Cats don’t like change, so a gradual strategy to a brand new litter or litter field location is essential. Here is what to do.
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It’s not typically that geopolitics collides with the on a regular basis lives of our pets, however for a lot of Canadians that’s the case proper now. Trump’s tariff tantrums imply that Canadians want to purchase native merchandise, fairly than American ones. That led me to consider how we make adjustments for cats with out upsetting them, reminiscent of adjustments to their litter field preparations or switching to a locally-made model of cat litter.
There are various causes individuals may wish to make adjustments to their cat’s litter or litter field location, from switching to a distinct model, getting a brand new cat, or transforming their residence.
The factor about cats is that they actually hate change. They like every little thing to be predictable, and which means we now have to make adjustments slowly.
The opposite factor about cats is that they’ve environmental wants, known as the 5 pillars of a wholesome feline surroundings. So every time we make adjustments, we now have to think about whether or not or not we’re assembly our cat’s wants.
A type of 5 pillars is that cats ought to have a number of and separated key environmental assets. Your cat’s assets are mainly all their issues—together with their litter field.
What cats want from their litter field
Under, you’ll discover some tips about how you can make adjustments. However first, let’s evaluate what cats want:
- A number of litter packing containers (particularly when you have a couple of cat)
- A quiet location for the litter field the place they gained’t be disturbed when utilizing it
- Litter packing containers effectively away from different assets reminiscent of meals and water
- A litter that’s comfortable and comfy for his or her paws
- A non-stinky litter as a result of cats have very delicate noses
- The litter field to be scooped and cleaned recurrently (ideally, scooped twice a day)
Modifications to the litter field set-up sometimes embody altering to a distinct sort of litter or shifting it to a brand new location. Whereas these are sometimes for our comfort, every time we make these adjustments, we are able to take it as a possibility to see if we are able to enhance the availability of the cat’s assets from the standpoint of the cat.
make adjustments to the litter field location
With location, it’s essential to make sure your cat’s litter packing containers are in a quiet location and away from their different assets, like meals, water, and pet beds. If in case you have a couple of cat, the usual rule of thumb is to have one litter field per cat plus one spare, so 2 cats = 3 litter packing containers.
The packing containers ought to be in several places. A typical mistake is to line them up subsequent to one another, which is sort of like turning them into one large litter field. You wish to know that your cat will at all times have entry to a field; different cats within the residence shouldn’t be capable to block the way in which.
Once you get a cat, it’s essential to maintain them in a single room whereas they settle in. That’s typically the bed room, and solely as soon as they’ve had time to settle in do you give them the chance to make use of different components of the house. As soon as the cat is now not residing in that one room, you may wish to transfer the litter field to a brand new location.
The secret’s to not choose it up and transfer all of it the way in which to the brand new place. Suppose you all of a sudden moved it from the bed room to a rest room down the corridor. When your cat obtained the urge to go, they’d go to the bed room and the litter field wouldn’t be there, however the place the place it had been would in all probability nonetheless odor of it (no less than it might odor to your cat, whose nostril is superb). They could be tempted to rest room then and there, since they don’t know the place the litter field is.
As a substitute, transfer the litter field steadily, even perhaps simply an inch or two a day. This manner your cat will at all times be capable to discover the field after they go in search of it within the place the place it was yesterday. It could be a bit awkward for the people within the residence who should step across the field within the hallway, nevertheless it’s solely a brief scenario. Simply watch out to make sure it’s not a tripping hazard.
Making adjustments to your cat’s litter
Altering the kind of litter will be upsetting to cats, who might have robust preferences for the actual sort of substrate they’ll bathroom on. Do not forget that one thing that’s comfortable on their paws and never perfumed is finest.
Right here once more it is best to take a gradual strategy. Begin by mixing in just a bit little bit of the brand new litter, and as soon as your cat is used to that, add a bit extra of the brand new litter. Carry on doing this and shortly you’ll be at half-and-half, after which earlier than you realize it you should have been capable of change the entire litter.
It might take some time, however it is possible for you to to make the swap with out upsetting your cat.
Eradicating litter liners
Eradicating a litter liner is one thing that you are able to do in a single step. Cats usually don’t like liners as they will get their claws caught in them, so they’ll simply be glad it’s gone.
Accidents exterior the field
In case your cat is toileting exterior the field, be sure you see your veterinarian in case of medical points.
Sadly generally individuals mistakenly suppose that their cat is being spiteful or imply, and so veterinary consideration is delayed and even missed. For sure, that’s not good to your kitty.
After all, you should still have to verify in your litter field set-up—and it’s one thing your veterinarian may ask about—however do make the appointment along with your vet.
Making adjustments for cats (and holding the cat blissful)
No matter adjustments you’re making, keep in mind that cats usually don’t like change. Many individuals don’t like change both, so hopefully you possibly can empathize along with your cat.
The answer is to make it possible for the change occurs steadily as a way to assist your cat to simply accept it. And, after all, to make sure that regardless of the change is, it’s one thing that will probably be good to your cat’s welfare.
Should you’d wish to know extra about what your cat wants (and how you can assist them be even happier), take a look at my e-book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Comfortable, which features a guidelines for a contented cat.
