How To Move A Cat's Litter Box

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If you're thinking about moving your cat'south litter box, it's of import to take the right steps to ensure they don't get confused or upset. Cats are typically very particular about their litter box situation and they're also not fond of change. And then if they become to utilize the litter box one solar day and information technology's non there, it can stress them, which can atomic number 82 to them eliminating somewhere else in the house.

Here are some tips to brand moving your cat'southward litter box successful.

HOW TO Motion A CAT'Due south LITTER BOX

To successfully move a cat's litter box, you must move it slowly until it reaches the new location. You can also use a 2d litter box and place information technology in the new location, expect for your cat to discover and utilise information technology, then slowly decrease access to the old litter box.

If yous move a cat's litter box too speedily, it can confuse and/or stress them, which can lead to litter box aversion. This is a more than difficult behaviour to correct and so information technology'southward better to exist preventative.

The following are detailed steps to take for each option.

OPTION #1 – Add A NEW LITTER BOX TO THE NEW LOCATION

Every cat should take more than than i litter box (here's why). It helps ensure they have a clean litter box to use and gives them more options, both of which aid prevent litter box aversion.

There are some circumstances in which it may be okay to only have 1 litter box for one true cat (you can read about that here), but in most cases, you should have a litter box for each cat, plus 1 extra.

If you buy a new litter box, take the following steps to get your cat using the litter box in the new location:

STEP i: PLACE THE NEW LITTER BOX IN NEW LOCATION

Determine the best spot for your cat to place the new litter box. Placing a litter box in a spot that's convenient for you lot only undesirable to your cat volition lead to bigger problems than just an unsightly or evil-smelling litter box.

If your cat doesn't like the location of their litter box, they may refuse to use it and commencement eliminating in other places around the house.

Alternatively, you may consider swapping the new litter box into the existing location and moving their old litter box to the new location. This may help speed up the process of them using the litter box in the new location, equally an element of it will be familiar.

Utilize these tips to get a cat to use a new litter box.

STEP 2: Make THE LITTER DESIRABLE

Be certain to utilise the same litter you've been filling their old litter box with; too many changes at once can stress out your cat.

You lot may even consider adding a few scoops of litter from their existing litter box to the new litter box. You desire the new litter box to be make clean, but a picayune litter from their old box tin can add some of their scent to the new box to help attract them to information technology.

If you do want to change litters, it's of import to do so after you've moved the litter box and your true cat has adjusted to it.

Alternatively, y'all could place the second litter box side by side to the existing litter box, get them used to the new litter first (here's how) and so follow the steps in Option #2 to move the new litter box with the new litter to a new location.

Footstep 3: Assistance YOUR CAT Discover THE NEW LITTER BOX & LOCATION

If you've placed the new litter box in an platonic location, it will be someplace your cat volition discover on their own. Nevertheless, you can still help speed up the process past bringing your cat to the new location and setting them down shut to it.

Be sure to keep things positive while you're doing this. If you're upset because they haven't been using the litter box and are hoping they'll apply it in the new location, don't grab them and drop them in the new litter box; this won't help them make a positive connection with the new litter box/location.

If they have a negative experience with their new litter box/location, they'll constantly associate that negative experience with information technology and won't go near it (like how a toddler associates an unabridged stove as bad if they burned their hand on an chemical element).

Cats typically have a desire to add their scent to a fresh litter box, so they may use the new litter box correct away. If they don't, don't force them in at that place. Let them use it at their own will and check it twice a day to see if they've started to use information technology.

If yous discover them using the new litter box, wait until they're done so use positive reinforcement. You may talk to them in an excited, loving tone or give them a few congratulatory pets.

Stride iv: PHASE OUT THE Old LITTER BOX LOCATION

Once your cat has started using the litter box in the new location regularly, you can begin phasing out the sometime location.

As mentioned, it is a proficient idea to have multiple litter boxes, and so if possible, motion the old litter box to its new location, following the steps under Pick #ii.

Should you put the old litter box in the same location equally the new litter box? It may piece of work depending on your cat and litter box situation, but you should never identify it correct next to the other litter box, here's why and what to do instead.

If you're planning to get rid of that litter box completely, attempt to phase it out as opposed to taking it away suddenly.

Although your cat is using the new litter box in the new location, it's likely they're still occasionally using the litter box in the old location. So to remove it all of a sudden tin still cause defoliation and stress.

If possible, close the door to the room the former litter box is in for periods of time. Slowly extend those periods of time until your cat doesn't even bother going to the erstwhile location to use the litter box.

Choice #ii – MOVE AN EXISTING LITTER BOX

If yous autumn into the situation in which you don't feel yous need a second litter box, then you must motility the existing litter box to a new location. This can be done without litter box accidents by taking the post-obit steps.

Step 1: Choose A GOOD LOCATION

If you're going to move a cat's litter box, information technology's of import to get the location right from the start. If you take the time to move their litter box to a new spot, then find they don't similar that spot, you lot must commencement over. Too much disruption can lead to accidents happening exterior the litter box.

Step ii: Offset THE JOURNEY

Depending on how far the new litter box location is from the old location, it may accept days, even weeks, for the litter box to arrive at its concluding destination.

What'southward almost important is that your true cat e'er knows where their litter box is.

You may be able to go abroad with moving the litter box several feet at a time if your cat is likely to detect it on their way to its familiar location. But if you're moving it to a location that'south less familiar to your cat, is on a different level, effectually corners, etc. you lot may need to move it slower and by inches.

You too don't desire to move the litter box likewise slowly when it will be sitting in a spot your cat won't appreciate. If yous're moving information technology up or downwards a flight of stairs, you obviously don't want to leave the litter box sitting on the stairs. Motility it several feet to a landing that'southward safe for your cat to be on.

