Helpful Advice Online

What is your part when litter training a cat? Don't you need to just get a litter box and put it somewhere the cat can find it? It's easy to assume that since cats tend to naturally gravitate toward using a box for their elimination, but here is actually much more than that to the entire process. There are things you need to do as the cat's owner to make litter training a cat a success.

Cleaniless Is Paramount

For one thing, when litter training a cat you need to keep the box very clean. Most owners don't understand this and assume that because a cat is an animal then he won't mind where he eliminates, but this just isn't true. Cats are sensitive to the condition of their litter box, which needs to be cleaned out daily and filled with fresh litter as well. Felines are also very sensitive to smell, so the box needs to be emptied and washed thoroughly at least once per week. When litter training a cat you need to be sensitive about odors yourself - if you can smell it, so can your cat. Use litter box liners if this makes it easier for you.

Praise And Rewards Will Payoff

Many also find that providing two boxes when litter training a cat is helpful; this way one will not be as dirty so quickly and the cat is more comfortable using the box when he needs to eliminate. If you provide a box that's more comfortable for him, the cat will be more likely to use it.

Make sure too that you reward and praise the cat generously when he does use the box as he should. This way he'll associate the act with something pleasant. When litter training a cat, try to anticipate when he'll need to eliminate such as an hour or so after eating or after playtime. Bring him to the litter box and give him a reward, even if he doesn't use it right then. If you continue to try to anticipate his schedule you'll soon get better at it and he'll get used to using it. If you're litter training a cat, this might take some work but usually it only requires a week or two before they get the hang of it.

Be Patient With Your Cat

Be careful about how you approach litter training a cat. If you're upset and frustrated this will just upset your cat and make him dread using the box, which he'll associate with your nerves and tension. Even if you feel frustrated, don't let your cat pick up on this. Show some self-control no matter how things are going when litter training a cat so that the process goes much more smoothly. If you don't, it will just take longer overall as your cat picks up on your mixed signals. Your training can be successful, but much will depend upon you. So do your part and your cat will be trained in no time!

If you'd like more of my Cat Training Tips, check out my "Insider Tricks and Secrets to Training Your Cat".

More Cat Training Advice