I’ve had multiple cats in this household. Over time, I’ve realized that cats are a really strange bunch. Their quirky behaviors are usually fine, but when it comes to litter box behaviors, you need to be careful. For example, the Modko Modkat Sleek Minimalist Top Entry Litter Box can be found on Amazon or eBay. Most cats have an instinct to cover up their poop, so no cat I’ve taken off the street (all my cats have been strays) needed litter training.
However, if something is off with their litter box or with them, it can be bad news for you as a cat owner. If you have two cats and only one litter box, many things can happen. One cat may pee on the floor, sometimes even right in front of you. They may seem to pee more often than they should, making you think they might have a UTI. Your cat can even pee on you while you’re hanging out with them on your lap watching TV. Your cat can poop on the floor, even if they’ve never done it before. Your cat can also poop immediately after you clean the litter box. They may start peeing around the house like they’re marking, even though they are neutered. Introducing a second cat to your home can lead to old cats peeing everywhere. There are many more things that can happen, but you get the picture. Now, let’s talk about why cats can’t share a single litter box. Watching cats over the years, I’ve noticed their litter behaviors are very particular and peculiar. Amazon Basics Large Cat Activity Tree can be found on Amazon or eBay. Technically speaking, the perfect number of cat litter boxes is the number of cats in your home plus one. So if you have two cats, you should ideally have three litter boxes. If you have three cats, you should ideally have four. I’ll explain why in a second and why it’s also not good to have them in specific locations over others.Cats often display a strong desire to guard their litter boxes, even more so than their food sources. They may chase, shoo, or even smack other cats to prevent them from using or being near the litter box.
This behavior is not just territorial; even cats that share food can exhibit this protective behavior over their litter boxes. It’s unusually territorial compared to other behaviors I’ve observed. This can lead to cats holding their urine for too long, which can result in health problems such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). It may also cause them to relieve themselves elsewhere or accidentally urinate while relaxed, such as on your lap. Having only one litter box can lead to many negative outcomes, and this behavior can occur without your awareness, even among cats that get along well. Perhaps there’s a biological reason for this behavior, like avoiding the risk of attracting predators by not sharing litter spots in nature. To mitigate these issues, it’s recommended to have at least as many litter boxes as there are cats in your home, plus one extra for good measure. If space is a concern, consider placing a few narrow litter boxes in various locations around your home. The placement of litter boxes should be spread out, ideally not all in the same room, to prevent one cat from dominating all the boxes and making them inaccessible to others.Discover the ideal spots for cat litter boxes in your home with this comprehensive guide. If you have two cats, it’s generally recommended to have three litter boxes placed in different areas of the house. Cats prefer a litter box that is close to them and not too far away.
For instance, if you have a two-story house, avoid placing all litter boxes on one floor or in the basement. Cats may not make it in time and might resort to using a blanket or similar object upstairs instead. Make it as easy for them as you would want it to be to reach a bathroom in urgent need.
When it comes to cat litter, consider World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Quick Clumping Formula, available on Amazon and Chewy.
Share your thoughts and experiences on multi-cat home litter boxes in the comments below. Have your cats ever argued over the litter box, even when they are usually best friends? Have you ever found that you needed more litter boxes to keep your cats happy? How many do you have in your house and how many cats do you have? Do you have any tips or tricks for ensuring cats use litter boxes peacefully without being disturbed by other cats?
We would love to hear your insights and stories.
