12 cats in cat rooms how many litter boxes do i need?

[mewlittle]

I heard you need 1 box per cat 2 box +1 for 3 cats etc but I don't think I can fit 13 boxes in the two cat rooms lol how many do I need at laest? each boxes are petco jumbo that can easy hold about 25lbs of clumping litter in them I usually put around 10-13lbs of clump litter in each box wen I change it and scoop them out 3 times a day

I have 3 down now I had 5 down 2 of them broke so its 3 for now I'm planning on getting another box next month 

And what is the cheapest clumping cat litter on the market in quanity., right now I buy pestel 40lbs for 11 dollars I usually buy around 2 or 3 bags of 40lbs a month.well cost me around 33 dollars I want to get it cheaper.

Thanks for any answers I get.

 

[Willowy]

As many boxes as you CAN fit (and I thought you had 13 cats?). If buying actual litterboxes costs too much, Sterilite totes are way cheaper, come in every size, and I think they're better anyway. Line 'em up against the wall, see how many you can fit.

As for litter, I buy Tidy Cats Premium Scoop, which certainly isn't the cheapest. But it's what I and the cats like best. I don't think you'll find any scoopable litter cheaper than what you're paying now. .. the cheapest I know of is Hy-Vee (local grocery store chain) brand, and it's $4.99 for 20 pounds, which is about the same as what you're buying. I think that's probably the rock bottom price.

 

[mewlittle]

As many boxes as you CAN fit (and I thought you had 13 cats?). If buying actual litterboxes costs too much, Sterilite totes are way cheaper, come in every size, and I think they're better anyway. Line 'em up against the wall, see how many you can fit.
As for litter, I buy Tidy Cats Premium Scoop, which certainly isn't the cheapest. But it's what I and the cats like best. I don't think you'll find any scoopable litter cheaper than what you're paying now. .. the cheapest I know of is Hy-Vee (local grocery store chain) brand, and it's $4.99 for 20 pounds, which is about the same as what you're buying. I think that's probably the rock bottom price.

I do have 13 cats the oldest 15yr has her own room since she cant handle the other cats

 

[missymotus]

3 boxes isn't near enough, even if kept very clean. I'd want at least 8 down, but as Willowy said - as many as you can fit. 

I find wood pellets far more economical and safer than clumping litter, but that does require a specialised litter tray. However with the litter expense more than halved the cost of the trays works out in the long run. 

 

[Willowy]

Oh, yeah I should say something besides "as many as you can fit" :tongue2:. I'll say at THE VERY LEAST there should be 6. I know some people who have 2 cats and one box and it's usually not a disaster if kept very clean. So that would be the bare minimum, IMO. Definitely more than that if at all possible.

Wood pellets are cheap, about $4-$5 for 40 pounds. You don't absolutely need the special boxes, you can use it like regular non-clumping litter and just toss it when it gets too sawdust-y--it's cheap enough that you can afford to waste some. But a lot of cats don't like pellet litter, if not raised using it.. You could try putting the pellets in one box and see what they think. Worth a try anyway.

Also, remember to scrub the boxes with a non-toxic cleaner (I use dish soap and white vinegar) whenever you change the litter. I'm absolutely stunned by how many cat owners I know who never wash the boxes, or only wash them once a year or something like that. Icky.

 

[dejolane]

You have how many cats 12 ? wow. I have to say 2 is my limit. Bella and Thunder poop and pee alot and I have to scoop at least 8 times a day. I change it as it needs to be. then spray air freshener around the box. I buy litter from the Dollar Tree or Family Dollar which works just fine for them. And their box a large red tote which I once had my Twinkies in. It works just fine.

dejolane

 

[mewlittle]

WILLOWRY

Oh, yeah I should say something besides "as many as you can fit"

. I'll say at THE VERY LEAST there should be 6. I know some people who have 2 cats and one box and it's usually not a disaster if kept very clean. So that would be the bare minimum, IMO. Definitely more than that if at all possible.

Wood pellets are cheap, about $4-$5 for 40 pounds. You don't absolutely need the special boxes, you can use it like regular non-clumping litter and just toss it when it gets too sawdust-y--it's cheap enough that you can afford to waste some. But a lot of cats don't like pellet litter, if not raised using it.. You could try putting the pellets in one box and see what they think. Worth a try anyway.

Also, remember to scrub the boxes with a non-toxic cleaner (I use dish soap and white vinegar) whenever you change the litter. I'm absolutely stunned by how many cat owners I know who never wash the boxes, or only wash them once a year or something like that. Icky.

Educate, don't amputate! Don't de-claw your cat!
http://www.declawing.com/
http://www.pawsneedclaws.com/

...........................................................................................................................................................................................

DEJOLANE

You have how many cats 12 ? wow. I have to say 2 is my limit. Bella and Thunder poop and pee alot and I have to scoop at least 8 times a day. I change it as it needs to be. then spray air freshener around the box. I buy litter from the Dollar Tree or Family Dollar which works just fine for them. And their box a large red tote which I once had my Twinkies in. It works just fine.

...........................................................................................................................................................................................

to Willowy I alway clean my boxes between cat litter change I changed it yesterday and used dish soap and I don't use vinegar because my cats wont use it I know crazy and when I get the new box next month it will be 4 boxes in the 2 cats rooms 2 in each room I need to get both rooms cleared out alitter to add more boxes.

