How to train a kitten to use a litter box in an apartment easily and quickly: proven methods, tips and tricks

The appearance of a kitten in the house is not only a pleasant chore. After all, a new family member needs to be correctly named, housed and toilet trained. It is at this last point that the most problems arise. And it’s not at all about the complex nature of cats.

To teach a kitten to go to the litter box, the owner needs to find out at what age this is done, how to choose a litter and many other subtleties.

At what age does training begin?

The right recommendations will help speed up the long process. Kittens are also children, so there is no certain age for litter box training to be easy and quick. You can force an animal to go potty at 2 months or after 3 months - it depends on its intelligence and learning ability.

If a baby lives with a mother cat, he copies her behavior. The two-month-old kitten is already coping with the task on his own. If the mother is not nearby, the owner can train the cat to use the litter box.

It is not difficult to train a kitten to use the toilet in an apartment, especially when there is a cat nearby, even at 1 month, if the pet is smart. It’s not too late to do this even at 3 months.

Step-by-step instruction

Time to move on to the basic instructions, by following which you can teach your kitten a new, very useful habit - going to the toilet in the tray.

Place the litter in a quiet and secluded area of your home. This should not be a passage or corridor, or areas near doors where people often walk. The ideal place is a bathroom or toilet, which is always open and the cat has access to the litter around the clock.
The best time for the first trip to the new toilet will be 20-40 minutes after the kitten eats. Take it and place it with its paws directly into the tray with the filler.
Pet him, say something kind, and then move away and let him look around and sniff the new place.
If the kitten is ready, it will do all the necessary things. After the procedure is completely completed, praise him and cover the waste with a fresh layer of filler. Disposal of waste should not be done due to the importance of the smell of waste in the toilet area. Cats sense this smell and it is easier for them to find a place to go to the toilet. However, you cannot leave the toilet completely untouched. Kittens and adult cats are very picky about cleanliness and will not go into a dirty litter box.

Important!
Don't be too aggressive with the kitten. If you are unable to train him to use the litter box and he goes to the toilet in the wrong places, you should show him your dissatisfaction, but in an extremely friendly manner. At the moment of a mistake, go up to the kitten, lightly tap his nose with your finger and tell him what he is wrong about (this is how cats let their kittens know that they are wrong). And then take him to the tray and gently explain that this is where he needs to go to the toilet.

If the cat went past the toilet more than an hour ago, do not scold him, this will cause him misunderstanding. He won't remember what he did wrong. It is necessary to make it clear in a timely manner about the mistake made, but as we wrote above, do this in an extremely friendly manner - without shouting or physical violence.

Choosing a litter box for a kitten

An incorrectly selected tray is one of the first factors that will prevent you from teaching a small kitten to order. Below we consider the types of devices:

open without mesh;
open with mesh;
tray-house;
self-cleaning.

The correct tray for a cat is wide and with high sides. This is a general requirement for each type.

Open without mesh

A tray without a mesh will not have to be washed every day, and the animal will not injure its paws while trying to dig. But not every type of litter is suitable for it: the cat will carry it around the apartment and scatter it around the tray.

Open with mesh

More complex design. A net is installed on the container where the animal sits. Costs more, but is more hygienic. You can put any filler into the tray; it is inaccessible to the cat.

There are disadvantages:

The mesh needs to be washed daily.
The baby will still scratch the surface and may injure his paws.

The main disadvantage of both types of trays is their openness, which makes it more difficult to train a kitten to go to the toilet.

Tray house

An excellent choice for a small living space. It can be placed in the bathroom or hallway. It’s not difficult to make it yourself: the main thing is not to forget about the removable lid to make it convenient to clean. With or without mesh – the owner’s choice.

Important: You can buy an ordinary tray and make a tall, lightweight lid yourself.

Self-cleaning

Premium category trays. Almost no owner intervention is required. Simple models are equipped with a rake for leveling the filler and removing used lumps, a carbon filter to eliminate odors, and a silent motor with which this design operates.

The most expensive models require a constant connection to the network and sewerage.

How to arrange a cat litter box

If the animal finds it uncomfortable to go to the potty, he will soon choose another, more comfortable place. Therefore, it is important to choose the tray and litter according to your cat's preferences, and then install it in an appropriate location.

Selecting a location

Cats by nature love to hide. Some individuals are embarrassed to go to the toilet in an open space and in front of people. To make your pet as comfortable as possible, you need to place the tray in a quiet place with open access.

