I can no longer stand the smell of the litter box in my laundry room! It must go out to the garage. Yes- I clean it often and use good litter, it still has an odor I cant tolerate. So, we have installed a kitty door to the garage but how do I get her to use it out there? She goes in the garage every now and then when I leave the door open. I have put her thru the cat door a few times and she knows how to come back in thru it. So should I keep the box out ther and just keep putting her out there too until she finally goes? One time and I think she will have it figured out and remember where it is. Any suggestions to help retrain her?
Thanks moms
When I moved the litter box I just took her and put her in it so she knew where it was. Never had a problem. I guess if she has an accident pick her up and take her to the litter box. Cats are smart she'll get it.
When ever I move our litter box I just put the cat in the litter box and walk away. I have only ever had to do it once and have never had an issue with the cat peeing anywhere but in the box.
I would show the cats, rub their paws in the fresh box, and they got it. They really are pretty smart.
Funny story.... my sister has a kitty, part siamese. She is a smart, stubborn little thing. My sister was slowly moving the litter to the basement. The last move was to the top of the steps. (before it went down) She came home from work and it was scooted into the living area. She thought it was weird. She moved it to the stairs again, showered and came back down. The kitty had pushed it all the way back again. That smart little bugger did not want it down the basement....lol!
We did the exact same thing, moved the litter box to the garage and installed a kitty door. Our kitty was really ticked at first and sprayed our entire couch to show that she was not happy to have her box displaced (she had never done anything like this before). Couch had to be thrown out *sigh.* But she did learn pretty quickly how to use the kitty door ... we used treats & cat nip, calling her in from the other side, just as you would train a dog. If you put her food in the garage, as well, that will help. We did that, too.
Just show her once, they are smart like that.
I use Fresh Step, I swear you cannot smell the box at all.
When I first moved into this house, I put the litter box and the cat bowls in the garage since we had a pet door already in place and I wanted to keep the mess/smell out of our living areas. I put the cats in there, had them watch me place their litter boxes, watch me fill their bowls, left the light on and then closed the pet door for a few hours. I checked their boxes to make sure they had used them, then left the garage again, not letting them out through the big door and opened the pet door for them. They figured out that that was their door to use as they pleased, how to use it and that was that. If you're worried about your cat marking during the transition, place a disposible box in the laundry room for a few days and then get rid of it totally. Good luck!
I think you have the right idea. Keep putting her in the box until she gets it.
I second the Fresh Step, I have used it for over 15 years and never have a smelly box. But, regarding getting kitty to use the box in the garage, I would also put her food out there for a few days, or maybe just a few treats in a dish, something to entice her. Once she knows there is something yummy she'll go, then she'll figure out her box is there too. I'm sure she'll catch on fast, good luck kitty!
If you don't want your cat to spray out of defiance, then I would do this slowly. Have a box in the house still. BUT, move all her feedings out to the garage. Take her out there, let her eat, and shut the door. She'll eat and then want to go to the bathroom. For awhile, put less and less litter in the box in the house and keep scooping daily. If you can, you could get one of those timed feedings and have it put a little out 4 times per day. My cats absolutely know what time it is and they show up from all over the house before the food drops.
I'm with Sandy L. I've never had a problem just moving the cat box, showing the cat where it was, and leaving it at that. Cats are smart, and as long as they know where the little box is, they're usually fine.
Put the litter box out in the garage and then put your cat in the box. Wait near the closed door and if she starts to meow put your hand through the catdoor so she will learn how to get back in. Cats are pretty smart so I am sure she will have no problem.
PS: when I had cats I found that the Feline Pine worked the best with the urine odor. I would scoop the poops and flush them right after the cat went (if I was home). I preferred the pellets.
