One of the reasons cats make great pets is that they are fastidious! Cats have a natural instinct to bury their feces, making them very easily trainable to go in a litter box filled with course material. Although it doesn’t take much coaxing, there are ways that you can ensure your new kitten or older cat learns to use the litter box you’ve set out for him. Read on for how to litter box train a cat.
Placement
When you are choosing where to put your cat’s litter box, there are a few factors to consider. Much like you, cats prefer privacy when using the restroom. Make sure you put the litter box in a place where the cat feels safe and somewhat secluded. The litter box also needs to be easy for your cat to get in and out of. If you have multiple cats or other pets, make sure you don’t place the litter box in a place where your cat can get cornered easily. Always make sure there is a place to enter and exit.
Cats also prefer quiet places to excrete. Don’t put the box in a noisy space with washing machines, dryers or other types of equipment. You want your cat to feel safe and comfortable wherever you put the litter box so that they will continue to use it.
If you have a multiple floor house, place a litter box on each floor. You cat is more likely to use the box when he or she needs to if it isn’t a long walk or a flight of stairs away.
Litter Box Type
To encourage your cat to use a litter box, make sure you always choose one that is large enough for him to excrete in and scratch in easily. If you have older cats, you may want to choose a litter box with lower sides so that getting in and out isn’t difficult.
When filling the box, use about two inches of litter. Litter comes in many different varieties, so if you’re unsure which to use, try putting out multiple boxes with different litter types to see which your cat prefers. Once it is obvious your cat has a preference, don’t switch litter types unless you have to.
Maintenance
Keeping a clean litter box is essential to making sure your cat continues to use it. If the litter box is not cleaned often enough, you cat may decide that your basket of laundry is an ideal alternative.
Litter boxes should be cleaned of feces at least once daily. Once a week, the litter box should be completely emptied and the box itself cleaned. Try not to use heavily scented cleaners, as the smell may discourage your cat from using the box.
If you have multiple cats, be sure that each cat has his or her own litter box, then have one extra. This will prevent overcrowding and territorial behavior.
Training
So, how to train a cat to use the litter box? Unlike dogs, cats don’t need to be “house broken”. The urge to defecate in one place and bury their feces is very strong, so litter box training shouldn't be difficult.
If you are bringing home a new kitten, place him in the litter box to show him where it is. Take one of his paws and scratch a little at the litter. Don’t be discouraged if your kitten immediately jumps out. Once you’ve shown him where the litter box is, make sure you place him in it at least three times a day when he is most likely to use the box. In the morning, after play, after eating and in the evening are times when you will want to direct your new kitten to the litter box. It won’t take long before your little kitten discovers it.
If you’re bringing home an older cat, simply show him where the box is, and it won’t be long before it gets regular use.