Many owners prefer to install the cat litter box in the restroom and leave the door ajar. Another option is a special slot in the door for easy access for the mustachioed. For many families, this is the only acceptable option: unpleasant odors will not spread throughout the house, and the cat will be able to go to the bathroom alone.

If it is not possible to place a tray in the bathroom, you can consider the option of a closed tray-house: it can be placed anywhere in the apartment. The cat will be hidden from prying eyes, and unpleasant aromas will not leak through the thick walls. The only negative is that a kitten is unlikely to like such a house; this is an option for an adult pet.

It is advisable to limit the pet’s movement area to any one room in which the tray is located while the skill is being developed. Then he will quickly learn the place of origin of his needs.

Buying a litter box and cleaning it

It is better to choose a tray from non-electrifying plastic with fairly high sides, about ten centimeters (for a kitten - lower, up to five centimeters). It should be roomy enough so that the pet can comfortably fit in it and be able to cross its paws. If the cat is not from the street, but simply changed its owner, ask the previous owner what kind of litter box the pet used - this will help accustom it faster.

Cats like closed structures in the form of houses more, as they create a feeling of seclusion, but caring for such toilets is much more difficult than a regular litter box. An additional advantage of closed toilets is the presence of special filters that absorb unpleasant odors.

Perhaps the most popular option for cat litter is a plastic tray with a removable grid. But it is not suitable for all pets. Some cats outright refuse to use a tray with stale litter: they are afraid of getting their paws wet.

Therefore, the tray must be cleaned regularly: it is necessary to change the filler and wash the tray with a disinfectant. Be careful not to use chemicals that are too odorous - they may scare the animal away and force you to avoid the potty.

Some cats absolutely need sterile cleanliness: they meow loudly and follow the owner so that he cleans up their feces immediately and immediately. Others are less scrupulous and may use the used tray several times.

Purchasing filler

It is much easier for an outdoor cat to get used to a tray with a filler that resembles sand or sawdust (mineral, wood). At first, you can use sand from the street, into which portions of filler are gradually mixed.

If your pet is accustomed to a particular litter, you should not suddenly change it to another, since you will have to accustom an adult cat to the litter box all over again - he will simply boycott the unfamiliar potty. You need to gradually mix portions of the new mixture into the old one until you completely replace it and the animal gets used to it.

For kittens it is better to use natural (wood, soy, coal) fillers. This is due to the fact that the baby may try the granules on the tooth out of curiosity. Later it will be possible to transfer it to a mineral or silica gel filler.

Filler selection

The filler is selected under the tray.

Important: cats do not like scented toilet granules, so using them will not give the desired results.

clumping

Available with or without flavoring. The clumping product is hygienic and easily absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors. The main rule of any litter: the smaller the kitten, the smaller the granules.

Zeolite

Zeolite filler is more expensive than wood filler, but is consumed more economically and absorbs moisture better. It does not stick to the kitten’s paws or fur if a special mat is placed under the tray.

Woody

Cats can taste the litter. The safest option in this case is wood. But without a special rug, the kitten will carry it around the apartment on its paws.

Grain and pulp

Both types are environmentally friendly, relatively inexpensive and made from organic substances. If the kitten accidentally swallows particles of the filler, it’s not scary. Grain and pulp products clump easily.

Silica gel (hazardous to animals if eaten)

One of the most expensive types. This is a substance that is placed in boxes with shoes and bags to absorb moisture and odors. The silica gel filler does not stick to the kitten's fur and paws and does not create a stench, but if there is too much water in the tray, a puddle may form.

It is best to place this litter under the net so that the kitten does not accidentally eat it.

No filler

Need a self-cleaning tray. There is no point in giving up filler in a conventional device. All problems can be solved in other ways:

spreads on its paws - buy a special mat, then all the granules will remain on it;
refuses to use - most likely, the kitten does not like litter with a smell or too hard granules;
better than newspapers - printing houses use toxic ink, the fumes of which are dangerous;
expensive - the cheapest filler is wood.

Reasons for possible difficulties

When developing the skill of defecating in the right place, difficulties sometimes arise. They can be caused by various reasons. Just watch your pet to understand why training is so difficult.

Sometimes it happens that an animal went to the toilet in the right place, and then suddenly stopped. In this case, you need to understand what causes this behavior and how to re-accustom an adult cat to the litter box.

Disease

The most dangerous and unpleasant reason for refusing to go to the toilet is illness. If something is bothering your pet, he may change his behavior in an attempt to let you know that something is hurting him.

