How to train a cat to the litter box in the apartment

2. If this does not work, try putting another litter box in the place where she poops most often or use a disposable diaper. If she starts going to this place she will eventually get used to the litter box/diaper and no more problems will arise.

How to train the kitten to the litter box

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Number of sources used in this article: 7. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Kittens naturally have a need to go to the toilet in the ground or sand, but once they are introduced to the kitty litter box, they are not always happy to start using it. If you start toilet training kittens as soon as you bring them into the house, they will quickly learn how to use the litter box. It's important to find the right size litter box and encourage your kitten to use it, but the process is different for kittens than for puppies. You won't have to show him what to do with the litter box – your instincts will do the job. All you have to do is buy a litter box that fits your cat comfortably. [1] X Reliable source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source

Getting everything you need

• Kittens get into large litter boxes with ease if they have a low threshold. If you have your eye on a large litter box but are not sure if the kitty can climb in, make a ramp for it out of plywood or any other non-slip flat object. Attach it to the tray with duct tape and remove it when the kitten is older.

• An enclosed litter box should be large. It should be comfortable for the cat to turn around inside. By nature, cats tend to sniff excrement and then bury it, so the litter box should be large enough. [3] X Feline Behavior for the Veterinarian. Bonnie Beaver. Publisher: Saunders.
• Some cats don't like enclosed litter boxes when they first meet them. You can make it easier for the cat by removing the door. Put it back on when the cat gets used to the new litter box.

• Do not use mineral litter for kittens. If a kitten decides to eat it – and kittens love to chew on everything – it can stick to the intestines and cause severe constipation.
• It's best to buy odorless litter. Kittens and adult animals often don't like scented fillings. If the smell is very strong, your pet may decide to choose a different place to litter. [5] X Source of Information In addition, some odors irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose and cause problems for animals with breathing problems.
• Consider a lumpy litter for your adult pet. Many owners prefer lumpy litter because it makes cleaning the litter box much easier. Keep in mind that if a cat swallows such litter, it may cause health problems, although there is no hard evidence. [6] X Source of information [7] X Reliable source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
• Buy filler that is sold in many places. Some animals get used to a certain filler and refuse to use the toilet if another filler is put in there.

Preparing

Success in accustoming the kitten to the litter box depends on three factors: the right choice of litter box, filler and a place for the cat's litter box. If you make even one mistake – nothing will work. The animal will refuse to go to the litter box until all conditions are met. At the same time guess his needs can be difficult. Therefore, it is better to ask the breeder about them. If the shape of the litter box and the litter is familiar to the kitten, it will be easier and faster to accustom him to the toilet. If you picked up your kitten from the streets – there are basic guidelines too, but you'll have to make the final choice yourself.

Decide on the size. When choosing a cat litter box, consider the size of the kitten. Not only should the kitty have room to sit down, but it should also be easy to turn around.

If the kitten is very small, buy a regular food container. This is a temporary solution until the pet grows up and becomes accustomed to the litter tray from the pet store.

If you buy a growing tray, there's a risk that the kitten won't sit in it. Large litter trays may cause your baby to become anxious and distrustful.

Choose a format. Conceptually, trays are divided into open and closed. Open ones are considered universal. Closed ones appeal to shy animals who like to go to the bathroom where no one can see them. That said, each option has its own nuances to consider.

How to choose a litter box

Quality cat litter helps to realize the natural instinct to bury behind itself with its paw and prevents the spread of unpleasant odor around the apartment. In addition, accustoming a small kitten to do their business not in an empty tray is much easier. And if before the owners used newspapers or ordinary construction sand, today the choice has become much wider.

Wood filler. Attracts by its affordability and safety for health. At the moment, it is the most inexpensive filler with the prefix "ECO", which can be flushed down the toilet. But only in small quantities.

The product consists of densely compacted pellets, which turn into sawdust when wet. The pellets can be large, medium or small – the choice depends on the kitten's preferences.

Of the disadvantages – the filler does not absorb moisture well when wet again and holds the smell for a short time. The litter box will have to be cleaned daily. Also, sawdust can stick to your paws, and then the litter will spread all over the house.

Mineral filler. This option will cost a little more. However, in terms of absorption properties and buying odors is much better.

The product consists of mineral granules that do not break down when wet. Therefore, wet areas are well localized, and they are easy to remove with a scoop.

Of the disadvantages – the filler is very dusty, and the kitten can develop allergies. However, this problem can be solved by changing the manufacturer. In more expensive fillers, the granules are polished, so there will be much less dust.