STEP 3: CREATE A ROUTINE

Each day, later moving the litter box, option up your cat and bring them to the new location. Be certain to use positive reinforcement during this step; talk to your cat in a loving tone, give them pets as you evidence them their litter box, and gently fix them down adjacent to the litter box and permit them decide if they want to use it or non.

TIPS FOR MOVING A Cat'Southward LITTER BOX

Here are a few tips to keep in listen when moving your cat's litter box to help ensure information technology'south successful.

SLOWLY & STEADY

Cats aren't fond of change and so any modify should exist made slowly, but especially changes fabricated to their litter box because the stakes are college. If you lot motion the litter box too chop-chop, it may cause your cat stress, even if they're still able to find the litter box.

That stress tin lead them to peeing exterior the litter box, or pooping outside the litter box. Not only is that unsanitary, it'due south besides more hard to right.

Prevent litter box aversion by moving your cat's litter box to its new location slow and steady.

Keep Information technology SIMPLE

It'due south important not to make whatsoever other major changes while relocating the litter box (if possible). For example, don't modify the litter box, type of litter, and litter box location all at once (adding a new litter box while they're able to use their onetime one is okay but swapping in a new one and moving information technology may cause stress).

It may be that you're renovating your home and additional changes are inevitable. If that's the example, exercise your best to brand your cat experience as comfortable as possible and ease their stress. Lots of attention, cuddles, and playtime can help them adjust.

CHOOSE A Skillful LOCATION

You may be thinking most moving your cat's litter box considering you don't like its current location. If that's the case, brand sure you're choosing a new location that's suitable for you cat. Placing the litter box in an area of the house no one goes to, including your true cat, or out to the garage so yous don't accept to expect at or smell the litter box, could pb to bigger issues that simply an dirty litter box.

Yep, your cat is an animal but they still desire the same bones necessities you do. Having a clean litter box in a comfortable location is ane of those bones necessities. Y'all wouldn't want to get down to a dark, common cold basement to go to the washroom; neither does your cat.

Utilise POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Cats don't larn through punishment, so if your cat has a few accidents while you're in the process of moving the litter box or keeps using the onetime location, don't try to punish them. Instead, requite the positive attention when they're near or using the litter box in the new location.

Giving them positive attention fifty-fifty outside of when they're litter box can also help improve the situation equally it will lower their stress levels.

LOWER THEIR STRESS

Nosotros can't know for sure what's going on in our cat's heads, but nosotros exercise know they're a living creature who loves to exist loved. If moving the litter box a few feet is stressing your true cat, do everything you can to lower their stress in other areas of their life.

The all-time fashion to lower their stress is to give them lots of attending. Take fourth dimension to talk to them in a loving tone, take full-attention cuddle sessions (not just while watching TV or scrolling your phone), give them lots of playtime, and try to create a low-stress household in general.

MOVING LITTER BOX OUT OF SAFE ROOM

A safe room is a room dedicated to a new cat or kitten. It allows them to go accustomed to their new home, without being overwhelmed by all the infinite and places to explore. In a safe room, your true cat or kitten will take all their necessities (food, water, litter box, toys, scratching post, bed, etc.).

When your new true cat is set up to start exploring the rest of the business firm, you may be wondering if you should keep the litter box in the rubber room, where they're used to finding it, or motility it someplace more convenient.

The answer is both; exit the litter box in the room and identify another litter box in the spot you'd similar to permanently house the litter box. A cat should have ii litter boxes (here'southward why), so the extra litter box won't get to waste product.

One time yous notice your cat has started using the 2nd litter box, yous can slowly movement the safe room litter box to its new location, using the steps above. For suggestions on where to identify that second litter box, check out this article.

Practise CATS GET CONFUSED WHEN You MOVE THEIR LITTER BOX?

Cats can definitely go confused when you move their litter box, particularly if your cat is a senior with cognitive disfunction. If you lot accept an older cat who seems to be losing some of their memory, information technology's best to keep their litter box in the aforementioned location, if possible.

If you lot must move it, you should use option #i to add together a second litter box and give them lots of time to adjust to it. It may fifty-fifty assist to brand their living space smaller so at that place are fewer rooms and levels for them to wander through and get confused.

If your cat'due south retentiveness is expert and they e'er use the litter box, it'southward less probable they'll get confused when you move their litter box if you bear witness them the new spot. However, you don't want to chance it and have them cease using the litter box, so it'southward best to follow the steps outlined in this article.

DO CATS Become MAD WHEN You MOVE THEIR LITTER BOX?

A cat may get mad when you move their litter box if you've moved it to a location that is less desirable to them. Although you may prefer the litter box beingness out of sight, out of listen, your cat won't.

They don't want to go to a dark, cold, clammy area of the house to use the litter box multiple times a day. If your cat doesn't appreciate the litter box's new location, they may start using a more comfortable location in the firm that doesn't take a box.

HOW DO CATS Notice THEIR LITTER BOX?

Cats have instincts to bury their waste matter. Their ancestors buried their waste product in the wild to hide their smell from predators.

When housecats are exterior, they'll await for a garden, sandbox, or other area that has material they tin dig in.

When cats are inside the house, they do the same affair; look for loose material that allows them to dig and cover their waste. A litter box filled with clean litter has the perfect consistency that allows them to exercise that, which is why they quickly learn to eliminate in a litter box.

Keep these points in mind to avoid litter box disfavor. You cat wants something that's easy to dig in. A litter box filled with their waste matter is difficult to navigate. They also don't desire their odor being picked upward by predators. So if their litter box starts to have a stiff aroma, they won't want to go on adding to information technology.

I hope this article has helped you lot determine what to do when moving a true cat's litter box 🙂

Source: https://www.whiskerfullife.com/moving-a-cats-litter-box/

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