How To Transition
Your Cat To Catalyst
Here’s how we (and our customers) recommend making the litter transition as smooth as possible. Looking for how to switch to wood pellets litter instead? Click here
Step one
To start, open the Catalyst bag and set it next to your cat’s litter box to allow them to smell it. A strange new smell is the biggest reason cats reject a litter, so give your cat ideally 2-3 days to get comfortable with the smell.
step two
we have two options to try:
we have two options to try:
1. Layer in 20% of Catalyst at the bottom of the litter box, and add in 80% of your older litter on top of it.
We recommend having 2-3 inches of litter in the litter box. (This is about the length from your fingertip to your second knuckle).
We recommend having 2-3 inches of litter in the litter box. (This is about the length from your fingertip to your second knuckle).
2. As you scoop daily, replace with only Catalyst. Try to keep your previous litter at the top as much as possible, but in the use of the litter box, some of it may get mixed up - don’t worry too much about it!
3. Once you are ready to clean your litter box out, fill it completely with Catalyst.
4. We recommend at least 7-10 days for the entire transition period, and extend this period to up to three weeks if your cat seems initially hesitant. For homes with multiple cats, longer is also preferred to allow all the cats to fully adjust to the new litter.
This method is the industry standard
1. Mix in about 20% of Catalyst with 80% of your previous litter. Do not layer it - mix it thoroughly together.
We recommend having 2-3 inches of litter in the litter box. (This is about the length from your fingertip to your second knuckle).
We recommend having 2-3 inches of litter in the litter box. (This is about the length from your fingertip to your second knuckle).
2. As your cat continues to use the litter, replace with Catalyst each time you scoop (should be daily), and try to mix in the Catalyst with the existing litter as much as possible.
3. We recommend at least 7-10 days for the entire transition period, and extend this period to up to three weeks if your cat seems initially hesitant. For homes with multiple cats, longer is also preferred to allow all the cats to fully adjust to the new litter.
This method is recommended by a MSc researcher who specializes in animal behavior research
You can always try one method and if for some reason your cat doesn’t take to it right away, you can try the other.
The vast majority of cats take to Catalyst right away!
The vast majority of cats take to Catalyst right away!
Litterbox Best Practices
The more litterboxes the better for cats, but ideally having one litterbox per cat plus an extra is key.
Choosing a large litterbox can help cats use their natural sense to dig and cover in the litterbox. This is especially important for larger cats, as they require more space.
Consider giving your cat treats when you see your cat using the new litter - positive reinforcement always helps!
Try not to introduce any other changes around the litterbox while transitioning the litter if possible. That includes using a new litterbox, loud noises (such as construction work), new room, new people in the house etc. If possible, keep everything the same except for the litter. Cats are creatures of habit!
Cats have shown a preference for litterboxes set against a wall - it gives them protection at a time when they feel vulnerable. However, make sure the litterbox is located in a quiet area of the home (ie. not beside a noisy appliance or furnace) as this can be scary for cats.
WOOD PELLETS LITTER TRANSITION INSTRUCTIONS
- Start with Catalyst pelletized litter as the first layer in the box. Top with an equal layer of your existing litter.
- With each box change (~ every 2 weeks) gradually increase the amount of pelletized litter and add less of the old litter.
- This transition should take 3-4 litter box changes (~1.5-2 months) for the process to be complete.
- Alternatively, you can incorporate Catalyst pelletized litter into your routine gradually with a mix-in method.
- Each time you scoop your old litter, mix in a handful of pellets. Continue this process until the pellets have completely replaced all of the old litter.
- For optimal results, clean out the box entirely halfway through (when you are at a 1:1 ratio), refill box with the 1:1 ratio and continue to scoop/replace as needed.
My cat isn’t taking to the litter immediately! Help!
1
Try restarting the litter transition process, but this time with just 10% Catalyst and 90% your previous litter.
2
Use the method you didn’t try last time - if you layered it last time, try mixing it, and if you mixed it last time, try layering it.
3
As you scoop out litter, add just Catalyst each time until the transition is complete.
4
Calming sprays such as Feliway Calming Sprays can potentially help as well to calm your kitty during the transition
5
If your kitty is still not taking to the litter, desperate times call for desperate measures! If you have a bit of leftover waste from the old litter box, you can place it with the new litter.
6
This gives your feline friend a recognizable scent marker, signaling the appropriate place for them to go to the bathroom.
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