Can Cats Find Their Litter Box If You Move It? [Answered]
You may have started to rearrange your house, but you might be uncertain about moving your felines’ litter box. You’ve definitely listened to terrible incidents about cat owners who moved their felines’ litter boxes and their cats started to urinate on the floor or elsewhere in the house. So, most of you might be anxious about whether cats find their litter box after moving it. Can Cats Find Their Litter Box If You Move It?
Yes, cats can find their litter box even if you move it. Their keen sense of smell allows them to recognize the familiar scent. To help them adjust, it’s recommended to move the litter box gradually over a few days and introduce their scent to the new location by placing used litter in the new box.
However, you might be worried about where you should place your cat’s litter box and how to make your feline used to it. If you want to know more about changing your cat’s litter location, then you’re at the right spot.
In this article, we’ve provided all information that will help you to change your feline’s litter location without making them anxious.
Can I Just Move My Cat’s Litter Box?
Yes, but give your cat some time to get used to it. Like us, felines also have choices for where their litter tray should be placed. So, if you change the position of the litter box too soon or into an awkward spot, your feline may decide to use other unfavorable locations instead.
Check Out: How Do Cats Know Where the Litter Box Is?
Do Cats Get Confused When You Move Their Litter Box?
You should avoid making abrupt variations to your felines’ litter trays by changing their location where it was before. Felines are extremely sensitive to abrupt changes in their surroundings.
They might not spend the necessary time searching for the box’s new position and becomes confused That’s why most felines urinate or defecate on carpets or other furnishings.
Also Check Out: Why Does My Cat Keep Moving Her Kittens?
Will Cats Find Litter Boxes on Their Own?
Felines can locate their tiny box using the fragrance. They’ll probably notice the odor even though you’ve washed the litter tray. Felines will chase the smell of litter and frequently visit the same potty spot. Most felines have an innate understanding of how to utilize a litter box.
Actually, wild cats bury their waste in an effort to hide it from eagles. You may have to repeatedly train your new cat to use the litter box. Once they’ve utilized the litter box, it’ll be simpler for them to identify the fragrance and they’ll rapidly understand the direction. That’s how they will find their litter box without any effort.
Why Won’t My Cat Use the Litter Box After Moving?
The location of the litter box is the most important thing. Your feline will stop using the litter tray if she dislikes where it is placed. For instance, felines won’t use the litter box if you put it closer to their food or water bowls.
And, if you place the box in the basement or at a higher place, your feline may quit using it because he believes it’s too tiring to access the box or he may think that box isn’t easy to reach.
Moreover, if you place your feline’s litter box near a loud heater, washing machine, or dryer, then there are many chances that your feline will search for a safer area to relieve herself or to overcome her stress.
How Do I Get My Cat to Use the Litter Box in a Different Location?
It’s crucial to gradually adjust your feline to a different litter box position.
One method is to bring a second litter tray and make it habitual of the new spot and give him time to investigate the new litter tray location and become accustomed to the new views, noises, and scents, which may vary from those found at the original litter box position.
Let your cat use both litter boxes for a transitional period if she adapts successfully to the newer one and started to use it when necessary. Then, progressively replace the old litter box.
You might also try doing that to slowly change where the litter tray is located. To get the litter box where you want it, just move it some inches every day at a fixed time in the direction of the new spot.
It is crucial that you keep an eye on your feline’s particular demands throughout this procedure. Don’t criticize or blame your feline for urinating out of the litter tray. Simply completely clean the dirty area to get rid of any aroma traces that may urge your feline to urinate there once more, then carefully lead or carry your feline to the new litter tray.
Also, Check Out: Can Cat Urine Cause Headaches? Hazards of Ammonia from Dirty Litter Boxes
What You Should Do Before You Move a Cat Litter Box – Finding the Best Place to Put Your Cat’s Litter Box
There are a few things you must think of before moving your feline’s litter tray. Here are some suggestions to make sure your feline goes through this change with the minimum level of anxiety and uncertainty.
Location
Your feline requires a litter box in the proper location. If you want that your feline uses its litter tray frequently, you should select the right location. They won’t be able to utilize it if you find it challenging to get to it for maintenance. A litter tray must be placed in a room with open doorways. Keep the doorways unlocked and check that nothing is in the way of your cat’s access to the toilet.
Noise
Check the noise level as well while relocating your feline’s litter tray. Avoid areas with constant loud noises, like musical studios, play areas for kids, or areas next to noisy windows where heavy equipment is operating. Your cat can become frightened of the area in which the litter box is located as a result of the noise.
Needs
Keep in mind your feline’s interests and sense of security. All felines are unique, and they have varied demands. Use a lidded litter box if your feline prefers more isolation because some felines do.
