Discover what advantages and disadvantages sharing litter boxes between cats can offer.
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Although there are cats that feel comfortable sharing the litter box with other kittens, there are also those that are more territorial and prefer separate boxes. For those who have more than one cat, it’s worth considering that providing several litter boxes in different locations helps prevent conflicts between them.
According to Kelly Diehl, a veterinarian with 35 years of experience and senior director of scientific communication at the Morris Animal Foundation, while it is possible for cats to share, it is not preferable. She still warns: “They should be spread across different levels in the house, or at least kept away from each other. Don’t let them be placed side by side.”
Among the advantages of sharing the litter box are: the number of boxes to clean will be less, meaning more ease in cleaning, handling, and maintenance for cat owners. Additionally, cats become more comfortable, it is more practical to identify diseases, and it provides more freedom for pets.
The disadvantages, on the other hand, include: difficulty in identifying which cat is having problems with bowel movements or urination (if it occurs), higher chances of disease transmission between cats, and a greater likelihood of conflicts, which can result in one or the other cat ceasing to use the litter box.
According to feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt: “The general rule is that there should be one box for each cat plus one… So no, multiple cats should not have to share one box,” explained the expert.
