Can Multiple Cats Use The Same Litter Box? Questions You Need To Ask

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Do you have more than one cat?

Have you ever thought about how many cats can use the same litter box?

I never had to think about it too much until I started fostering cats.

You may have a large number of cats at home and wonder if they could share the same litter box.

77% of male cats and 89% of cats in multi-cat households are more likely to cause urine marking problems.

Cat owners are concerned that if they have multiple cats, each one will use the litter box at different times of the day or night.

32% of most urination problems occur in multi-cat homes.

To solve this issue among many others, you need to look deeply into whether you want your cats to use the same kitty tray.

Litterbox hygiene in a multi-cat household

You should scoop the litter box twice daily, more when you have multiple cats in the house.

Cats value tidy environments just as much as humans do.

No cat wants to relieve itself in the feline equivalent of an unclean gas station restroom!

The litter box cleaning routine might need to be changed when there is higher humidity, especially if you don’t have air conditioning.

Additionally, if you store the box in a bathroom that gets a lot of steamy, hot showers, the humidity level will rise and the litter won’t dry as quickly.

Remove the lid, at the very least, if you’ve been using a covered box and keeping it in a bathroom with a high humidity level.

Additionally, to prevent humidity, keep the bathroom exhaust fan running when taking showers.

The Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats

In families with numerous cats, clumping litters are the best.

They are particularly cost-effective and efficient since they make it easier to keep the box clean daily.

In addition, you don’t need to replace the entire contents of the litter box as frequently as you would with non-clumping clay.

Dangers of cats sharing litter boxes

1. Litter box avoidance and messes:

In multi-cat households, open boxes are essential since your kitty needs a quick escape route in case another cat decides to use the same box concurrently.

She only needs to jump out of the box’s other side if it is exposed. If it’s an enclosed litter box, she will be trapped with nowhere to go.

She won’t likely put herself in that predicament again after that and that’s how litter box avoidance and messes begin.

2. Urine marking:

Because each cat wants to claim their territory, cats who live in multicat households are more prone to mark.

This mark declares that it is my home. No, that’s my home!

Your cat will feel the need to mark if stray cats are nearby.

Kitty typically leaves markings near windows and doors to try to warn other cats to stay away from her territory.

3. Bullying:

A covered box may make it simple for an aggressive cat to sit in wait and ambush a timid one as he exits the box in a home with numerous cats.

The authors of Cat Fancy magazine, Marty Becker, D.V.M., and Janice Willard, D.V.M., state that “multiple-cat households commonly have a bully cat or cats.”

Although it can be difficult for you to find fault with your loving pet, some cats can be terrible bullies.

They wait for their feline victim in locations like the litter box that they are aware the timid cat will need.

4. Identifying a sick cat:

If one of your cats has poop that is differently colored or textured, it will be difficult to identify which cat is sick.

Having multiple boxes can help you isolate your cats each with their litter box and you will quickly identify which cat is sick.

You can then quickly seek medical action.

Are My Cats Playing or Fighting?

If your cats are playing:

They will chase each other evenly and switch roles.
Their claws remain retracted, and no biting is involved.
No or very little vocalization is present.
The cats will want to stay close to one other after playing, groom each other, or rest very closely or touch each other.

What ought you to do?

Allow them to play; only get involved in a fight that breaks out.

If they are fighting, you’ll notice:

One cat is more inclined to chase or “pick on” the other if they are fighting.
More often, claws will be extended.
The likelihood of hissing, growling, and/or “shrieking” is high.

In most cases, they will try to stay away from each other at other times, or if one cat is the victim, it will try to stay away from or flee from the other cat.

What ought you to do?

Separate the cats for 24 to 48 hours if they are fighting frequently or badly, and then try to reintegrate them, in the same manner, you would a new cat in the house.
Separate them once again if fighting persists until help arrives.
Feed the kitties apart from one another.
Increase the availability of resource spaces such as eating areas, resting areas, and litter trays.
Place a physical barrier between them if a fight appears to be about to break out.
Avoid handling or approaching cats that are highly aroused and aggressive because cats can re-direct aggressiveness.

