Introducing your cat to a new litter or litter box is a challenge most of us aren’t prepared for. It seems like a simple task that’s as easy as dumping the old litter and pouring in the new litter, but that’s not the case.
Don’t worry – your cat will let you know if they don’t like their new litter box or the litter you fill it with. When that day comes, follow these useful tips to ensure your furry friend is happy and satisfied.
5. Avoid Any Major Changes
Like humans, cats have preferences and are often resistant to change – especially with their litter. It’s important to avoid any significant changes to your cat’s litter box routine and only introduce one change at a time. Anything more than that can and will stress out your feline friend – which is what we don’t want.
Here are some things to avoid when introducing your cat to a new litter or litter box:
- Avoid replacing the cat litter box (if possible)
- Avoid going from an enclosed litter box to an open litter box
- Avoid moving litter boxes for cats to a new location
- Avoid any loud or disturbing noises around the litter box
- Avoid changing the entrance/exit point of the litter box
- Avoid filling the cat litter box with more or less litter than normal
Controlling variables is essential to keeping your cat happy when changing anything about their litter box routine. The more comfortable your cat is with its surroundings, the more open they’ll be to any changes you make. Just make sure you find a balance between catering to your cat and catering to yourself.
4. Give Your Cat an Option
The' second box' method is one of the most effective methods when introducing a cat to a new litter or litter box. The idea here is to give your cat a choice between the new and old litter. You can gradually incentivize them to use the new litter by making the old litter less attractive – meaning don’t clean it.
At first, your cat will continue to use its current litter since it’s ready and available. The more they use it, the dirtier it gets. They eventually grow frustrated and realize they only have one option left. If they continue refusing the new litter, start combining your old one with the new one – but more on that below!
3. Combine New Litter with Old Litter
Sometimes, even making one change at a time is too much for a cat. They notice the subtlest of changes and aren’t shy about sharing their distaste for it. In this case, try making the change gradually over time. Instead of changing the litter all at once, combine the old litter with the new litter and change it in phases.
Here’s the most practical way to achieve a smooth cat litter transition:
- Fill the litter box with 80% old litter and 20% new litter.
- Fill the litter box with 60% old litter and 40% new litter.
- Gradually add the new litter until the litter box is 100% filled with new litter.
Keeping the old litter on top and the new litter on the bottom (until you’re done phasing it out) is crucial to your success. Monitor your cat and make a mental note of anything they don’t seem to like about the new litter or litter box. The sooner you address these mental notes, the more cooperative your cat will be.
2. Leave Feces in New Litter
Most cats go months and even years with the same litter box or litter brand. Over time, they grow accustomed to the look, smell, and feel of their litter. In fact, one of the primary reasons why some cats refuse their new litter is because it doesn’t stimulate the same sensory memories – it’s just not the same.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. If your cat isn’t marking their territory in their new litter box, then you might have to mark their territory for them. It sounds weird, but hear us out. When done correctly, the cat will build new sensory memories with the new litter and feel more comfortable in the litter box.
The idea here is to keep the feces in the new litter box long enough for your cat to get the memo, but not so long that bacteria starts to grow and spread. This encourages your cat to use the new litter and promotes a healthier environment for your cat to go to the bathroom in. Now, that’s what I call luxury!
1. Rewards for Good Behavior
Like humans, cats are food-motivated. They catch on to certain things much quicker when there’s a treat in front of them. The good news is you can use this to your advantage when introducing them to a new litter or litter box. For example, you could place a treat or two outside the litter box once they start using it.
You’ll want to be careful, though. Since you don’t want to startle the cat while they’re using it, try to avoid jumping for joy when they finally use the new litter box. Likewise, it’s important not to punish them or yell at them when they go to the bathroom in the wrong place. Make sure you stay patient with your little one!
At the end of the day, we must understand that this is a process. Introducing your cat to a new brand of litter or new litter box isn’t happening overnight. It could take days, weeks, or even months before cats feel comfortable with their new potty routine. Don’t worry – the five tips detailed above will definitely help!
