Why do some cats resist litter change?
Cats are creatures of habit and can be neophobic — which means they’re suspicious of change.
They might need your patience and encouragement to try new things as a result, even a new litter.
What’s the best way to switch to a new litter?
1. Do it gradually
Try making the switch slowly over time. Allowing the texture and smell of the new litter to appear gradually will help neophobic cats to adjust gently to the change.
Day 1: Add one scoop of new litter to the old litter.
Day 2: Remove one scoop of old litter. Add one scoop of new litter.
Day 3: Keep going until the tray is 100% new litter.
2. One change at a time.
When you’re introducing change to a neophobic cat, try and keep everything else in their daily routine familiar.
Keep bowls and litter boxes in the same places. Serve food at the usual times. Try and avoid bringing new faces or new cats into their space until they’ve made the switch.
This helps avoid other unnecessary stresses that might make your cat feel anxious. When a cat is feeling calm and relaxed, they’re more likely to accept changes and approach a new situation with curiosity and openness.
3. Familiar smells help.
Smells are a powerful tool that can create positive associations and a reminder of familiar routines. Neophobic cats can find it helpful to have a familiar smell from their previous litter in their new litter. Yes, that means poo.
If your neophobic cat is struggling to switch, save some of your cat’s poo from their old litter and add it to their new one. If you’re making the shift gradually, remove the usual scoop of old litter but leave some poo behind, adding the new litter on top. This means you’re giving them a smell that says “this place is familiar and safe”, shifting their perception from Strange New Litter to Familiar Toilet.
4. Everyone loves treats.
Give good behaviour a thumbs up. Rewards are a great way to teach neophobic cats they’ve done the right thing – and to encourage them to keep doing it. When your cat successfully uses their new litter, reward them with a treat to celebrate.
Not all treats were created equal, so choose something that’ll keep your cat feeling good in the long run. KatKin Nibbles are our 100% fresh meat treats that come in two kinds: 100% freeze-dried chicken or 100% freeze-dried salmon. We wish we could avoid saying 100% so much but there’s nothing else in them. Get them from your KatKin account.
5. Good vibes only.
Every cat adjusts to change differently. Accidents happen. So if yours has a slip-up or is acting out, they’re probably feeling a bit unsettled by the switch.
It’s important to never scold or punish ‘bad’ behaviour. Doing this could lead to more unhelpful behaviour because of your cat feeling stressed. Remember it might take some time and patience, but most cats will get there in the long run.
If accidents do keep happening, try leaving out two litter trays next to each other: one with the old litter, one with the new (or a mixture of old and new litter). This should help your cat understand that both are great places to go to the toilet.
How long does it take to switch to a new cat litter?
It depends on the cat’s personality. Many switch to a new litter with little fuss, others take time. Patience is key. If you’re having trouble finding a cat litter that your cat will happily use, you’re not alone. Read our inappropriate urination article here for more help.