2 cats - one litter tray?

MissPoppy_3

Hi

I got a rescue cat in June of this year and at the time my partner wasn't working so the cat had company all day. However now my partner has a full time job, as do I, so the cat it is either alone locked in the house if the weather is bad or outside all day.
I am starting to think that maybe we should get another cat for company, however there are obvious things to consider:

• Cost of additional food/vets/insurance/cattery
• How the cat we have will get on with a new addition etc

However the main one I keep thinking about is the litter tray arrangement, at the moment we have a large covered one which is kept in the hall and that only gets used if the puss is in all day. I live in a small 2 bed ground floor massionette and as things stand I can't think as to where we would have space to put another litter tray.
Would it be ok to just have the one for 2 cats?
I would be grateful for some views of multiple cat owners as regards there experience

Thanks

headpin

Our two use the same uncovered litter tray without any problems. But, they are brother and sister and have always been together, so that may make a difference?

morg_monster

I've heard that they need 2 if they are separate social groups. Our 2 were rescues that had been living in the same home before being brought in by someone claiming they were "strays" (Battersea knew better as she'd done the same thing before...) they were in the same pen and using 1 litter tray in the rescue and have done the same at home happily.
Who knows if a new cat would be "accepted" by your current cat enough to share his bog... tricky one.

Another thing battersea told us was that cats don't have an inbuilt "need" to be with other cats. If they come from a home where they have been with others, and enjoyed it, then they would probably be lonely in a new house without cats. But if they've grown up in a home with no other cats, they said there was no reason to think they would be happier with another cat for company. In fact quite a few of the cats they rehome, they request that they be only cats.
(this is different for kittens, i know 2 kittens are generally less trouble & hassle than one and they do entertain each other).
Does your cat seem lonely? (I have no idea how you would tell this :-)

Owain_Moneysaver

A litter tray for each cat, +1 spare. They may or may not want to share, so if Puss One has used two trays, that may leave Puss Two a bit desperate.

MissPoppy_3

To be honest getting another cat is as much for me as it is for her. It was me that wanted a cat but OH picked the one we have and is pretty much his cat despite that fact he had never had a cat before :cool:

chelle230

Cats are happy being alone, they are solitary animals, however I do have 3.
they don't sleep together, but 2 of them play together occasionally, and have only 6 months age difference. the other keeps out of their way and has nothing to do with them.

I had 2 trays, but they all shared both, so I removed one (better for the layout of my house anyway), and they all share quite happily with no problems.
I do clean it out daily though, so maybe this is why.

Sagz_2

I've had more than one cat for about 25 years (8 at one time!) and they have always shared litter trays without a problem.
As for where to put another tray, how about in the bath? or shower tray? It worked really well for me as it if the cat missed the tray it was really easy to clear up and disinfect.

EmptyPockets

We've had two cats for ten years now, and they've also always shared one tray between them with no issues... but again, they are mother and daughter so I dunno if that makes a difference..?

rita-rabbit

unrelated cats do not like to share litter trays. Unless you are in a position to clean that box several times a day you could experience problems.

My two have lived together for some time. I got the Tom first & then the female. The Tom is very fastidious but once cat 2 came to live with us he stopped covering his `business' in the trays - yes I have two! Apparently doing this asserts his dominance. Mine have covered litterboxes - thank God

Griizelda

I have two two year old adults cats (brother and sister) and one 15 week old kitten.

I've only had the litter tray back in since the kitten arrived - she uses it and so does my female cat, who now comes in from outside straight onto the tray! (the brother still goes outside).

I've never had a problem with unrelated cats using one litter tray. Just makes sure you clean it regularly as it will "fill up" fairly quickly with two!

MissPoppy_3

Thank you for all your reply's.
Unfortunately getting another cat is on hold for the moment as I left the cat in today as the weather was rubbish. Got home to find sloppy poo in her tray, her food untouched and she had been sick in the kitchen and lounge.
I put some fresh water down and thank goodness she has had some and has had a lick of tinned cat tuna but won't touch her dried food which she usually has.
Bless the poor little thing is not her usual lively and noisey self. She even tried to help whilst I was cleaning up the sick by scratching round it to try and cover it up.
I think I shall leave her overnight and see how she is tomorrow if there is no improvement of to the vets we shall go,
Sorry for the rant but just a bit worried about her.