You must be familiar with the rule of having one litter box per floor, but is it necessary? People have contradictory views on this matter. While some believe it’s beneficial, others think it’s an unnecessary expense.

So, let’s find out what’s going on.

Why do Multiple Litter Boxes help?

Having a litter box on every floor is essential for several reasons, primarily related to your cat’s territorial instincts and well-being.

Below is a list of the same:

Accident Prevention

Not having a litter box nearby can lead to accidents.

If your cat suddenly feels the urge to go, it may panic and relieve itself in the nearest comfortable spot rather than trying to reach a litter box. Having a box on every floor prevents this issue.

Reduced Anxiety

Similar to the previous point, not having a litter box nearby can cause continuous anxiety for your cat, as it can panic if it needs to use the box unexpectedly.

This is especially important if your cat is suffering from UTIs, as they need to urinate frequently.

Otherwise, your cat may give up on using the litter box and start peeing and defecating wherever it feels comfortable.

Minimised Competition

Cats are territorial animals, and no matter how much you domesticate them, you can’t change their genetics.

If you have more than one cat in your house, having multiple litter boxes is necessary, as cats are not great at sharing and can create issues over it.

Providing multiple litter boxes gives them a sense of freedom, preventing them from becoming overly protective of just one.

Odor Control

Having multiple litter boxes prevents the overuse of a single box, thus decreasing the frequency with which the boxes need to be cleaned. This, in turn, results in less odor from the litter boxes.

Enhanced Privacy

Cats aren’t the biggest fans of being watched while doing their business (I mean, who is?).

If you or someone else is near their litter box, having an extra box on another floor will give the cat an option if it’s uncomfortable there. This will also help keep them calm and prevent anxiety.

Litter Box Options by Floor

Sorting litter box types by floors is another smart move you can make to simplify things. For example, if floor 1 is the busiest in your house, I’d suggest placing a closed or covered litter box there. This will help keep the area odor-free and ensure your cat still has a litter box.

Moving to floor 2, if it’s not as busy, it’s wise to place an open, self-cleaning litter box there. This will provide your cat with open-air space and make cleaning the box easier.

Special Considerations for Multi-Cat Households

If you look at them closely, multi-cat households can feel a bit like army treaty zones. You need to be very considerate of each cat as an individual and ensure their needs are met to maintain harmony.

Litter Box Ratios

The golden ratio of the paw world is having one litter box per cat plus an extra. That being put in an equation, let’s say you have 3 cats. Therefore, you need 3 + 1 litter boxes.

When it comes to multi-cat, multistorey households, you don’t have to have that many litter boxes on each floor. Instead, you’ll need to analyze it for each cat individually.

Preventing Territory Conflicts

Territory conflicts among cats in multi-cat households are not surprising. Not all cats are comfortable sharing or adjusting to others.

While some cats blend in well with their siblings, others take their territory very seriously and become protective of it.

To help avoid conflict, make sure to keep some distance between the litter boxes. If a little space doesn’t work, try placing the boxes in different locations based on where you typically find each cat.

Accommodating Preferences

This might initially sound a bit picky, but it’s quite simple. You should place the litter boxes where you’d want your own bed to be.

Cats aren’t fans of chaos. They can easily get panicked by loud noises or sudden thuds. So, it’s important to carefully choose where you keep their litter box.

The place should be well-ventilated, quiet, not very high, and with ample sunlight. If any of your cats do not like places like these and prefer dark and small places, make a note of that and shift the box to such a place.

Conclusion

All of this might not sound very easy, but it’s not hard. A little thought is enough for your little friend to feel appreciated and cared for.

Having multiple litter boxes if you have multiple floors and pets is essential. Make sure you always follow the thumb rule in the pet world, and you’ll run into fewer problems in the long term.