How To Toilet Train A Cat In A Few Easy Steps

Learning how to toilet train a cat isn’t hard as long as you know exactly what to do. Here are a few simple steps for your to follow so you can learn how to toilet train your cat fast.

1. Your first step is to gradually move your cat’s litter box into the bathroom.  You can move your cat’s litter box inch by inch until the litter box is directly up against the toilet.
2. Next, gradually raise the litter box up by placing phone books (or something sturdier) under it.  Repeat this daily until the litter box is of equal height to the toilet.  You may need to secure the litter box to the phone books or whatever it’s sitting on so that it doesn’t move when the cat jumps on to it.
3. Now you need to continue to move the box over inch by inch until the litter box is onto the seat.  Continue gradually decreasing the amount of litter in the box until there is only a thin layer (less than 1 inch) of it left.
4. Now, replace the litter box with a “training box”.  You have a few different options here, but the important thing to remember is to make sure that the “training box” can hold your cat’s weight if they step or jump onto it.  The Kitty Whiz trainer is very cheaply made of the thinnest plastic. Cats will tend to want to stand in the litter when they are first learning to transfer to toilet training. Here are our suggestions for making a kitty training box.

• Lift the toilet seat and tape a piece of wax paper over the hole so that the toilet looks like a drum.  Lower the seat over the wax paper.  Add flushable litter.
• Lift the toilet seat and tape a aluminum pan to the edges.  Put the seat down so that it holds the bowl in place.  Add flushable litter.
• Use a commercial training device, sold specifically for this purpose.  We recommend CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit, CatGenie-Self Washing, Self Flushing Cat Box and, although a bit pricier, the Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System is an effective and easy to use system.

If you’re using wax paper or an aluminum pan, cut a hole about one inch in diameter in the center and gradually increase the size of the hole until it is almost gone.  If you’re using a training seat, remove the rings, one at time.  This is done to gradually get the cat used to urinating or defecating into water. Simultaneously, no matter which method you’re using, reduce the amount of litter so that there is no litter when the paper, bowl, or device is removed.

Tips On How To Toilet Train A Cat

• If your cat refuses to use the toilet after you’ve cut the hole to reveal the water, try cutting the hole at the edge of the wax paper/aluminum pan instead. If you are using an aluminum pan, roll up the edge of the piece you just cut to create a wall (or “dam”) to prevent too much litter from falling into the hole.
• If when you remove the “training box” the cat seems confused, try sprinkling a little flushable litter into the water to spark his or her memory.
• Always wait until the cat is comfortable with a setup before changing it. If you rush the cat, this will not work, and you are more likely to have accidents. Don’t ever try to force a cat to do anything that it does not want to do. For example, you should never have to pick up the cat and put it in the litter box or on the “training box”. If you must show or force a cat to do something, you’ve moved too quickly from one stage to the next. Go back to square one.
• This will most likey not work with indoor/outdoor cats, as they will probably just learn to hold it rather than deal with this drama.
• This will work best if you are home full-time for the duration of the training time.
• Flush the toilet after your cat urinates as some cats are shy to defecate onto urine.
• Clean the litter in your training box after each use and sprinkle some catnip in the clean litter.
• Reward your cat with a treat after a successful toilet experience to reinforce a good job well done.

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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