In some cases, due to illness, he simply forgets where to go to the toilet, or this process causes him severe discomfort and pain. This may be urolithiasis, kidney failure or cystitis. If you notice changes in the animal's behavior, anxiety, lethargy, or other symptoms of the disease, you should contact your veterinarian. After the course of treatment, your pet will recover and, most likely, will return to its usual toilet.

Stress

Litter box refusal can also be caused by stress. It is worth considering that cats, like people, have different personalities and stress tolerance. Therefore, each requires a special approach. Limit the animal from stress as much as possible, be patient, do not punish the cat for mistakes - and very soon she will understand what you want from her.

It happens that changes in life circumstances cause anxiety in an animal. For example, a new person has appeared in the family or someone has died. In this case, try to devote as much time as possible to your pet. If you have a second cat, you should designate a litter tray for each pet.

New tray or new place

Cats are animals that do not tend to change their habits; they quickly become attached to their territory and certain places. Therefore, when changing the tray, a problem may arise such as refusal to go to the toilet in the usual place. What can we say about moving?

If you change the tray, sometimes you have to start training again - be prepared for this. If you are planning a move, make sure the new location has privacy areas for the cat and elevated areas for observation. The fewer reasons for stress the animal has, the better the adaptation will be and the fewer problems will arise with the toilet.

The period of sexual hunting

Sometimes difficulties are caused by the so-called mating season. It’s quite easy to check whether a cat leaves marks intentionally or whether there is another reason for his behavior. If the pet becomes more restless - it looks from the outside as if he is looking for something - and the animal urinates in small portions on a vertical surface, then we can definitely talk about the cat’s sexual activity. The solution is castration or regular mating with a cat.

Psychological reasons

There is an opinion that a cat can leave puddles out of spite, thus showing its stubbornness and discontent. Not all experts recognize this possibility - there are supporters of the theory that cats do not have consciousness, therefore, they do not know how to take revenge. In fact, many owners know that a cat can take a shit if it is offended - but almost immediately. Animals are definitely not capable of delaying revenge and serving it cold.

If your pet is loved and caressed, but he still walks in the wrong place, first of all you need to rule out the disease. If everything is fine in this regard, you need to decide how to most gently accustom an adult cat to the litter box again, taking into account the identified reason: often puddles or piles become an attraction for the owner’s attention. A couple of examples:

The cat feels sad when left alone for a long time. The owner returning late finds a fragrant “gift” in an unexpected place. Getting a second pet will solve the problem.

The cat likes or doesn’t like something. If he wants to go for a walk, but they don’t let him in, he can shit under the door. Or there is a desired item in the closet, which means the cat can go near the door of this closet.

More complex causes are difficult to identify. Sometimes monitoring an animal takes several weeks, or even months. But patient owners cope with the problem, no matter how ingenious it may be.

The process of training a kitten to the tray

Be patient to finish what you start.

Important: Light massage stimulates digestion and the bowel movement reflex; When you sit the kitten on the potty, you can stroke its tummy.

Stage one - getting to know each other

For the first time, they put the kitten in the tray several times, take his paw and help him “dig.” Let the baby not be afraid to sniff the pot and the filler: this way he will get used to the place.

Stage two – observation and assistance

It is possible that you will have to run after the kitten throughout the apartment and watch when it starts meowing loudly, squatting, spinning in one place and scratching its paw on the floor.

Then you need to immediately carry him to the tray and not let him go until he goes to the toilet.

It will not be possible to correct the situation in 1 day, but if everything is done correctly, the cat will definitely get used to it.

Stage three - strengthening the reflex

Now the kitten can be scolded for ignoring the toilet. But not too much. When cleaning up after your baby, you just need to throw everything in the litter tray and take the kitten there when he starts looking for a place to go to the toilet. This must be done without shouting.

Additional tips and tricks

You cannot hit a kitten or poke its face into the dirt;
the optimal layer of filler in the tray is 5 cm;
if the breeder’s baby was constantly lying on moisture-absorbing diapers, you will have to be patient;
The kitten should also be praised for small progress.

Common Mistakes

Wrong size of granules: the smaller the kitten, the smaller they should be;
too early or late litter box training;
If the baby relieves himself on soft surfaces, you need to put a piece of cloth in the filler.

Determining a place for the cat litter box

You must immediately determine the place where the tray will stand. It should be a quiet, calm corner where there are no other pets.

