To think this isn't animal abuse?

[WeirdlyKind]

I have two cats. They're a mother-daughter pair and are very closely bonded. Due to a lack of space upstairs (litter tray has to be upstairs due to the dog eating cat poo!) they share a litter tray. (I say litter tray- it's actually a huge underbed storage box)

They're absolutely not bothered at all - I've seen them both in there at the same time quite happily and there's never been any arguments over it.

A workman visited recently and made me out to be an animal abuser because of it - I need three litter trays apparently.

Wibu?

The general rule of thumb is one per cat plus one extra but if yours are happy using one then that's fine. I had about 5 or 6 trays for one cat and he still went on the floor right next to them so that theory didn't work for us.

Forgot to say it's cleaned several times a day so it's never wet or full of poo.

I've got 2 sisters and they have 2 litter trays in one room ( they sleep in the summer house). Both cats wee in one tray and poo in the other , so I wouldn't worry.

If they're happy together and don't soil elsewhere, which is a sign that they're not happy with the arrangements, then it sounds fine.

I'm curious as to what you're using though. Is the box actually under the bed? or is it out somewhere? Does the large box work better in keeping the litter in the box than a smaller tray?

We've got 4 litter trays, including one that's actually in a large cardboard tray and the litter goes everywhere. And then of course all hell breaks loose amongst the cats when you get the vacuum cleaner out to clean it up.....

Definitely NOT animal abuse

We have 1 tray. And 2 unrelated dcats. They go out during the day. And use the tray if need be overnight
Never had any issues.

It’s totally fine!

My two shared a big litter tray for 14 years!

Its only an issue if the cats aren't happy with it, and you would definitely know if that was the case.

You could put 16 in there and they would probably still use the same one.

😂 Yeah that's totally animal abuse. Maybe he should focus on his job, not things that aren't true.

If they weren't happy, you'd know about it. As others said, general rule of thumb is one per cat, but I've known 3 cats use the same one. If they are using it, they aren't distressed or upset. They'd tell you if they were.

If they're happy, which it sounds like they are then it's fine! 4 cats and 2 litter trays here and no problems

We have 2 cats and 1 litter tray although they don't really use it now. We had 2 at one point and they still only used 1.

Definitely not abuse.

Why do men feel entitled to criticise women's animal-care abilities? A man once told me I should strike my dog(!) for licking the pavement.

I have two cats that hate each other and they share a litter tray. There's never been any accidents. We clean it regularly

1 litter tray, 2 house cats, scoop it out least once a day = 2 happy cats x you would know if they were not happy x

We have one for 2 cats; because we got them at separate times (even though they’re siblings) we started off with two separate ones but after a while they both used the same one so I didn’t worry

You should have n (number of cats) plus 1 of litter trays, water stations and feeding stations. While your cats are using the same litter tray they may not be happy about it. A few extra litter trays would stop any toilet based anxiety ramping up.
Cats are incredibly skilled at hiding pain and anxiety. Once we realise anxiety is there it can be very difficult to put right.

If your cats dont like it, they will go on the floor. If they are happy with it then its fine. Ive been told number of cats plus 1. We have 2 cats and 2 trays. I clean them all the time because it smells when its not clean. And it works for them. My cats often go in the same one together 🤦🏻‍♀️

My two unrelated cats share a tray happily. As did my late cat. I did put a spare tray out but it was never touched. And I just don't have space for two. It's a weird mumsnet thing that you need a tray for each and a spare.

@MrsVeryTired

Its only an issue if the cats aren't happy with it, and you would definitely know if that was the case.

This!

We've got 3 cats and 2 litter trays but two of them go out as well, I can't see how it's animal abuse.

It's clean and they're happy cats
Not abuse.

I gave my cats three litter trays (2 cats) and they will only use the one by the back door for some reason so now I only have one litter tray and keep it clean.
Its hardly animal abuse!!!!

@WeirdlyKind

I have two cats. They're a mother-daughter pair and are very closely bonded. Due to a lack of space upstairs (litter tray has to be upstairs due to the dog eating cat poo!) they share a litter tray. (I say litter tray- it's actually a huge underbed storage box)

They're absolutely not bothered at all - I've seen them both in there at the same time quite happily and there's never been any arguments over it.

A workman visited recently and made me out to be an animal abuser because of it - I need three litter trays apparently.

Wibu?

WTAF??! How dare he think it appropriate to comment on the arrangements in your own home? You are fine, your cats are fine, he is an arse!!