Training a cat to use a litter box in a new location can be a challenge, but it is possible. With patience and gentleness, your cat can learn to move its bathroom habits to a new site and both you and your pet will be more comfortable.
Food and litter boxes should be kept a considerable distance apart. The main reason is to avoid cross contamination that may occur when cats cover up after themselves. If litter particles end up in the food or water bowl, they may get eaten and cause your cats to become sick.
Cats like top-entry litter boxes. When it comes to litter boxes, cats don't all share the same preferences. Kittens and older cats may appreciate a front-entry litter box that they can easily walk into. Cats with big personalities may enjoy proudly doing their business out in the open.
If you do need to move their box, one idea is to move it gradually ( a little at a time each day) so that they don't get confused and will know where to find it. 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.
The litter box should be in a private, quiet location, but not in a dark, completely isolated spot. Don't place the litter box next to your cat's food and water. Have a litter box on every floor in your home so cats don't have to use the stairs to get to one.
Many cats and kittens will instinctively use a litter box without needing to be taught, because of their instincts to expel bodily waste in dirt or sand. Therefore, with a new kitten, owners usually need to simply show the kitten where the litter box is located, and how to get in and out.
Most cats like a shallow bed of litter. Provide one to two inches of litter rather than three to four inches. Most cats prefer clumping, unscented litter.
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.
The rule of thumb is one litter box for each cat plus one additional box, or one litter box for each social group plus one additional box, if the number of social groups is known.
When individual cats were assessed, 70% showed absolutely no preference (i.e. used both boxes equally), 15% used the covered litter box more significantly, while 15% used the uncovered more than the covered. Pretty even results. It seems cats tend to think inside the box - as long as it's clean.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Amount of light: Contrary to belief, cats do need some light to see. Try placing a night light near their litter box and turning it on in the evenings so they feel safe and can navigate to their box easily.
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 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.
Having multiple boxes prevents overcrowding into one, where your cat has to step on others' waste and may feel like there's not a spot clean enough to “go.” Not finding what she needs in her litter box, she'll choose another spot where no stepping over waste is required.
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.”
In Conclusion
Keeping your cat's litter box in the bedroom isn't ideal so if you can, move it to a more appropriate part of the house. Although the risks are small, you could become ill if you contract Toxoplasmosis, worms or you're exposed to too much ammonia.
Updated September 27, 2022 – If possible, do not keep the litter box in a bedroom unless it's an extremely large room and the dirty cat litter box can be placed far from the bed and out of the way. Instead, put the box in a bathroom, closet or designated laundry room area.
Keep in Mind Your Cat's Special Needs
If your cat cannot see the box, it will more than likely miss it altogether. 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.
How often should you scoop a litter box? For best odor control, you should scoop the box twice a day. If you're busy or you just forget, you can probably go with a daily single scoop. You don't want clumps and lumps to sit undisturbed for longer than a day though.
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 biodegradable bag will give it a better chance to break down in the dump.
Dr. Justine A. Lee, a long-time veterinarian, believes the box should be scooped daily but admits it's OK if you do it every other day. “We neurotic types clean litter boxes daily. If that's too much for you, litter boxes should be scooped out at least every other day,” she said in this post on Pet Health Network.
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.