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Cleaning and maintaining a litter box is arguably the worst part of owning a cat, and maintaining more than one litter box makes it all the more so. If you own two cats, it makes sense to use one litter box for both felines, but is it appropriate?
While it’s certainly possible to use a single litter box for two cats, it’s far better to use the golden rule: one litter box per cat, plus one extra. This makes their litter box more hygienic and reduces the chances of competing for resources and inappropriate toileting outside of the box. While it may seem counterintuitive, this is less work overall than a shared litter box.
Why Cats Should Have Their Own Litter Box
You should have a litter box for each cat you own, plus one extra. This reasoning is based on two factors: hygiene and behavior.
Hygiene
One of the important reasons cats should have their own litter box is for sanitary reasons. Two cats using one litter box will fill it rapidly, making it unhygienic quickly. If you’re away from home or don’t get a chance to clean the litter box, not only will your cats be unlikely to use it again, but it can also harbor potentially harmful bacteria, leading to health issues.
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Behavior
Cats are territorial animals and prefer their own private space to do their business. Forcing cats to use the same litter box can cause stress and anxiety for your cats and territorial problems that could lead to competition for resources. The dominant cat of the pair could block the other from using the litter box, forcing them to urinate or defecate in other parts of your home, or it could even result in your cat delaying their urination and potentially suffering from health issues.
What about self-cleaning litter boxes?
It’s logical to assume that a self-cleaning litter box may be suitable for two cats; since it remains clean, there is less chance of health issues. The problem is that the litter boxes will not be able to clean up all the mess, so the chance of bacteria build-up is still a possibility. The other issue is that your cat will still be able to smell the cat that last used it, possibly resulting in territorial behavior.
Placement of your cat’s litter boxes
Placing your cat’s litter boxes in the same area will defeat the purpose of having separate litter boxes, as territorial issues can still ensue. Ideally, you want the litter boxes spaced out, away from each other, with a third litter box somewhere in between. This can be difficult in a small home, but it is vital to increase the chances of your cats using the litter boxes.
Both spots must be private, quiet, and accessible for your cats. If one area is ideal while the other is noisy or not private enough, your cats may fight to use the same litter box, and since cats prefer quieter areas, this will mitigate the purpose of having two boxes.
What about a bonded pair of cats?
While a bonded pair of cats are far more likely to happily share food, toys, and attention, a litter box is another matter altogether. The same territorial issues may not be involved (although it’s still possible), but the hygienic aspects still apply. There will simply be too much waste to manage properly, resulting in potential health issues for your cats.
Final Thoughts
If you own more than one cat, the golden rule of litter boxes should apply: one litter box for each cat plus one extra. Cats should not be forced to share a litter box for behavioral and health reasons, and they will be far happier and healthier when given their own litter box in their own private, quiet space.
Featured Image Credit: Zoran Photographer, Shutterstock
