Switch your cat’s litter gradually rather than replacing it overnight. Keep the familiar litter available while you introduce the new one, and watch how your cat responds. Cats Protection recommends increasing the new litter in a mix over at least a week; a second tray lets your cat choose between the two.
Choose a replacement your cat can tolerate
Cats can be sensitive to litter’s smell and feel. A strongly scented or deodorized product may put some cats off, and a different texture can take getting used to. If you have a choice, consider an unscented option and pay attention to whether your cat seems comfortable with the new material. Acceptance matters more than changing to a particular type.
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Keep the rest of the litter-box setup stable during the transition when possible. Location, cleanliness, litter depth, tray size, and the number of available trays can all affect whether a cat uses its box.
Introduce the new litter gradually
Option 1: Mix it into the familiar litter
- Keep the existing tray and its familiar litter available.
- Add a small amount of the new litter to the old litter.
- Increase the proportion of new litter gradually over at least a week, as Cats Protection recommends. There is no universal percentage schedule in that guidance, so let your cat’s response guide the pace.
- Continue observing whether your cat uses the tray normally as the mix changes.
Option 2: Offer a separate tray
If you have more than one tray, put the new litter in one and leave the familiar litter in the others. Your cat can choose between them while you see whether it accepts the replacement. This is also useful if you would rather not mix the two litters.
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For a cat hesitant about the new texture
VCA suggests putting the new litter at the bottom of the pan and covering it with the familiar litter. The cat encounters the new material while digging, without having to start with a tray filled entirely with it.
If your cat rejects the new litter
Do not force the change. Restore the familiar litter for a while, then consider trying a different replacement later. A cat’s reaction may reflect the new litter’s scent or texture, so a different option may be better tolerated.
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During the transition, avoid changing other parts of the toileting setup at the same time if you can. Keeping the tray’s location, cleanliness, depth, and availability consistent makes it easier to identify what your cat is responding to.
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When litter-box changes need a veterinarian
A cat avoiding a tray after a litter change may be reacting to an unfamiliar smell or feel, but a sudden change in toileting habits should not automatically be treated as fussiness. Cats Protection advises contacting a veterinarian if your cat’s toileting habits change or it suddenly stops using its tray. VCA also advises considering recent changes to litter or the litter area when house-soiling begins; persistent problems or a possible medical cause warrant veterinary assessment.
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- FRESH STEP CLUMPING CAT LITTER: Amazon exclusive, two 18.5-lb. boxes of Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented Clumping Litter to keep litter boxes smelling fresh without the use of fragrances and dyes
- 15-DAY ODOR CONTROL: Naturally strong clay enhanced with odor-fighting power, Ammonia Block Technology and activated charcoal in this Fresh Step litter help control odors for 15 days guaranteed (1)
- FORMS TIGHT CLUMPS: Tight kitty litter clumping around cat urine and waste makes scooping easy and helps prevent crumbles from being left behind in the kitty litter box
- NO ADDED DYES OR FRAGRANCES: Unscented cat clumping litter uses clay, carbon and minerals to help stop cat urine odors on contact without the use of added fragrances or dyes
- LOW-DUST FORMULA: Low-dust Fresh Step cat litter unscented formula helps keep your floors and other surfaces cleaner
If your cat starts toileting outside the box, tell the veterinarian about the timing of the change and any recent litter or litter-area adjustments. That context may help assess whether the issue is related to the setup, a preference, or a health problem.
Quick Recap
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Sources
- Cats Protection: How to choose the best cat litter for your cat
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Switching to green kitty litter? Read this first
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Cat Behavior Problems – House Soiling
- PetMD: Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?
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