Litter box management is critical in multi-cat households - inadequate provision is a leading cause of house soiling and feline stress.
Inadequate litter box provision is one of the most common and preventable causes of feline stress and house soiling. Cats that avoid using boxes are telling owners something is wrong - with the box, with social conflict around it, or with their urinary health. Punishment for house soiling is both ineffective and welfare-harmful, increasing the anxiety that may be contributing to the problem. Each cat in a multi-cat household needs to feel they have reliable, accessible, and private elimination options. Litter box problems are welfare problems even when they manifest primarily as human convenience issues.