How to Change The Location of a Cat Litter Box

Can I move my cat’s litter box? It is an often-asked question among pet owners, and the simple answer is yes – but take some time to think about it first. Just like humans, cats have preferences about where they would like to do their business, and if you put their litter box in an inconvenient location or move it too quickly, you might find that your kitty chooses other undesirable places to go. Here are some things to consider before, during, and after you move a cat’s litter box to a new location.

Before: Litter Box Location Ideas

Before you move your cat’s litter box, brainstorm the pros and cons of different locations. Try to think in the mind of your kitty, and avoid playing “musical litter boxes” with your cat by changing the location too often. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Accessibility/Convenience – Where will they want to go? If you move the litter box upstairs to the basement, it might be hard for older cats, cats with health problems, or kittens that have just eaten and are looking for a nearby litter box.
• Cat Conflicts – If you have multiple cats, are there any conflicts or dominance dynamics that might affect where a cat will go? One of your cats might be an alpha cat, and your other cat might be a bit afraid of them and have difficulty getting over the fear of using a certain litter box.
• Noisy Appliances – Proximity to noisy appliances like furnaces, washing machines, or dishwashers might also be problematic, because the noise of them turning on suddenly might frighten a cat.

Remember that the general rule for litter boxes is that if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes. Some cats prefer at least two litter boxes: one for poo and one for pee.

During: Move a Cat Litter Box to Another Room

The best strategy for moving a cat litter box is to take things slow. One approach is to put a new litter box in the new location, but keep the old one at first. Gradually move the old one towards the location of the new one until the cat is comfortable in that area, and then remove the old litter box. If you don’t want to introduce an extra litter box, just gradually move the original to the new location, but go at a pace that is comfortable for your cat.

After: Keeping the Litter Box Clean

One consideration when you move a litter box is whether it is will be convenient for you, because one of the biggest litter box mistakes pet owners make is neglecting to clean litter boxes, which can be very off-putting for a cat. Ideally, you should scoop the litter twice a day, and remember that the box itself can become smelly and offensive to cats, particularly plastic boxes, so try to replace these boxes once a year.

When changing litter box locations, the key strategies are to find a location that is convenient for your cat, take the move slowly, and then remember to keep the box clean so your cat will continue to use it.

Litterboxes that readers love:

• NVR Miss Litterbox
• Litter-Robot Open Air Automatic Litter box
• IRIS Open Top Cat Litter Box Kit with Shield
• Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box

Floppycats Favorite Litter Scoop:

What suggestions do you have for how to change the location of a cat litter box?