I have four cats and currently four boxes, but I noticed one cat started defecating outside the box in the closet when I was out. I am thinking of getting two extra boxes just in case, but is there a rule of thumb for how many boxes I actually need for a group of four?
The general advice I remember is one box per cat plus one extra, so five total for your household. However, with medical conditions involved, it might be less about the count and more about the location. Is the cat having accidents near the boxes or far away?
It is in the closet, which is right next to one of the boxes. I am not sure which cat did it yet, but I suspect it might be Jasper since his thyroid meds can mess with his digestion.
If it is Jasper, you should check if his hyperthyroidism is well controlled, as unmanaged symptoms can cause GI distress. I found in Nala's arthritis thread that mobility issues can also cause a cat to miss the box if they cannot jump in quickly enough. Do you have low entry boxes?
I worry about the smell if they start going in the closet. I used the enzymatic cleaners on my carpet last month and it helped, but I am not sure if it will work on wood floors. Adding two boxes sounds like a lot of cleaning.
Gently, I would not rush to buy more boxes. Sometimes cats mark or avoid areas due to stress. My Mittens is blind, and we learned in Simba's deafness that sensory issues make them very particular. Is there a new cat or a change in routine?
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