Thinking about removing a litterbox...

Before I start, I just want to say that I'm well aware that ideally one should have a box per cat and one extra.

Now that's out the way, here's the situation: I took Asha in at the beginning of March. She and Shadow are pretty well integrated now - they don't love each other yet, but they're accepting of each other. Shadow's definitely the boss though, just as it should be (he's 13 and she's around 11 months). I currently have two boxes - Shadow's original large covered box and the smaller open one in Asha's original safe room (had to be smaller to fit in her crate).

Asha is now rarely in her safe room, as she's decided she likes my bedroom better. Her original litterbox hasn't been used for about a month. They're both happily using the covered box without any trouble. I keep the box as clean as I can - generally checking it every time I go past. Asha will even sit and wait if I'm cleaning the box rather than use the other one :lol3:

I'm just starting to wonder if, in this case, the second box is needed. Sure, it's doing no harm by being there (and I'm perfectly happy to maintain two boxes instead of one), but it just seems a bit daft to keep a box that no one uses.

Thoughts, anyone?

My cats change their habits sometimes.  We had one in a back bathroom that never seemed to get used.  Just as we were thinking of taking it out, someone started using it again.      If it's not in the way, you could always keep it there in case one of them wants a change of scenery.  

Good to know. I'll be interested to see if either of mine prove to have latent psychic abilities and go back to the spare box in the next few days :lol3:

When I first got my kitty, he got two boxes. He only ever used one. Sometimes I'd find quite a few items in one (when I'm a bad owner and was slow in scooping) and the other would be completely untouched. After a month I removed the second box, and he never cared since.

So I tell people I suggest plus one box, but my cat seems content with just one. :lol3:

Mogli only uses one box. Just like Jamie before him, he chose one of the two boxes available (identical except in color) and completely ignored the other one, even when I swapped the locations. Jamie used two when he was old and ill, but for most of his life only wanted one.

I wonder whether Asha simply likes large covered boxes better? I know a lot of people recommend uncovered boxes, but most of the cats at the local shelter, including the ferals, prefer the large covered ones. They even prefer a particular brand (Gimpet). :lol3:

I've wondered if it's that she likes the covered box better (Shadow certainly does). With Asha, I'm not convinced though. She'll sit and wait if I'm cleaning the box, but will jump right in to use it before I get the cover back - sometimes even before I can pick up the scoop! :lol3:

I think it might be convenience - the covered box is nearer to my room (which is where she spends most of her time). I'm not complaining though - if I only have to scoop one box, that's fine by me

if you decide to remove one of the litter boxes, i'd keep the box not being used handy. since your shadow is 13 years old now, he may want and/or need a second litter box available at some point.

my snick is 14 years old, and our jasper is 2 years old. they both have two litter boxes. snick prefers covered, and both of hers are covered. jasper has always used an uncovered litter box, but he has one uncovered and one covered. jasper has only ever used his uncovered box, but i've seen his paw prints in the covered box. snick uses one particular covered box exclusively, unless she has a UTI (she's prone to developing them, medical reason) and then will use both covered boxes -- but only until the UTI is gone.

Don't worry - we don't throw that kind of thing away. I think we have at least 3 spare boxes about the place (and 4 cat carriers, extra beds...etc etc). For the record, the second box never even has paw prints in it now.

Its a great point that Shad may need a second box as he ages. At 13, I think he's the oldest indoor cat we've had (a lot of our first gang were strays, and all were FIV+ in the days before there were drug treatments available), so things like more boxes for an elderly cat hadn't quite registered with me. Thanks for the reminder

I've only ever had one box for all of themewith no problems.