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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / February 2004Whats the best way to relocate a litter box?
Its time to move Yoko's litter box into the basement, and the first night was a disaster. After having heruse it and use it normally for 2 years, we decided to reclain the area for our use. I installed a cat door, plunked the box into the basdement(an area which she never goes), and expected the cat to find and use it happily. I'd taken her to the new spot by picking her up, carrying her downstairs and placing her in the box, only to have her scamper quickly up the stairs and ignoring the entire thing. Tried that twice. She didn't use it all night. So, after searching about the net I now learn that the box must be moved gradually. My questions are: 1. Over what period of time should I complete a relocation? 2. How much should I move the box each day, or other time period. (The box will have to go to the other side of the kitchen, behind the fridge, and down the stairs. 3. Should I get a 2nd box, and where to put it? TIA for any other ideas or suggestions. Pierre One cat should have two boxes. Also, there should be a box on the main floor of the house plus the one in the basement. Gail > Its time to move Yoko's litter box into the basement, and the first > night was a disaster. After having heruse it and use it normally for [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Pierre >1. Over what period of time should I complete a relocation? >2. How much should I move the box each day, or other time period. (The [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >TIA for any other ideas or suggestions. I have no idea what the right way is, but intuitvely, it seems as if you should just move it a few steps or feet each day. I guesss, in the middle of this exodus, it may be inappropriately out in the open, but try and bare with it. Perhaps at some point you could double the feet. You get the gist. I can't think of any other way. Pierre <cowguy@aol.com> wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav: > Its time to move Yoko's litter box into the basement, and the > first night was a disaster. After having heruse it and use it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Pierre Can;t help you. When I moved, I put the box in the bathroom, put her in it, and said, "This is where it is." Haven't had any trouble at all. I was sure I would simply because we did move for the first time in 12 years and all that. The only thing I can't think that I "did" was leave it durty so even if she got lost, a smell might guide her (even if I can't smell it, perhaps she can). (...) > So, after searching about the net I now learn that the box must be > moved gradually. My questions are: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > TIA for any other ideas or suggestions. Why not put a second box in the basement, and see if she begins to use it 'naturally'. Reward her if you see her using it. You could also make the current box less preferable by using a different litter, or chaining a large dog to it, for example. Steve. > (...) > > So, after searching about the net I now learn that the box must be [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Steve. Good thought Steve. In case you're wondering, there IS a large dog in the house. "Buddy". An acronym for "big ugly dumb dog of yours". Thanks to those who responded. > Its time to move Yoko's litter box into the basement, and the first > night was a disaster. After having heruse it and use it normally for [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > fridge, and down the stairs. > 3. Should I get a 2nd box, and where to put it? Was the cat already accustomed to going in the basement before you ever put the litterbox down there? Actually, you've made *at least* 2 changes already: 1) Moved the litterbox into the basement. Is it at the foot of the steps? 2) Training the cat to use a catdoor to enter the basement stairway Uh, duhhh... leave the basement door open so that the cat can see the litterbox at the bottom of the stairway. After a couple weeks of having gotten used to the new litterbox location you can then begin to close the basement door and begin getting the cat to use its catdoor. After another week you can gradually move the litterbox away from the stairway to the best spot for it in the basement. > > Its time to move Yoko's litter box into the basement, and the first > > night was a disaster. After having heruse it and use it normally for [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > week you can gradually move the litterbox away from the stairway to the best > spot for it in the basement. Nope, knack, the cat never went into the basement. As of this morning: The door remains open, and box is back upstairs within eyesight of its original location(from the cats point of view), but also within earshot of the basement door. I just have to watch where I step while I'm doing the dishes. Will keep ya'll posted. Cheers. >So, after searching about the net I now learn that the box must be >moved gradually. My questions are: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >fridge, and down the stairs. >3. Should I get a 2nd box, and where to put it? I have had to move our litter box several times over the years for various reason such as contractors in the house, carpet cleaning, new cat introductions etc and have never had a problem. I just move it - show the cat(s) - no problem. -mhd have moved out kitty litter box at least 3 times without having a problem so unfortunately I cant help with the matter. I always try to move it at least a little bit unclean. I figure the cat will be able to follow the smell and know what to do. It always works. -Jen Half the people you know are below average. -Steven Wright > I always try to move it at least a little bit unclean. I figure the cat will be > able to follow the smell and know what to do. It always works. > -Jen > Half the people you know are below average. -Steven Wright I move it and take her to it immediately, squat down and stroke her and talk to her, make sure she sees it and it registers. > > I always try to move it at least a little bit unclean. I figure the > cat will be [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I move it and take her to it immediately, squat down and stroke her > and talk to her, make sure she sees it and it registers. Hey Mikey!!! She likes it. :) Set one box at the top of the stairs, another one within eyesite. She began using the top one, and removed it. A couple of trips to the one in the basement, and numerous scratches on my forearms, along with some coddling and cooing around her newfound toilet, did the trick. Thanks all those who inspired. Pierre Remember: "You're unique and different. Just like everybody else." circa 9 Feb 2004 19:09:11 -0800, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Pierre (cowguy@aol.com) said, > Hey Mikey!!! She likes it. :) > > Set one box at the top of the stairs, another one within eyesite. She > began using the top one, and removed it. A couple of trips to the one > in the basement, and numerous scratches on my forearms, along with > some coddling and cooing around her newfound toilet, did the trick. Yay! Laura  SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated.
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