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The fastidious animals that they are, cats are quite easy to be
litterbox trained. However, if your cat has begun to litter
outside the litterbox or occasionally does the same, then you
need to get to the bottom of the issue. It could be anything from
the type of the litterbox to the location where the litterbox is
placed that is causing your cat to litter elsewhere. Here are
some basic cat litterbox preferences and etiquette that you
should know.
- Place the litterbox
on each level of your house, so your cat finds it easy to
eliminate. Do not place the litterbox near your petโs water or
food bowls. Cats do not enjoy having their food and toilet places
by each other. Alternatively, you can also move your catโs
food/water bowl or sleeping bed to places where he usually soils,
to discourage the habit. Make sure the litterbox is in a place
that your cat is comfortable visiting; noisy electrical
appliances or other pets in the vicinity may cause your cat to
refrain from littering in the box. If all else fails, just move
the litterbox to where your cat usually soils.
- Cats prefer soft litter to pellet or crystal litter. In case
you do plan on changing the litter, then, do it gradually, and
not in one go. Replace about a quarter of the litterbox with the
new litter once in every two days, until it is fully filled with
the new litter.
- Make sure the litterbox is large, and that you have
individual litterboxes for all the cats in the house, and an
additional one as well. This way there is a lesser chance that
your cat will eliminate elsewhere because another cat is using
the litterbox. Ensure that the box is filled with litter to a
moderate level.
- Keep the litterbox clean. Make sure you scoop every day if
you can, and clear out the litter once every week. Wash the
litterbox with soap water. Avoid using scented detergents, as it
may put off your cat from using the litterbox.
- Do not tell off your cat if you catch him in the act of
eliminating outside the litterbox. What you want to do is to
interrupt the behavior and take them near the litterbox. Do not
drop them in the litterbox.
You want to visit a vet to make sure that your cat is not
eliminating outside the box due to a medical reason. If your cat
has recently developed the habit of eliminating outside the box,
then you should evaluate what has changed. Whether it is a
conflict with another household pet or change in litter, make
changes, so it does not get in the way of your catโs toilet
habits.
All You Need To Know About Cat Litter Training
If you own a kitten or cat, you would agree that they're fiercely
loyal and playful creatures and a delight to have as pets.
However, there are a few drawbacks to owning these furballs too,
one of them being that they might not know how to use a litter
box. That's fixable, though. There are ways in which you can
train your cat and make them an expert at using a litter box.
Some of the supplies youโll need for this training process:
- Litter box
- Toys and treats
- Cat litter
Pick The Correct Litter
Box
Selecting a suitable litter box for your cat is an extremely
important first step in the litter training process. For kittens,
you might need a box that has lower sides so that they can
enter/exit with ease. For grown cats, on the other hand, a litter
box with taller sides might be ideal, as it will help keep the
waste and litter off your floor. As far as the material choice
for the box is concerned, opt for heavy and long-lasting plastic
because these boxes are easier to clean and donโt need to be
replaced too quickly.
It is also important to place the litter box(es) in the right
place, where the cat has enough privacy. When overexposed, cats
tend to feel unsafe and might not use them. Also, always remember
that you need one litter box for each cat, and itโs always a good
idea to have an extra one.
Using Cat Litter
Litter training obviously needs some cat litter. You can choose
from a variety of different options, such as eco-friendly litter
or regular clay litter, depending on your budget. The
eco-friendly litter is usually made from recycled newspaper,
wheat or pine pellets. Most cats aren't very fussy about the kind
of litter used, but sometimes they may not like the smell or
texture. So, the best thing is, to begin with unscented, standard
clumping litter.
Introducing The Cat To The
Litter Box
If youโre getting a new cat to your home, the smartest way to get
them to use the litter box is to show it to them on the first day
itself. They might hide when they see it, but thatโs normal. Just
keep the box wherever you think the cat might feel comfortable,
and then slowly take it to the location you prefer. One of the
best practices to follow is to put your cat in the box after play
sessions, meals, and naps, also when they seem to want to "go."
This should be done for at least the initial few days when the
cat comes to live in the home. This will help you train them
pretty quickly.