Before you toilet train your kitten at home, build an enclosure-type structure that he cannot leave. There should be enough space to place a tray inside, close to which the baby can play. When the pet gets used to it and begins to relieve itself in the box, the enclosure can be removed and the container moved to a more suitable area.

When choosing a permanent location for the tray, you must proceed from the following considerations:

Toilet. On the one hand, it is easier to keep the tray clean; over time, the kitten can be trained to go to the toilet. On the other hand, the door must be constantly open, which means that the smell from the toilet will go into the room, corridor, and kitchen. If you forget and close the toilet, the baby will defecate in another place. Alternatively, at the bottom of the door you can make a hole with a curtain through which the kitten will get inside.
Corridor. If you place the litter box here, you won't have to worry about whether your pet has been blocked from accessing the box, but the smell may be absorbed into the clothes on the hanger. In addition, cats do not like to defecate in busy places. They love privacy.
Kitchen. Before you teach your kitten to go to the toilet, remember that you cannot place the potty near the bowl, cats will not appreciate this.

The best option is to find a low-traffic place for the box, to which the kitten will have uninterrupted access throughout the day.

Possible difficulties

If all the recommendations are followed, and the kitten does not go to the litter box, do not despair.

Pet doesn't go into litter box

You need to buy a device that is larger, wider, with higher sides, and it will become easier to teach your cat to go to the litter box.

Pet ignores litter box

If the baby goes to the toilet everywhere, check that the rules for choosing the device, filler and place for the tray are followed. If an already accustomed kitten is mischievous, the advice is the same:

the tray should be without traumatic elements, preferably without a mesh;
filler – odorless;
put it in a dark, secluded place so that the animal is not afraid of anyone.

If the recommendations are taken into account, the pet will be able to go to the toilet where it needs to be. The exception would be a kitten that is too small. A one-month-old baby will not understand what they want from him.

Nothing works out

Read our second article on this topic: How to stop a cat from shitting in the wrong place - you will learn several new recommendations that will help you solve this problem.

Let's give a few more tips to help you train a kitten or adult cat to use the litter box.

Once again, pay attention to your tray and filler. Use the most neutral filler possible, and do not wash the tray with special cleaning products so that it does not smell of chemicals. Let a special place smell better than the toilet, it is more pleasant for the cat than a chemical smell. And in choosing the ideal litter box, our article with a rating of cat litter boxes will help you: How to choose a litter box for a cat.

The process of training an adult cat to use a litter tray is not quick. Be more restrained in your emotions, let yourself understand that you and your cat may need up to a month so that he can fully switch to a new habit for him. During this entire time, according to the plan and instructions in the article, do everything to get the cat used to the new place. We described everything in the instructions above.

The kitten shits on the rug and carpets. A temporary remedy for unwanted trips to the toilet in inappropriate places can be the procedure of treating these places with the smell of citrus fruits - lemon, orange, pomelo and others. Cats do not like such smells and will not go to the toilet in this place anymore.

There is no time to train a kitten to use a litter box. At an early age, it is important to take the kitten to the litter tray quite often. But if you have little time, you are often at work or are absent for other reasons, try buying a cat toilet training spray at a pet store.

The kitten is eating litter, what should I do? There may be several reasons for this behavior, from a banal misunderstanding due to age, up to a lack of minerals. In any case, start with the following steps:

Buy him some corn litter. It is harmless and absorbs moisture well. Once ingested, it dissolves easily as it is made from corn. The only negative is it's expensive. But you will only need it for the first time, until the kitten understands that there is no need to eat the litter.
For the sake of prevention or in cases where the kitten eats too much litter, take it to the veterinarian. There, they may give recommendations on purchasing mineral complexes and vitamins.
You can also cover the tray with a grid, which will block access to the filler itself. The mesh should be fine so that the kitten does not fall through and does not experience discomfort while on such a grid. However, this should be the last item on the list. Small kittens must be accustomed to the litter.

My cat goes to the toilet in flower pots. Cats often actually like the smell of the soil; this is a natural reaction. You can scare away due to two things:

Cover the surface of the soil with small pebbles. This will reduce the smell from the soil and will not harm the plants.
You can put orange or lemon peel on the surface. Cats don't like the smell of citrus fruits.

Is it possible to train a baby to use the toilet of another cat?

Smell is the main safety criterion for cats. The kitten will not use someone else's potty. In this case, even neutral flavors will not help accustom the cat to the litter box.

In order for the baby to learn to use a device that has already been used, the tray must be disinfected and make sure that foreign odors have disappeared.

