How Many Litter Trays Should You Have for Your Cat? Expert Advice for Cat Owners

When it comes to litter trays for cats, there is a golden rule that is generally accepted among experts: 1 litter tray per cat + 1 extra. This means that if you have 1 cat, you should have 2 trays, or if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 trays, etc.

This recommendation is widely supported by vets and behaviourists and it applies to indoor cats and multi-cat households. When you follow this advice, you can reduce stress, competition and accidents from your cat(s).

In this guide, we will look into the reasoning behind this rule.

Why Cats Need More Than One Litter Tray

You probably don’t need us to tell you this, but cats are territorial animals. Within their territory, they naturally prefer to have separate areas for urinating and defecating. What’s more, in the wild, they would not reuse the same spot repeatedly as their toilet.

Having more than one litter tray for a cat helps to mimic their natural behaviour a little better at home. Beyond this, it helps to avoid conflict in multi-cat households. It is not unusual for cats to:

• Guard litter trays

• Avoid trays that are used by others

Some people find that non-dominant cats stop using trays entirely. This results in urinating outside the litter tray and other stress-related behaviours.

Cleanliness preferences are also a factor for cats. They are extremely averse to dirt and many cats will refuse to use a tray that is soiled or smelly. When you have multiple trays, you ensure that there is always a clean option available for your cats.

Where Should You Put Litter Trays in Your Home?

In addition to how many litter trays you should have for your cat, you also need to think about where you place them. Cats are quite particular about where they go when it is toilet time, and it can lead to problems if you get it wrong.

Let’s break it down into ideal placement guidelines and mistakes to avoid.

Ideal Placement Guidelines

If you want your cats to be happy with your litter trays, it takes more than simple following the rule of how many to get. Here are some recommendations for placement:

• Choose a quiet, low traffic area so your cats have peace and solitude.

• Don’t position them near things that can be noisy like washing machines or boilers.

• Keep them away from food and water bowls.

• Ensure easy access at all times, especially if your cat has mobility issues.

• Have one tray per distinct area of the home - this is especially important in multi-storey homes.

Think about areas in your home that meet these guidelines and you should find some good locations for litter trays.

Things to Avoid

There are a few things that you should keep in mind that are to be avoided when choosing where to place litter trays in your home:

• Don’t place all the trays in one location - this would defeat the purpose of multiple trays.

• Don’t place them in high-traffic or noisy areas.

• Avoid enclosed or hard-to-reach spaces.

• Steer clear of areas with strong smells like bins or cleaning products.

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for if you want to find the ideal locations.

What Type of Litter Tray Is Best?

Another key consideration is to choose the right type of litter tray for your cat. The simplest option for your cat is an open tray, but some people prefer covered trays to hide the litter and trap odours inside. High-sided trays can be good for preventing litter overspill.

Let’s look at each in a little more detail:

• Open Trays: These tend to be the preferred option for most cats as they offer full visibility in all directions and have good ventilation. However, there are risks like odour leakage or the possibility of litter being kicked over the sides, so these aren’t always the preferred option for owners.

• Covered Trays: This is a popular option among owners as they prevent litter spillage and can even trap odors inside. Some cats enjoy them too, but others might feel trapped when they go inside, increasing the risk that they will refuse to use it.

High-Sided Trays: These are similar to open trays, with the added benefit of extra protection against spillage if you have a cat that kicks litter. One downside of these is that they can be challenging to get into for cats with mobility issues.

Size is an important consideration. The tray should be at least 1.5x the length of your cat. If it is too small, the result can be discomfort or even tray avoidance.

Litter Type Considerations

Most cats prefer a fine, sand-like litter as this closely mimics the type of ground they would dig into in the wild. Many owners like to choose litter that clumps as it is easier to clean and monitor. We recommend that you avoid strongly-scented litter as it can be off-putting for some cats.

Litter Sense is a smart cat litter that changes color when it comes into contact with urine that contains blood or an abnormal pH level. This can help you to detect signs of health problems at the earliest possible opportunity and get them checked by a vet.

Litter Sense cat litter is specially formulated and tested to be comfortable and inviting for cats so they take to it quickly and it can help you keep your pet in good health.

How to Keep Litter Trays Clean (And Why It Matters)

Did you know that cats have a sense of smell 14x stronger than humans? Imagine going into a heavily-soiled litter tray with a sense of smell like that. This is why frequent cleaning of the litter tray is a key responsibility of cat owners.

You should scoop waste from the litter tray at least once a day - preferably twice. You should also carry out a weekly full clean like this:

1. Empty all the litter entirely

2. Wash the tray with a mild, unscented soap

3. Fill with fresh litter and place the tray back in position

Dirty trays are one of the top causes of litter box avoidance, so this is an important responsibility for owners.

Common Litter Tray Problems (And What They Mean)

There are several common problems owners experience with litter trays. They all happen for a reason, so it’s important to get to the root cause to fix the problem or determine if it is a sign of something bigger.

Cat Not Using the Litter Tray

There are several possible causes of this:

• Not enough trays in the home

• The tray is dirty

• The cat is suffering from stress or anxiety

• Medical issues (e.g. urinary tract problems)

If you try adding a tray, more frequent cleaning, and repositioning the tray somewhere quieter and the problem persists, it might be time to call a vet.

Going Outside the Tray

When this happens, it could be a sign of:

• Territorial marking

• Unhappiness with the tray location

• Health issues (especially if sudden)

Enclosed trays can be helpful for this, as well as moving the tray to a different location. If you are concerned that it might be a health problem, get in touch with your vet right away.

Frequent Use or Straining

This is a common sign that there is a health concern and it is best to get your cat checked by a vet as soon as possible. Your cat may be suffering with a urinary tract infection (UTI), cystitis, or something else.

Special Considerations For Multi-Cat Households

If you have more than one cat in your home, it is particularly important to have multiple trays in different locations. Don’t force cats to share, as this is likely to result in competitive or territorial behaviour.

As the owner, it is your responsibility to watch for bullying or guarding behaviour around trays. Do what you have to in order to ensure all cats have equal access and none are left without a tray to use.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Litter Trays Your Cat Should Have

Do indoor cats need more litter trays?

Yes, they do. This is especially important in multi-cat homes to ensure equal access for all your pets.

Can cats share a litter tray?

They can, and many do. However, forcing it increases the risk of stress and problems around competition.

How often should I clean a litter tray?

The simple answer is to scoop daily and do a full clean weekly. This should ensure the litter tray feels accessible to your cats.