Kittens only using one litter box

Hi,my kittens are only using the box in the bathroom. I have two kittens by the way. I put a second box in the basement where they also spend time,but they aren't using it. I can tell they've been walking around in it,but haven't left any deposits yet. If they are only going to use one box,should I take up the other or just leave it there in case of "some day"......is it normal/fine to only have one box for two kitty littermates? I know that the "rule" says I should actually have three boxes. I use Tidy Cats multiple cat litter and they've never had an accident...yet. I always hate to brag,afraid they'll prove me wrong! Anyway, I buy the litter in the 20 lb pourable plastic container(it rocks over having to deal with the bags). I didn't realize that there was 3 or so different types depending on the lid color. I got the blue previously and I bought a seperate container for the basement litterbox,but it has a different colored lid and the litter looks like it has little blue pellets in it...I'm assuming deodorizers???So I wonder if since its just a tad different from what they are using in the bathroom they won't use it for that reason....are kittens actually that picky? I hate to waste all twenty lbs of it,but I'm leary of using it in the bathroom box cause it might make them want to stop using the box......horrors! I'm a pretty tolerant person,but reading some of these threads stating where their cats have peed/pooed isn't good for my heart!!!hee hee. I can't imagine a cat peeing on clothes or the stove.....obviously I've been lucky!
I clean the box morning and night so it always stays clean. I've noticed they aren't going as often as they used to and they aren't as stinky or farty either. All good things,obviously.
I know this isn't really a "big deal" but I would like ideas. All the people I ask say they only have one box whether they have 1 cat or 3 with no problemos!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by smokiethecat

I put a second box in the basement where they also spend time,but they aren't using it. I didn't realize that there was 3 or so different types depending on the lid color. I got the blue previously and I bought a seperate container for the basement litterbox,but it has a different colored lid and the litter looks like it has little blue pellets in it...I'm assuming deodorizers???So I wonder if since its just a tad different from what they are using in the bathroom they won't use it for that reason....are kittens actually that picky?

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They can be that picky! I use Tidy Cats also and my 4 did not like the crystal blend. I would keep the second litter box in the basement. You might be able to mix the stuff they don't use a little at a time with their regular kind so it doesn't go to waste.

They are kittens and their boxes should be close. They may not be able to hold it all together to get to the basement to use the litter pan, so they will go in the closest one. Beats them going on the floor.

Well,they have always used the litter box on the main floor in the bathroom full time. Even when I first got them,they'd go running for the bathroom. I decided to take some of the litter back out of the one in the basement and pour in some of the kind they like and now they are using it!!!yeah. When we complete our addition, I am also going to put a litter box in there too.
This is so hilarious I had to share. I had c'mas at my house tonight for 15 people. Well, my just turned 3year old neice had to go to the bathroom and wanted my help so I took her in there and she noticed the litterbox right away and asked me what it was for. I told her thats where the kittens go poo and pee. She wanted to try out their litterbox instead of using the toilet so I told her that wouldn't work...but it was so funny. Her mom just laughed that she (her daughter)would probably have been easier to litter train than potty train!!!!
She fell in love with Smokie and wanted to take him home. He kept trying to escape her,but finally just gave up and fell asleep in her arms:-)

That's pretty hilarious about your niece!!

When your kittens are older you could try reducing to one litterbox to see if you can get by on one without any accidents.