We Put The Cat-troversy To The Test: Can Cats Peacefully Share A Litter Box?

Having multiple cats can be a challenge; one of the most common questions that cat owners have is whether if it’s okay for their cats to share the same litter box. The answer is: it depends. In some cases, cats can successfully share a litter box without any issues, while in other cases, they may prefer separate boxes.  

Sharing A Litter Box With Your Cats

Cats are generally okay with sharing a litter box if they feel comfortable and safe doing so. That means that there shouldn’t be any competition between your cats when using the box; no hissing or growling should take place when one cat enters the space while another is using it. If you notice any signs of aggression or discomfort among your cats, then you likely need to provide each cat with its own litter box.

Another factor to consider is size; if your cats are large or there are many of them, then you should ensure that the litter box has enough room for all of them to use it at once. Otherwise, one or more of your cats may end up feeling cramped and uncomfortable, which could lead to issues such as urinating outside the box or refusing to use the shared box altogether. It's also important to make sure that there is enough litter in each litter box for all of your cats.

Finally, depending on how often your cats use the shared litter box, you may need to increase how frequently you clean and scoop out clumps of urine and feces from it in order to keep odors at bay and prevent bacteria buildup. That way, none of your cats will feel like they’re stuck in an unclean environment every time they go into their shared space.

When Your Cats Cannot Share A Litter Box

While in some households it is okay for your cats to share the same litter boxes; but in other pet homes this may not be the case. Cats can be quite sensitive when it comes to personal space. Having them share one litter box could lead to conflict between them if they don’t get along very well or if one cat becomes dominant over the other.

If they don’t get along, then having separate boxes is probably going to be best for everyone involved. In a household with several cats you should have a litter box and a private location for each cat plus one extra box to circumvent disputes.

It never hurts to try out different approaches until you find what works best for your particular situation when deciding if the cat litter box should be shared or not. However, if you need additional litter boxes or need to change them then click the button below to see what litter boxes that we have reviewed and found on Amazon for you and your loved ones!