How Many Litter Boxes Should You Have?

By Josh Wiesenfeld

How Many Litter Boxes Should You Have?

 

Quick answer:
The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one extra so two cats means three boxes but if that is not practical watch your cats for signs you need to add more boxes like fighting over one box or accidents.

 

 

This is probably the number one question I get from cat people how many litter boxes should I have. Everyone hears the one box per cat rule but then they wonder do I really have to. Short answer yeah that is the gold standard. But life is not always perfect and cats are not robots.

Let me explain why this rule exists.

Why the one box per cat rule works

Cats are picky. Real picky. Some will straight up refuse to use a box if another cat has used it first. Dominant cats can block shy cats from using the box. Even if they get along fine one box can get gross too fast and no cat wants to step into that mess.

Having one litter box per cat plus one extra prevents almost every drama. That’s two cats three boxes. Three cats four boxes. Yes it sounds like a lot. I get it.

What if you cannot follow the rule exactly

Not everyone has the space. Or the budget. Or the patience. You will not get kicked out of the cat parent club if you bend the rule a little.

I have talked to a lot of veterinarians and even some Boxiecat customers who quietly admit yeah I don’t follow that rule to a tee. And their cats are fine.

If you do not want a box in every room the bare minimum is never more than two cats per box. Anything more you are just asking for trouble.

Watch your cats they will tell you

The best advice I can give is observe. Your cats will let you know when things are not working. Signs include

  • accidents outside the box

  • one cat stalking or guarding the box

  • cats refusing to use the box after another cat goes

If you see any of that it is time to add another box.

Clean more if they share

The more cats per box the more often you need to scoop. Once a day becomes twice a day. Or more. Think of it this way it is not their fault you made them share.

Use high quality clumping litter. The kind that keeps the box clean between scoopings. Do not skimp here it matters.

Always keep enough litter in the box at least two to three inches deep. That lets them dig and cover without hitting the bottom. I tell people to keep a small scoop of fresh litter near each box and top it off after you scoop. A simple habit makes a big difference.

Do not mask a problem with scents

If the box smells bad adding heavy fragrance litter or deodorizers only fools you not them. Cats hate chemical scents. That box becomes a no go zone fast.

If smell is the issue try these fixes first

  • scoop more often

  • add more litter

  • or add another box

That is it. No fancy spray is going to fix a dirty box.

The add a box trick actually makes life easier

Here is the part most people miss. Adding a second or third box does not double your work. You still scoop the same amount of waste. You just spread it out across more boxes so no single box becomes a disaster zone.

It feels like more boxes equal more work but really it makes scooping easier and faster. Yes you will need more litter at a time but less often. It evens out.

And yeah I might know a service that delivers litter right to your door so you don’t have to lug it home. Wink wink.

Bottom line

The number of litter boxes you need depends on your cats your home and your sanity. Start with one per cat plus one extra if you can. If you cannot at least stick to no more than two cats per box.

Clean often. Watch their behavior. Be ready to adapt.

A quick note on medical stuff

If your cat suddenly starts going outside the box or their behavior changes talk to your vet. Sometimes litter box issues are the first clue something is wrong medically.

This is general advice only not a substitute for a vet visit. Boxiecat litter is vet recommended but we are not qualified to give medical advice. Your vet is your best friend when litter box weirdness pops up.

Final thoughts

Keeping cats comfortable and happy with their bathroom setup solves so many future headaches. Following these basic litter box guidelines helps prevent accidents and stops problems before they start.

Your cats will thank you. So will your floors.

Here's our recommendation for the best cat litter for indoor cats (if you were wondering 😉).