$0difference over 3 years
| Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|
| Per month | – | – |
| Over the period | – | – |
| Hours of work over the period | – | – |
How this calculator works
Total cost is the price of the box plus litter and supplies for every month of the period. Hours are the minutes you enter, added up over the period. Nothing else is assumed.
Litter box basics
The number of boxes follows the rule of thumb used by AAFP, ISFM and Cornell: one box per cat, plus one extra. Place them in separate locations. Litter depth follows Cornell's guidance of about 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm). AAFP and ISFM advise removing waste at least once a day. They advise washing the box every 1–4 weeks with soap and hot water. Cats have individual preferences, so adjust to what your cat uses.
- Feline House-Soiling: Useful Information for Cat Owners – American Association of Feline Practitioners and International Society of Feline Medicine
- Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling – Cornell Feline Health Center
- 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines – American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners, via PubMed Central
Questions
How many litter boxes do I need?
One litter box per cat, plus one extra, placed in separate locations.
What counts as supplies for an automatic box?
Liners or waste bags, carbon filters and any subscription the maker charges. Add them up per month.