Training Your Cat to Use The Litter Box Articles | Cats

By: Matthew Hick

The best way to teach a cat to do anything – including using the litter box is praise, praise and more praise. Cats learn by experience: if the experience was enjoyable they do it again and again; but if it comes with nasty consequences they think twice before repeating it.

By the time a cat is a month old, they begin to look for a soft, dry place to do their business. Cat litter is specifically made to be comfortable for cats and kittens to eliminate in, so there’s no need to actually teach them to use it – just make it easy to get to, available 24 hours a day and keep it clean! After all, no one likes to use a disgusting and dirty bathroom!

Here are a few additional tips when setting up your cat’s litter box:

Choose the Right Location.
Sure, you want it out of the way, but your cat needs to feel comfortable using it. Keep it in a warm, dry place, free of noisy appliances and a lot of foot traffic (even cats want a little privacy). It’s also common for cats to scratch around the perimeter of the box, so a throw rug or even old newspapers are comfortable and useful.

Move The Water and Food Bowls Away From The Litter Box.
You wouldn’t want to eat dinner in the bathroom and neither does your cat! Move their food and drink away from their elimination area to encourage its use.

Show Your Cat Where It Is.
It may sound funny, but introduce your cat to their new private area. Place your cat gently into the clean litter box. If he jumps out, try again in an hour or two.

Move It if Necessary.
If your kitten is having trouble using the litter box, move it to an area where he can see it all the time. Watch for signs that he is ready to eliminate (sniffing or scratching at the floor), and gently place him in the litter box. Give them praise and attention when he uses it successfully.

Keep It Clean.
Place about 2-3 inches of litter in the box, and keep it at this level. Clean it often – cats are fastidious and will refuse to use a dirty box.

Avoid Harsh Cleaning Chemicals.
Bleach, vinegar, and strong pine or lemon scents will put a cat off the litter box.

See Your Vet, if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box for no apparent reason – it may be a medical problem.