How to ease the tension in a multi-cat home:

1. Use a synthetic cat pheromone:

Feliway room diffusers and sprays can help reduce anxiety and the urge to stake out territory. According to clinical research, Feliway has a 70% success rate in reducing or stopping spraying in households with many cats.

2. Multiple litter boxes:

To lessen anxiety, there must be multiple litter boxes located in various parts of the house.

It makes sure that your kitty has a backup plan in case one box is being protected.

Additionally, it means that a cat won’t have to go across another cat’s territory to go to the litter box.

So, even while you may appreciate how well concealed and out of the way the litter box is, a cat can feel as though the position is setting him up for an ambush.

3. Space out the boxes:

A dominant cat may attempt to keep other cats away from a certain litter box since it is within his territory, and the intrusion is violating his personal space.

Place litter boxes far enough apart in a home with numerous cats to prevent territorial disputes.

A cat may also be ambushed by another cat, a dog, or a child when in the litter box or coming out of it, especially if the cat is fearful or shy.

He may feel anxious enough to look for another area to relieve himself as a result.

Make sure there are numerous ways to break out of the box if this is the case.

This entails taking off any covers and positioning the box so it is not tucked away in a room’s nook.

In this manner, the timid cat is not trapped and can flee through a different route if the bully is hiding in one location.

4. Invest in a cat tree:

I firmly advise you to purchase a cat tree right now if you don’t already have one.

In a home with multiple cats, it is a need, not a luxury.

You expand territory by introducing new tiers.

A multitiered tree can accommodate two or more cats without causing anyone to feel as though their personal space has been invaded.

It enables any status differences to persist, preventing stress over having to share one level between a more assertive cat and a lower-ranking cat.

5. Introduce communal playtime:

Help two cats understand that they receive more goodies, more playtime, etc. while their “opponent” is around if you’re attempting to get them to get along.

They’ll gradually start to associate more favorably with one another.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many cats can use one litterbox?

The general rule is to have one more box than cats because not all cats enjoy sharing boxes.
Having more cats means having more boxes.
Or, to put it another way, a box for the home and one for each cat.
The litter boxes should not be placed side by side. Distribute them throughout the home.
Some aggressive cats will guard the box to prevent use by other cats.
Other cats will wait until the cat has finished using the box before leaping on it.
Bullies, however, are unable to watch over more than one box at once.

How many litter boxes for 1 cat?

1 cat should have 2 litter boxes.
This follows the rule of thumb of one litter box per cat plus one.

How many litter boxes for 2 cats?

2 cats should have 3 litter boxes.
This follows the rule of thumb of one litter box per cat plus one.

Can two cats share one litter box?

Yes, two cats can share one litter box. However, this situation is not ideal for either of the cats.
Cats are territorial and will mark their territory to show how important it is to them.
Cats are very territorial animals, and a litter box is a place for them to mark their territory.
If you have two cats who don’t like each other and share a litter box, they may fight over the box.
This can lead to one cat getting hurt or even killed in extreme cases.
The best solution is to keep them apart and use separate boxes if that’s possible.

What happens if 2 cats share a litter box?

Some aggressive cats will guard the box to prevent use by other cats.
Other cats will wait until the cat has finished using the box before leaping on it.
Bullies, however, are unable to watch over more than one box at once.

How big of a litter box for 2 cats?

The size of a litter box for 2 cats depends on the size of the cats and the amount of time they spend in their litter box.
Cats are naturally pretty clean animals, so it’s important to provide them with a comfortable and clean place to relieve themselves.
A large litter box is necessary for this purpose.

How many litter boxes for 2 kittens?

2 kittens should have 3 litter boxes.
This follows the rule of thumb of one litter box per cat plus one.

Can 3 cats use the same litter box?

If you have 3 cats and don’t want them fighting over their litter boxes, it is recommended that you provide at least 4 litter boxes for them.

How many litter boxes for 11 cats?

11 cats should have 12 litter boxes.
This follows the rule of thumb of one litter box per cat plus one.

Why do my cats share a litter box?

Cats are social animals, so it’s not unusual for them to share a litter box.
If you have multiple cats and they are all litter box trained, then one may not want to use their litter box because something is wrong with the smell or location of the box.

Conclusion:

Cats are territorial, so keep that in mind.