The expert recommendation is one box per cat, plus one. So 3 cats should have 4 boxes, by the rulebook, and especially if any are prone to litterbox issues such as someone’s not using them.
Now, people have to do what works for their home, too. I have 3 cats and 2 very large litterboxes… There are no usage issues. If there were, I’d figure out a way to add more. So, do what works for your home, but I really think you should have 2. The pair of cats who are used to each other are probably fine sharing one, as it sounds like they have for some time. The new cat should warrant another box, just to make sure the other 2 are comfortable with the extra waste.
After hearing about how you were caring for the boxes, I can see how it’s been an issue for you! Yes, daily scooping is really no big deal, I have it as just part of the evening routine. (Pick up the cats’ bowls, put in the sink to soak, scoop the boxes, then wash bowls - hands only washed once that way - then feed the fuzzies) One of the keys is having the litter deep enough and adding more every few days to compensate for what you’re scooping out. If the litter is a good 3-4 inches deep, then the “urine plugs” as I call them, stay on top and are easier to remove - there’s no scraping the bottom.
I have piles of dirty laundry. The cat boxes are clean. Can you tell which chore I would negotiate for?
Sounds like you’re rationalizing yourself into becoming a doormat.
If she’s burned out on cleaning out the litter box, then she doesn’t need any damn cats. I predict a lot of future resentment if you don’t put your foot down on this, pronto.
Notably, when you roll it over, you should give it a couple of little taps on the underside to knock some of the clumps off the grill and into the tray.
Also, cat litter duty is suddenly much better than laundry.
Glad it’s working well for you. If you need another satisfied Roll n Clean customer for your infomercial, I’d be willing to do it.
I’ve found that, when you roll it back, you have to roll it a little further than vertical to keep the litter from being all in one end (which puts it off balance).
I have a lot of pets, and I just moved into my own house, so there is no other adult to share animal-keeping duties with. It can be done by one person (namely, your spouse) if necessary. My method:
Dogs are in crates while I’m at work. I walk them before I leave each morning, and put them out about 20 times every evening. They get fed twice a day, morning and evening. They get plenty of people-time as my schedule varies a lot, but even if your wife is gone long hours, you could get away with crating them for a good portion of the day.
My cats mostly stay in the garage or outside–they seem to prefer it right now. I keep a small trashcan beside each litterbox (I have 2) and scoop every day or so, then take the trash out when I get to it. Quicker that way. Like the dogs, they eat twice a day, generally.
Once a week, I clean the garage–animals tend to knock things over, get everything hairy, etc. I put the door up, mop the floor, hose it all out.
It’s only been a couple of months, but so far, so good. BTW, I have 3 dogs, 5 cats. Or is it 6? I’m not a crazy cat lady yet, but I certainly plan to be one someday.
One 6 1/2 oz of cat food results in 12 oz of cat shit. It is just the way it is. I use the plastic bags the newspaper comes in. I scoop it ,knot the bag and toss it in the garbage.