To DJolane

13 cats in total 12 cats in the cat rooms my 15 yr old cat is in a different part of the house and I miss twinkies thank you for reminding me of them >,<

 

[socksy]

Certainly, the plastic storage bins are larger and less expensive than actual litter boxes.  If these rooms are set aside especially for cats, then I think it's perfectly justifiable to have several litter boxes in there.  Maybe pick one wall and just line up litter boxes (or totes!) all along it.  Maybe even stack them and make a little ramp up to the second level, if the cats will do that. 

Here's a link to an instructable on how to make an inexpensive litter box specifically for pellet cat litter that reduces wasted pellets.  All you need is a drill (or maybe even just a nail to poke through?  Depending on the material).  If you did that, that would save you lots of money.  The instructable says to use commercial litter boxes, but just do it with plastic totes and it'll be cheap. 

 

[mewlittle]

Certainly, the plastic storage bins are larger and less expensive than actual litter boxes.  If these rooms are set aside especially for cats, then I think it's perfectly justifiable to have several litter boxes in there.  Maybe pick one wall and just line up litter boxes (or totes!) all along it.  Maybe even stack them and make a little ramp up to the second level, if the cats will do that. 

Here's a link to an instructable on how to make an inexpensive litter box specifically for pellet cat litter that reduces wasted pellets.  All you need is a drill (or maybe even just a nail to poke through?  Depending on the material).  If you did that, that would save you lots of money.  The instructable says to use commercial litter boxes, but just do it with plastic totes and it'll be cheap. 

I can't use storage bins my cats are smaller in siza then the avarage cat is

 

[socksy]

Storage bins come in all sizes, plus you can put entry holes in them.  

 

[angels mommy]

  

Yes, I agree about the storage, or sterilete boxes. Angel likes to get in the box, & when he poops, ends up aiming for the corner, so sometimes would be on the floor instead. I remember the term

"hiney hanger" on this site. 

LOL!   It even happened w/ a large litter box, so I just went to Walmart & bought one of those longer boxes that are for storing under your bed. (a sweater box, i think),

 (I forget the dimensions).

It works great! It's much larger that even the largest litter box, & the sides are the same height, so no cutting needed. The best part was it was only $6.00 or $8.00! (don't remember exactly, it's been a while).

I found a picture of it, it's small, but the best I could do from work.  At least you can get an idea of the size.

 

[Willowy]

I can't use storage bins my cats are smaller in siza then the avarage cat is

It's not like there's such a thing as a litterbox that's too big. . .:lol3:. Like I said, they come in all sizes, even ones that are pretty much identical to store-bought litterboxes. And if the sides are too tall, a utility knife takes care of that fast. Really, they're SO much cheaper (I priced litterboxes at Petsmart and yikes! Expensive!) that price of the box shouldn't keep you from having as many as you need.

 

[mewlittle]

the price ain't stopping me its the space and I bought 2 jumbos litter boxes for 5 each at petco

 

[angels mommy]

Okay, here ya go. I took a better picture for you.

101_2454.JPG

• angels mommy
• Dec 19, 2012

         

101_2456.JPG

• angels mommy
• Dec 19, 2012

 

[farleyv]

I have 6 cats that all use one Giant Litter Box by petmate.  It easily holds 40 lbs of litter and is nice and deep.  It is treated to resist germs also. Also has two compartments to hold litter scoop.

I clean once in the am and once in the pm.  No one has never not used it.  Always plenty of clean litter available.  I would think 2 of these would do for you if you are able to keep it somewhat clean.  Just an aside, to make cleaning easier, my dh made a platform with a ramp for them to walk up.  That way it is easier for me to scoop as it is about 2 feet off the floor.

My cats are so spoiled! 

 

[angels mommy]

I have 6 cats that all use one Giant Litter Box by petmate.  It easily holds 40 lbs of litter and is nice and deep.  It is treated to resist germs also. Also has two compartments to hold litter scoop.

I clean once in the am and once in the pm.  No one has never not used it.  Always plenty of clean litter available.  I would think 2 of these would do for you if you are able to keep it somewhat clean.  Just an aside, to make cleaning easier, my dh made a platform with a ramp for them to walk up.  That way it is easier for me to scoop as it is about 2 feet off the floor.

My cats are so spoiled! 

Wow, I'd like to see a picture of that.

 

[farleyv]

Just google...petmate giant litter pan.

 

[catwithmycoffee]

With 3 cats, I have 4 litter boxes. Scoop twice a day. Three with the really tall sides and one 'normal' sized one. We use Tidy Cats clumping litter; if I thought Sam and Lizzie would use it, I'd switch over to Paws & Claws litter.  Our local Tractor Supply Company (TSC) carries the 25 pound bags for $5.99.  (turned out Sam apparently doesn't like any litter except Tidy Cats!)

         

101_2456.JPG

• angels mommy
• Dec 19, 2012

Now, that's a great idea!  Sam is such a big boy (Maine Coon) that he has a little difficulty manuvering in the regular length litter boxes; I've noticed he seems to favor the normal sized litter box, but occasionally his poop winds up just outside of it because his furry butt hangs over the edge...

 

[mewlittle]

         

101_2456.JPG

• angels mommy
• Dec 19, 2012

thats how big my petco litter box is but litter smaller sides

 

[angels mommy]

Thanks! -And like I said, it was only $6.00 or $8.00!  No more hiney hang'n, although he does always do that in a corner, vs/ peeing in the middle. "What's up w/ that?"

....Crazy kitty!