I had my cat's litter boxes near the porch for 6 months and recently (two days ago) I moved them into the bathroom. The cats know where the boxes are, they have used them in their new location, but occassionally they insist on 'going' (#1 and #2) where the boxes used to be!! I caught both of them in the act and tried to stop them. I keep taking them both to the litter box location and reminding them. What else can i do???
2006-08-29 12:54:16 · 23 answers · asked by missinformed 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
cats are creatures of habit. You may need to move the litter boxes back. Move them a little bit at a time to get them adjusted to the change. If it is slow it will be more likely to be successful. It will take a week or two but this should work better than a sudden change. GL
2006-08-29 13:06:24 · answer #1 · answered by TotallylovesTodd! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello!~
I have 3 cats. 2 adoted from camping and one kitten we found in the yard.
I have moved their litter boxes a few times. If you are having trouble move it slowly and be sure to entirely disinfect where they have been going. Change the scent by cleaning well.
I am actually toilet training my cats right now. They no longer use a litter box. I moved it gradually. Now they just jump on the toilet and stand on the toilet rim and go into the stool. I have a bowl that sits inside (handles under the rim to hold in place) and have a small amount of litter in it. "We"are weaning off of the litter entirely and before long they will just do their "business" right into the water.
Remember to praise them highly when they make the right choice. If they go to the old spot, tell them no-no. No swatting. They need to be STRESS FREE when you are changing what is familiar with them. But when you move them to the new place where the litter box is, praise them. My cats would NOT go if there was a flap on the lid of the litter box. They refused!
Anyway, good luck!
And I have moved their food and water on several occasions and have had no problems...
Good Luck and have patience~
2006-08-29 13:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move the litter box to the new location in steps (over the course of several days). Move it a few feet at a time with the goal of eventually getting it where you want it. They'll eventually forget about the old place by the porch since it won't be such a dramatic move for them by the time you get it where you want it. Or, just keep it in the original spot like other people have said.
2006-08-29 13:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Veronica 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show them the new space, put their "little presents" in the litter box, and use a powerful cleaner to clean the area where the box used to be. Just because you can't smell anything doesn't mean they can't, and if they still smell ***** they'll continue going there, so be sure to get the whole area surrounding too. If it still continues try misting them with a spray bottle (w/ water only) in the face when they're in the act and them put them into the litter box so they can finish doing they're thing. Sooner or later they'll get the pic or end up soaked!!!
2006-08-29 13:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by dreemcache 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep a litterbox where it used to be and one in the bathroom too.. Cats can be very stubborn about this.
I am glad you know to have two boxes and the litterbox rule is: #of cats +1. So try a new box in the old place.
2006-08-29 13:08:17 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move the litter box back. Ya know cats are very independent and they will get back at you. The older they get the more territorial they are and more finiky (?Miss spelled) Do not change food all at once. Start putting portions of the age catagory food in gradually. Never move their food or water. They are not like dogs.
2006-08-29 13:06:37 · answer #6 · answered by rawcajun@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing really. Just everytime they use the bathroom in the old spot, while they are doing it---move them to the new litter box. Just keep doing that, and eventully they will finally get it. Untill then---Get some heavy duty cleaner, and a scrub brush!
2006-08-29 13:00:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how lond the litter box has been there. If you had it there for a long time, they just got used to doing their bussiness there and will probably not do it anywhere else. I would advise putting it back because once it is put somewhere, they get used to it. Good Luck!
2006-08-29 13:13:23 · answer #8 · answered by Ellen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sprinkle a whole box of baking soda where the box used to be. The reason they go there is they can smell it. Cats really can't see that well they rely more on smell and their whiskers. The baking soda takes up the smell and then you vacume it up the next day
2006-08-29 13:34:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put it back. My old cat, if I moved his littler box to clean under it or wash the rug, he would refuse to use it and go on the floor. The cat that I have now, I van move to ANYWHERE, as long as I show him where it is, he doesn't care. Maybe some cats are just more finicky or territorial.
2006-08-29 18:48:21 · answer #10 · answered by BONNI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