According to a 2021-2022 study from the AVMA, the average number of cats owned per household is 1.78. Which is to say, nearly a majority of cat parents have more than one cat! When it comes to the litter box, however, having multiple cats in the house sometimes leads to multiple problems. So, what is the best litter box for multiple cats?
Litter box problems in a multi-cat household
Territorial cats
Some cats are more territorial than others. Adult males that are not neutered tend to be most territorial, especially when the litter box is involved. Territorial cats may not be comfortable sharing a litter box with other cats, which can lead to territorial disputes—potentially even leading them to pee outside the litter box or spray urine to mark their territory around the house.
Usually, in a multi-cat household, there is a dominant, “higher-ranking” cat that is more likely to show aggression toward the submissive, “lower-ranking” cats. If you start seeing sudden aggressive behavior from one of your cats after introducing a new feline member to the household, there is a good chance your cat is territorial.
One of the top offenders of territorial cats in a multi-cat household? Shared traditional litter boxes. When deciding the best litter box for multiple cats, you may choose multiple litter boxes to help alleviate this issue, allowing each cat to have their own space.
Cleaning Frequency
In general, cats are fastidious creatures that don’t want to use a dirty litter box. And territorial cats in particular are more likely to have “accidents” (read: there’s nothing accidental about it) if they smell another cat’s waste recently left in the litter box. Even worse—your cat may choose to only urinate once a day instead of 2-3x/day. When this happens, their urine becomes very concentrated, and with it, all the toxins and waste that your cat’s body is trying to remove become more concentrated. This can potentially result in signs of a urinary tract infection, feline idiopathic cystitis, or, worse, a life-threatening urinary obstruction.
Regular scooping and cleaning are essential in a multi-cat household to prevent odors and maintain a hygienic environment. Aim to scoop the litter boxes at least once a day in a single cat household and even more, if needed, in a multi-cat household. Also perform complete changes of the litter as needed.
Litter preferences
Cats can be picky about the type of litter they prefer; in a multi-cat household, cats may have different litter preferences.
Experiment with various litter types to find the one that is acceptable to all your cats. Some may prefer clumping litter, while others may prefer non-clumping or silica gel litter.
According to a study done by French veterinarians, cats tend to prefer clumping clay cat litter. This is typically most recommended by veterinary professionals due to the ease of maintaining the cleanliness of the litter box and established general cat preference.
For more litter and litter box tips, read our full litter box guide.
The best litter box for multiple cats - 3 solutions
Multiple traditional litter boxes
Having multiple litter box locations reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes and ensures that all cats have a convenient place to relieve themselves. So how many litter boxes per cat should you have?
Vets recommend having N+1 number of litter boxes per cat, especially in a multi-cat household. This means that if you have 2 cats, the ideal amount of litter boxes is 3.
Strategically place litter boxes throughout the house to provide each cat with easy access to a box. If your home has multiple levels, place litter boxes on each floor to accommodate cats that may be on different levels at different times. As for where to put the litter box, consider placing them in quiet, low-traffic areas where cats can use them without feeling threatened or disturbed.
Remember that regular maintenance is crucial when managing multiple litter box stations. Ensure that all boxes are scooped daily, and perform a complete litter change as needed. This not only promotes good hygiene but also ensures that cats have clean and inviting spaces to use.
Large litter boxes
Cats appreciate having ample room to move and turn around in the litter box, especially if they are a messy cat.
Opt for a large cat litter box or XXL litter boxes to accommodate the space needs of multiple cats. Larger boxes also help minimize territorial disputes and reduce the likelihood of litter being kicked out.
As a general guideline, the litter box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your longest cat (not including the tail) to allow ample space for movement, turning around, and digging. For example, if your longest cat is 15 inches, aim for a litter box that is at least 22.5 inches long.
While a large litter box provides ample space, it's essential to maintain regular cleaning habits. Scoop the litter daily and perform a complete litter change regularly to ensure a clean and inviting environment. Cats are more likely to use a litter box that is kept clean with minimal odors.
Self-cleaning litter boxes
Purchasing larger or additional litter boxes won’t address a prevalent cause of litter box issues: the need for regular and thorough cleaning. Even the most attentive pet parents can’t be present around the clock to clean the litter box between visits by multiple cats. That’s why you need a multi-cat litter box that provides just that: a clean bed of litter every time.
