How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?

Perhaps no other aspect of kitty care gets quite as much attention as the litter box—and what happens inside and outside of it. Cats are discerning, fastidious, and pretty purrticular about where they potty, so in this blog, our team at Crossroads Animal Hospital gets to the bottom of the quintessential question: How many litter boxes do you need for harmony in your cat household?

How Many Litter Boxes Are Enough?

To encourage pawsitive potty habits, provide a litter box for each cat plus one more. If you have one cat, you need two litter boxes. Multi-cat households with two cats need three litter boxes; those with three cats need four litter boxes, and so on.

Why Don’t Cats Share Litter Boxes?

In multi-cat households, it’s important to make sure each cat has a private place to do his or her “business.” This doesn’t mean there won’t be times when two cats will use the same litter box. Most cats simply prefer to avoid the sights and smells of another cat’s waste, and for some cats, sharing a litter box can be stressful. Additionally, multi-cat households with a territorial or aggressive cat could run into problems if the alpha cat blocks entry to the litter box, forcing the other cats to eliminate elsewhere—like your favorite area rug.

Don’t Let These Litter Box Tips Go To Waste

Follow these tips when choosing and maintaining the litter boxes for your feline family members:

• Ensure that all litter boxes are large enough for cats to use comfortably.
• Don’t make sudden changes to your cat’s litter. If you do switch brands or types, gradually add the new litter to the old litter.
• Not every cat feels comfortable using a covered litter box. Transition cats slowly by using litter from their old box and leaving the lid off. Once the cats use their new box a few times, try putting the lid on. 
• Senior cats and others with mobility issues need litter boxes near where they spend most of their time.
• Place litter boxes away from high-traffic areas and away from loud appliances.
• Don’t use scented litter.
• Don’t place litter boxes near food bowls.
• Scoop all litter boxes daily or more often if possible.

When Potty Problems Happen

If your cat starts eliminating outside the litter box, it’s important to contact your veterinarian. Inappropriate potty habits can point to a health problem, including urinary tract infections, kidney problems, or age-related decline. Occasionally, cats urinate outside of their litter boxes because they are anxious or stressed about something else in their environment, such as the addition of a new pet or family member. Your Crossroads Animal Hospital doctor can help you pinpoint the problem and find a solution. 

Please call us at (540) 832-1751 if it’s time for your cat’s wellness visit or if your cat is experiencing litter box problems.