Introducing A Cat To A New Litter Box (The ‘How To’ Guide)

Introducing a cat to a new cat litter box, or even a new type of litter, to your cat (or kittens) can be a challenging task. It can be a source of stress and anxiety for both the cat and the owner. After all, cats are creatures of habit and they don’t necessarily like change. 

But don’t worry! With a few simple steps, you can make the transition to a new litter box easier and less stressful for both you and your feline friend. 

This cat care guide will provide you with a general guideline and the best advice on how to remove the old litter box and introduce a new litter box to your cat quickly and easily, so you can both enjoy the benefits of a clean and comfortable litter box. The big thing is to just have a bit of patience!

Why Introduce a New Litter Box?

There are many benefits to introducing a new type of box to your cat. Cats naturally prefer privacy and a clean litter box is a great way to ensure your cat has a private place to do its business. 

The best part is, if you introduce a new litter box to your cat early enough, you’ll notice that your cat will use this new box right away. Ideally, your cat will quickly get used to the new box and begin using it as its own. 

In this way, you’ll reduce the chance of your cat developing litter box aversion. Along with the benefits listed above, introducing a new litter box to your cat can also help prevent your cat from developing litter box allergies. 

Allergies are common in cats and if your cat is allergic to certain litter boxes, there’s a chance your cat could be allergic to other household objects such as your bed or couch. 

By switching litter boxes, you can reduce your cat’s chances of developing an allergy to other household items.

However, some cats, especially an older cat, can be set in their ways - just like us 'hoomans!'

Read this next: How Often Do Cats Pee? What Is Normal For Your Cat

Preparing the New Cat Litter Box

The first step in introducing a new litter box to your cat is getting everything you need ready for the transition. 

The best litter for the new box will depend on your cat’s preferences, but there are some general guidelines you can follow. There are a few things to keep in mind before you begin switching your cat’s litter box:

New Litter Box: Introduction Steps

Now that you have everything ready to change your cat’s litter box, it’s time to get down to business. Again, there are a few key things to remember when introducing a new litter box to your cat. 

Step 1. Make sure you’ve picked the best regular litter for your cat’s preferences. Ideally, you want to switch your cat’s litter box at least two weeks before the change. In this way, your cat has enough time to get used to using the new box before you have to do it all again. Also, get a litter that doesn't track in their claws.

Step 2. Make sure to keep the litter box area clean between changes. When you change your cat’s litter, you want to make sure whatever area your cat uses is clean, so it doesn’t associate the area with unpleasant feelings. 

step 3. When you’re ready to introduce the new box, place the new litter box in the area your cat uses frequently. Ideally, your cat will quickly get the hint and begin using the new box.

Step 4. Put the litterbox in a sensible place, not in the basement or on a cold cement floor. We also recommend that you place at least one litterbox on each level of your house. Especially if you have multiple cats so that one cat can't ambush another cat using the litter box. Do not place the litter box near any appliance that may cause a frightening experience if tey suddenly switch on, such as a dryer, furnace, or washing machine, 

Step 5. Make sure to observe your cat’s bowel movements. The color of your cat's poop should not be affected by introducing a new litter box. However, if you notice any changes in the color, consistency, or frequency of your cat's poop, it may be a sign of a health issue, and you should consult with a veterinarian.

Top New Litter Box Tips

If your cat is already using the litter box, all the tips below will help you keep the litter box clean and extend the amount of time your cat uses the litter box. Just make sure you never have a dirty litter box. Cats are very particular about litter tray hygiene.

Litter Type

Type of Litter Research has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained litters because they have a softer feel. Newer, better-quality scoopable litters usually have finer grains than the typical clay litter.

Read this next: Why Does My Cat’s Poop Smell So Bad? (Fixing Stinky Cat Poop!)

Use a Clumping Litter 

While there are some non-clumping litter products on the market that are designed to reduce dust, most clumping litter is dust-free. 

Clumping litter is designed to bind waste together, so you don’t have to scoop the waste out of the box as often. This can help reduce the amount of time you have to spend cleaning the litter box, which can reduce stress for both you and your cat. 

Keep the litter box clean 

Don’t leave behind any waste in the box, and make sure to empty it once a day. This helps to extend the amount of time the litter box stays clean, and it also helps reduce the amount of time you have to spend cleaning the litter box. How often you change the litter depends on the number of cats you have.

Make Changes if necessary

If you notice your cat using other parts of the house to poop or pee beside the litter box, you may want to make some changes to the house to reduce the chances of your cat being exposed to other items. 

This could include keeping the area your cat uses to do its business clean, reducing the amount of time your cat spends in these other areas, and swapping out the litter box if necessary.

Do Not Use A Scented Litter

Many cats are put off by the odor of scented or deodorant litter. So to begin with, use a high-quality non-scented litter and it's not a good idea to place a room deodorizer or air freshener near the litterbox. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.

Reward Them

If you hear your cat using their new litter box, hang about nearby and when they have finished their business, reward them with a small treat or a  fuss

Read this next: How Often Do Cats Poop? (And Bathroom Habits to Watch Out For!)

Signs Your Cat is Happy

Hopefully, your cat is already using the new litter box, but here are a few signs that your cat is comfortable with the new litter box. If your cat begins using the new box, it likely has gotten used to the new box. If one or more of these signs happen, your cat may have gotten used to the new box. 

Cats Use Box

If your cat consistently uses the new box, it likely isn’t bothered by the change. If your cat uses one litter box but begins using the new litter box, it’s likely your cat is just getting used to the new box. 

Cat Doesn’t Try to Use the Old Box 

If your cat still tries to use the old box, it likely isn’t comfortable with the change. This can help to confirm your cat isn’t happy with the change. 

Tips for keeping the litter box clean

Change the Litter

Ideally, you want to change the litter in the new box right after you switch your cat’s litter. This helps to reduce the amount of time the new litter is exposed to dust, which helps keep your cat healthier. If the transition is a bit rushed, make sure to change the litter in the new box as soon as you finish with the old litter. 

Read this next: Best Cat Litter Scoops: 7 Top Cat Litter Pooper Scoopers!

Clean Litter box Daily

You will want to clean out the litter box daily, with typical clay litter, and change the litter every two days or so. This helps to reduce risks of dust-related health problems and keeps the litter box as clean as possible. Please ensure that you use cleaning products, soap, and maybe even use liners. But some cats hate liners 

Dump Old litter and Refill

Ideally, when you change your cat’s litter, you want to dump the old litter and refill the new box right away. This helps to reduce the amount of time the new litter is exposed to dust, and it also helps to prevent accidents while you’re cleaning the old litter out of the new box. 

Don’t Leave Old litter in the Box

 Ideally, you want to empty the old litter from the old box when you change your cat’s litter, and then proceed to clean the old box out before you refill the new box. This helps to reduce the amount of time the new litter is exposed to dust, and it also helps to prevent accidents while you’re cleaning out the old litter.

We have a full article here on how to best clean your cat's litter box. 

Introducing a New Litter Box to Your Cat: Summary

This guide will provide you with a general guideline and the best advice on how to remove the old litter box and introduce a new litter box to your cat quickly and easily, so you can both enjoy the benefits of a clean and comfortable litter box. 

The big thing is to just have a bit of patience! We all know how 'particular' our beloved furry friends can be.