Litter box basics: how many, where, and what to do when your cat misses
Most litter box trouble comes down to a few practical things: too few boxes, the wrong spot, a litter the cat dislikes, or a box that is not clean enough. Here is the setup that works for most cats, and what to check first when something goes wrong.
How many boxes
The usual rule is one box per cat plus one extra. Two cats, three boxes. Cats often prefer to pee in one place and poop in another, and in a multi-cat home a spare box means nobody has to wait or guard.
Where to put them
Quiet, easy to reach, and with more than one way out, so your cat never feels cornered. Not next to the food bowls, not beside a noisy washing machine, and not all in one corner of the flat. Spread them across the home, ideally on every floor.
Which box and which litter
Bigger is better: the box should be at least one and a half times the length of your cat. Many cats prefer open boxes to hooded ones because smells build up under a hood. For litter, most cats like a fine, unscented, clumping litter that feels soft under the paws. If you change litter, do it gradually by mixing the new into the old.
How often to clean
Scoop at least once a day, twice is better. Replace the litter completely and wash the box with mild soap every one to two weeks. Skip strong cleaners and scented sprays: what smells fresh to us can put a cat off the box.
When your cat pees outside the box
- See a vet first if this is new, especially if your cat strains, visits the box often, cries in the box, or produces little urine. A male cat that cannot pee needs a vet today.
- Add a box, move a box to a quieter spot, or switch to a larger open box.
- Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner so the spot stops smelling like a toilet.
- Look for stress triggers: a new pet, a move, visitors, another cat blocking the box.
- Never punish. It makes cats anxious and often makes the problem worse.
FAQ
Why does my cat scratch the wall next to the litter box?
Usually the box is too small or the litter is too shallow to dig in. Try a larger box and about five to seven centimetres of litter.
Is a self-cleaning litter box a good idea?
Some cats accept them, others are put off by the noise and movement. Keep a normal box available as well, at least during the change.