How to arrange a new place for the kitten

Settling an animal in your home is a responsible step. Before the kitty will thank you with affection and positive emotions, you have to create a comfortable environment for him. You need to provide food, rest, and toilet facilities. The most problems will arise with the last item, so prepare in advance.

Choose a place for the litter box

The success of mastering the litter box depends largely on this. At the moment of going to the litter box he should feel safe and nothing should disturb or frighten him:

The baby is at first poorly oriented in the new apartment, so first place the litter box in the room in which he spends most of his time.

As the kitten gets accustomed to the toilet, you can move the tray to another place. It is convenient for owners and hygienic if it is in the bathroom or toilet, but you have to watch that the door there was always ajar.

How to choose a litter box

Cats in most cases get used to any litter box. Therefore, the owners are guided by the option that is convenient in service.

First of all, decide whether the kitty litter box will be open or closed, with or without the fill:

1. The open litter box is easier to take care of, the "result" is in plain sight. If not cleaned immediately, the smell will spread.
2. A closed toilet in the form of a house can be put anywhere: the cat will recover without stress, the smell will not spread. But it is harder to accustom the animal to such devices, and they are also expensive.
3. There are trays that do not need fillers. There is a mesh or grid, which will not allow the paws of the animal to get wet. But such a design contradicts the natural instinct of the cat, which is used to bury what it has made. Habituation to such a litter box can take a long time.

How to choose a litter box filler

A litter tray filler allows a kitten to "clean up" its tracks, just as cats do in the wild. The choice of fillers is extensive, with types available:

How to properly train a kitten to the litter box

If you got a kitten from a mother cat, then most likely it is already trained for something. The author of the article "Why does a cat bite kittens?" S. Ivanova describes how cats accustom babies to the toilet: an incomprehensible cat can bite or hit with his paw.

But even in this case, the cat will have to adjust to a new place, a different litter box. You'll have to reinforce what you've learned until you finally form "toilet" behavior.

Rules of accustoming the kitten to the litter box

If you got a very small kitten or untrained, you will have to go through the learning process with him:

1. The first thing to do at the new place is to introduce the litter box to the kitten. So he understands what it is for, put some litter box litter or a tissue from his old litter box. Cats are guided by smell, their scent will immediately indicate what to do.
2. If you didn't have time to introduce the litter box, and the kitten made a puddle, soak it with toilet paper and put it in the litter box. This is a reference point for the animal.
3. Watch the kitten's behavior at the new place. If it fusses, meows, scratches the floor, squats, it probably needs to go to the toilet. Take him to the litter box, scratch the litter with your paw. This will tell him what to do.
4. Kittens need to pee almost immediately after eating. Take advantage of this to point out the location: take your kitten under his tummy and place him in the litter tray.
5. If the first time the kitten has to go somewhere else, gently pick it up and move it to the litter tray to tell it where to go.
6. Encourage your kitten when he goes to the litter box on his own. Jean-Marie Bauhaus, author of the pet blog, advises to praise the baby, give him a treat or a toy.

What to do if the kitten does not go to the litter box

You can't yell at the kitten or poke him in a puddle with your nose for such missteps. This will cause stress and make training difficult, in addition to undermine your confidence. However, you can show that you're not happy. Cats can tell by their intonation.

Can an adult cat be litter box trained?

Adult cats are more difficult to train to the litter box if they previously went to their needs on the street or in any convenient place at home. But the chances of success are certainly there.

1. Cover all the hard-to-reach corners of the house: the area under the couch, behind the closet, behind the refrigerator, etc.
2. Choose a convenient litter box that fits the cat's size.
3. If the pet used to go to the toilet outside, buy a special filler that mimics the natural composition of the soil.
4. Place the litter box in a place accessible to the cat. The best option is in the toilet room. But don't forget to leave the door ajar so that the cat can visit the bathroom at any time without the owner's help.
5. Watch the cat's behavior the first few days in the house. When she will want to go to the bathroom she will become restless and puzzled. The cat will look for a hiding place. Put her in the litter box and close her in the bathroom for a while, leaving her alone. Cats don't like to be watched at this point.
6. If the cat goes to the litter box, be sure to praise it. You can even encourage it with a tasty treat.
7. If the first attempt is unsuccessful and the cat pees elsewhere, don't scold it. Collect the feces in a napkin and put it in the litter box for a while. If the cat urinated, put some sand on the urine, collect it, and do the same thing – put the collected feces in the cat litter box. The next time the cat will be able to tell by its scent where it needs to go to relieve its natural defecation.
8. If the cat is stubborn and basically goes to the toilet in a wrong place, move the tray there. Once he's accustomed to his new toilet, move the accessory to the bathroom.

