How to Train an Older Cat to Use the Litter Box
If you have recently brought home an older cat who was not litter-trained or was an outdoor cat, the idea of litter training can be daunting. However, litter training an older cat is not that much different from training a kitten. Older cats will be set in their ways and a bit more resistant to change, but cats naturally like to use sandy places as a toilet, so litter should be inviting. With a little persistency, you can teach even the most stubborn older cat how to use the litter box.
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Instructions
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Spend time with your cat in his room often. Watch for signs that she needs to use the bathroom, such as scratching or squatting in a corner. When you see signs, place her in the litter box. When she uses the litter box, praise her.
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Clean the litter box often. Scoop the soiled litter daily with a litter scoop and add fresh litter. Change the box completely weekly. For your weekly cleanings, also clean the box by mixing 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar with a cup of water and use it to rinse the inside of the empty box. Dry the box before adding more litter.
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Allow your cat periodic access to the rest of the house once she is using the litter box. Keep the free time brief at first and monitor her behavior to make sure she is not using your rugs as a restroom. Place a second litter box in your intended final litter box location. Leave the first in place until she is using the litter boxes without accidents.
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Keep a second litter box if you have more than one cat. This can help keep the boxes cleaner and help if your cat is territorial.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your cat in a bathroom or any room without rugs or carpets until the training is completed.
If you are training an outside cat, follow all of the previous steps except place a litter box with 3/4 soil or sand and 1/4 cat litter, instead of straight cat litter. This will help replicate the prior toilet habits of an outdoor cat. Mix additional litter into the box every litter change and decrease the amount of soil until you have a straight litter mixture.
Keep the litter box away from your cat's food, water, and bedding. Just like people, cats do not to eat or sleep where they smell urine.
Do not punish your cat. He will only become afraid of you. Plus, if you punish after the fact, he will not know why he is being punished.
