Cat House Training Using Cat Care Techniques

Cats are clean creatures and are usually easy to train to use the litter box. Using their inborn behavioral instincts will aid in cat litter box training. Choosing the correct box, litter type, and being persistence in your house training process is critical for success.

The right litter box for the job is a must. The box must be big enough for your cat to maneuver in. The cat should be able to perform a full turn easily inside the box. The box must be placed in an area where it is readily accessible by the cat but private and out of the way of foot traffic. Make sure it is not placed in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house by a barrier or where a door is frequently closed. If you have a large house you may want to invest in two boxes places strategically in different areas in your home. In household with multiple cats, some cats will decline to use a box used by another cat so it is a good rule of thumb to provide a litter box for each cat.

Use enough kitty litter to allow your pet to scratch and cover her waste. Keep the box clean. Cats prefer a clean litter box and often refuse to use a dirty one. To make it easier in keeping the box clean try using a clumping or scoopable type of litter material so solid and liquid waste is easily removed. Remove waste twice a day for optimum cleanliness. After cleaning the box replace the removed litter with more as needed. A thorough cleaning of the box should be performed once a week. Although scoopable litter is more expensive up front, if you decide to use the less expensive non-clumping litter you will have to clean the entire contents of the box several times a week and will spend as much or more in the long run. Steer clear of perfumed litters. The scented types are meant to please humans but not the cat. A cat’s sense of smell is far greater than ours and most don’t like the scent of heavy perfume and may turn away from the litter box.

Pay close attention to your cat if it is not litter trained. By careful observation, you will notice your cat moving in a different manner and be able to anticipate when it needs to eliminate. When you notice the telltale signs, especially after a meal, pick up your cat immediately and take it to its litter box. If you catch your cat making a mistake, quickly pick her up and place her in the litter box. Do not scold your pet anymore then to tell it “no” in a firm voice. Excessive punishment will only reinforce that the litter box is a place for punishment. With time and persistence your cat will soon recognize what her litter box is for.

Taking advantage of the fact that cats are clean animals will aid in the house training of your cat. Getting the right sized litter box, the correct litter, and being consistent will have your cat house trained quickly.