I have two male (1 yr.) and female (3yr.) cats and just this weekend I've had to replace their covered litterbox. the new litterbox is another enclosed covered one, but this time it came with a door so that when one of the cats goes in he/she can't be seen through the walk-in area. my question is, if I keep the door on the box, will they still go in and not be afraid of it or anything. the old box didn't have this and so that's why I'm curious about it. right now I took the the door off so they won't be confused or anything. my male kitty sniffed it when it was on there but then he just walked away. I'm just worried that if I keep the door on then one of them won't know to use the litterbox. both kitties are very good at using their box so I don't want either of them to be frightened of it. just curious. Thanks!
2007-03-04 07:58:03 · 15 answers · asked by *miss lily* 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Ms. S: Thank You!
2007-03-04 08:05:15 · update #1
Patti M: Thank You! oh, sorry if I confused anyone though. I only have two cats. =^-^=
2007-03-04 08:07:21 · update #2
Thank You everyone!! it's in the same place as well.
2007-03-04 08:09:19 · update #3
Julie: but my cats do very well with one litterbox. my vet told me that if you have more than 2 then that's when you should have 1 more.
2007-03-04 08:10:36 · update #4
Hi. If you introduce it slowly and work with each of your cats individually....I'm sure they will all do fine. You may want to leave the other litter box nearby so if they do get frightened, they will still have the other box to use. You are also providing them with choice and we all know how cats love choices and love to make up their own minds. LOL This way your not pushing the new litter box on them and my guess would be...their curiosity will get the best of them and in no time at all, all 4 will be using the new one. Best of luck. Patti
2007-03-04 08:04:51 · answer #1 · answered by Patti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Miss Lily, You won't have long to wait to find out! Cats are rather unpredictable folk. A change may be calmly accepted and life will go on as though nothing new has been presented . . . or . . . all hell may break out.(Usually not!! thank goodness ) If by chance they do resent the change just calmly try different things: put the door on wait, take the whole cover off, wait, try two litter boxes, wait. In other words, try different things till their happy then leave well enough alone!! DO NOT PANIC! They know!!
2007-03-04 08:16:16 · answer #2 · answered by John L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its a new litter box I would keep the door off and give them a while to get use to the new box. Give them a couple weeks and then put the door back on it. You shouldn't really have a problem with the door later just make sure that they do know that that is where the litter box is
2007-03-04 08:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by Cutie Pie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats are very finicky about their litter boxes, so it may take them a while to get used to the new box. If you are worried about the door, I would go ahead and remove it. Also, if you still can access the contents of the old box, I would put a little soiled litter in the new box so it "smells right." Good luck!
2007-03-04 08:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by whizwham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a magazine called CatNip put out by Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. They had an article in a recent issue about cat litter and cat boxes and whole huge study on what their test cats liked and didn't like.
I found it very helpful. You can reach them at catnipeditor@tufts.edu, or you may find it on the universities website. Goos luck!
2007-03-04 08:20:59 · answer #5 · answered by Natch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most cats hate the door. It makes them feel trapped and besides, it leads to the box not being properly ventilated, so smells get trapped and it's hot inside. Most cat books also recommend not to have door flaps on your litter box.
Especially since your cats are used to door-less boxes, I would just keep it off. Of course, you could put it on for a while just to see if your cats might accept it, but it's probably not worth it. Hardly any cats are willing to accept it.
2007-03-04 08:04:15 · answer #6 · answered by Ms. S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that since you have 2 cats, you keep 2 litter boxes. I have always had multiple cats, and my vet told me that I should have the same # of litter boxes as I do cats. That way they will have options.
2007-03-04 08:07:34 · answer #7 · answered by julieslp728 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should be fine. It took my kitten a couple min to figure it out but now its no big deal. Put them inside the litter box with the door on and wait for them to come out. They'll get the idea.
2007-03-04 08:01:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should definitely know what to do. Animals rely more on scent than sight to understand their surroundings. If the litter box is in the same place, their scent will still be there to guide them. Also, cats are so inquisitive they tend to figure things out quickly. So I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-03-04 08:06:50 · answer #9 · answered by Sweet Pea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will get used to it fine, show them that the door moves, i put my cats heads very gently against the door so they knew they had to push it to get in. I must stress I did NOT push my cats in, or force them against the door, just very gently moved the door open with their head. They were using the tray within 10 minutes.
2007-03-05 03:36:52 · answer #10 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