Cats don’t like change, so a gradual approach to a new litter or litter box location is important. Here's what to do.
By Zazie Todd, PhD
This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
It’s not often that geopolitics collides with the everyday lives of our pets, but for many Canadians that’s the case right now. Trump’s tariff tantrums mean that Canadians are looking to buy local products, rather than American ones. That led me to think about how we make changes for cats without upsetting them, such as changes to their litter box arrangements or switching to a locally-made brand of cat litter.
There are many reasons people might want to make changes to their cat's litter or litter box location, from switching to a different brand, getting a new cat, or remodeling their home.
The thing about cats is that they really hate change. They like everything to be predictable, and that means we have to make changes slowly.
The other thing about cats is that they have environmental needs, called the five pillars of a healthy feline environment. So whenever we make changes, we have to consider whether or not we are meeting our cat’s needs.
One of those five pillars is that cats should have multiple and separated key environmental resources. Your cat’s resources are basically all their things—including their litter box.
Below, you’ll find some tips on how to make changes. But first, let’s review what cats need:
Changes to the litter box set-up typically include changing to a different type of litter or moving it to a new location. While these are often for our convenience, whenever we make these changes, we can take it as an opportunity to see if we can improve the provision of the cat’s resources from the point of view of the cat.
With location, it’s important to ensure your cat’s litter boxes are in a quiet location and away from their other resources, like food, water, and pet beds. If you have more than one cat, the standard rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one spare, so 2 cats = 3 litter boxes.
The boxes should be in different locations. A common mistake is to line them up next to each other, which is kind of like turning them into one giant litter box. You want to know that your cat will always have access to a box; other cats in the home shouldn’t be able to block the way.
When you get a cat, it’s important to keep them in one room while they settle in. That’s often the bedroom, and only once they’ve had time to settle in do you give them the opportunity to use other parts of the home. Once the cat is no longer living in that one room, you might want to move the litter box to a new location.
The key is not to pick it up and move it all the way to the new place. Suppose you suddenly moved it from the bedroom to a bathroom down the hall. When your cat got the urge to go, they’d go to the bedroom and the litter box wouldn’t be there, but the place where it had been would probably still smell of it (at least it would smell to your cat, whose nose is very good). They might be tempted to toilet then and there, since they don’t know where the litter box is.
Instead, move the litter box gradually, perhaps even just an inch or two a day. This way your cat will always be able to find the box when they go looking for it in the place where it was yesterday. It might be a bit awkward for the humans in the home who have to step around the box in the hallway, but it’s only a temporary situation. Just be careful to ensure it’s not a tripping hazard.
Changing the type of litter can be upsetting to cats, who may have strong preferences for the particular type of substrate they will toilet on. Remember that something that is soft on their paws and not perfumed is best.
Here again you should take a gradual approach. Start by mixing in just a little bit of the new litter, and once your cat is used to that, add a bit more of the new litter. Keep on doing this and soon you will be at half-and-half, and then before you know it you will have been able to change the whole litter.
It may take a little time, but you will be able to make the switch without upsetting your cat.
Removing a litter liner is something that you can do in one step. Cats generally don’t like liners as they can get their claws stuck in them, so they will just be glad it’s gone.
If your cat is toileting outside the box, make sure you see your veterinarian in case of medical issues.
Unfortunately sometimes people mistakenly think that their cat is being spiteful or mean, and so veterinary attention is delayed or even missed. Needless to say, that’s not good for your kitty.
Of course, you may still need to check on your litter box set-up—and it’s something your veterinarian might ask about—but do make the appointment with your vet.
Whatever changes you are making, remember that cats generally don’t like change. Many people don’t like change either, so hopefully you can empathize with your cat.
The solution is to make sure that the change happens gradually in order to help your cat to accept it. And, of course, to ensure that whatever the change is, it’s something that will be good for your cat’s welfare.
If you’d like to know more about what your cat needs (and how to help them be even happier), check out my book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, which includes a checklist for a happy cat.
Read More...
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Photo: KrakenImages.com/Shutterstock |
By Zazie Todd, PhD
This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
It’s not often that geopolitics collides with the everyday lives of our pets, but for many Canadians that’s the case right now. Trump’s tariff tantrums mean that Canadians are looking to buy local products, rather than American ones. That led me to think about how we make changes for cats without upsetting them, such as changes to their litter box arrangements or switching to a locally-made brand of cat litter.
