The Way of Cats

A reader writes:

I moved my 16 year old female cat’s litter box from the spare bathroom to my closet. It fits fine and we get no more water splashes from the shower and litter on the guest room floor. BUT - while she uses the box in its new location, she still uses the old bathroom floor and rug. How do I stop her from using the old bathroom as her litter box?

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Dear Reader,

She’s sixteen, which means she relies a lot on her old habits. If she gets an urgent call of nature, and heads to where she’s used to going, there might not be enough time for her to realize her mistake and doubleback to where the new box is.

And she is willing to use her new box. I’m betting she just forgets.

Help her remember by:

Leaving the bathroom door closed for now. This is an immediate signal that indicates the old place is no longer available.

Give her time to make new habits.

And if she has a pattern to when she uses the litter box, be alert at those times, and remind her by showing her where the new box is. Make it a happy time; tell her how glad we are she is using the new place, praise her for doing so, and tell her we are reminding her where it is.

How many times have we moved something, and then kept going to the old place where it was kept? Lots, I bet. The cat can go through the same thing.

If this doesn’t work, try a strong scent to drive them away. A rag sprayed with that orange cleaner works well, or peppermint scented candles, anything with that sharp scent. If it makes our eyes water, it will do worse to the cat’s nose.

Also, since cats tend to not go where they eat, put some bowls of food there, or feed her treats there. Or stack some precariously perched empty cardboard boxes or empty tin cans there, so brushing against them causes them to topple.

Making it an unpleasant place to go will remove the urge to keep going there.

Just wanted to say thanks again for your great advice. I have been feeding her there and the behavior has stopped. You are the cat whisperer!

You are welcome.

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