Tips for Litter-Training a Cat

Cats are naturally clean creatures. Teaching them to use the litter box encourages this inherent instinct. Most kittens and cats easily learn to use their litter box ... and they will usually continue to use it unless it gets too dirty. Here are a few tips to help your kitty along:

Place the litter box in a clean, relatively quiet and accessible location. Keep it away from high-traffic areas and be sure your cat has access to it any time she needs it. Be sure to keep the litter box out of reach of children as well as the other animals in the household.

Show kitty where it is. Place her in the box and let her sniff. Some people have found it useful to rake their fingers through the litter to show their cat what they want her to do.

If you have more than one cat, consider a separate litter box for each. Cats generally don't like to eliminate in the same place as other cats.

Keep the litter box clean. Scoop out soiled litter daily, and change the entire box every week, putting in fresh litter. You can wash out the box with a solution of water and vinegar to help reduce the odor, and then add a little baking soda to the litter itself. An inch and a half of fresh litter is usuall plenty.

Don't place her litter box near her food and water. Cats don't like to eliminate where they eat.

Clean any accidents immediately. If kitty does have an accident, clean the area right away with a half and half solution of white vinegar and water. This will help to eliminate the odor and hopefully prevent kitty from returning to that spot.

Never punish your cat for having an accident. Do not strike her or rub her nose in the mess; instead, firmly say "No!", then place her in her litter box and praise her there.

If your kitty is not using her litter box, try to find out why. Click here for a few suggestions on what might be wrong.

[ More Pet Care Tips and Articles ]