Cat House Training and House Soiling ProblemsDid you know that suddenly switching to a new kind of litter can cause a litter box avoidance issue? On top of the fact that cats dislike change, they are also extremely picky about where they do their business. The way the litter smells, the way it feels on their feet, how quickly it absorbs their urine – this all makes a difference to your cat. Unless your cat is already doing fine with scented litter, avoid using it. Most cats don't like anything that is artificially scented with flowers or perfume. It might smell good to you – but the pleasant aroma of the litter won't matter when your couch smells like pee! If you do want to change your cat's litter, this is what you need to do: Buy a completely new litter box (or, you can use a large Tupperware storage container) and put the new litter in the new box. Then, place that litter box right next to the old one. If your cat starts using the new litter box, that contains the new litter - then you can start to make the switch. If your cat only uses it once or twice but keeps using the old one regularly – don't switch the litter! Your cat probably won't use it. Here's what a lot of other people say to do when changing your cat's litter, and why I don't think it's a good idea. They say to take the new litter and slowly mix it in with the old one until you have completely switched to the new one. Here's why that is not a good idea: If your cat doesn't like the new litter, they might put up with having a little bit of it in their litter box at first, but once it's half and half with their old litter, they will simply refuse to use the litter box – and since they won't have any alternative – you'll be left cleaning the carpet. If your new litter is very similar to the old one, this method might work. Otherwise, it's a hit and miss. Your cat may take to the new litter and not care – but if you're wrong, then your cat won't be using any litter box at all because there won't be an alternative. I still think you should slowly mix the old litter in with the new rather rather than just suddenly making a change to a new litter – but only after you have determined that your cat will actually use the new litter once the old is gone. The only reason for still mixing them, is the simple fact that cats don't like change and may not take kindly to a sudden switch of litter. (Even if they were using it while it was next to their old one. Yes, cats can be so fussy!) Also, if you're using litter liners, get rid of them. Most cats don't like them because they make noise and get stuck to their claws when they try to dig. In addition, litter liners can actually make the litter box smell worse because little puddles of urine will wind up in the creases of the liner . . . ewww
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