution to this, but it's also important to provide your cats with multiple litter boxes so they can choose a different box if they feel that one isn't clean enough.
When there is more than one cat in the house the general rule is that the perfect number is “one per cat plus an additional one extra”. For example, in a household with four cats there would be five litter trays in various locations.
Use a litter scoop to sift out urine clumps and stool and place in a small trash bag. Once all the boxes in your house are scooped, tie off the garbage bag in a knot. To prevent odor and bacterial leakage, double bag your scooped litter. Place in an outside trash can with a tight fitting lid.
The bathroom is one of the best places to keep your cat's litter box. Messes will be easier to clean up on the tile or hardwood floor than on carpet. If your home has multiple bathrooms, consider putting the litter box in the bathroom that is used the least.