How Much Cat Litter Does One Cat Need?
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It's a surprisingly common question — and one that can save you money if you get it right. Use too little and the tray becomes unhygienic fast. Use too much and you're wasting litter. Here's a practical guide to getting the amount just right.
How Deep Should the Litter Be?
For clumping litter, aim for 5 to 7 centimetres of depth in the tray. This gives your cat enough litter to dig and cover waste, and allows clumps to form fully without touching the bottom of the tray. If clumps are sticking to the base, you need a bit more litter.
For non-clumping litter, 3 to 5 cm is usually sufficient, but you'll need to change it more frequently.
How Long Does a 10L Bag Last?
A 10L bag of clumping litter typically lasts one cat around 3 to 4 weeks with daily scooping and a full tray change every 3–4 weeks. Here's a rough guide:
- 1 cat: 1 bag per month
- 2 cats: 2 bags per month
- 3+ cats: 3 or more bags per month
These are estimates — actual usage depends on your cat's size, how often they use the tray, and how diligently you scoop.
How Many Litter Trays Do You Need?
The general rule is one tray per cat, plus one extra. So for two cats, you'd ideally have three trays. This reduces competition between cats and keeps each tray cleaner for longer. Cats are clean animals — if a tray is too dirty, they may start going elsewhere.
Tips to Make Your Litter Go Further
- Scoop daily. Removing clumps promptly means the remaining litter stays cleaner and lasts longer.
- Don't overfill. More litter doesn't mean better performance — 5–7 cm is the sweet spot.
- Top up rather than replace. With clumping litter, you only need to do a full change every few weeks. Just top up as needed between scoops.
- Use a litter mat. Reduces tracking and means less litter ends up on the floor (and in the bin).
Which Cool Kitty Litter Should You Choose?
All our litters come in 10L bags — a practical size for most NZ households. Whether you have one cat or several, we've got you covered:
- Activated Charcoal Clumping Cat Litter 10L — strong clumping, natural odour control, our most popular choice.
- Lavender Scented Clumping Cat Litter 10L — clumping performance with a fresh, light scent.
- Dust-Free Mineral Clumping Cat Litter — low-dust formula, great for sensitive cats and clean homes.
Stock up and save — free delivery available across New Zealand.