If your kitties dislike sharing a litter box, it may be a territorial issue. Or it may be that your cats are grossed out going in another cat's unflushed toilet. Either way, managing multiple cats and kitty litter begins with providing each of your cats with her own potty.
Step 1
Buy kitty litter in bulk to save time and money. The more cats you have, the faster you'll run out of litter. Test different types and scents of litter to make certain all feline members of your household are happy with your choice.
Step 2
Place one litter box for each kitty in your household. This helps the boxes stay usable for longer periods and ensures there is always an open box when your cat needs to go. The ASPCA recommends placing an extra litter box, too.
Step 3
Try a variety of box sizes and types until you know what your cats prefer. Some cats dislike boxes with lids, while other cats enjoy the privacy that lids provide. Larger cats may feel cramped inside smaller boxes and start using your bathmat as a toilet in protest.
Step 4
Scoop all litter boxes in your home daily to cut down on stinky odors. Clean boxes are also better tolerated by picky or easily-offended cats. Scoop all soiled areas and replace litter as needed to keep the box full.
Step 5
Clean your boxes and replace all the litter at least once each week. You may need to do this more often, depending on your cats and the size of your litter boxes. Using liners makes clean up easier, but some cats dislike lined boxes and refuse to use them. If not using liners, wipe the inside of your boxes with equal parts water and vinegar to kills germs and reduce odors.
Step 6
Place mats or rugs beneath your boxes to catch the litter your cats kick out. This will save you a lot of clean-up time, especially if one or more of your kitties likes to dig.
Step 7
Consider all of your furry friends when placing your boxes. Older cats who have trouble climbing stairs may need a litter box on each floor, and households with dogs may benefit from placing litter boxes in places inaccessible to larger animals.
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Writer Bio
Sandra Ketcham has nearly two decades of experience writing and editing for major websites and magazines. Her work appears in numerous web and print publications, including "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "The Tampa Bay Times," Visit Florida, "USA Today," AOL's Gadling and "Kraze Magazine."