Simply move the litter box a few inches at a time each day toward the new location until the litter box is in the place you would like for it to be. It is very important that you are mindful of your cat's unique needs during this process. Do not scold or punish your cat for eliminating outside of the litter box.
If you need to relocate the box, make sure to move it gradually, a few inches each day, until the box reaches its new destination, Garber says. “You don't want to make sudden changes with the litter box by moving it from a place where it was for a long time,” she says.
Cats are creatures of habit and prefer a stable environment. A sudden change in the location of their litter box might cause stress and confusion. When planning to move the litter box, consider the reasons for the change and whether it's truly necessary.
Place litter boxes in separate, socially important areas.
Litter boxes should be placed in areas where your cat spends the majority of their time (If your cat loves to hang-out in the living room, then that's where one of the litter boxes should be).
Although the risks are small, you could become ill if you contract Toxoplasmosis, worms or you're exposed to too much ammonia. More likely, the noise and smell of your cat doing their business in it will either wake you up or keep you awake when you should be sleeping.
Most cats prefer an open litter box. Most cat owners prefer a covered litter box. Covered litter boxes may trap odors and make the human environment smell better but for those reasons they may not be as desirable for the cat. If boxes are not cleaned regularly, the odor may be aversive to them.
The bathroom is one of the best places to keep your cat's litter box. Messes will be easier to clean up on the tile or hardwood floor than on carpet. If your home has multiple bathrooms, consider putting the litter box in the bathroom that is used the least.
If your closet is carpeted...
But if this is your only option, consider putting down some sort of absorbent mat such as a micro-fiber mat, rug, or specialty pet mat under and around the box, as well as a litter tracking mat in front of the box.
Too much change can upset the cat and it may stop using the box entirely, no matter where the box is located. Make the new litter box location as similar to the old environment as possible.
Place a new litterbox near where the inappropriate urination is occurring to encourage your kitty to use it. After several days, move it two to three feet closer to the original location every day until it is back where it belongs.
You may have even heard that your cat can smell their dirty litter a mile away. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that a cat can smell their litter box from that far away. More realistically, they might be able to smell it up to a few hundred feet away (depending on wind and weather conditions) and often a lot less.
A common reason for a cat pooping outside the litter box is change. Cats are creatures of habit, so if you have just moved to a new home, changed the location of the litter box, changed the litter box itself or the type of litter, your cat may have some difficulty adjusting.
Baking soda is a great all-purpose cleaner that can eliminate tough odors, including stubborn ammonia-based smells. A little goes a long way too, so sprinkling a small amount on top should be enough to clear out those bad smells. Whatever deodorizer you use, make sure it's one that your cat likes as well.
Scooping out clumps of urine and feces is something done regularly, every other day at minimum, but often daily or even twice daily if you have a cat in a small apartment and want to keep litter box smell under control.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
3. No smelly business: With an enclosed bathroom for your cat, you don't need to worry about any unpleasant odors that might (will) come wafting out of the box. Enclosed spaces work wonders for containing the smell — better than any scent, candle, powder, or other witch's brew you can buy.
If you can, you should aim to replace cat litter at least once per week. However, if you scoop the litter frequently, it is possible to stretch litter changes to once every two weeks.
“Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement. Also, there could be a sense of security and connection to their favorite people for some felines and they will use the litter box when their person is nearby.”
At night, utilize a nightlight to illuminate the litter box area, so your cat doesn't have to guess at the target spot. Cats have better night vision than humans, but they cannot see in total darkness. Placing doggie pads around the litter box can help with clean-up if your cat does misfire.
Most cat owners are familiar with clay and clumping litter. Remember: it's recommended that you ALWAYS wear a mask when scooping litter. As it's likely that dust will float around in the air. That's not something you want to inhale.
Whatever litter you use, to avoid spreading Toxoplasma and other dangerous organisms, never dump it outside. Place it in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and put it in your regular garbage.
A great place to locate the litter box is your own bathroom, as long as you make sure to keep the door wide open when it's not in use. Many people tuck the litter box next to the toilet, between the toilet and tub, or under the sink.
Fear or Anxiety: Introducing new animals to the house, moving to a new home, loud noises, pain or illness can all give cats anxiety. Often, an anxious or stressed-out cat will take refuge in a familiar and safe place and a litter box–especially one that's covered–can be a comforting place to be.