More help with cats please

[LynneSin]

Still have some worries about Abbie, the stray cat I brought into my home and adopted. I'm hoping a few experienced cat owners can help me out.

Moving the litter box: I originally put the litter box in the bathroom and use the utility closet (which is very large) to stash just about anything the cat could ruin. Since it seems the cat isn't into shread my grandmother's quilt or peeing on pillows, I want to move the litter box out of the bathroom and into the utility closet. Question - will the cat know to go in the new location? I closed the bathroom door and put him in the new litter box a few times. SHould I leave a nightlight on in there so he can find the place.

I just don't want to wake up with poopoo and peepee all over my apartment.

[Lisa0825]

1. when I have moved my cat's box, I have just brought her in to show

it to her, and she hasn't had any problem finding it after that.

[joeybee12]

4. Same with my cats--she'll be fine if you do that

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. He will smell its location

But if its a boy, he may be prone to spraying anyway...that's how they mark their territory.

Make sure you keep the litter box clean if you want him to use it. Cats really are clean freaks and if their litter box smells bad they will go elsewhere to do their business.

[LynneSin]

7. That cat isn't half the clean freak as I am about the box.

The reason the box was moved:

I just got some magazines to read and wanted to take a relaxing bubble bath. Had some Bach on the CD player and candles lit to set the mood and I was using my favorite Lavender Bubble Bath (I actualy use Johnson's Baby Bath for Fussy Babies - a great Lavender smell and bubbles nicely). Five minutes into my relaxing bath and Abbie decided he had to go to the bathroom.

:eyes:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. Yeah I took my cat's box out of the bathroom because every morning

they would come in right about the time I was using the restroom. I felt like they were competing with me.

[Booberdawg]

3. If you took him there and showed him where it was then you'll be okay

I've never had any trouble with that by showing them just once. Cats are smart. ;-)

[sleepyhead]

5. show him where it is

and you shouldn't have a problem. Make sure it's accessible (not in a closet where the door is closed a lot) and you should be fine.

[havocmom]

6. Show Abbie where the box is, shut off the bathroom

make sure there is plenty of head room and 'turn around' room where the box is in the utility closet or there might be a slight revolt. Should be OK. Cats are really smart. Lots of praise when the box is used should be a good reinforcement. They also do better seeing in low light than any humans do, so I doubt you need to leave on lights, unless it is really dark in the closet area. Once the box is uses a time or two, there should be no trouble finding it at all. Keep it clean and tidy for the critter.

If a cat messes outside its litter, it usually is a sign of either some sort of pain when voiding or anger. (They will sometimes leave editorials if really annoyed.)

Hope you and your new buddy have a long and happy partnership.

[rbnyc]

9. You did the right thing.

When you bring a cat to a new place, or move the litter box, just put kitty in the box. That's usually all it takes.

Sweet kitty.

:loveya:

[SheilaT]

10. One of the things I love about cats

is that (in my experience) all you have to do is show them the litterbox once and they know where it is and what to do with it. No going out in lousy weather with them, no messes left on the lawn or sidewalk. If you don't keep it clean enough they will let you know, usually by depositing a "gift" where you can't miss it.

Oh, and if your new feline companion isn't neutered, get that taken care of as soon as you can. As others have probably pointed out, even a neutered male may spray, but usually not as much as an unneutered one, and either gender is much happier "fixed".

[coralrf]

11. If she was using the box

in the prior location she will almost certainly use it in the new one..(I am a veterinarian.) Cats that are using a box will continue to do so as long as the relocation is not associated with other major changes. Change nothing but the position of the box.

[yellowdawgdem]

12. litter feng shui

Just be sure to keep the utility closet door open, or stick something in the door to jam it. I keep the litter in the bathroom, but it is true (as someone else mentioned) that the cats tend to come in and go at the same time as me. One of them kicks up a whole lotto dust, and the other one likes to cuddle. what can you do with these lil' critters.