There are many reasons people might want to make changes to their cat's litter or litter box location, from switching to a different brand, getting a new cat, or remodeling their home.
The thing about cats is that they really hate change. They like everything to be predictable, and that means we have to make changes slowly.
The other thing about cats is that they have environmental needs, called the five pillars of a healthy feline environment. So whenever we make changes, we have to consider whether or not we are meeting our cat’s needs.
One of those five pillars is that cats should have multiple and separated key environmental resources. Your cat’s resources are basically all their things—including their litter box.
What cats need from their litter box
Below, you’ll find some tips on how to make changes. But first, let’s review what cats need:
- Multiple litter boxes (especially if you have more than one cat)
- A quiet location for the litter box where they won’t be disturbed when using it
- Litter boxes well away from other resources such as food and water
- A litter that is soft and comfortable for their paws
- A non-stinky litter because cats have very sensitive noses
- The litter box to be scooped and cleaned regularly (ideally, scooped twice a day)
Changes to the litter box set-up typically include changing to a different type of litter or moving it to a new location. While these are often for our convenience, whenever we make these changes, we can take it as an opportunity to see if we can improve the provision of the cat’s resources from the point of view of the cat.
How to make changes to the litter box location
With location, it’s important to ensure your cat’s litter boxes are in a quiet location and away from their other resources, like food, water, and pet beds. If you have more than one cat, the standard rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one spare, so 2 cats = 3 litter boxes.
The boxes should be in different locations. A common mistake is to line them up next to each other, which is kind of like turning them into one giant litter box. You want to know that your cat will always have access to a box; other cats in the home shouldn’t be able to block the way.
When you get a cat, it’s important to keep them in one room while they settle in. That’s often the bedroom, and only once they’ve had time to settle in do you give them the opportunity to use other parts of the home. Once the cat is no longer living in that one room, you might want to move the litter box to a new location.
The key is not to pick it up and move it all the way to the new place. Suppose you suddenly moved it from the bedroom to a bathroom down the hall. When your cat got the urge to go, they’d go to the bedroom and the litter box wouldn’t be there, but the place where it had been would probably still smell of it (at least it would smell to your cat, whose nose is very good). They might be tempted to toilet then and there, since they don’t know where the litter box is.
Instead, move the litter box gradually, perhaps even just an inch or two a day. This way your cat will always be able to find the box when they go looking for it in the place where it was yesterday. It might be a bit awkward for the humans in the home who have to step around the box in the hallway, but it’s only a temporary situation. Just be careful to ensure it’s not a tripping hazard.
Making changes to your cat’s litter
Changing the type of litter can be upsetting to cats, who may have strong preferences for the particular type of substrate they will toilet on. Remember that something that is soft on their paws and not perfumed is best.
Here again you should take a gradual approach. Start by mixing in just a little bit of the new litter, and once your cat is used to that, add a bit more of the new litter. Keep on doing this and soon you will be at half-and-half, and then before you know it you will have been able to change the whole litter.
It may take a little time, but you will be able to make the switch without upsetting your cat.
Removing litter liners
Removing a litter liner is something that you can do in one step. Cats generally don’t like liners as they can get their claws stuck in them, so they will just be glad it’s gone.
Accidents outside the box
If your cat is toileting outside the box, make sure you see your veterinarian in case of medical issues.
Unfortunately sometimes people mistakenly think that their cat is being spiteful or mean, and so veterinary attention is delayed or even missed. Needless to say, that’s not good for your kitty.
Of course, you may still need to check on your litter box set-up—and it’s something your veterinarian might ask about—but do make the appointment with your vet.
Making changes for cats (and keeping the cat happy)
Whatever changes you are making, remember that cats generally don’t like change. Many people don’t like change either, so hopefully you can empathize with your cat.
The solution is to make sure that the change happens gradually in order to help your cat to accept it. And, of course, to ensure that whatever the change is, it’s something that will be good for your cat’s welfare.
If you’d like to know more about what your cat needs (and how to help them be even happier), check out my book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, which includes a checklist for a happy cat.
Read More...