If an adult cat categorically refuses to go to the litter box, try to accustom it with special sprays.

What to do if the cat spills litter from the litter box

Cats, burying their feces, often scatter the filler on the floor. This does not make the owners happy. There are several ways to combat this problem.

1. You can try to change the filler.
2. Some owners put a tray under the tray where the filler is poured, which makes cleaning a little easier.
3. Try using a litter tray with a net and high sides.
4. You can replace the regular litter tray with an enclosed litter box. From such an accessory the cat will not be able to spill the filler on the floor.
5. Gradually wean the cat from the litter box. If she goes to a clean litter box, this problem will automatically be eliminated.

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It also depends a lot on the litter box filler. If the cat doesn't like the litter box, he won't go there for anything and will crap all over the place until the litter box is replaced with some other kind of pellets.

We didn't suffer. We bought a British 3 month old from a breeder. Bought the same toilet and litter she used before. The breeder gave us a diaper and some filler – and already at our home she went to the toilet immediately. And for two months now the flight is great.
Only in the hands is not going to – does not like (( if you take it yourself, then lie to politeness for a couple of minutes and goes away. But he follows us on his heels and always lays down somewhere nearby: in the kitchen – under the stool, on the couch – at the head, etc.
Sorry, at 33, this is my first pet, I'm impressed =) dogs in the village and the occasional grandmother's cats come to eat do not count =)

Our cat doesn't know what a litter box is for 8 years

We had a cat which didn't even know what a litter box was. After traveling 2000 kilometers, it ended up at our house. It is a cat which had lived at my parents house for 8 years. Don't ask how they managed to be so patient with the angels, but in general: all years kitty went everywhere she wanted to go, but never (!) – to the litter box. The floor in the hallway, the tiles in the toilet, the bathtub-all the locations that the woolly soul wanted. As a kitten, she tried to get used to the litter box, but we have what we have, the cat, day after day, peeing on the floor. Remarkably, she did it only in the presence of the owners of the house, but if no one was at least a whole day – put up with it.

She has been living with us for about 4 months. Immediately I started carefully to bring her mind litter box – sat him in it after a meal or if I noticed the restlessness in her behavior. She would get off like scalded. But sometimes she would go to sleep in it))))

In the beginning she adapted to peeing in the tub with occasional misses in the hallway. The result: to this day the whole corridor is lined with disposable diapers for animals, filled with boxes, slippers. We made a conclusion: the cat needs a flat, smooth surface without any items to go to the toilet. Okay, in the bath so in the bath, anyhow better than on the floor: domestos poured and washed away.

The idyll lasted a month and a half or two months. The cat came up with a new idea – to pee on the tiles in the toilet near the toilet. And this, too, I forgave her – tiles do not absorb urine, unlike laminate. I think the fuck with it – then the time to do something with it I did not have. Unless I praised her for the bathtub, for the tiles – she gave zero reaction.

Some days she forgot about the existence of a "sanctioned place" in the form of a bath and an hour looking for a place to pee. But I managed to outwit the woolly beast and put her on a personal huge white tray🛁. By the way this trick with a real litter box did not work once – the cat tolerated, until after about an hour I gave up this endeavor, and then I got a piss in the bathroom or the toilet. At least not on the floor)))

How to train a cat to the litter box in the apartment

When a fluffy pet appears in the house, it does not matter, a girl or a boy, you need to teach him good manners. You can start to get acquainted with the litter box at 1.5-2. RIA Novosti, 08.09.2021.