Is it possible to teach a cat to go to the toilet?

Some cat owners do not want to install a litter box in their apartment; they prefer that the animal go to the toilet on the toilet. But you won’t be able to completely avoid using a cat potty, since you can accustom a cat to a litter box, including an outdoor one, only through an “intermediate object,” namely a litter box. An animal that is not familiar with the litter box will not be able to learn to relieve itself on the toilet.

If your pet clearly knows that her business needs to be done in the tray in a strictly designated place, you can move on to changing habits - going to the toilet to the toilet. Do everything gradually. If you rush, you'll have to start all over again. Move the tray every day by 1-2 cm, moving it towards the location of the toilet.

For the next stage of training, prepare a large stack of paper, newspapers or magazines. Place newspaper under the tray after each use. Do not put too much at once - no more than 1 cm at a time. Otherwise, the pet may begin to show character and go on strike, leaving puddles on the floor.

In the process of raising the structure, the amount of filler should decrease. The best option is ꟷ if you didn’t use it from the very beginning. Be careful about the stability of the stack of newspapers. If the structure collapses at the most crucial moment, the animal may become frightened, and all training will go down the drain.

When the tray is at the level of the toilet, secure the result and let your pet finally get used to it. After a few days, you can move the tray onto the toilet itself and remove the pile of paper. Make sure everything is installed securely. It is better if you raise the seat; without plastic elements, the design is more stable, and this is very important.

At the last stage, you need to remove the tray; it is better to take it out of the apartment altogether so that the animal cannot find it by smell. When the cat wants to go to the toilet, she will be forced to use the toilet. After all, the tray had been standing there for the last few days.

There are times when your pet refuses your proposed plan at this stage. There may be signs of protest on the floor. In this case, you should return the tray to the toilet and try again.

There is another option for completing training - longer, but more reliable. To implement it, cut the bottom in the tray, gradually increasing the diameter. When the hole is the same as in the toilet, you can simply throw away the sides from the tray. And the cat is guaranteed to do his business in the desired place.

Some owners resort to a special tray attachment for the toilet - it also does the job well. But the attachment is used at the last stages of training, so a regular tray will still be needed at first.

There are two important rules for toilet training an adult cat: the toilet lid should always be up and the door to the toilet should always be open.

Kitten training method

Often, a kitten already has certain skills in going to the toilet, because the cat, having a highly developed intuition, has already learned to guess his desires and drag him to the potty when she feels that the time has come for this. And it doesn’t matter at all whether it’s a street kitten or not. It’s better to accustom menstruation, because... he is still quite often guided by reflexes.

Your job as the owner is to purchase the right pot and litter. Do not try to choose a deep tray with high sides; it will not only be difficult for the kitten to get out of it, but also to enter it.

The height of the rim should be no more than 7 cm. Better even if a little smaller, because the monthly kitten is still a baby.

It is also worth remembering that the tray should not contain two bottoms or have a mesh. The kitten's paws are still weak and its claws are small. He will easily get stuck in the net and will no longer go to the “dangerous” potty.

Next, you need to pay attention to the choice of filler. It is divided into several types: clumping, wood, sawdust, etc.

To use the ancient methods, such as sand or torn paper today is not worth it. It's expensive and unhygienic, and their ultimate goal you will not achieve. The cat simply will not like that he had wet paws.

Often, professionals recommend choosing clumping litter. It collects the smell, and the kitten’s paws will immediately be dry.

Next, you need to choose the right location for the tray. Don't think that the only logical option is the toilet. Be sure to focus on the kitten in this matter. Firstly, the toilet door may often be closed or too heavy for his paws. Secondly, finding a potty somewhere in the toilet is more difficult than, for example, in the corridor. For example, it is recommended to choose a quiet place for the cat’s litter box, hidden from prying eyes, with dim light. In addition, it is desirable that there is plenty of space here so that the animal can calmly turn around and lick itself if it needs to.

Introduce the kitten to the potty. Immediately after he has eaten, take him to the potty and put him in it. You won't have to wait long: the kitten is small and goes about its business almost as soon as it eats. Repeat this several times, and the cat will develop a reflex.

Where to put the tray?

It is important to choose the right place to install it and ensure that the cat has constant access to it. The tray (“pot”) can be installed:

in the bathroom or toilet;
on an insulated balcony;
in a pantry with ventilation.

You cannot place the tray in the kitchen or in a narrow corridor. Experts advise placing it on a rubber mat to prevent your pet from spreading sand around the room on its paws. The size of the mat should be larger than the size of the “pot”.

