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How many litter boxes you need, even with an automatic one
Updated
The usual rule is one litter box per cat, plus one. The AAHA and AAFP feline guidelines, Cornell's Feline Health Center and the ASPCA all give it. An automatic box counts as one of those boxes, not all of them. Two cats means three boxes, and the automatic one can be any of the three.
What the vet groups say
- AAHA and AAFP (2021 guidelines): one box for each cat plus one extra, in different easy to reach places, especially with several cats. Put them in quiet spots with an escape route.
- Cornell: as many boxes as cats, plus one. It cuts competition and gives each cat a box of its own.
- ASPCA: at least 10 percent of cats develop elimination problems. Too few boxes and dirty boxes are common reasons.
The rule by cat count
| Cats | Boxes suggested | Picks rated for that many cats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Whisker Litter-Robot 4, Neakasa M1 Plus and Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too |
| 2 | 3 | Whisker Litter-Robot 4, Neakasa M1 Plus and Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too |
| 3 | 4 | Whisker Litter-Robot 4, Neakasa M1 Plus and Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too |
| 4 | 5 | Whisker Litter-Robot 4 and Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too |
A maker's cat count is how many cats can share that one box. It does not replace the extra boxes. Only three picks state a number: Whisker Litter-Robot 4, Neakasa M1 Plus and Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too.
Why the backup box helps with an automatic one
- Automatic boxes pause, cycle or jam. A plain box is there when the automatic one is busy or broken.
- A cat under the sensor minimum needs somewhere to go while you run the automatic one by hand. See minimum weight and kittens.
- ASPCA notes that older cats and cats with physical limits may struggle with top entry or high sided boxes. A low plain box can be the easy option.
Where to put them
Spread them out, not in a row in one room. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines suggest separate, quiet, easy to reach spots. The drawer of an automatic box also takes longer to fill when it is not the only box, so the drawer days estimate becomes a worst case.
Check your own cats with the fit checker, or compare all 7 picks on the roundup page.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. If a cat strains in the box, cries while peeing, or passes little or no urine, call a veterinarian right away.