Training Your Cat to Use the Litter Box
Cats are highly intuitive creatures, and among the easiest domestic animals to “house train”. With cats, that tends to mean teaching them to use a litter box. The great thing about litter training is that cats are naturally inclined to “do their business” in soft materials such as loose dirt and sand, and this is the reason they take so naturally to a modern litter box.
There are a few rules and guidelines, however, to make the process truly successful and stress-free for the animal. One of the first things to do is to select a box that is appropriate for the cat (or cats) in question. For example, a litter of four-week old kittens can be easily litter trained, but only if the box is shallow and allows them to be able to easily see the litter and also get in and out without a lot of struggle. For an adult cat, on the other hand, the box can be taller, but will need to be in a less conspicuous area to prevent nervousness and subsequent flight from the box.
Regardless of the age of the animal, the choice in litter and the maintenance of the box are two reasons that many pet owners run into trouble with house training their cats. Although a cat is going to be naturally inclined to dig and bury any elimination, they will have to become used to the materials you provide. If a cat has come to you from the outdoors, such as a stray that approaches your back door, you may find that transitioning them from the outdoors to the strictly indoor environment requires a few “tricks” .
For an older cat coming from the outdoors, the owner is more than likely going to have to sprinkle a liberal amount of soil over the top of the litter in the box. This will cue the new cat to understand what that area is for, and they will usually automatically dig around and use the box right away. The use of the soil or dirt will cease almost immediately after the cat begins to use the box on a regular basis.
Of course, cats have a very sensitive sense of smell and can be quite territorial. This means that if a cat owner has more than just a single cat in the house it is best to perform a daily “scooping” or cleaning of the box. If possible, pet experts suggest one box per cat to make problems less likely. Additionally, if the owner has opted for a heavily perfumed litter they may encounter some resistance from cats of all ages. This means that a simpler litter with a low-odor is best for house training and ongoing use.
If a cat displays resistance to litter training, or has suddenly stopped using a box, it might be a good idea to bring them for a visit to the veterinarian to rule out health problems.
