Removing the "comfort zone" after 2+ years?

I have a bit of a problem, not sure how to deal w/ it.

Tab's been inside for 2ish years now. For a long time she lived in my bedroom closet (3' deep x 8' wide) - she had food/water/bed/hideout/LB in there. She didn't come out.

As you can imagine, this became her "comfort zone". She eventually moved out into the bedroom, but still retreats to the closet when afraid. The entire bedroom is her comfort zone, but the closet is where she feels safest.

When I moved her into the closet, I moved all the hanging clothes out. Didn't need them smelling like cat bomb poo! Well - I have moved the clothes back into the closet (where I was storing them got destroyed by other climbing kitties). Now that the clothes are back in the closet, Gumby climbs them & she's teaching Lola & Dory how, too!

Is there any way to close the closet doors, thus taking away Tab's comfort zone w/o setting her back? She's doing well - she moves about the basement, meets me at the stairs for food, & will let me pet her. I'm afraid if I take away that safety net she'll go backwards.

As an added bonus - soon Slinky will need to be integrated into the basement kitty family.....that will be fun.

Thoughts/ideas?

Oh boy two big events to tackle for you!!! I guess I would want my closet back too after two years. And since she also considers your room her safe place, I think this is possible. I would start by putting that litter box just outside of the closet doors. To the left or right of the doors whichever is closest to a corner of the room and furthest from the bedroom door entrance, set up a hiding box for her with a comfy bed. I use those square tents you can but at Walmart that Velcro together. They are about four bucks each. Get the darkest color in the tents. They have a couple of entrances and exits and cats especially ferals go crazy for them. I would put a comfy bed in each one and then she will have a little fort for her safe zone. I guarantee she will like that. You could even get them and put them in the closet for a few days before you close the doors to get her feeling they are part of the closet. When you close the doors for good, she will still have her own closet, the tents. and you will not have to wear the cat poop fragrance anymore in your clothes . What a great meowmy you are giving up your closet for two years

IMO I do not think this will set her back one bit. Just give her another place to hide right near the closet.

Nat, I think Feralvr has great advice! Give her a new comfort zone just outside the closet!

I should add her food/water/LB are now outside the closet. The only two things left in there are those nylon cat furniture things - one corner cube & one taller thing w/ pvc pipes for climbing.

Nylon pop-up cubes are a no-go - I have a "whizzer" (three of them actually) who use them as catboxes. I can however, cut a couple of doors into a cardboard box for her as an alternative.

Hey Nat, what about an appliance store for a pretty large box?

Nah I work retail - I can get a decent sized box easy. I actually probably have several larger boxes on hand for "kitty fort" usage!

Perfect!