Being a cat owner is one of the most joyful experiences. It’s not surprising that owning a cat can reduce your stress significantly. Just hearing your cat purr can be one of the most relaxing experiences. However, owning a cat also comes with some responsibilities, along with the enjoyment it provides.
Many cats aren’t able to use the litter, for which there can be many reasons. Dealing with this problem is essential for the health of yourself and your cat. Without the use of a litter box, your house will inevitably become dirty. Fortunately, cats have a strong instinct to find a sandy place to eliminate their waste. So, you won’t find it challenging to train your cat to use a litter box. However, there are always a few things to consider and some mistakes to avoid. To help you prepare your cat to use the litter box properly, here are a few tips.
Select a cat-friendly litter
You might not have thought about it, like many other cat owners, but cats are known to be highly picky when it comes to litter. So, if you want your cat to use the litter box, you should select it according to your pet’s preferences. Most cats prefer to use a litter with fine-grains as it feels softer and more comfortable to use. Moreover, it’s improbable for cats to use a scented litter, so it’s best to avoid it. It’s also crucial for the litter to be easy to clean, so there are no problems for the owner. Hence, a cat litter that’s comfortable, natural, easy to clean, and has reasonable odor control, would be the best choice for all cats. So, don’t settle for anything less than the best kitty litter to guarantee proper cat litter training.
Get a suitable cat litter box
An unsuitable cat litter box can be a significant factor in holding your cat back from using it. So, it’s crucial to select the right litter box. The type can change depending on the size and habits of your cat. If you have a kitten, it’s best to use a litter box that has low sides, so it can easily hop into it. For cats that make a mess while using the litter box, a box with higher sides, so the litter doesn’t come out. The size should be sufficient for the cat to squat in without touching the sides. In terms of material, a durable and heavy plastic litter box is best suitable and easy to clean.
Introducing the cat litter
Once you’ve got all the proper equipment for the cat to use, it’s time to introduce the litter box to your cat. However, you’ll need to select a suitable area to place the litter box in. As cats can quickly get nervous and uncomfortable, it’s best to choose a quiet place for the litter box. However, the site should also be easily accessible; older cats may have difficulty climbing up the stairs. It’s also essential to provide your cats with some privacy. Once you’ve placed the litter box, you can show the litter box to your cat, and it will recognize it due to its instinct. However, you’ll have to keep showing it to your cat for a few days and even place your cat inside the litter to encourage it to use it. After a few days, your cat will become familiar with the place and the litter. Hence, it will start to use it by itself.
Keep it always clean
Cats have astrong sense of smell and are known to be 14 times more than humans. So, whatever odor you smell from the cat litter will be much stronger for cats. Considering how clean cats like to keep themselves, they will never use a dirty litter. Cats will hop right out of the litter box if it’s messy. Hence, it’s essential to keep the cat litter clean at all times. You can try cleaning the litter box by scooping up the dirty litter out of it at least once per day. However, it would be best to keep the litter box itself clean by washing it with water and soap every week.
Avoid punishing your cat for not using the litter box
While training your cat to use the litter, there may be a few times when your kitty avoids using it. However, you should avoid punishing and scolding your cat in such situations. It will further stop the cat from using it by increasing its stress. There are many reasons why cats stop using the litter. Some of them include dirty litter, uncomfortable litter box, or an unapproachable location. Instead of disciplining your cat by punishing it, you should pay attention to why it’s not using the litter and try to fix that issue.
Conclusion
Cats are clean animals and have a strong instinct to find a proper place to eliminate their waste. So, the majority of cats quickly learn to use a litter box eventually without any challenges. By following the tips mentioned above,you can also train it to use the litter with ease.
