Does your cat need more litter trays?

Q: I have three cats and they have one litter tray between them, but my vet has said that I should have more trays. Why is this?

A: When cats defecate outdoors, they normally urinate and excrete in separate locations. I usually recommend one tray per cat, plus one extra. Not providing enough trays can lead to house-soiling problems. However, some cats are happy to share litter facilities. You need to provide whatever suits your cats best and consider your circumstances, such as whether the cats also have the opportunity to 'go' outdoors.

Inga MacKellar, animal behaviourist