Litter-Box Training
- Cat Love
- Nov 6, 2017
- 3 min read
This one is pretty easy, surprisingly enough. It is even easier when you have more than one cat. Kittens learn from watching other cats. If you do not have other cats have no fear they are smart animals and this is mostly instinct. Cats naturally want to bury their waste, and if the litter box is the only place to bury then the instincts are going to do most of the work.
Keep in mind kittens are tiny cats with tiny bladders, and they do not have the ability to "hold it", so please be patient. In the first few weeks to the first couple months you may want to think about having more than one litter-box so their little legs don't have to run so far. If you find your kitten has had an accident (particularly with poop) put the waste in the litter box and show your kitten that is where it goes.
Adult cats may need a little more coaxing if they have not been litter trained before. The same rules apply, show them where their waste goes in the litter-box. They will notice in the litter-box it doesn't have a smell (if you are using litter that prevents smell which encourages them to bury there). If caught in the act or immediately after the act, place cat in the litter-box. They make the connection quickly.
At no time do I believe that physical discipline is appropriate for bathroom issues. More often than not there is an underlying issue that is causing the problem. It is your job as the human with your logical brain and compassionate heart to find and fix the problem.
If you are struggling to get your cat to consistently use the litter-box, here is a list of issues you definitely want to trouble shoot before too much frustration sets in.
Is the litter box clean? Cats are very cleanly creatures and just like you wouldn't use dirty toilet paper, your cat will not go in a dirty litter-box.
Is there a spot that another cat has "marked"? Cats are extremely territorial and they always want their scent to be the last scent.
Are there places that waste can be buried beyond the litter-box? i.e clothes, plants, etc. Try to use plant covers and laundry baskets whenever possible.
Have you recently changed the litter-box location or litter brand? Cats are very habitual creatures, and aren't particularly fond of change, some cats adapt easier to change than others.
Have you recently changed their food? Just like different foods we eat affect our bathroom habits, the same happens in cats. Sometimes cats react poorly, and male cats especially are at high risk for urine crystals which can be a serious medical emergency. They get caught in the urinary tract and affect the flow which can cause loss of bladder control.
If this is the case your vet will probably recommend Royal Canin Urinary SO (buy now from Amazon.ca)
If you have trouble shot all those issued and you are still struggling with your cat and litter training then I advise you to book an appointment with your local vet to ensure there are no underlying health issues
Always make sure you take notice if you have a cat who uses the litter-box properly, and suddenly starts having unexplained accidents as this could be the sign of an underlying health issue.
I hope you enjoyed the article and if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you.
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