If there’s one thing that cat litter boxes do well is eventually get stinky. Or they get in the way.
If you have a change of heart in having your cat’s litter box so close to your bed or in the living room, don’t fret.
Here are some tips to move the cat litter box, and avoid the disaster of feline toilet mistakes all over again!
Thousands of us foolhardy cat lovers have gone before you, and made the hard decision of moving their feline friends’ poop box out of the way, or to a room where it’s less conspicuous and less exposed to human foot traffic!
If you are planning to move the cats litter box well then read on.
How to Move Cat Litter Box to Another Room.
Preparation is Key!
To most people who don’t own cats, changing the location of your pet’s litter box should be a non-issue.
Your cat has an eye and a nose, after all, so it won’t be too hard for it to find it’s litter box no matter where in the house you put it.
However, changing litter box locations involve so much more than mere location.
For one, you need to agree with the rest of your family members about the most ideal location for kitty’s litter box.
And you need to reach a solid, mutual consensus to avoid multiple moves so you don’t leave poor kitty dazed, confused and possibly constipated.
1; Move the litter box to a low traffic area of the house.
The new location must be someplace that is out of human foot traffic, one that can be kept clean with ease, and one that is easily accessible to your feline friend.
Cats can be very particular about certain places around the house so make sure that you put the litter box in a place that she or he feels comfortable moving around in.
Get all the essential ready before the move!
You will need your old litter box, a litter mat, a new or temporary litter box, and a scoop.
Moving the cat litter box.
Transfer some of the litter from your old box to the new one and place the new box in your desired second location. Keeping the scents that kitty is familiar with can help make the transition easier.
Keep the old litter box in its place to give your kitty the option to use the old and new one.
Move the litter box slowly.
Giving your cat two litter boxes during this time is the ideal way to take things slow.
Cats are creatures of habit. Many cats dislike the idea of going to a new place so they may do their business in some other place if they don’t like the new location.
Forcing it to do it’s business in a strange new place right away can also cause anxiety which could lead to accidents.
So;
Keeping the old box in place gives your cat a sense of stability while letting him or her know that the other litterbox is also open for business.
Don’t get discouraged if your cat sees the second box and still does his business on the older one. It may take a few days for your cat to adjust but take it in stride.
Moving the cat litter box without a second litter box.
But what if you don’t want to work with two boxes?
If you don’t want to use a temporary box, simply move your cat’s box towards the new location.
Move the litter box a little at a time.
Try moving it feet a day to make the move comfortable for your feline friend. The operative words are slow and gradual, and while this method may take some time, it’s your only option if you want to make this change comfortable for your cat.
Special Pointers to moving your cat litter box.
You may need to customize the move depending on your cat’s needs.
For example, some cats can’t go in places that are noisy, such as the laundry room or the kitchen where the dishwasher can make a lot of noise.
If your cat hates noise, look for a location that is exposed to low levels of noise, like next to the broom closet or the bathroom.
If you don’t have enough space, a hooded cat box may be enough to give your cat the sound-proofing and privacy he or she needs.
If you have an indoor cat, never move its litter box outdoors.
Indoor cats consider the home as their safe place and moving their litter outdoors exposes them to other animals and strange sounds and smells. All of these can lead to anxiety.
However, if your cat is used to going outdoors, you can try putting one box outdoors while still keeping the old box inside.
Just make sure to put the outdoor litter box in a secure location where your cat won’t be exposed to dogs, squirrels, raccoons, and other things that can make going hard to do.
Cat litter accidents: Your Cat is Trying to Tell You Something!
Your cat has started using the box in its new location but suddenly you’re getting these accidents all over the house.
This could be your cat’s way of telling you that he or she doesn’t like the new place.
Urine or cat poop outside of the litter could be his way of telling you that he prefers his litter box where it used to be.
To solve this you may need to clean his litter box and find a new place for it.
Moving your cat’s litterbox may take more than one or two tries. Try moving it back to the original location and gradually move it to another place.
Avoid scolding the cat during the moving process.
It is important to avoid scolding your cat during this time. The added anxiety will not make the transition any easier and may even lead to more accidents.
Clean the soiled area thoroughly to remove all traces of the scent. This will discourage your cat from eliminating in the spot again as you gently coax him into doing his business in the new location.
Remember move the location of the litter box gradually.
Give your cat a few days to get used to the fact that you are doing this move.
Be patient and make sure that your chosen corner is the best place for your feline friend.
With the right location and lots of patience, you can successfully move the litterbox to its new location while keeping your cat happy.