You need to remove excrement with special spatulas.

Having prepared a place for the toilet in this way, you can begin to accustom your pet to using the litter tray in the apartment.

Checklist - 11 tips

For convenience, we offer you a checklist “How to train a kitten to use a litter box.”

No1. Restrict access to all rooms at once. -The kitten may get lost or, having played too much, will not have time to reach the tray.

No2. Buy the same type of litter that the kitten is used to using from previous owners. -Find out what type of litter (wood, silica gel, mineral) the kitten used before, buy a litter of the same type. -Over time, you will be able to switch to another type that is more convenient for you.

No3. Add some used litter to the tray. -Ask the previous owner for some of the “described” filler, pour it along with the clean one. -At first, when cleaning, you can leave a little “wet” litter so that the smell reminds the kitten that this is his toilet.

No4. Show that you can dig in the filler. -After placing the baby in the tray, dig a hole with your finger so that the kitten can see it. -Do not try to teach digging by holding the paws.

No5. Place in the tray more often. -How to quickly train a kitten to use the litter tray? Sit him in the toilet more often after eating, sleeping, and active games. -If you notice that it is “pasting” in the wrong place, carefully move it to the toilet.

No6. Don't punish for puddles. -Remove the puddle and treat the area with a special product.

No7. Place the tray in the place where the kitten frequents. -From the beginning, it is important to teach the kitten to go to the litter box. -Later you can rearrange it where it is convenient for you, gradually moving it.

No8. Place the food bowl in an undesirable place for the toilet. -Usually cats don’t shit where they eat and drink.

No9. There should be a toilet on each floor if the house has several floors.

No10. One cat may need two litter boxes. -Some people like to do “wet” things in one, and “serious” things in another :-)

No11. Each cat has its own litter box! -Many cats do not like to share their litter box with others. -If possible, place containers for different cats in different places.

To toilet train an adult cat, use the same algorithm.

Get to know interesting cat breeds with the help of our encyclopedia: Bengal, Cymric, British Longhair.

Tips and recommendations from a veterinarian: why the kitten suddenly stopped going to the litter box

When your pet went to the litter box normally and suddenly stopped, check the condition of the box. If the potty is clean, pay attention to your pet's behavior. Perhaps something startled him while he was emptying his crate. Fear is immediately visible; he may resist and refuse to move in the direction of the tray.

Other reasons why a cat may refuse to go into a box:

Sexual instinct. If this is not a breeding animal, have your pet spayed/neutered. The operation will relieve many problems.
Protest. For example, the pet does not want to sit at home on its own, or the owner does not pay attention to it.
Unpleasant associations. Perhaps he was toilet trained using rough methods, punished, and now he is afraid of the litter box. Try buying a box of a different shape and changing the filling. Don't forget to express delight when the kitten defecates in the box.

Among the reasons why puddles and feces began to appear outside the tray are urinary tract infections and worms. To notice the problem in time, talk to your veterinarian and get tested.

How to litter train an adult cat

1) Cats previously trained to use a litter box and cats unfamiliar with it
2) Tray training an outdoor cat
3) Tray training in a new place
4) Basic rules on the path to comfort

Cats previously trained to use a litter box and cats unfamiliar with it
The decision to have a mustachioed pet should be a conscious one. After all, a new furry tenant will not only bring a lot of positive emotions to your home, but will also shift the responsibility for his comfort onto your shoulders. One important aspect of a cat’s comfortable stay in your home is a properly selected, easy-to-use litter box. And since you are the main owner in the house, the task of accustoming the cat to the tray rests with you. The staff of the Murkosha shelter are confident that if you approach this issue correctly, then no difficulties should arise. And a damaged carpet or a puddle in the wrong place will in no way become an obstacle to a friendly, trusting relationship with a new tailed family member. To begin with, adult animals that need to be trained to a tray are divided into 2 types:

- cats that know what a litter box is, but due to some circumstances, for example, moving, are forced to get used to it again;

- animals picked up from the street who have no idea about such modern convenience as a properly equipped home toilet.

Therefore, all steps aimed at accustoming a cat to the litter box should begin with the answer to the question of whether the animal is familiar with such a significant structure.

Litter box training for an outdoor cat

So, you are that kind and responsible person who picked up a stray cat from the street. Of course, this is an act worthy of admiration, and the animal you have chosen will now have not only a new life, but also an acquaintance with the rules you have established, and among them, the use of the litter tray for its intended purpose. But how to accustom a cat to a litter box that has never been familiar with a litter box? In fact, a task that seems difficult at first glance can be solved quite easily if you follow a number of simple rules prepared for you by the specialists of the Murkosha shelter.

