8 Steps On How To Train Your Cat To Use The Litter Box?

Do you have a new kitten or an older cat, that is having trouble using the litter box? Often, this frustrating issue can be solved with simple changes to your litter box setup and making sure that your cat is physically healthy and happy. Read more for 8 steps on how to train your cat to use the litter box.

1. Choosing the Best Litter Box
If you have a new kitten then you will need a litter box with sides that are low enough to allow them to enter and exit easily. But if you are wondering how to train your cat to use the litter box and he is a little older, control his bad aim with higher sides that will keep the waste from falling on the floor.

You will want to find a litter box made from heavy, durable plastic so it is easy to clean and holds up well over time. You will also want to make sure your litter box is big enough for your furry friend to turn around and kick the litter. This is normal behavior for him to do so accommodate it.

After they’ve grown accustomed to a litter box, and are large enough to climb into one, you can use an automatic self cleaning litter box. It’s cut back on the cleaning time tremendously!!!

2. Consider the Litter Box Setup
There is an equation to find out the number of litter boxes for your household. They should equal the number of cats you have, plus one. It is common for multi-cat homes to be short on the needed number of litter boxes.

Place your cat’s box in an area of the house that is quiet and easily accessible. If you’re having trouble with a cat that used to be an outdoor cat—or is an indoor/outdoor cat—it may be best to place a litter box near the door. You can also try placing the litter box wherever your cat feels comfortable and then gradually move it to your desired location.

3. Introducing Your Cat to The Litter Box
An important step in how to train your cat to use the litter box is encouraging litter box use. Place your fur friend in the litter box after meals, playtime, naps, and whenever you think he may need to “go.” Keep this up during the first few days with your new pet, and you should achieve litter box success in no time.

4. Using Cat Attract and Feliway
There are a couple of products you can try if you need a little extra help with the litter box training.

Cat attract is the first cat litter that is blended with a natural herb attractant to help problem pets. It features superior odor control, hard clumping, and is 99% dust-free. You can use it for multi-cat households and kittens. Another awesome feature is that it can be used in sifting/mechanical litter boxes, like the one we have.

A feliway diffuser mimics your cat’s natural facial pheromones and the scent will comfort and reassure him. This is helpful for skittish cats, or under stress caused by a variety of reasons including a new home or new pet.

5. Clean the Affected Space
In combination with any of the remedies on this list, you will want to be certain to thoroughly clean EVERY old accident spot with an enzyme cleaner. You may have used bleach and have a false sense of security, but this doesn’t eliminate the scent to your animal.

My pro-tip on how to train your cat to use the litter box in relation to eliminating unwanted pet stains is to reduce the available space your pet has. Temporarily, keep your pet confined to a smaller space, such as a bathroom, where it is easier to clean.

6. Stop a Cat from Pooping on the Floor
If you’re wondering how to stop a cat from pooping on the floor it could be a very simple solution. Keeping the litter box clean is perhaps the most common mistake pet owners overlook. You need to scoop the feces from the litter box at least once a day and clean the box with soap and water once a week with completely fresh litter.

As you know cats can be finicky and many will not use a dirty box. Your pet doesn’t want to sit among stale poop or step on clumps of pee.

7. Evaluate Your Cats Mental Health
Urine marking is more common in male cats, and neutering can help to reduce or eliminate spraying behaviors in approximately 90% of cats. Cats may spray as a form of marking or as a sign of anxiety. Your cat’s mental health is an important part of how to train your cat to use the litter box.

Evaluating if your cat is stressed may be difficult, but there are many things you could try to perk home up. You could try playing music for him while you’re at work, playing with him more frequently using a wand toy, giving him treats using a puzzle toy, and most importantly spending personal time with him. Stress/affected mood is a very common reason for litter box issues, so trying all of these methods are well worth the effort.

8. Check Your Cat’s Health
Health can be a big factor in a sudden change in litter box behavior. So when you’re wondering how to train your cat to use the litter box if it is an adopted shelter animal you will want to have him evaluated by a veterinarian.

Pain can make a pet suspicious that the litter box is actually causing the discomfort vs. it coming from their body. Diabetes, GI issues, or joint soreness that makes it difficult to enter the litter box may cause this discomfort.

If the animal has a UTI the very act of urinating might be painful. So essentially no matter what you do to address the behavioral issue it could be pointless if your pet has a serious physical issue.

Please look at every angle when investigating how to train your cat to use the litter box and good luck.