Two cats, one litter tray- any advice?

METAL_MICKEY

Having lost our 18 yr old British Blue boy about 6 months ago, we felt it was time enough to move on and i hate not having a cat in the house.

However, on the basis that we both work full time, my wife and i were wondering whether it might be an idea to get two cats who can then keep each other company. However, the sticking point is the litter box arrangement.

Its totally acknowledged that ideally its best for each cat to have its own seperate litter tray. However, due to the size of our house we realistically only have room for one. From a scan of the internet it seems that lots of people suggest that they have cats that just use one tray with no "accidents". Just wondered whether anyone on here has any handy tips on how to get two cats to use one tray. Obviously, its appreciated that any such tray would have to kept emptied twice as much which would not be a problem. Are kittens from the same litter more inclined to share?

I might add that both cats will be house only cats as unfortunately we live on a very busy main road.

Thanks for any advice

Kimberley

When I had just the 2 cats they used the one tray ok. If you get kittens then you will have no problem but if you get adult rescue cats they may not like sharing. Many cats are happy to share one tray.

Fire_Fox

Actually ideally it is one tray per cat plus one spare! :eek:

It is not just that cats don't always like to share, but some will not poop and pee in the same tray, some will not pee where there is already a poop, some will 'guard' the tray as a dominance thing, some will hold on until the tray is scooped which is unhealthy, some won't use a tray in your main living area when too many people are about. Realistically you can't scoop often enough if you are at work all day and sleep all night.

Two cats can keep one another company but they can also stress one another out in a smaller space, more so if they are forced to share trays when they do not want to. Things can also change as their hormones do, so even if they share initially they may not wish to as they grow (or they may be fine).

There are several of us on MSE who have indoor cats in a flat and more than one litter tray; I got my second tray because my last boy wouldn't pee on top of a poop and I didn't scoop fast enough one morning. We have had several threads recently of new cats toileting outside the tray, sometimes on the human's bed which I am sure you do not want! In at least two cases the issue was resolved with an additional tray.

There is no perfect place for a tray, but covered ones can be used where you don't want to see or you can adapt a cupboard or side table as housing. If smells are the concern that can be massively reduced with diet, raw is particularly effective. Alternatively you say house not flat so is there no way your cats can go out, either into a secure run or can you catproof the fencing?

ian103

we ended up with 2 trays, it solved our main issue and have only had one accident since. it appears that the use one to pee and one to poop, they're next to each other but problems more or less resolved.

we're certain it was the male kitten who would toilet elsewhere.

METAL_MICKEY

Kimberley wrote: »

When I had just the 2 cats they used the one tray ok. If you get kittens then you will have no problem but if you get adult rescue cats they may not like sharing. Many cats are happy to share one tray.

Rescue cats are not an option on two accounts. Firstly, we learnt from our neighbours that the Cats Protection League and other similar groups actually turned them down due to the proximity of the very busy main A road that passes our properties. Secondly, whilst homing rescue cats is nice, the reality is that that you could inherit a cat with some serious behavioural problems due to poor treatment from previous owners. With us both at work not sure we could invest that time in trying to rectify.

I would have to admit that whilst a bit expensive we are sorely tempted to get two British Shorthairs not only because of their stunning looks but due to their relaxed easy going personalities. We loved our previous Blue boy and he was perfectly happy as a house cat.

Fire_Fox

METAL_MICKEY wrote: »

Rescue cats are not an option on two accounts. Firstly, we learnt from our neighbours that the Cats Protection League and other similar groups actually turned them down due to the proximity of the very busy main A road that passes our properties. Secondly, whilst homing rescue cats is nice, the reality is that that you could inherit a cat with some serious behavioural problems due to poor treatment from previous owners. With us both at work not sure we could invest that time in trying to rectify.

I would have to admit that whilst a bit expensive we are sorely tempted to get two British Shorthairs not only because of their stunning looks but due to their relaxed easy going personalities. We loved our previous Blue boy and he was perfectly happy as a house cat.

Many rescues will turn you down for outdoor cats with a busy road close by, but not if you have a covered run or are willing to take indoor only cats (shy, deaf, partially sighted, FIV, three legs). Even if they have a health problem it can be 'inactive' - my last boy had healed pododermatitis (paw condition) and my current girl a healed dislocated pelvis (RTA). Small independent rescues are often far more open minded than the larger well known ones.

Behavioural issues in cats due to maltreatment are rare, IME rescues are amazingly loving and ex-strays are often very 'grateful' to have home comforts and don't even want to go outside! The vast majority of cats and dogs are rehomed through change of circumstances - relationship breakdown, new baby, having to move to a flat, got lost, etc. The key is to adopt kittens that have been born in rescue so you know their history, or cats that have spent time in a foster home so their personalities are well known.

There is likely a British Short Hair rescue or returns via the breed club that you might consider - breed rescues often expect indoor only homes?

Kimberley

METAL_MICKEY wrote: »

I would have to admit that whilst a bit expensive we are sorely tempted to get two British Shorthairs not only because of their stunning looks but due to their relaxed easy going personalities. We loved our previous Blue boy and he was perfectly happy as a house cat.

I have 3 Bengal Cats and they all use the trays together. I have 2 in the house. Sometimes you see all 3 getting into one tray. I don't believe you need one for each cat and a spare to be honest but it's up to you. Certainly if you get them as kittens then they will share a tray. If I only had 2 cats i'd only have one tray. If you do get one tray try to get an extra large enclosed one for large breeds.

Artytarty

I have always had just the one for my two (brother and sister) Never had any problems.

Fridaycat

I have 5 cats and 3 large trays - 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs. All 5 share the trays happily and I've never come across any problems. They aren't indoor-only cats and will "go" when they're outside, but they're all kept in at night when they only have access to the 2 downstairs trays.

Mind you, I do scoop 4 or 5 times a day as the 2 Bengals in particular don't like to do their business in a dirty tray (where dirty = one tiny wee that is almost invisible to the naked eye!). Having said that, though, there will be several doings in the trays first thing in the morning and when I get home after being out all day.

G-WWBB

We have two very large trays for four house cats and have never had any accidents. They do need to be cleaned more frequently and scooped several times a day though.
We did have three trays (two downstairs and one upstairs) but they never once used the one upstairs so our fosters now use it.
I think it's really a case of try and see. Some cats are happy to share, but there are the odd fusspots who want their own and refuse to go if someone else has been.

gettingready

4 cats - 2 trays.

Fred and George - came here as baby kittens together. Teddy joined us when he was 5 and Fred and George were 1. Macius the baby joined later.

They all share with no problem.

I am in a 2 bed flat and have 2 trays in the living room as had nowhere else to put them.

You have no space for 2 trays in a HOUSE?