Moving the Litter Box

[PatsGirl]

Well, our new kitty is big enough (he's 18 weeks old) to get up and down stairs easily now and I'd like to move the litter box out of my 1st floor bath and into the basement. Can I just up and move it? Or will we have an issue?

 

[AlleyKat]

Well, our new kitty is big enough (he's 18 weeks old) to get up and down stairs easily now and I'd like to move the litter box out of my 1st floor bath and into the basement. Can I just up and move it? Or will we have an issue?

I'd leave it by the cellar door for a week, then move it downstairs.

Make sure to leave the cellar door open a crack so he'll get use to exploring down there.
When you do finally move it to the basement, bring him down there and gently put him in it.

He should be okay with the process!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't think it will be an issue.

Whenever I move boxes, I will put the kitty in the box in the new spot so they know where it is.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thank you. I think we'll try moving it today when he gets home from his visitation (He goes with DD when she visits Dad e/o weekend and has not had a problem with using the litter box there).

 

[Kath2003]

We never had any problem with ours. We moved house with the older one when he was about 7 months and just showed him where it was once and he always knew. The younger kitten we kept in the office for the first week we had him (we got him at 10 weeks); from 11 weeks he had the run of the house and always used the same litter tray as the older one (we originally had two litter trays as cats aren't supposed to enjoy sharing but these two never use the second one ).

I've never had a cat who didn't 'get' the litter box, wherever it was, as long as you plonk them in it once to point it out to them!

 

[jx3smom]

Once you show him where it is he should be fine. Just make sure you clean the area where it was so there is no odor to confuse him.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I'm going to go against popular belief and say not to move it. Most of the time, as others have pointed out, they do just fine. But some cats won't do fine, and that's when they start peeing all over the house. This can be a major headache to break them of once it's happened. Sorry, I've just seen too many cats given up b/c of this very issue.

The behavior experts recommend the following:
One box per cat, plus one extra
No hoods
No perfumed or scented litters
Keep boxes in an EASILY ACCESSIBLE, quiet area - this rules out downstairs in the basement next to the furnace/washing machine/dryer
Spread multiple boxes throughout the house, not all lined up next to each other. Have at least one box on every level the cat has access to.
Scoop boxes at least once a day - once a week is not good enough - would you go in a used toilet? Your cat doesn't want to either.
Change out all the litter once a month
Replace the entire box once a year, as the plastic will absorb odor over time

Most people don't follow half of these, and their cats do "fine," but when the cat suddenly stops using the box, they can't understand why. If you take these steps, you can avoid potential problems in the future.

Also consider this: hopefully your cat will live to a nice old age. If he does, he's likely to develop arthrithis. Those basement stairs will be a major obstacle at that point and he might just go find a more convenient spot on his own.

 

[PatsGirl]

Ummm...food for thought. I really think I need to move the box because he stinks when he first goes. We do clean it every night, thoroughly weekly and empty it monthly but I'd much rather not look at it every day either

I proposed the basement (at the bottom of the stairs) because it is private , easy to get to and there really isn't any noise. On the other hand, we've already had two "accidents" this past month and this concerns me as well and I certainly don't want to increase the chances. Then again, should I live with a smelly litter box for the next 15 years because of a "may be a problem"???

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Well, if there have already been two accidents, I don't think it's a matter of "may be a problem." There already IS a problem. Be sure to clean the areas with an ENZYMATIC cleaner; that is the only thing that will actually break the urine down and not just cover it up. If he can smell it, he will think it is an appropriate place to go.

As far him "stinking" when he goes - yes, stool has a smell, but it shouldn't be "smelly" as in wafting through the house when he goes. Check with your vet as this is usually a case of a diet that doesn't agree with him. I know cat food is expensive, but the cheap stuff is made with cheap ingredients that they are not able to properly utilize, thus the abnormally smelly stool. Even higher quality food can give them trouble if they are sensitive to the ingredients. A better food should definitely help with the smell factor.

And if you are talking about the urine smelling, then it is time to get him neuterd. Neutered cats' urine does NOT have that strong smell.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have read if cat owners have a problem when moving the litter box, what they should do is move the box just a little each day from point A to point B.
It would be harder on different floors. But maybe in between the transition have two boxes. And just slide one a little closer to the other each day.
I also wonder if leaving an enticing scent, such as catnip, not far from the new location would help.
Love cats. But with having a one story house (no basement) no more cats.

 

[Cinderella94]

Whenever we've moved ours, we just show them where we put it and there's no problem.

 

[Imzadi]

I also wonder if leaving an enticing scent, such as catnip, not far from the new location would help.

No. Cats do not go to the bathroom where they eat or sleep. Putting something they'd like to eat would confuse them.

Move the box downstairs and create a temporary one to put in the place of the first box. Stop cleaning the one in the old spot. It may help him to want to use the new one as the old one gets too stinky.

You can make a temporary box out of a cardboard box covered with a kitchen trash bag.