Most cats are very easy to housetrain. Kittens will most often observe their mother using the litter box that is in the home. The kittens catch on very quickly, and they will start to use the litter box without any training. However, this isn’t always the case. If you need to housetrain your kitten or cat, following a few simple steps will significantly aid the process.
The Litter Box Size
Cats need a good litter box to be housetrained properly. For adult cats, the box should be large enough to accommodate the size of the cat easily. It will need to have sides high enough so the cat won’t scratch litter all over the floor. If you have a kitten, you will need to get a litter box with low sides so that the kitten can get in and out of the box smoothly. Always place some newspapers under the litter box. Almost all cats scratch some litter over the sides now and then.
Litter Box Cleanliness
A cat will stop using the litter box if it is not clean. You will need to clean up the box and put in new litter on a regular basis.
Litter Box Placement
The placement of the litter box is essential when housetraining a cat. Always place the litter box in a quiet place. Cats like their privacy when using the bathroom. If you have a large home, you might want to put a couple of litter box in the house. Never place a litter box near where a cat eats or sleeps. The cat will avoid the box because they don’t like to go to the bathroom near sleeping or eating areas. If your cat is eliminating out of the litter box, try to locate a place where the cat is frequently urinating. Put the litter box in that area.
Neutering
Male cats that are not neutered will spray. In order to stop a male cat from spraying in the house, you will have to have the cat neutered. Once this is done, the cat will stop spraying after his hormones regulate. Litter box training should be no problem after the male cat is neutered.
If these tips are followed, and the cat is still going outside the litter box, you should consult with a veterinarian. Cats are prone to urinary problems that may lead to house soiling. Be sure to check back soon for my housetraining tips for dogs!
Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!