If you have not noticed it yet, your pet cat is one of the tidiest, most finicky creatures in your household. It will groom itself now and again, making sure every strand of fur is in place. Touch or pet it on the back and seconds later, it will lick itself clean again. Since cats are naturally clean and tidy creatures, they are generally easy to potty train. Is it time to teach your kitty the house rules? Here are tips on how to train a cat to use the litter box:
Choose a good location for the litter box.
Litter box
Accessibility is also an important issue for kittens. If the mother is with them, she will teach her kitties the right place and manner to dispose. Your role is to make sure that the litter box is low enough for the small ones to climb into. In the beginning, you might want to consider using a shallow, disposable pan for small kittens to use. This arrangement is temporary, though. Kittens grow so fast, so in a few months, you can switch to a more permanent litter box.
Do not place the litter box near the area where your pets eat or drink. As mentioned earlier, cats are intolerant of dirt. Having their toilet near their dining area is an insult to their sensibilities. If your cats are still young, place the box close to where they are but away from their food and water bowls.
Show the kitty where to go.
Older cats will usually take to the litter and use it but younger ones may have to be shown what it is. Place your pet on the litter box with fresh litter and let it explore for a while. Scratching or raking the litter with your fingers will also help demonstrate what its purpose is to the pet. You could also take one paw and use it to rake the litter gently. Most cats will understand what this means, so you are well on your way.
Provide enough facilities for your pets.
One thing you should know about cats is that they dislike to share toilets with other cats. This is not very obvious when the pets are kittens but as they grow older, they will prefer to have their own private place to eliminate. As such, make sure to provide one litter box for each cat you have. Not only will your pets have the comfort and privacy they seek, they will also be discouraged from eliminating anywhere they please because the toilet is ‘occupied’.
Keep the litter box clean.
Part of potty training your cat is making sure that they are encouraged to use the litter box. If the box is full and dirty, you can be sure that cats will avoid it and start doing their business someplace else. Make sure to clean the box at least once or twice a day, depending on how many feline housemates you have. Use fresh litter each week and wash the box itself with a detergent or a solution of vinegar and water to remove any odor. Cats love a clean toilet and will reward your patience and persistence with proper manners.
