One of Jackson Galaxy’s best-known tips is to ensure that there is a least one litter box per cat in a home where there are several cats (multi-cat home). In fact, he says that in multi-cat homes there should be on litter box per cat plus one extra. This allows access to a clean litter tray or a used tray which ‘belongs’ to the cat who uses it routinely.
RELATED: Multi-Cat Household Fighting (is not uncommon)
There is quite a lot of maintenance work needed in multi-cat homes in cleaning several litter trays daily.
If the Litter-Robot is used, one is enough for a multi-cat home as the device cleans the litter leaving fresh litter after each use. The Litter-Robot is a bit like several litter trays in one. It should be more than adequate for a multi-cat home provided one cat does not try and guard the device (resource guarding) which is probably unlikely.
Another possible issue with its use is whether a cat can get used to a litter tray that is visible very different to the conventional manual type. Some cats might be hesitant to use it. But I don’t see a major issue there are cats are pretty good at adapting.
The Litter-Robot gets great reviews but it has a great price tag: £1000 in the UK for the complete bundle. That’s a lot of money for a litter tray albeit one that takes most of the work out of ensuring that your cats have freshly prepared litter for their toilet.
RELATED: The robotic cat litter box that looks like a cement mixer and is adored by users.
The Litter-Robot would seem to be designed for:
- multi-cat homes where
- there are a max. of four cats (recommended by the manufacturer)
- the cats are full-time indoor cats and where
- the cat caregiver has enough disposable income to justify the expense.
It is quite a large device that occupies a bit of space in a home. It is quite noticeable and dominant. I think that should be taken into account. It looks a bit like a cement mixer. It is large to accommodate large cats. A big Maine Coon would probably be entirely satisfied with it.
All you have to do is empty the waste drawer when indicated and add litter as needed. For a household with one cat, that’s about every 7-10 days. For multiple cat households, that’s about once per week 😻.
A minor negative is that it is a semi-covered litter box. There is a roof on it. Referring to Jackson Galaxy again; he says that in general open litter trays are better as some cats might feel unsure about getting into a closed space to go to the toilet as they need the option to flee when in a vulnerable position.
A major benefit is that in multi-cat homes odour is a problem and this device helps to minimise it by cleaning the litter after use. This would seem to be a big plus.
The device can be wirelessly linked to your phone to monitor use. This may help a cat owner to monitor their cats’ health. Toilet usage and the quality of feces are good indicators of health or ill-health.
The Litter-Robot will also tell the owner if it has not been used in a while. Another health monitoring tool.
Resource guarding
RELATED: In a multi-cat home how can you tell if there is bullying?
The only real negative that comes to my mind is as mentioned, resource guarding by a dominant cat in a multi-cat home. I am not sure if this is a real issue but I can see it happening. Here is some more on this aspect of feline behavior.
In multi-cat households, resource guarding can lead to squabbles similar to two toddlers fighting over the last cookie. Cats, like us, have their preferences and need their own stuff. Technically called “resource guarding,” these spats establish ownership over valued things—whether it’s a favorite toy, person, food, or even the litterbox. To minimize stress in your feline family, consider the following steps:
- Litter Boxes: As mentioned, without the Litter-Robot the advice is to provide one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. Cats prefer cleanliness, so scoop the litter boxes regularly and replace the litter. Opt for open-air litter boxes to prevent trapping by other cats. The Litter-Robot would seem to deal with these issues except for the last one about open litter trays.
- Food and Water Bowls: Give each cat its own food and water bowl. Sharing isn’t ideal unless the cats are bonded pairs from a shelter.
- Resting Areas: Ensure that each cat has its own resting area. Cats appreciate having their personal space.
Remember, understanding and addressing resource guarding can help maintain harmony in your multi-cat home! 😺🏠