Larger litter boxes are necessary for larger cats; therefore, you’ll need to put the litter tray in a room with greater space. There will be a requirement for more litter boxes if you have a multiple-cat house. According to your feline’s strength, you should purchase the litter trays.
How to Move a Litter Box to a New Location?
Moving the litter tray progressively will help the cat adapt to the alteration more quickly once you’ve decided on the new position. You may place a separate litter tray in the new place and continue to relocate the previous one there. Once the feline is familiar to use the new litter tray, you must remove the old one entirely.
If you don’t wish to handle 2 litter pans, then transfer the old one a few meters every few days and the feline will “follow” its familiar potty spot to the new spot. To ease your cat’s move from one litter box placement to another; follow the below steps to move your feline’s litter box:
- If you are utilizing two litters, keep the same tray design and litter in each one. Stop switching out the litter trays or the litter while you are relocating the box. Regardless of the position of the box, excessive change can frighten the feline and he may stop using it completely.
- Try to replicate the old habitat as accurately as you can in the fresh litter tray position. This may involve situating a known furniture item close to the box so the feline is comfortable with the area, placing a carpet piece or extra stones in the new spot to suit the floor, or altering the lighting.
- Wash and deodorize the former litter tray location after it’s been relocated, even though it isn’t quite in its ultimate new place, to get rid of any scents the feline has come to connect with the area. This will make it easier for the cat to determine where to relieve itself.
- Rearrange the furnishings in the area in which the litter tray once was once the feline has become familiar with the new box placement. By making the old area less familiar and familiar, the feline will be less likely to use that specific place as its litter tray in the future.
It may take a while for a feline to adjust to a fresh litter box placement, therefore you should avoid punishing your feline for any mishaps that might occur in the meantime. When a cat doesn’t use the litter tray, it’s a sign of stress, dissatisfaction, or bewilderment.
To assist the cat in properly adapting, it’s ideal to handle these mental issues carefully. Punishments will just make the feline more fearful and anxious, which might lead to further behavioral issues and a highly resistant to using the litter box at all.
What Happens if I Move My Cat’s Litter Box?
As you know felines are habitual animals, so it’s advised that you should never replace your cat’s litter tray unless it’s essential. Try to move the litter tray slowly so that your feline will be easily adjusted to the change.
However, if you abruptly shift the litter box, this will startle your feline. As a result of this, your feline may face stress and stop using the litter tray or start to poop out of its litter boxes.
How Many Litter Boxes Do I Need?
According to several experts on cat behavior, each feline must have two litter trays. Some felines prefer not to use a similar litter tray for both urination and feces. Even with just a single cat, you might still require 2 litter trays. Moreover, the number of litter trays also depends on your cats’ nature or the number of cats in your home.
Find Out: Can I Spray Perfume on My Cat?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cats find their litter box?
The smell of felines’ litter will help them to find their boxes. Even though, you wash it thoroughly still their strong smelling sensors will detect the smell of their litter.
Can you move your cat litter box outside?
Moving the litter trays outdoors isn’t advised if you own an indoor feline. When felines feel protected they urinate. So, placing the litter box outside will make your feline vulnerable to a stray predator that is attracted by litter smell. Not only that, but you can also face the chance of your feline escaping or becoming lost.
Can my cat smell its litter Box?
Your feline may even smell its soiled litter from a mile. However, their ability to smell the litter will depend on the season. Like in the rainy season, raindrops reduce litter smell as compared to other seasons. Moreover, if your felines get flu or other nasal issues, they may smell the litter in this situation as well.
Do cats remember where their litter box is?
Domestic cats are educated to access a litter tray from an early age. So, due to their training session from an early age, they will easily identify where the litter box is.
How long does moving a litter box take?
Cats with confidence may understand it right immediately. However, moving your feline’s litter tray may take some time if they are tense or nervous; approximately 2-3 weeks. Therefore, it’s crucial to adjust according to their tempo rather than yours.
Final Words
In conclusion, it is quite simple to move your feline’s litter tray. But moving it suddenly will make your feline anxious and stressed. To ease your cat’s experience as much as possible; pick a place for positioning the litter box where your feline feels at ease. Be patient and make the transition slowly. Follow their lead rather than your own, and move the box with caution and compassion.
While some cats may not have any trouble, some might. However, with time and consideration, your cat will become accustomed to using the new litter box spot.
Who is Isabella?
My name is Isabella, and I am a dedicated and knowledgeable cat enthusiast. With years of experience caring for cats and a deep love for felines, I made a mission to help other cat lovers navigate the challenges of cat ownership.
