Cats are generally low-maintenance pets. Unlike dogs, which need to be walked and taken outside for exercise several times a day, a cat is perfectly content lounging around the house, napping, and occasionally swatting at its favorite cat toy. While dogs can require a lot of time and patience to train, litter box training a cat is usually much easier.
Why Cats Use a Litter Box
The main reason litter box training a cat is easier is that using a box mimics how cats eliminate in the wild. In the wild, most types of cats are vulnerable to predators. To hide from potential threats, they cover up the scent of their urine, which could reveal their location. Cats do this by using their claws to cover their urine with sand or dirt.
When litter box training a cat, often all it takes is for the cat to step into the box once to realize that it’s the ideal place to relieve itself, as it allows the cat to easily cover its scent with the “sand.” Cats are creatures of habit, so once a cat is trained, it will typically continue using the litter box unless there is a medical condition or another extenuating circumstance.
Training Tips
Generally, not much formal training is required when litter box training a cat. However, since each cat is different, some may catch on immediately, while others may take a bit more effort. Here are some tips to help with training:
- Ensure the box is the right size. This is especially important if you are litter box training a larger cat. If the cat doesn’t fit comfortably in the box, it may be less inclined to use it.
- The box’s location matters. It should not be placed in a high-traffic area. Not only will this help with your own comfort, but the cat will also be more likely to use the box if it’s tucked into a quiet, less-traveled area of the home.
- Eliminate potential bathroom competition. When litter box training a cat, remove any other appealing bathroom options, particularly household plants. If your cat continues to prefer the soil in the plant pots over the litter box, you might need to permanently relocate the plants out of the cat’s reach.
- If you catch your cat in the act of using the bathroom outside the litter box, gently pick it up and place it in the box. Also, move any waste into the box as well.
How Long Should it Take?
As mentioned, litter box training a cat is usually straightforward. However, if the training lasts for more than a month without success, you may want to consult a vet to rule out any medical reasons why the cat isn’t using the box. Once medical issues are ruled out, you might consider seeking the help of a professional animal trainer.
What if My Cat Refuses to Use a Litter Box?
If your cat refuses to use the litter box and you aren’t ready to visit a vet or animal trainer, there are a few things you can try:
Switch the type of litter. Cats can be quite finicky and may prefer one type of litter over another. If your cat is not using the box, a change in litter may help.
Move the litter box to a different location. Some cats may dislike the placement of the box, so experiment with different spots to see if that encourages them to use it.
Confining your cat to a smaller area for a while may help, as cats tend not to eliminate in the areas where they eat or sleep. Once the cat is let out, make sure its first stop is the litter box.
You shouldn’t need to confine your cat for too long—one or two weeks should suffice.
Accidents
While litter box training a cat is usually easy, some cats may have accidents as they learn. Unfortunately, cat urine has a strong odor. Don’t use typical household cleaners to remove the smell, as even if you can no longer smell it, the cat will. If the cat can still detect the scent, it may continue using that spot.
To effectively remove the scent, you’ll need to use a cleaner specifically designed for cat urine. These products are available at most pet supply stores and are typically inexpensive.
Types of Boxes
When litter box training a cat, the type of box you choose is an important consideration. There are open litter boxes, domed boxes, and even automatic boxes that scoop waste into a receptacle.
Open litter boxes are simple but require you to see—and possibly smell—what’s inside.
Domed boxes often have a filter to reduce odors. While they don’t eliminate all the smells, they do help, and they also provide privacy for the cat.
Automatic boxes, which scoop waste after the cat leaves, are more expensive—ranging from $99 to $249, with some costing even more. Keep in mind that some cats may be deterred by the sound and movement of the box. If a cat gets spooked by it once, it may refuse to use the box again.
Switching Types of Litter
Once you’ve successfully litter box trained your cat, you may want to switch to a different type of litter for various reasons. To avoid restarting the training process, make the transition gradually. Begin by adding a small amount of the new litter to the old, and slowly decrease the amount of the old litter while increasing the new, until the new litter is used exclusively.
Be aware that some cats may reject certain types of litter, so you may need to switch back if that happens.
Litter box training a cat is not as difficult as it may seem. While some cats may require a bit more patience than others, the rewards of having a well-trained cat are worth the effort.
