Cat Toilet Training
Learning how to properly litter box train your cat isn’t hard as long as you devote the appropriate time and patience, and know the appropriate steps.
Choosing the Right Box and Litter
To properly litter box train your cat you will first need a litter box. A plastic box is usually the most practical and easy to clean. Make sure the sides are low enough that your kitten can easily climb in and out.
Many cats dislike scented litter, so it is best to start with unscented clay or clumping litter. Most kittens will automatically use kitty litter rather than going on other surfaces, except for the possibly soil in a potted plant. So keep plants out of your kitten’s reach or cover the soil with rocks and/or pine cones.
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The box should be placed in a relatively quiet area of your home where your kitten can have some privacy. Place the box away from household items that make noises, such as the washing machine, radiator, furnace or refrigerator. It is also recommended that you use a baby gate with your kitty to keep the box away from children and/or other pets, such as a dog. Make sure that the litter box is easily accessible. Have a separate litter box for each cat, cats can be very territorial even when it comes to their litter box.
Training Your Cat
To properly litter box train your cat you must first supervise your kitten to help show him to use the litter box when the time comes. Keep the box within your kitten’s sight to make sure that he uses it every time. If he begins to sniff around, gently pick him up and place him in the box.
Gently praise him for sniffing and scratching in the box, and then give him lots of praise and/or a small treat when he goes in the box. Clean the box every time after the kitten goes to the washroom so that he will want to return to use it.
If you cannot directly supervise your kitten, place him in a cat-proofed room with his litter box. Follow these steps for at least two weeks or until your kitten regularly uses the litter box on his own.
To help you cat feel comfortable around the litter box, try to prevent anything unpleasant from happening while he is near or in the box. Never give your cat medicine or scold him while he is near the box.
Correcting Mistakes
It doesn’t take long for mistakes to develop into bad habits, so make sure to identify and correct mistakes right away.
Common causes of house soiling include:
- The litter box is not cleaned frequently enough
- Your kitten was frightened in or near his litter box
- The litter box was moved from a quiet to a noisy area
- A change in the kind of litter
- Scented litter additives or odor from cleansers/deodorants
- Medical problems
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Never ever punish your kitten for eliminating outside of his litter box. Punishing him will only make the problem worse and may cause your kitten to fear you, especially if you smack him or rub his nose in the mess. Rather, address the above conditions and, if necessary, return to the basic training steps.
To decrease the appeal of an area where you kitten always goes to the bathroom you can move his food and cat there. Most cats will not soil the area where their food and water are placed. You can also place a sheet of plastic carpet runner, double-sided tape, an aversive odor (deodorized soap, perfume) or a motion detector alarm in the area.
If your kitten continues to eliminate outside of his litter box, take him to your veterinarian to make sure that he has no medical problems. Medical problems that may be irritating and cause your cat to avoid the litter box include bladder disease, diarrhea and constipation.
Spraying
As your kitten matures, he or she may begin to spray (urinate on vertical surfaces such as walls or furniture). Cats are very territorial and they mark their territory as a warning to others.
Neutering (male and female cats) should eliminate most spraying behavior, but some neutered cats do spray. Ask your veterinarian for advice if your cat continues to spray after neutering.
Controlling Litter Box Odor
A covered litter box will help to control the odor in your home. A covered litter box is also very helpful for kitties with poor aim. You can also train a reluctant cat to use a covered litter box by placing a large cardboard box over his litter box and than gradually decreasing the size of the box until it is the same size as the litter box cover and then make the switch.
Most importantly, remember that cats are creatures of habit. Once you find the kind of litter, type of box and location in your home that you kitty likes, stick with it! If you want to make a change, place the new box and new litter in a new location, but make sure to leave the old box and old litter in the old location until your cat starts using the new box instead. Good luck.
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