Do cats mind sharing litter boxes?

terestrife

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My two cats seem to be getting along, they play with each other.

My new cat Elsa, had a normal litter box. Kitty has a Litter Robot. Kitty had no interest in Elsas litter box as she constanly has a clean toilet. lol I had an old broken Litter Robot that i fixed up, it used to belong to Kitty, so i cleaned it and gave it to Elsa.

Kitty, of course, noticing her old litter box used it right away. But just now i noticed Elsa slap Kitty when she tried to go into her litter box.

I dont know if it was just playing or if shes feeling territorial over her box. Elsa used to be a street cat. Should i be worried? I dont want Elsa feeling insecure and peeing outside her box.


They havent gotten into any real fights even over food and do allow each other to eat from each others plates.

NOTE: I use these types of litter boxes as i have back problems and cant be bending down 2-4 times a day.
 
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itsnotpeanutbut

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Our 2 (spayed) females don't mind sharing at all. We have one XXL (Maine Coon-sized) box and they both use it all the time. Though I do realise that we're very lucky to be able to have this one-box setup.

That said, what we have going on here goes against all the guidelines you'll find in books or online. Normally you'd want to have 1 box per cat + 1 extra. So in your case you'd need to have 3 boxes because cats can get territorial when it comes to where they do their business.

In your case, I'd either plop down a third box to give both cats an extra option, or wait it out and see if Kitty learns that Elsa doesn't want her to come near that box for real.
 

shadowsrescue

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As mentioned above, the golden rule for litter boxes is one per cat + one additional.  I have 2 indoor only boys and I have 3 litter boxes.  All 3 get used and there are no problems at all.  For a short time I only had 2 boxes and one of the cats would not let the other use "his" box.  Once I added the 3rd it was all fine.
 
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terestrife

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As mentioned above, the golden rule for litter boxes is one per cat + one additional.  I have 2 indoor only boys and I have 3 litter boxes.  All 3 get used and there are no problems at all.  For a short time I only had 2 boxes and one of the cats would not let the other use "his" box.  Once I added the 3rd it was all fine.
ok thanks! its just that i have back problems and would really like to avoid having to use traditional litter boxes. there are days i cant even bend down. its been my mom that was cleaning elsas box and shes 67 with back problems too.

i would buy another litter robot, but they are very expensive. i might save up for one.

of course, if they get territorial and afraid to use their boxes i will give in and put a box. i want them to be happy and comfortable.

ill keep an eye out for the next few days.
 

Kat0121

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Our 2 (spayed) females don't mind sharing at all. We have one XXL (Maine Coon-sized) box and they both use it all the time. Though I do realise that we're very lucky to be able to have this one-box setup.

That said, what we have going on here goes against all the guidelines you'll find in books or online. Normally you'd want to have 1 box per cat + 1 extra. So in your case you'd need to have 3 boxes because cats can get territorial when it comes to where they do their business.

In your case, I'd either plop down a third box to give both cats an extra option, or wait it out and see if Kitty learns that Elsa doesn't want her to come near that box for real.
Lilith and Sophie have been sharing a box for over a year and they have never had an issue or a problem about it. Henry has one to himself because he's in his room. This is the first time he's ever had his own box so it must be a nice change for him. 
 

rlavach

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I saw this video on Youtube once that talked about groups of cats within a home. She basically said, if all your cats are loners & don't cuddle or spend time with the others, then 1 for each cat +1 is best. But, if you have 3 cats and 2 are buddies & 1 is a loner, the 2 would have no problem sharing a box & then the 1 loner would need his own. Personally, I think more is always better. But it seems like their willingness to share a litter box may not just be because of cleanliness, but because of how well they get along.
 

Kat0121

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I saw this video on Youtube once that talked about groups of cats within a home. She basically said, if all your cats are loners & don't cuddle or spend time with the others, then 1 for each cat +1 is best. But, if you have 3 cats and 2 are buddies & 1 is a loner, the 2 would have no problem sharing a box & then the 1 loner would need his own. Personally, I think more is always better. But it seems like their willingness to share a litter box may not just be because of cleanliness, but because of how well they get along.
Lilith and Sophie are sisters. They do get along and will play together on occasion but they don't spend a lot of time together and I have never seen them groom each other or anything. Sophie did get an elastic cord from a toy that was hanging from their tree wrapped around her paw and Lilith was just as upset as Sophie was and was preparing herself to go to battle with her sister's "attacker" when I cut the elastic and got her paw free. Sophie ran and hid for a while and Lilith went with her. They really don't snuggle together or anything but they do love each other. 

Henry's my foster kitty and he's still in his safe room so he gets his own box
 

greycat2

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I have 6 cats and they don't mind sharing the litter boxes (I have 7 boxes BTW). Only two of the 6 cats are related - Fang and Drooler who are brothers). Of course they never use the pans at the same time though they sometimes seem to form a "line" after the litter has been changed.

Could - perhaps - You and your mom add an extension on the scooper to help not have to bend over so much or even rig up a small blunt shovel to help? Just an idea I have seen around years back somewhere (forgot where). I've used and extension after I had surgery and couldn't bend over very well for a while.
 
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terestrife

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Thanks! For now they are both using their boxes. If i see them not using their boxes ill take out a litter box. I like the idea of the extendable scooper.

I had hoped Elsa would fall in love with the Litter Robot like Kitty did. Kitty sees a regular litter box, and will not go in. She loves having a constantly clean box.
 

southbound

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We have 8 ranging from a few months to 15 years and  they all get along together. We have 4 boxes that are cleaned a couple of times each day. No problems.
 
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