How To Train A Cat To Use The Litter Box
Introduction
It’s no secret that cats can be notoriously hard to housebreak. And while many people like to call them stubborn, the truth is that cats are very smart and easily learn how to use a litter box once they know what it is and why it exists. Cats will naturally want to go where their litter box is located, but they need help getting there! So here’s a quick rundown on how you can train your cat to use its litter box:
Start Them Young
The best time to train a cat to use the litter box is when they are young. While they can be trained at any age, it’s much easier to do so when they are still kittens. In general, cats are more willing to learn new things as kittens than adults and will more readily adapt to unfamiliar situations.
Since kittens don’t always know what is safe for them or where it is safe for them until they are older (for example, a kitten may not realize that the fireplace is hot until he’s been burned), you should take extra precautions when training your kitten how to use his new litter box. It’s important that you keep an eye on him while he gets used both physically and mentally before letting him wander around freely without supervision or supervision by another adult member of your household if possible (this often works well if there’s another cat in the house).
Set a Schedule
You should establish a schedule for your cat’s daily needs. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for him to learn the correct behavior. Cats are creatures of habit and need clear expectations from their owners in order to feel secure.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Train your cat by setting aside a specific time each day (ideally at least 3-4 times per week) when you’ll clean out his litter box and place fresh litter in it. It’s helpful if this time falls right after feeding him since he may associate the cleanup with eating rather than relieving himself indoors.
- Decide on a feeding schedule so that he doesn’t get hungry during training sessions or associate eating with urinating outside of the box. For example, feed him once in the morning and then again at night so he has plenty of opportunity throughout the day without getting too full to pee somewhere else!
Put Down the Litter Box
The first thing you’ll want to do is put the litter box somewhere quiet, preferably away from high traffic areas and other pets. Cats prefer privacy, so make sure your cats aren’t seeing or hearing cars driving by or children playing.
You want to ensure that the litter box is placed near their food and water dishes (to help with training) as well as in an easily accessible area for everyone involved; if you have multiple cats, this could mean placing them in different rooms of your home depending on where your felines hang out most often.
Don’t Punish Your Cat
Don’t punish your cat.
While it may be tempting to discipline your cat if they don’t use the litter box, punishment is not an effective way of training a cat to use their litter box. Cats are sensitive animals and punishment can make the problem worse. Punishing your cat can also lead to them developing a negative association with the litter box, which will make it more difficult for them to use it in the future.
Use Litter Boxes of Different Sizes
Cats may not like the feel of a new litter box. They may also not like the feel of a large or small litter box, or one with a lid. The best strategy is to have several different sized boxes available, and then monitor which ones your cat chooses most often.
- Small Cat Litter Boxes: These are usually around 5-6 inches tall by 14 inches wide and 12 inches deep, but you can also find some that are even smaller than this for kittens and other small cats.
- Large Cat Litter Boxes: These are often around 18 inches wide by 24 inches tall and 18 inches deep, but larger ones do exist as well if needed (such as for Maine Coons).
Cats can be trained to use the litter box!
Cats are naturally clean animals. This is why it’s so important to train them to use the litter box, because cats will not defecate or urinate anywhere else but in their litter box. Cats are attracted to the smell of their own waste; this is why they bury it. They also like privacy when they do their business, which is another reason why cats prefer to use the same spot over and over again, instead of going here and there around your home. If you have a cat that doesn’t use its litter box properly, you may need to provide an alternative location for him or her until he or she gets used to using his or her litter tray once again.
Conclusion
With persistence, patience, and love you can teach your cat to use the litter box!