How To Train A Cat To Use The Litter Box
Is your cat struggling with using the litter box? If so, we’ve got some great tips on how to train them to use it. By following each step in this guide, you can help your cat feel more comfortable using their litter box.
Ensure You Have the Right Litter Boxes
You will need to ensure that you have the right-sized litter boxes, or your cat may not use them. The size of your cat should be the determining factor in choosing a litter box.
- Size: The rule of thumb is that cats should be able to step into their box with one paw and turn around comfortably inside it. If there’s too much room in the box for them to move around, they won’t feel confined enough for using it as a bathroom spot.
- Number: One (1) large litter box per one (1) cat household; two (2) small boxes for cats less than 10 pounds each; three (3) small boxes for cats greater than 12 pounds each
- Location: Place your cat’s litter box in an area where he or she spends most time sleeping and playing—near food and water bowls if possible
- Type: Choose a covered style so that soft clumps don’t end up on linoleum floors if you forget about them
Fill Litter Boxes with a Couple Inches of Litter
Fill the litter box with three to six inches of non-clumping, silica-based cat litter. Remember, you’ll be shoveling out this litter each time your cat uses it (more on that later), so choose a brand that is easy to replace and keep on hand.
While some cats will use a small litter box for many months without any problems, others may need more space in order to feel comfortable. Make sure your cat has enough room to move around comfortably before removing any from their current setup!
Avoid Clumping Litter
Clumping litter can also be harmful to cats. A cat’s digestive system is not designed to digest clay or corn, which are the main ingredients in most clumping litters. If your cat eats clumping litter, it will get stuck in his digestive tract and cause him a great deal of pain. This could even lead to death if severe enough, so it’s important that you avoid using this type of litter at all costs!
Add Boxes to Multiple Locations
When training your cat to use the litter box, it’s important to make sure that there are multiple boxes in different locations. Cats like their privacy and won’t want to walk through a crowd of people just to use the bathroom.
The location of your litter box is also very important. You should place it in a quiet area where there aren’t any distractions for your cat, such as a hallway or laundry room.
Additionally, you want to make sure that the litter box is placed in an area where it’s easily accessible for you and your cat without being blocked by objects such as furniture or walls. It should be placed within close proximity of food dishes so that once they’re finished using their bathroom facilities they can return right away without having anything else stopping them from reaching their food dish (or vice versa).
Use Litter that Appeals to Your Cat’s Senses
In order to appeal to a cat’s senses, the litter must be unscented and soft. Cats also like a litter that is easy to scoop and clumps easily. Cats are attracted to a litter that has the texture of sand or dirt (not rocks). They also want it to be easy for them to dig in, so using clumping clay litters is not recommended for this reason.
Scooping your cat’s box every day will help keep odors down as well as prevent problems caused by bacteria in the feces or urine that can lead to illness if you don’t clean it regularly.
Familiarize Kittens with the Litter Box from an Early Age
One of the most important steps to training a cat to use the litter box is introducing them to it at an early age. Ideally, you should put a litter box in your kitten’s room before you bring them home from the breeder and let them get used to using it before they are introduced to your home or other rooms.
Before you put the kitten in with its new litter box, make sure that you’ve already placed fresh litter into it—and that both parties are comfortable with this arrangement. If your kitten has never been exposed to clumping cat litter before, try letting her sniff around outside of the box to see how she reacts before putting her inside it for long periods of time (and especially after she starts getting older).
By following these tips, you can help your cat feel more comfortable using the litter box.
As a cat parent, you want your feline to be happy and healthy. The best way to ensure their comfort is by giving them what they need: a litter box.
Cats are self-sufficient creatures with strong instincts for cleanliness. They use the litter box because it’s their normal behavior, not because of laziness or lack of training. By following these tips, you can help your cat feel more comfortable using the litter box.
- Cats prefer to use a litter box that is in as private an area as possible (preferably in a quiet part of your home). *
- Cats like to use the same type and brand of litter in each box. *If you plan on switching brands or types of cat litter at home, start by placing them all side by side so they can get used to them together before switching one out completely.*
- Cats likey likey likey likey even more than four legged people enjoy vanilla ice cream on hot summer days! It’s best if all boxes contain similar amounts of material instead; otherwise cats may decide not to go into any boxes at all when faced with having too much work involved just getting there!*
With some patience and consistency, you can help your cat learn to use the litter box. The process may take a few months, but it’s worth it if you want to avoid having your home smell like cat waste.