It is worth starting to accustom a cat to a litter box from the moment the animal appears in the house. As soon as the cat gets used to the new environment a little, you must immediately show the pet the place reserved for the toilet; perhaps the animal will intuitively understand what you want from it. But if this doesn't happen, don't be upset. Wait until the cat wants to go to the toilet. It is not difficult to determine this moment: the animal will begin to rush about, get nervous, walk around corners trying to find a secluded place - and then carefully, trying not to scare the already anxious pet, bring it to the tray.
Determine a location for the cat's litter box. It is best to prepare this place in advance, that is, not only take care of determining the space where the tray will stand, but also buy everything you need. The location for the tray must be chosen taking into account the secretiveness of the felines. Outdoor animals choose quiet and secluded places to relieve their natural needs. The ideal option would be to organize a toilet for the cat in the bathroom - the room is not a walk-through room, but rather secluded, so that the animal will not feel inconvenienced. At the moment when you bring in a cat looking for a place to go to the toilet, you can close the door to the room, thereby limiting the search space and focusing attention on the prepared tray.
Choice of filler. Since it is necessary to accustom a cat to a litter tray, which previously met all its needs in its natural environment, the choice of litter should be taken responsibly. Ideally, for the first time, you can pour regular street sand into the tray. Sand is a familiar substance that will remind the cat of its former natural habitat. As soon as the cat begins to go to this “filler”, you can gradually add impurities from purchased bags. It is very important to ensure that the added industrial filler does not cause rejection in the cat. If this happens, then it is worth changing the additive, for example, replacing wood pellets with clumping ones or vice versa. You can gradually reduce the proportions, i.e. add less and less sand, but, on the contrary, more and more filler, and continue this action until only filler remains in the tray.
Do not show aggression towards the cat if it is not yet using the tray for its intended purpose. Yes, it was an unpleasant moment, but it wasn’t a disaster either. The first few times, or even days, a cat trained to use a litter box may “miss the mark.” There is nothing terrible or irreparable in this situation. A new life for a purr is already stressful, and new rules are even more stressful. Please be patient. If your pet went to the toilet on the carpet or chose a certain corner for its needs, temporarily place the tray in this place. You can blot the puddle with the filler and when it absorbs the smell, put these used granules in the tray. As soon as the animal goes to the toilet in the tray, focusing on the smell, begin to slowly move it closer to the bathroom until you move it to the right place. The main thing is don’t scold your pet and don’t forget that cats are surprisingly clean animals and won’t just shit in corners, but habit is an acquired thing and forming the “right” habit depends on you. We have no doubt that you will cope with the task perfectly well, because a person who gives a home to a street animal will never save from temporary difficulties. Well, a cat that is lucky enough to find a home and a caring owner in you will never give you a reason to doubt the correctness of your action.

Useful tips on how to prepare your home for the arrival of a cat: https://murkosha.ru/nashi-stati/soderzhanie-i-ukhod/kak-podgotovit-dom-k-poyavleniyu-koshki

Tray training in a new place

Now let’s look at a situation where you should train a cat to use a litter tray, which is already familiar with such an important attribute and even used it regularly for its intended purpose, but for a number of reasons suddenly became confused and made a puddle in the wrong place. For example, moving to another apartment can serve as a reason for such “disgrace”: either if you yourself are moving with your pet, or if he is moving from the previous owners to you. No matter which of the situations described above the cat finds itself in, changing its place of residence is stressful for the animal. And your task is to help your pet get out of this state as quickly and comfortably as possible.

For a mustachioed pet, smells play a big role, but in the new apartment there are no familiar smells. Hence the throwing and possible troubles left in the corners. To avoid such troubles or reduce them to a minimum, take the trouble to grab a tray familiar to the cat from your previous home (if such an opportunity exists). Firstly, it is a smell that is familiar to the animal; it will be a kind of beacon in a new place. Secondly, it is easier to endure any changes when there is something from a past life in the space around you. If it is not possible to take the same tray directly, it is advisable to purchase one of the same shape. Fill a tray familiar to the cat with the usual filler and bring the pet to it. Instincts will work better than any words.