MOSCOW, September 8 – RIA Novosti. When a furry pet comes into the house, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, you should teach it good manners. You can begin to get acquainted with the toilet at 1.5-2 months. How quickly and easily accustom the little kitten to the litter box with litter – the article from RIA Novosti. At what age to accustom kittenPets from catteries are usually sold not earlier than 3 months. At this age, domestic kittens are already familiar with the litter box. Cats – very intelligent creatures and learn everything themselves, just watching the older ones. Looking at their mother, babies will repeat everything she does. Human intervention in this process is usually not necessary at all. You only need to take care of a suitable litter box for a small kitten. An open litter box with high sides and low entrance is ideal.- At 3-4 weeks, small kittens from the "birth nest" can be moved to an aviary, covered with special veterinary diapers. When they are 1.5 months old, you can put a litter box. Babies observe their mother cat and copy her. At 2-2.5 months of age they are confidently using the litter box. The diaper can be removed little by little. When all have mastered the toilet, kittens can be let out of the cage, – told RIA Novosti the owner of European Burmese breed cats cattery "Jasper Burmese" Natalia Sienko.How to understand that the kitten wants to toiletWhen the animal starts to worry: fussing, running, digging the floor with paws, you need to put him in a bowl with a filler. Usually kittens who are not used to the litter box will jump out and keep looking for a place to go to the toilet. You should take it back immediately.Where to place the litter boxThe vast majority of cats require 2 separate litter boxes for small and large needs. Animals instinctively prefer to do this in different places. In the wild, their safety often depends on it. In the home instincts can continue to work, and then the lack of litter boxes can lead to problems – the kitten will look for an extra place to toilet.The litter box should be located in an easily accessible, but secluded place, so the pet feels safe – bathroom, toilet or a warm balcony will do. It should be placed in a corner or near a wall. If you put it in the middle of the room, it will be uncomfortable for the kitten.TraysTrayersThere are several kinds of toilet facilities:FillersIt often happens that you need to try several kinds of filler to see which one the cat likes. The most common types: – Wooden. The most environmentally friendly and cheapest: from 20 rubles per kilo. Non-allergenic and absolutely safe. Sticks to your paws.- Zeolite. A little more expensive: from 22 rubles per kilo. Less consumed and absorbs better than wood. Also sticks to the paws.- Cereal and cellulose. Both types of filler are organic. This means that if a kitten accidentally eats the pellets, they will not harm his health. Easy to bind, almost does not stick to the paws. Sold from 150 rubles per kilo. The most expensive. Does not stick to paws, absorbs odor well, but does not clump well. Toxic if ingested by an animal.- No filler. If you have a litter box with a grid, you can do without the litter box, but in this case you have to wash it after each use, or unpleasant smells will not be avoided, or you can put a special veterinary soak under the grid.How to teach the kitten to the litter boxTraining of cats civilized going to the toilet includes several stages.Getting to know the litter boxMother cat shows her kittens how to behave a civilized animal. They react to her smell in the litter box and guess what this device is for. It is a good idea to ask the breeder for some used litter from the litter box the kitten went to. Familiar smells will help him get accustomed to his new home.If the animal came into the house from the street or was left without his mother early, the owner will have to accustom him to the litter box. You should keep the kitten in a small, closed room until it learns to use the litter tray for its intended purpose. The smaller the area of free movement for the pet, the better.-This doesn't mean you have to lock the baby in the toilet or a dark closet. Put him in a small room or put an aviary in the room. Choose a secluded place for the litter box, – explained Natalia Sienko.Supervision and helpAt first the kitten may need help from the owner. Every time he will show signs of anxiety you need to put him in the litter box.Skill fixingSince the kitten has used the litter box you should praise him: pet him, give him a treat and tell him how nice he is. Cats don't understand the meaning of words, but they can distinguish all shades of emotions very well by the human voice.If he passes by the litter trayIt happens, that the kitten neglects the received skill and can make a puddle where it is not supposed to.ReasonsThe litter tray or the place where it stands seems to be unsafe to the kitten.What to do First you should move the container to a more secluded corner. If the kitten still continues to ignore it, the litter box should be changed. The new litter box offer fastidious baby in the last place.Common mistakes in accustomingIf attempts to accustom the baby to the litter box are not successful, the reasons may be several: Traction to the toiletTo the toilet can begin as soon as the kitten will confidently use his litter box, but not earlier than 5 months. By this age the baby will be able to get out on their own, if suddenly they lose their balance and fall.To start the container is placed as close to the toilet as possible. Once the animal gets the hang of the new place, the tray is replaced by a system of accustoming the cats to the toilet – a special plastic tray on a sanitary device. They come in different designs, colors and costs. The easiest will cost 400 rubles, expensive – 2500. In this system should be poured accustomed to the kitten's filler. After 3-4 days, you can put it on the toilet bowl under the stool and put the pet in it to mark a new place. Once the kitten gets used to it, a small hole is cut into the system. Each month the hole is slightly enlarged and the amount of filler is reduced. Little by little the kitten gets used to balancing on the toilet and wears off the filler. When the kitten will feel confident on the toilet you can remove the system. If at some point the kitten feels uncomfortable and starts to look for a more suitable place to toilet, then the owner was too hasty and the hole in the system is too big. You should buy a new system and make the hole smaller for another month.

