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How many litter boxes for three cats in a small apartment space?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 14 years and 9 months old | 15 lbs

How many litter boxes should you have in a home with multiple cats? I'm moving into a small apartment with limited space, and I've got three cats. All mature spayed females. Do we have to have three different litter boxes or would one or two do it?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 27th, 2018

Behaviorists recommend as many litter boxes as you have cats plus one. However I have 5 cats and three litter boxes and that works as well. I suggest you go to a big department store and get two plastic storage boxes (the see-through ones), (approx 12 inches high). Use clumping litter and preferably clean out the poop and the clumps every day. If this is not enough, add a third box. I suppose it is trial and error at the end of the day.
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