This technique is very often used by the staff of the Murkosha shelter when they see off their charges to a new, home life, the only difference is that instead of the familiar tray, future pet owners are given a small amount of used litter in a bag. Upon arrival home, this filler must be mixed with clean litter and shown to the cat. It is much easier to accustom a cat to a litter box in a new apartment when the animal is guided by its own smell. But if suddenly a new tailed tenant did pass by, this is not at all a reason to refuse him. Have a little patience and follow the same rules as described in the case of adopting a stray cat - gradually move the tray to the desired location and do not scold the animal under any circumstances.

Another good tip would be to choose a litter that the cat at the shelter or at his previous place has successfully used. That is, you should not immediately switch the animal to silicone granules if the previous filler was wood. Over time, when the pet finally gets used to it and successfully copes with a stressful situation, you can make changes, but you shouldn’t do this right away.

More details on how to make moving as comfortable as possible for a cat: https://murkosha.ru/nashi-stati/soderzhanie-i-ukhod/pereezd-s-koshkoj

Basic rules on the path to comfort

In order for the above actions to be as effective as possible, several points must be taken into account. Having done everything correctly, you can be sure that your favorite carpet will remain clean, and your pet will go to do its business in a clearly designated place.

Tray selection

It would seem that there is nothing easier than buying suitable equipment at a pet store, focusing on a temptingly beautiful color or original shape. But in reality everything is completely different. When choosing a tray, the owner must make sure that the animal will be comfortable in it. Everything should be ideal: a size that allows the cat to fit in and perform all the necessary manipulations without constraint, the height of the sides, which again does not restrict the pet’s movements, even the shape - suddenly your purr doesn’t like sharp corners at all. It is quite possible that your pet will prefer a closed version of the tray, a kind of house in which he can quietly retire. In this matter, it is important to adapt to your desires. After all, the more comfortable the animal is, the fewer reasons for disappointment you will have. That is, you need to be prepared for the fact that your pet will not like the toilet you bought, and in order to avoid all sorts of unpleasant moments, it will need to be replaced. Don’t forget, all felines are clean animals, and their toilet requirements are appropriate.

Read more about choosing a litter box: What types of litter trays are there for cats and how to choose them correctly

Filler

Another important point in arranging a cat corner. Nowadays there is such a wide range of fillers in stores that it is very easy to get confused and buy something that is not what you need. What to do in this case? The answer is simple - watch your cat. The animal itself will show how comfortable the selected pellets are. It’s not without reason that the first thing experts advise you to do if your pet suddenly stops going to the litter box is to replace the litter. Perhaps the granules are too large and hurt the paws, perhaps, on the contrary, they are small and cause inconvenience when burying. Cats are very picky about the litter box, and by spending some time, but ultimately choosing the litter your cat likes, you will avoid many problems.

More information about different litters: What types of cat litter are there?

Calm and confident

Cats understand our emotions very well - and react to them. In addition, animals never do anything “out of spite,” and this primarily applies to misses by the tray. If your cat suddenly starts going to the toilet in the wrong place, she has a reason for this. And the matter may not only be that she suddenly didn’t like the filler or the tray became small, but also various discomforts that could be caused, for example, by illness. Therefore, they simply couldn’t think of a better option than trying to understand your pet. Do not show aggression, do not scold the cat, but carefully think about what exactly the animal is trying to convey to you. Yes, it may take time, you may spend unplanned funds arranging comfortable conditions for your pet, but in gratitude the purr will love you even a little more. And what could be more beautiful than a contented cat curled up on your lap and thanking you with a quiet, cozy purr?!

Did you know that there are at least 10 reasons to get a cat: https://murkosha.ru/nashi-stati/interesnoe-o-koshkakh/10-prichin-zavesti-kota

In conclusion, we would like to add that any problem has a solution, and any animal first of all needs your care and love. Just don’t forget about this, and then nothing will overshadow your life together with your favorite fluffy cat.

How to choose a tray

You can pick up a tray for a kitten at any pet store. It is better to choose a large container at once. The kitten will grow very quickly and the small container will quickly become unusable. If you do not plan to use filler, then you should take a vessel with low sides.

Many cat potties have a lattice included. On the one hand, it is convenient - the cat will not wet its paws, even if it is “small” in an empty container. On the other hand, the animal, following instinct, will bury its feces and cling to the bars with its claws. This may cause pain to the kitten, and he will refuse to return to the place next time. Therefore, the issue with the grid is very ambiguous.

The shape of the container is not as important as all other design features. The litter box should be comfortable for the kitten, not for you. The main thing is that the container is spacious and made of high-quality plastic.