How to train a cat to use the litter box.

Do you find unwanted surprises all over the house? Does your cat refuse to use a litter box? Do you have a new kitten and do not know where to start with litter box training? I will give you some simple steps to ensure success!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Big litterbox (with or without lid)
• Scoopable litter (I have always used fresh step and I like it the most)
• Litter scooper (We call it a pooper scooper)
• A small enclosed space

1. 
    
   laundry

   Clean out either a small closet (with a light), small bathroom or laundry room where the cat can be enclosed. This is where the litter box will be staying so choose wisely! Don't worry about leaving the cat alone! It is only for one day!

2. 
    
   Don't add too much litter!

   Fill a litter box approximately 1/3 full with litter and place that in the room. Put the cat's food and water bowls on the OTHER SIDE of the room (not next to the litter box). You can also put a towel or blanket in with the cat for comfort if you wish. Make sure the cat has plenty of toys to occupy them!

3. Place the cat in the room with all materials mentioned in step 2.

4. 
    
   sleeping

   Close the door. Leave the cat alone for about 6 hours.

5. 
    
   This is best to do while you are at work!

   Check on the cat. If there have been any accidents, pick up the poop and put it in the litter box or soak up the pee and put the paper towel in the litter box. Leave the cat for another 6 hours.

6. This time when you go to check on the cat, bring the pooper scooper and scoop out anything that the cat has deposited into the box. Going forward, you should be able to leave the door open and the cat will use the box. For very small kittens (6-12 weeks), it would probably be wise to leave them in the space during the day so they can have safe fun while you are not at home.

Tips & Warnings

• Cats are naturally drawn to defecating and urinating somewhere that they can cover it up. Some cats like a lot of litter, some cats only like a little litter. One way to tell is to fill up two litter boxes while training. One 1/2 full of litter and the other 1/3 to 1/4 full. Trust me, your cat will have a preference!
• If your cat is still having problems urinating in other parts of the house, you can do the following: 1. Put a litter box where they urinate the most frequently. 2. Take your cat to the vet as they may have some sort of bladder/kidney problem. 3. Use a "cat attract powder" that you add to your litter box.
• Some cats are very picky about where they go to the bathroom, as are most humans, so cut them some slack if they don't want to go to the bathroom where you put the box. The smart thing to do once your cat is potty trained is buy several cheap boxes at the pet store and place them all over the house. The cat will chose which place they like best!
• Scoop the box often! Every day if you can. Humans get to flush every time they go to the bathroom and cats do not have that option! They prefer to use the bathroom in a clean are, so scoop often!
• Never put a litter box in a high traffic area. Would you want people watching when you went to the bathroom?
• Never close the door to the room with the litter box in it. Cats will not let you know when they have to go.
• Always watch for signs of blood in the stool and/or urine as this could be something more serious than bathroom problems!