The recommended number of litter boxes is generally one per cat plus one extra box for the household. This means:
- For 1 cat, 2 litter boxes are ideal.
- For 2 cats, 3 litter boxes.
- For 3 cats, 4 litter boxes.
- For 4 cats, 5 boxes, and so on.
This "1+1 rule" ensures each cat has its own box and there is an extra box available if one is occupied or if cats prefer separate locations for urinating and defecating
. Having enough litter boxes helps reduce stress, territorial behavior, and inappropriate elimination, which can happen if cats feel their access to a box is limited or if they are guarding boxes from other cats
. If space is limited, some owners use larger boxes or group cats that get along well, but the general guideline remains one box per cat plus one extra to maintain harmony and cleanliness
. In summary, the best practice is:
- Number of litter boxes = Number of cats + 1
This setup promotes cat health and happiness by providing sufficient toileting resources
