How to change litter box location?

hypatia

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When I adopted my cat the only room I could put him in for the initial adjustment period, for him to feel safe and have everything accessible to him, the only option I had was my bedroom. So now I feed my cat in my bedroom and the litter box is also in here. I don't mind feeding him in my bedroom, but I want to move the litter box to the guest bathroom, for obvious reasons.

The guest bathroom is on the other side of the house, but I live in a small 900+ sqft apartment so the 'other side of the house' is down the hallway, and only one room over.

So any tips on how I should go about changing the location?

Would it work if I changed the location immediately and took him to the box to let him check it out at a time when he is most likely to use it (i.e., he almost always uses the box once in the morning and once in the evening, at 8:30-10:30 am/pm)? Or is it a slower process?

Note: I don't know if this is even the right forum for this thread so someone tell me if it isn't.
 

tabbytom

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Hi Hypatia, to change location of the litter box is a process and not immediately. Some cats have no problems with a new location while others may not like it.

As it's usually suggested, move the box a few feet and some say inches at a time, whichever one you think suits you, away from the original spot. And over the days, you'll have your box at a new location.

Or, it's better to place another litter box with some of your soiled kitty's litter from the current box and place it in the preferred location and still slowly move the current one out. Once your kitty starts using it, you should be able to remove the old one.

Just be aware that some accidents may occur like peeing on the floor. Some cats may be confused and they don't like changes.

Some old threads on this topic :-

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/269965/moving-the-litter-box-location

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/32677/temporary-change-of-location-of-litter-box

And an article :-

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/litter-box-location-secrets
 

catmom marcia

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I agree with the gradual move.  I would do it a few feet at a time.  Kitty will use it as long as you put it in a safe location (for instance not in a high traffic location). If it's only you in the house, then it's not an issue.
 

orange&white

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I'd go with getting a second box for the new location and putting a cat poo in the new one for scent.  Start supplying less and less litter in the old box until there is only litter in the new box.  Take the old box away when you're sure the cat has completely stopped using that location.
 

terestrife

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oh wow, i never knew it was this problematic to move a litter box, or that it could cause problems. lol my mom used to make me move mine constantly, from her room, to the living room, all over the living room till we found the right spot, my room when there are emergencies that we need to lock them up, and even the kitchen. lol

i just grab them, put them in their box, and they find them just fine. this worked even with my cat Elsa, who is a very nervous reformed outdoor cat. but im glad to know this info for future cats.
 

orange&white

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oh wow, i never knew it was this problematic to move a litter box, or that it could cause problems. lol my mom used to make me move mine constantly, from her room, to the living room, all over the living room till we found the right spot, my room when there are emergencies that we need to lock them up, and even the kitchen. lol

i just grab them, put them in their box, and they find them just fine. this worked even with my cat Elsa, who is a very nervous reformed outdoor cat. but im glad to know this info for future cats.
That is funny.  This morning while I was getting ready for work, I was thinking that we managed to "do it wrong" with a lot of things before the internet and somehow domestic cats, and we, survived it all.

Moving the cat box used to be "Just pick it up and move it where you want it".  lol

"Doing it wrong" works fine for most cats, but for the small percentage of cats who would keep peeing/pooping in the area where the box used to be, in the past we had to rely on trial and error and then word of mouth information about behavior issues.

A lot of advice and expertise may be overkill for most cats but it is a better safe than sorry way of doing it right the first time.  The world of expertise available at our fingertips today is a wonderful thing!
 

arouetta

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That is funny.  This morning while I was getting ready for work, I was thinking that we managed to "do it wrong" with a lot of things before the internet and somehow domestic cats, and we, survived it all.
Yeah.  I've always just put the litterbox where I needed to move it to and then carry the cats to the new location.  Never had a bit of trouble, even though they are super-finicky about their litterbox.
 

terestrife

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That is funny.  This morning while I was getting ready for work, I was thinking that we managed to "do it wrong" with a lot of things before the internet and somehow domestic cats, and we, survived it all.

Moving the cat box used to be "Just pick it up and move it where you want it".  lol

"Doing it wrong" works fine for most cats, but for the small percentage of cats who would keep peeing/pooping in the area where the box used to be, in the past we had to rely on trial and error and then word of mouth information about behavior issues.

A lot of advice and expertise may be overkill for most cats but it is a better safe than sorry way of doing it right the first time.  The world of expertise available at our fingertips today is a wonderful thing!
lol that very true. the same can be said for parenting. so many people trying to say what the right way is, but people have managed to survive without the internet. lo it does help avoid trial and error, and i appreciate being able to get knowledge from other people.

i remember i used to always just throw animals together, until i ran into the one cat it didnt work for. lol it was awesome to have the help of this forum.
 
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hypatia

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