Many pet owners usually have questions about how to litter-box-train their furry best friends; the good news is that most of the cats come litter box trained as long as you do not already have a trouble maker.
However, if you’re bringing are adding a new member of your family from the shelter, it’s always a good idea to assume the worst and hope for the best.
And in the article below, we shall share some insightful tips on how to litter-box your cat.
Training Kittens
Training kitties is easy as it can get since their moms will have done the most important work of training them to use a litter.
In any case, kittens have at least a basic understanding of how to use a litter box.
To train them, you’ll simply need to set up a box, place them inside, and while scratching the litter with your fingers.
Instinct will naturally strike in, and your kitten will make use of the box. And when they do, it’s advisable to leave a fresh deposit to offer a scent of what is required.
Again, assuming they’re productive, we advise that you praise your kitten extravagantly by patting him gently and offering him treats or his favorite game as a reward.
Also, after they’re done, we recommend that you let them climb out of the box on their own and make their way from the litter box. This should help the kitten to remember their way back when nature calls again.
Training Adult Cats
Unlike kittens, training adult cats are more challenging as they already have strong opinions on how they respond to nature calls.
And if they’ve been using litter boxes before, they’re strongly opinionated on say, placement, color, or even style of the litter box.
It’s more challenging to train a cat if you’re dealing with one that has been rescued from a shelter and may have spent years in the wild as they don’t have the slightest clue of an indoor litter box.
Steps to Litter Box Training
Choose the Right Litter Box
A common mistake we see people making is getting litter boxes that are too small for their cats.
Ideally, your cat’s litter box should be approximately one and a half the size of your cat.
The perfect litter box should allow you cat to turn around, scratch and squat without touching the side of the box.
Cats prefer privacy when responding to nature call and a covered litter box might help in containing odors and giving your cat some privacy.
In nature, however, cats are both prey and predators and don’t want to be caught inside an enclosed area. For this reason, many of the cats might prefer an uncovered box as they don’t want to feel trapped.
Either way, whether your cat requires an open or uncovered litter box will depend on your kitty’s personal preferences.
Find the Right Litter
If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, the best choice of litter is what they used in their previous setting.
Often, cats prefer fine-grained litters, but when it comes to the smell of the litter, each cat has their individual preferences.
Whatever, the litter you plan to use, understand that cats are clean, and keeping their litter pristine is of the essence. A dirty litter box is unhygienic, and one of the primary reasons why cats refuse to use a litter box; therefore, keeping the litter clean should be vital.
Ideally, you should clean your litter at least once a day and more often if possible.
But let’s be honest, cleaning a litter box is not a job to look forward to, and you’ll often find yourself forgetting to empty the litter contents. The good news, there’re automatic litter boxes that will self-wash and clean the litter without much of your input. Read on this detailed Cat Genie review to understand how these automatic litter boxes work.
Where To Put the Litter
Placement of the litter box will play an integral role in the success of training your cat.
For starters, no sharing of litter boxes, and each cat should have their litter box.
In a multi-cat household, do not place litter boxes side by side, but rather each should be placed in a private area where you cat can poo and pee in peace.
Avoid placing the litter boxes in a high traffic area or even close to where they feed.
Finally, keep the litter box away from noisy rooms such as the laundry or garage.
If you have a senior cat, or those suffering from conditions such as arthritis, understand that climbing stairs can be quite hurtful, and it’s therefore crucial that you provide at least a litter box for each level.
Maintenance Tips
- Scoop your cats waste at least once a day and more often if possible
- Once a month, thoroughly clean the box with water and soap, and rinse thoroughly
- Replace your cat’s litter box periodically since plastic tends to absorb odors over time
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