Attention, cat lovers!
Tips for using the litter box
The litter box is an indispensable item in every cat lover's home. By purchasing a good litter box and keeping it clean, you prevent your cat from defecating and urinating around the house. And this is preferable, as no one wants unpleasant surprises of this kind.
Have you bought a litter box, but your headstrong cat isn't entirely convinced about using it yet? Then read on quickly. In this e-book, you'll learn how to train your cat to use the litter box and how to help your pet get used to a new litter box.
Training your cat to use the litter box
Most cats learn how to use the litter box at a young age. They learn this not from their owners, but from their mothers. The mother effectively house-trains her kittens.
However, it can happen that an adult cat doesn't know how to find the litter box or simply refuses to use it. This could be due to medical problems, but also preferences regarding the litter box. Additionally, kittens are sometimes separated from their mothers too early. As a result, they effectively miss the lesson on house-training and the litter box.
Do you have a cat that doesn't know how to find the litter box – for whatever reason? Then use the tips below to teach your cat how to use the litter box himself.
Buy the right litter box
Many cats who don't relieve themselves in the litter box have a good reason for it. The litter box they received from their owner is simply too small. Did you buy a small litter box for your kitten? Then there's a good chance that it will be too small for the animal in a few months. When buying a litter box, it's better to err on the side of caution. You do this by buying a spacious litter box.
Tip: Do you have a small and/or older cat? Then choose a litter box with a low entry. This allows your cat to leave the litter box without problems. An entry that is too high can also cause your cat to avoid the litter box.
Consider multiple litter boxes
Do you have enough space in your home? Then you can choose to place multiple litter boxes. This increases the chance that your cat will find the litter box(es) when he needs to relieve himself. Do you have multiple cats? Then purchasing multiple litter boxes is always wise.
Place the litter box in the right spot
By placing the litter box in the right spot, you increase the chance that your cat will actually use it. But what is actually the right spot? It must at least meet a few requirements:
- The space must be accessible to your cat. This means that the room where the litter box is located must always be accessible. So, don't place your litter box in a room that is occasionally closed off.
- The space must be quiet. Cats don't like to relieve themselves in a busy environment.
- The room where the litter box is located should not be the same room where your cat's water and food are kept. Cats don't like to defecate and urinate near their water and food.
If you take this into account when placing the litter box, the chance that your cat will actually use it will be significantly greater.
Clean the litter box daily
Cats are clean animals. Is the litter box dirty? Then they prefer to find another place to relieve themselves. Therefore, clean your litter box daily by removing feces and urine. Do you have multiple cats? Then it may even be necessary to clean the litter box every morning and evening. Furthermore, it is very important to change the litter regularly. Also, clean the litter box immediately with a cleaning agent.
Learn your cat's schedule
The above paragraphs give you some general tips for purchasing and using a litter box. Once you have consulted these tips, you can teach your cat to use the litter box. This starts by discovering your cat's schedule.
Most cats need to relieve themselves after eating, after napping, and/or after playing. Try to find out for your cat when the animal needs the litter box. If you know this, you can direct your cat to the litter box at the right moments.
Play near the litter box
Many cats need to go to the litter box after pooping or peeing. Does your cat not always know how to find the litter box? Then help the animal out by playing with him near the litter box. Do you notice that your cat needs to go to the litter box? Then guide the animal in the right direction. If this is not enough, you can also place your cat in the litter box yourself.
Teach your cat how the litter box works
As mentioned before, most cats learn to use the litter box from their mothers. However, it can happen that your cat missed this lesson, for example because he was separated from his mother too early. In this case, you are the designated person to explain the phenomenon of the litter box.
You do this by lifting your cat into the litter box when he is about to poop or pee. If you do this a few times, your cat will remember that the litter box is the right place to relieve himself.
You also need to teach your cat how to dig in the cat litter. You do this by scraping some cat litter aside with your finger after your cat has pooped or peed. Note: do not grab your cat's paw to make a digging motion. Cats do not like this.
Accident? Don't get angry!
If you find a puddle or a pile somewhere, you're naturally not happy. However, remember that your cat didn't intentionally relieve himself outside the litter box. If you get angry at your cat, the animal will only become afraid of you. And this is not desirable, because a scared cat actually suffers more often from litter box problems. Therefore, always try to remain calm if your cat has had an accident.
Move the droppings to the litter box
Has your cat pooped outside the box? Then don't throw the droppings in the trash, but put them in the litter box. This shows your cat where the droppings *do* belong. Moreover, this way you leave your cat's scent in the litter box. This increases the chance that your cat will use the litter box.
Clean the spot thoroughly
It is important to clean the spot where your cat has relieved itself thoroughly. Not only because it is hygienic, but also because it prevents your cat from going outside the box again. If a certain spot in the house smells of poop or pee, your cat will be more likely to go there again. And that is, of course, not the intention.
Investigate underlying problems
Does your cat continue to defecate and urinate outside the litter box? Then there is probably an underlying cause. Some possible causes are the following:
- Your litter box is too small for your cat.
- Your litter box does not meet your cat's preferences. For example, do you have an uncovered litter box? Then it may be that your cat avoids the litter box because the animal prefers a covered litter box.
- You are using a cat litter that your cat doesn't like.
- Your litter box is not in the right place in the house.
- There are too few litter boxes in the house.
Have you ruled out all these causes and your cat continues to defecate and urinate outside the litter box? Then this could also have a medical cause. In this case, it is best to visit the vet to have your cat thoroughly checked. This way, any medical problems will come to light.
Helping your cat get used to a new litter box
Have you bought a new litter box? Then your cat needs some time to get used to his new toilet. You can help the animal adjust faster by:
- Placing the litter box with your cat in a small room. Your cat will then naturally start sniffing and exploring the litter box.
- Temporarily removing the cover from the litter box. Cats don't like entering an unfamiliar space. By removing the lid from the litter box, you make the exploration a little easier for the animal.
- Optionally, lift your cat into the litter box to encourage initial exploration, if your cat doesn't investigate on his own.
With these tips, your cat will be accustomed to his brand new toilet in no time!