Trays

Fixtures for the toilet come in several varieties:

• Open without a net. An ordinary box with low sides in which the filler is not covered by anything. Cats readily use these. It is easy to clean the litter box itself, but the animals spread the filler all over the house. Special paw mats, as a rule, do not help. In addition, pets sometimes like to dig in the tray – all the filler may be outside. In stores such plastic products are sold from 200 to 500 rubles.
• Open with a mesh. Cost from 250 rubles to 1000. The top of the filler is closed with a mesh. Cleaning will take a little more time, since the mesh coating must be washed at least once a day, but the paws of the pet will always be clean.
• Tray House. You can buy at a price of 1500 to 6000 rubles. All litter boxes have a removable top, some also have a retractable floor – these cost more, but they are more convenient to clean. They also come with a grid and without it. Many houses have charcoal filters to absorb unpleasant odors, but it's just a marketing ploy, and it's not worth overpaying for them. First, the toilets are not airtight, and second, modern fillers do an excellent job of controlling odors.
• Self-cleaning. These are the most expensive trays. The price starts from 20,000 rubles, but the owner will have no problems with cleaning. The high-tech device replaces the filler by itself and flattens it after each visit of the animal. The motor works almost noiselessly.

Fillers

It often happens that it is necessary to try several types of filler to understand which one the cat likes. The most common types are:

– Wood-based. The most environmentally friendly and cheapest: from 20 rubles per kilogram. Non-allergenic and absolutely safe. Sticks to the paws.

– Zeolite. A little more expensive: from 22 rubles per kilo. Less consumed and absorbs better than wood. Also sticks to paws.

How to train the kitten to the litter box

Teaching the cat to go to the toilet in a civilized manner includes several stages.

Getting to know the litter box

Mama cat herself shows the kittens how to behave as a well-mannered animal. They react to her smell in the litter box and guess what this device is for. It is a good idea to ask the breeder for some used litter from the litter box the kitten went to. Familiar smells will help him to get accustomed to his new home.

If the animal came into the house from the street, or was early left without his mother, the owner will have to accustom you to the litter box. You should keep the kitten in a small, closed room until it learns to use the litter tray for its intended purpose. The smaller the area of free movement for the pet, the better.

– This doesn't mean locking your baby in the toilet or a dark closet. Put him in a small room or put an aviary in the room. Choose a secluded place for the litter box, – explained Natalia Sienko.

Supervision and help

At first, the kitten may need help from the owner. Every time he will show signs of anxiety, you need to put him in the tray.

– Usually 4-5 times is enough, but if the animal continues to run away from the tray after 5 times, it is better to leave him alone and think about the reasons. Perhaps the litter box does not suit him at all. Maybe it does not suit the litter box filler, or the place where you put the tray – said Natalia Sienko.

Fixing the skill

As soon as the kitten uses the litter box you should praise him: stroke, give him a treat, and tell him how nice he is. Cats can't understand words, but they can feel every nuance of emotion in their voice.

Choose a litter box for the kitten. What is important to know?

The main point to consider when choosing a litter tray, whatever it may be, – high sides. They are necessary because by nature cats reflexively bury their feces.

In addition to the height of the sides, the size of the litter box is important – let it be wide, so that the animal was not cramped and comfortable. This is especially true for large breeds of cats, such as ragdolls and Maine Coons. It is better to initially buy a large spacious litter box so that you do not have to re-train your cat to the toilet.

The litter box should be sturdy and stable. A litter box that is too light might tip over when the kitten is digging.

😼How to train an adult cat to go to the litter box

If an adult cat comes into the home, owners may face a serious problem with litter box domestication. Typically, if a cat has moved away from other owners, it adapts to the new place fairly quickly and the litter box solution comes of itself. Stray cats need to be trained in this skill.

Cats are willful animals and are extremely choosy about such delicate matters. They usually choose enclosed and invisible corners That is how they feel most comfortable.

Because of this peculiarity, for the first time of the new pet's stay in the apartment, it is necessary to close off the areas that are not easily accessible, such as areas under the bed, shelves, behind armchairs.

Each cat needs a special approach in this matter. The biggest problems in accustoming a cat to the litter box arise when the cat or cat is old enough.

A small kitten taken from the street or from a shelter can be taught to go where it is supposed to, adult animals already have formed habits that are difficult to change and readjust.

One of the successful factors in re-training will be to place the litter box in a place accessible to the animal. The most successful places are considered to be an insulated loggia or balcony and bathroom/bathroom .

The kitchen and hallway are considered unsuitable places, as they are unhygienic and often passable. Nowadays there are separate cat litter toilets, and the advantage of this is that it does not require a special place in the apartment.

Since cats are selective, choosing the right litter box is often delayed and unpredictable. For adult pets it is best to choose standard models.

These are plastic constructions with sides (about 8-12 cm). Large sides can save the owners from unnecessary cleaning. If your pet relocated from another apartment, it is worth checking with the former owners, as such an important place for the cat was organized in their place.

The litter box . – The litter box is the best place for a cat to get used to since it is the most enclosed and the cat will feel most comfortable there.