So, you and your kitty have been living happily together, but you realize that the litter box is situated in a place that is inconvenient, either for you or your kitty.

What do you do?

Because cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment, it is important to avoid moving the litter box unless absolutely necessary. This is definitely something to be aware of when choosing a location for your cat’s litter box, especially if you are bringing a new cat or kitten into your home for the first time. However, if you do need to move your cat’s litter box after he or she has already become accustomed to a particular location, it is important that you do so in a way that causes the least confusion and disruption for your feline friend’s potty patterns.

First, it is important to help your cat become accustomed to a new litter box location slowly, and one way to do this is to introduce a second litter box in the new location. Take your cat gently to the new location and allow him or her to explore this new litter box placement and get comfortable with the new sights, sounds, and smells that may be different from those at the site of the first litter box. If your kitty responds well to the new litter box and has begun to use it when needed, allow your kitty to use both boxes for a transition period, and eventually remove the original litter box.

Another option for slowly transitioning the placement of the litter box is to do just that! 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. Simply clean the soiled area thoroughly so as to remove scent markers that might encourage your cat to eliminate in that spot again, and gently guide or take your cat to the location of the new litter box. If your cat seems to be distressed, confused, or unable to make the transition, it may be necessary to leave the litter box in its original location.