The Best Way to Litter Train a Cat

You can make your cat happy with proper litter training.

Cats have a natural instinct to use their litter boxes; they instinctively eliminate in the location that feels sandy. However, litter box problems are among the most common cat-training issues cat owners face. Cat behavior expert Mieshelle Nagelschneider says the best way to teach a cat to use a litter box is to make the box environment irresistible. Teach your cat to use her litter box and ensure that your feline friend has a happy litter-box experience.

Things You'll Need

• Litter box
• Sand-based cat litter
• Litter scoop

Instructions

1. Confine your new cat or kitten to a small room, such as a bathroom, until he gets used to using the litter box. Keep his food, water and toys in the room.

2. Fill the litter box with clean, unscented cat litter. Cats generally prefer fine, sandy litter, such as a clumping litter.

3. Use an uncovered litter box. Cats don't like to feel trapped, says Nagelschneider. The primal need to be able to escape from predators could make your cat feel too confined if the litter box is covered.

4. Show your cat where the litter box is. Put her in the box and let her explore. Gently swishing your cat's paw around the litter box can also help.

5. Get two boxes, because some cats prefer to urinate in one litter box and defecate in another, says Nagelschneider. The boxes should not touch each other, and a multilevel home should have a litter boxes on each level.

6. Put the litter box in a low-traffic area. Also keep it away from places that your cat is afraid of, such as near a washer or dryer.

7. Remove clumped litter and feces from the box daily, if not twice daily, using a litter scoop. Cats will not use a litter box if it is dirty.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cat has stopped using his litter box, both Nagelschneider and pet training expert Debbie McKnight recommend using a litter called Cat Attract for 30 days, which contains a special cat attractant. When she is used to the litter box again, you can change back to another sand-based litter.

• Cats cannot see in pitch darkness, but can see well in low light. Having night lights by the litter box and the path leading up to it will help your cats at night.

• Stress in your cat's life, such as moving to a new home or unexpected visitors, can cause him to avoid the litter box.

• Perfect Paws recommends that you keep cats on a regular feeding schedule. This will help you to estimate when your cat will need to use the litter box.

• Praise your cat when she gets it right. According to Perfect Paws, scolding cats doesn't work.

• If the litter is clean, and all else fails, your cat might have a urinary tract infection or other medical problem. Seek veterinary attention.

• For a kitten, make sure the litter box is low enough so that he can jump in and out.

References

• Perfect Paws: Cat Litter Box Training & Housesoiling Problems
• Mieshelle Nagelschneider; cat behaviorist, The Cat Behavior Clinic; Bend, Oregon
• Debbie McKnight; pet training expert, Petsmart; Ft. Worth, Texas

Resources

• "The Cat Whisperer"; Mieshelle Nagelschneider; 2011