How to quickly train your cat to use the litter box: 7 helpful tips.

Training a cat to use a litter box is a crucial step for every pet owner. Generally, animals quickly adapt to this habit, as cats are naturally clean creatures. However, some pets may show stubbornness, and in such cases, the owner will need to be patient and try various methods. UNIAN shares useful techniques to help you train your cat to use the litter box.

Choose the Right Location for the Litter Box

The cat's litter box should be placed in an area where the cat always has access to it. Most owners position boxes in the bathroom, which is a decent location. However, the bathroom door should not be closed in this case. Avoid placing the litter box near the food and water bowls.

Place the litter box as far away from the food as possible and show it to your pet. After the cat eats, take it to the litter box and dig into the litter with your fingers. It’s best to catch the moment when the cat wants to use the bathroom – it will sit down and start digging around. Sooner or later, the animal will understand what to do with the litter box.

Experiment with Litter Boxes and Litters

Choosing the right litter that your cat prefers is crucial. If your cat refuses to use the litter box, the issue might be with the litter itself.

The most universally liked material among cats is wood-based litter, although there can be exceptions. The litter layer should be 3-5 cm deep to allow for comfortable digging.

Sometimes, the cat might not like the litter box itself. Some cats prefer high-sided and covered boxes, while others are fine with any options. Particularly tidy cats may require two litter boxes for two types of "business." If you have multiple cats in the house, each one will need an individual litter box.

Use Newspapers or Pads

At the beginning of the training, find a spot in the house where the cat frequently eliminates. Place the litter box there and surround it with several layers of newspapers or pads. Gradually remove the newspapers one by one until only the litter box remains. Once your pet is accustomed to the litter box, you can move it to a more convenient location.

Eliminate Odors in Forbidden Areas

If your cat uses the bathroom in an undesired location, immediately wash the area with soapy water to prevent the cat from finding it again by smell. You can spray an orange scent in that spot or place orange peels there, as cats dislike citrus smells.

Use a Scented Wipe

Before cleaning up, gently dab a wipe in the urine puddle and transfer it to the edge of the litter box. Next time, the cat will find the litter box by its scent. Repeat this process every time until the animal becomes accustomed to the litter box.

Reinforce Successes

If your cat uses the litter box correctly, it’s important to praise it immediately and offer a treat. This will create a positive association with the litter box. Make sure to reward the cat while it is still in the box.

Clean the Litter Box Properly

If your cat successfully uses the litter box, avoid throwing out all the litter and washing the box completely. The box should still retain the animal's scent, which will make it easier for the cat to get used to it. It’s best to leave about a third of the used litter and mix it with new litter, so the familiar scent remains.

However, feces should be removed immediately; otherwise, the cat may refuse to use the box and go elsewhere.

Clean the litter boxes approximately once a week using a mild-scented cleaner.