Things You'll Need:
- Cat condo or cat bed
- Different style of litter box
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Step 1
Take your cat to the veterinarian for a check-up. Whenever your cat starts exhibiting odd behavior, you should always rule out a medical cause. If the veterinarian finds that the cat is healthy, then you can try behavioral solutions.
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Step 2
Try to figure out what is appealing about the litter box. It may not be the box itself, but the area in which it is located. For example, perhaps there is high traffic running through most of the areas in your house, but the litter box is in a quiet, private area. The cat may simply be seeking a private place to rest.
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Step 3
Provide more appealing alternatives. If the cat seems to want privacy or to have some other reason that makes it prefer the litter box location, provide a bed, kitty condo or other resting place in an area with similar characteristics. If it's hard to find a quiet area in your house, a cat condo allows the cat to hide inside if it wants privacy.
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Step 4
Change the type of litter box you are using to make it less appealing. If you're using an open box, switch to a type with a cover. If you have a covered box that the cat is hiding in, switch to an open model. This will reduce the appeal of the box and encourage the cat to explore the other option you've set up for it.
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Step 5
Use catnip to attract the cat to the new area. Most cats are reactive to catnip and will be drawn by the scent. Using it on the new bed or sprinkling some in the cat condo should pique your pet's interest.
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Step 6
Don't make a big deal out of your cat using its new area. Unlike dogs, cats don't usually have an intense desire to please their owners. If the cat is seeking a quiet place, making a big fuss over it will defeat the purpose and make the new area less attractive.