A self-cleaning litter box ensures a clean bed of litter after each use, as it cleans the waste within minutes of a cat using it. This is a huge advantage for a house with multiple cats! With an automatic litter box, each of your cats has access to a clean litter box every time. You really can’t do much better in terms of cleanliness.
In fact, Litter-Robot, the highest-rated self-cleaning litter box, is suitable for up to 4 cats and features a large waste drawer, meaning you are not just scooping less, you’re also cleaning less.
With an automatic litter box like Litter-Robot, you can also get smart insights about each of your cats straight from your phone, including their litter box usage, weight, and much more.
For all of these reasons, switching to a self-cleaning litter box is undoubtedly the most ideal multi-cat litter box solution, provided that all of your cats accept it.
How to find the best self-cleaning litter box for multiple cats
An automatic litter box is undeniably one of the most practical litter box options for multiple cats, but which one is truly the best for a multi-cat household? While many self-cleaning litter box brands claim to be multi-cat friendly, that doesn’t mean your cat will find it friendly at all. Here are a few criteria to keep in mind to find the best multi-cat self-cleaning litter box:
- Prioritize rotational systems over rake mechanisms: “raking” automatic litter boxes often jam or clog. Opt for a sifting rotational system instead.
- Larger size or wide opening: Too many self-cleaning litter boxes are on the smaller side and that makes your cat think twice about using it. While cats don’t usually have a preference between covered or uncovered litter boxes, they will choose whichever option is larger.
- Large waste drawer: Trips to the bathroom add up when you’ve got multiple cats so if the waste drawer is too small, you will just end up emptying the waste drawer as often as you would normally scoop.
- Multi-cat recognition: While many brands claim to be suitable for multiple cats, not all automatic litter boxes will make the difference between one cat or another. Litter-Robot, however, can accurately distinguish between two cats and provide insights into each cat’s litter box usage, weight, and more.
If you’re looking for a money-saving starter for a self-cleaning litter box, the Litter-Robot Clean Bundle is by far the most cost efficient option for owning multiple cats, providing you with all the necessary items needed to keep your Litter-Robot clean and functioning.
Litter-Robot is the best self-cleaning litter box for multiple cats
So, what’s the best litter box for multiple cats? Litter-Robot is automatic, self-cleaning, and suited for up to four cats—which makes it perfect for multi-cat households!
No more scooping
Scooping for one cat is a chore. Scooping for multiple cats is a nightmare. Litter-Robot uses a patented sifting process that begins just minutes after your cat exits the unit. Rather than being a stinky issue for the next cat that uses the litter box, your cat’s waste is deposited into a carbon-filtered drawer below the unit. It’s easy to manage—just empty the waste drawer when indicated. The compatible Whisker App will tell you when the drawer is full and needs to be emptied.
So, having multiple cats no longer equates to needing multiple litter boxes! One Litter-Robot is perfectly suited for up to four cats, and a consistently clean bed of litter is great for even the most territorial felines.
With the use of Litter-Robot, you will no longer need to have multiple litter boxes for your multiple cats. The consistently clean litter will fend off any territorial problems. It provides a no-scoop, mess-free experience to save you time and help keep your home smelling fresh.
And if you add the Litter-Robot 4 LitterHopper accessory, you'll say goodbye to another litter box chore: The LitterHopper handles the task of refilling litter to optimal levels so you don’t have to, whether you’re home or away.
Superior odor control
Still not convinced Litter-Robot is the best multi-cat litter box? Anyone with more than one cat has to deal with a lot of cat odors. Litter-Robot helps with odor control because it’s automatic, partially enclosed, and contains odor-absorbing components like carbon filters.
Litter-Robot 4 features an optional OdorTrap™ System designed to neutralize litter box odors. This system uses the combination of a sealed waste drawer and carbon filter to reduce odor. You can opt to replace the carbon filter with OdorTrap™ Packs to eliminate litter box odors through natural chemistry.
Save money and litter
According to an independent two-week study run on multiple cats, switching to Litter-Robot means using up to 50% less litter than a standard litter box.
Plus, you can purchase Litter-Robot and popular accessories at a discounted price through value bundles or keep an eye out for active Litter-Robot promotions.
