Need to move litter box

[NicoleK]

We are getting ready to remodel and paint our bedroom which is where our litter box for our 4 cats currently resides. We would like to keep it in one of our bathrooms permanently so we figured this would be the perfect time to move it. We moved it to the other bathroom yesterday(which is very close to our bedroon and easily accessible) but one of our boys refuses to use it. We covered up their old area with cardboard so they wouldn't be tempted to go there but he keeps trying to get in there to go.

Does anyone have any suggestions about anything I can do? Should I break down and put it back to the old spot for a while so he can go? Can he develop health problems by waiting too long to go?

Thanks much

[LisaLisa]

It may help if you place the litterbox in the same area and move a foot or so every day until it is in the new area over time...possibly 1-2 weeks if feasible. You may be able to keep another litterbox in the new area for the other cats who are adapting better to the change.

Kitties are creatures of habit and it's best if change can occur slowly in situations where this is possible. Cats can become stressed by changes in the environment no matter how small these may seem to us humans..

[Tambrey]

That is exactly what I was going to suggest...a sudden move might be too abrupt, so moving it a little bit closer to the new place each day, would be better...

[Phoebe's human]

Have you thought about one litter box per cat? I've often heard that this is recommended. I know that would mean 4 litter boxes for you but in the long run it might be easier.

And this might be a good time to start.

I agree that any changes need to be gradual and slow, especially if your cats are older.