Anyone with cats? Re: moving litter boxes.

PepperStick

We need to move our cat's litter box into the basement sometime soon and I'm not exactly sure how to go about it.

Our house is only one floor and the only spot the box can be where it's "out of sight, out of mind" to the kids is in the corner of our dining room. It's hidden under an end table next to my desk. Now that DS is getting mobile, he's getting really curious about it. The playroom is right next to the dining room and he is constantly trying to get at her box now. Plus I'm constantly sweeping because the litter gets everywhere.

I want to move it into the basement but I'm not sure the best way to go about it. The basement door has a small kitty door that we recently put on so she can get used to going down there, but I don't think she's been down there once without someone else down there too.

What's the best way to go about doing this? Her food is on the end table next to my desk and we will keep it there. 

This will probably be a post and run too. But I will check back later! 

danieliza1127

Whenever I move the litter box, I just pick the cat up and take him to it a couple of times and he gets it right away.  Same with the kitty door, when we put one in, I used treats on the other side of it to get him to go through it a couple of times.  His litter box was on the other side too, so once he did it a couple times, he was good.  Cats are quick and they want to go in their litter box, so she'll figure it out once you show her.

Kitten80

Sometimes we have moved it a little bit at a time, but it doesn't sound like there would be other "between" locals.  You could get a second box (same style) and put it down there - go down there frequently over the course of several days to week(s) and praise/give treat if she explores or uses the box.  You can place her in it the first time you take her down there.  Then remove the original one.  If she has some toys or somewhere to lay down there she is more likely to spend time down there and use that box.  GL!  We don't have a bsement or out-of-the -way place (dont even have closets except 1 in each bedroom) and the litter has been one of the worst parts of baby/kid life.

GrayGhost13

I would probably take it gradually and leave both up for a little bit. Also, I would try to make the basement and especially new box as appealing as possible (use her favorite style of box, put it in a safe feeling open area, maybe use Cat Attract litter, and maybe even bring some toys or her cat scratcher or tower down to the basement, so the basement can be her happy place.)

I think with cats it's good to make changes slowly and do anything you can to minimize stress and maximize positive feelings. Some cats adapt well to change, but some can be more sensitive and stress usually promotes bad behavior.

Best of luck!

Kitten80

This is what we did with the placing them in it.  It worked for all but one (stubborn!lol) cat.  So we did 2 litter boxes for a week or so and once she accepted the new location we went back to one  one.

danieliza1127:

Whenever I move the litter box, I just pick the cat up and take him to it a couple of times and he gets it right away.  Same with the kitty door, when we put one in, I used treats on the other side of it to get him to go through it a couple of times.  His litter box was on the other side too, so once he did it a couple times, he was good.  Cats are quick and they want to go in their litter box, so she'll figure it out once you show her.

PepperStick

Thanks everyone! I want to say she's okay with change, we moved and she was fine plus we added the two kids and she's never peed/pooped outside of her litter box except the first night we brought her home when she was a kitten.

I think the biggest issue for her with the basement is that it's noisy. We have a dehumidifier on almost constantly plus the noise of the washer and dryer. The basement is unfinished but DH does have a couch and an area carpeted off for his "man cave" during the winter months. 

I'll definitely try luring her with treats and praise.  

SoDoMojo

Our cats have never had an issue when we've moved the box. We've lived in 4 different houses and they always figure it out on their own. Good luck! I love having our box tucked away... altho they still manage to track litter to bed. Blech!