Having two cats in your home means twice the purrs, a whole lot more love, but also more care. Many cat owners follow the golden rule, which is “two cats one litter box”.
But what happens if your two cats keep using the same litter box and the others remain untouched? Should you remove the other litter boxes?
Downsides of Cats Sharing Litter Boxes
Cats may share litter boxes. You may have more than one cat that uses the same box. Yet, there are downsides to using only one litter box for two cats, or more cats.
- Territorial behavior: While two cats can live peacefully in the same home, they want their own space. And for many cats, that is the litter box. Sharing a litter box can cause plenty of territorial issues. You may even find urine or feces in other parts of your home.
- Aggression: Often, when cats share the same litter box, one can become dominant over the other. The alpha kitten will bully the other cat away from the litter box. The result is the submissive cat cannot enter the box, which means mess around the home.
- Different preferences and needs: Cats are notoriously picky. They might not like the consistency or smell of the litter. And they will refuse to use it. One of your cats may prefer a different type of litter that the other hates.
Advantages of Having Two Litter Boxes
If you are lucky enough to have two cats sharing the same litter, here are the advantages. Reap them and enjoy.
- Less stress: Having cats with their own litter box reduces the stress for you and your pets. Each cat has its own private space, there are no behavioral issues or aggression, and each cat can have its own preferred type of litter.
- Reduced odors: With multiple boxes, you can keep litter in different parts of your home and cut down on cat odors.
- Easier cleaning: If two cats share the same litter, waste will build up quickly. It puts strain on cleaning, having to clean the litter box at least two times per day.
How to Address Litter Box Odor
If you have two or more cats in your home, and they share the same litter box, your biggest challenge is litter box odor. No matter how much you love cats, we are sure you love your home smelling fresh and clean more.
- Clean the litter daily. Scoop out waste at least once per day, preferably two times per day. Put it in a bag, seal it, and then throw it away.
- Every two to three weeks, dump out all the litter and refill the box with fresh, clean litter. Place the old litter in a bag that you can seal and toss it in a garbage can with a lid.
- Try to put boxes in a room where you do not spend a lot of time. For example, laundry rooms, basements, and mudrooms. Do not keep the shared litter box in the living room or the bedroom. It will make cleaning odors that much more challenging.
- Use some fresh odor-removing gel, formulated to absorb unpleasant litter box odors. Place the product within three feet of the litter box.
What is the Golden Rule?
It is possible to use a single litter box for one cat. Yet, many cat owners stick to the golden rule, one litter box per cat, and one extra. The result is better hygiene and reduces the chances of fighting.
Cat owners care for sanitary reasons. Two cats using the same litter will fill it rapidly, making it unhygienic quickly. If you are away from home for a longer period, that odor will make your home smell awful.
What about Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes?
You might think that a solution is a self-cleaning litter box. But it cannot clean up all the mess. There is still a chance of bacteria build-up.
And then there is another problem. Your cat can still smell the cat that last used it, which might result in territorial behavior.
Where to Place the Litter Boxes?
The ideal placement for litter boxes is on separate sides of your home, with a third box in the middle. In a small home, this might present a challenge. But if you want to increase the chances of cats using litter boxes, it is crucial that both spots must be private and accessible.
If one area checks all the boxes, while the second is noisy or not private, cats will fight for the same litter box.
Conclusion
There is no right answer to the question of whether cats can share the same litter box. Some cats may get along to the point they share their pooping spot.
Yet, sometimes, even if cats do get along, they want a private space for their litter box. You can test it, and see how it works.
