The Complete Litter Box Guide: Types, Litter, Cleaning and Placement
Choosing the right litter box and litter, how many boxes you need, where to put them, how often to clean, and how to prevent litter box problems.
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Litter box problems are one of the most common reasons cats are given up to shelters — and most are preventable. A cat's preferences are surprisingly specific. Get the set-up right and your cat will use the box reliably for life.
How many litter boxes?
The widely recommended rule is one box per cat, plus one. So:
- 1 cat → 2 boxes
- 2 cats → 3 boxes
- 3 cats → 4 boxes
Boxes placed side by side count as one "location" to cats — spread them around the home, including one on every floor.
Choosing a box
- Size: about 1.5 times your cat's length from nose to base of tail. Most commercial boxes are too small for adult cats. Large under-bed storage boxes are a popular, cheap alternative.
- Sides: high enough to contain litter, with a low entry for kittens, older or arthritic cats.
- Open vs covered: in studies, many cats show no strong preference, but covered boxes trap odors inside (unpleasant for a cat's sensitive nose) and can make a cat feel cornered by another pet. Start with an open box unless your cat prefers a covered one.
- Top-entry boxes: reduce litter tracking, but aren't suitable for kittens, seniors or arthritic cats.
- Self-cleaning boxes: convenient, but some cats are frightened by the motor — and you lose the chance to notice changes in urine and stool. Introduce carefully.
See our litter box buying guide.
Choosing litter
- Unscented, fine-grained clumping litter is preferred by most cats in preference studies.
- Scented litters and deodorizers appeal to people, not cats.
- Depth: about 5 cm (2 inches) for most cats.
- Change litter types gradually, mixing the new into the old.
Compare clay, silica, wood, paper, corn and wheat litters in the cat litter buying guide.
Where to put the box
- Quiet and private, but not hidden in a dark, hard-to-reach corner
- Away from food and water
- Away from noisy appliances such as washing machines and boilers, which can startle a cat mid-use
- With an escape route — in multi-pet homes, a cat shouldn't feel trapped by another animal
- Easy to reach — no long trek up stairs for an old cat
- Consistent — move boxes gradually if you must, adding a new one before removing the old
Cleaning
- Scoop at least once a day, ideally twice.
- Top up litter as needed to keep the depth consistent.
- Empty completely and wash the box with warm water and mild unscented soap every 1–4 weeks, depending on litter type (clumping litter lasts longer).
- Avoid strong-smelling cleaners, especially ammonia and bleach (ammonia smells like urine; bleach fumes can irritate).
- Replace plastic boxes every year or so — scratches hold odors.
Pregnant? Immunocompromised?
Have someone else clean the litter box if possible, or wear gloves and wash your hands well. Scoop daily — the parasite Toxoplasma takes 1–5 days to become infectious after being passed in feces. See cats, babies and pregnancy.
When your cat stops using the box
- Rule out medical causes first. Urinary problems, constipation, diarrhea, arthritis and kidney disease are common causes. A male cat straining with little urine is an emergency.
- Review the set-up: size, cleanliness, litter type, location, number of boxes.
- Look for stress: new pets, visitors, renovation, conflict between cats. See stress in cats.
- Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner.
For persistent problems, read spraying and peeing outside the box.
