Can I Put Two Litter Boxes Next to Each Other?

There are several causes why felines typically urinate and defecate in different places.

A subjective reason relates to their wild instincts of separating and concealing their smells or extending their territory by marking it with their scents.

Meanwhile, the most common objective reason is just that the available cat litter pan is too dirty or emits scents of other cats.

Whatever the cause is, your cats are likely to need at least two litter boxes for two types of elimination. And even when they do not really require that, more litter boxes also give them more freedom and hygiene.

One of the questions we get most frequently from new cat owners is about the cat’s litter box, how many litter boxes you need, and if you can put them next to each other. The short answer is yes. It is a good idea to put two litter boxes next to each other. When your kitten comes to her toilet, she can have more options to select from. Furthermore, you can know what is your cat’s favorite type of litter box by putting two different models side by side, too.

Nonetheless, if possible, you ought to place several sets of two next-to-each-other litter trays in different spots all over your home. In this way, the felines can eliminate in more convenient and cleaner positions, and you can also find out the best elimination places for them as well.

There are a few locations that your cat will not like to eliminate.

Avoid putting the litter box in the bedroom

Don’t place any litter box in your bedroom as there are dangers of the litter box in the bedroom that your family has to face up with.

Firstly, urine and feces in the kitty litter will generate ammonia fumes, which is a toxic gas that can lead to respiratory issues for humans, such as pneumonia and other allergies.

Secondly, your family is also at risk of getting Salmonellosis, cat-scratch fever, and some other diseases that result from bacteria in the poop and piss of felines.

Thirdly, cat excrement is full of harmful parasites that are prone to infect people, such as Toxoplasma Gondii, roundworms, hookworms, and ringworms.

Last but not least, your bedroom is often a dark place where felines cannot see themselves when they eliminate, which is unfavorable for their nature.

Avoid putting a litter box near the water heater

As we mentioned above, there is ammonia in the piss and poop and cats. In addition to harming the human respiratory system, this gas will reduce the longevity of your water heater with corrosion over time.

Besides, a water heater is likely to be a dangerous appliance for your mischievous kitties.

Other locations

A little kitty meets difficulty in climbing up and down the stairs will not like a litter box in the basement or a high story.

Also, places where people often go by like foyers or areas where there are noisy devices such as washing machines and industrial fans are neither ideal positions for litter boxes.

It is common sense that putting a litter box in the closet and a litter box in the laundry room will cause your clothing to smell bad, so we do not need to talk about this here.

Lastly, the distance between the litter box and food must be far enough for the food not to be contaminated by the litter.

As we explained above, placing two kitty litter boxes side by side is totally fine. Hence, it goes without saying that you can put two litter boxes in the same room.

Apart from putting two litter boxes together in one place, there are some other favorable positions for you to put the second box.

Moreover, if there are multiple cats in your house, you should spread their litter trays in various places since not all felines share the same elimination place with their friends.

A rule of thumb is that litter boxes should be in spots where cats can find privacy, peace, and convenience.

We recommend putting litter boxes in the hallway or on the top of a staircase. These locations are convenient, safe, and light enough for your felines to urinate and defecate comfortably.

However, each cat may have different preferences, so a good trick is to research the places where your cats love to come.

A litter box outside your home is absolutely safe for both your family members and the cats. We also find it an excellent solution for those whose gardens are often spoiled by their felines and other community cats.

If you have a small apartment, the number of locations to put the cat litter box must be restricted.

Basically, if you ask us, we would say the front of the bathroom and the hallway. They will not affect your life much but are still great locations for furry babies.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Two litter boxes for two felines are not so satisfactory to them.

Most pet experts approve the simple calculation “one set of two litter boxes per cat, plus one additional box for each extra cat” for the number of litter boxes that you had better have if you are living in a multi-cat household.

For instance, if you are raising two cats at the same time, you ought to place at least three boxes around your home. And if you have up to three cats in your house, buy four litter trays for them. It is just as simple as that.