Listen to the audio version of this article here!
Litter Box Training: When to Begin and How
While most adult cats will instinctively choose for a sandy, granular area to relieve themselves, small kittens might require some assistance developing good litter box habits.
There are a few things you can do to help your cat have success with litter training.
Listed here are some cat litter training advice including:
- When to start,
- how to choose litter boxes,
- how to select the proper kind of litter,
- how to set up the litter boxes and where to put them, and
- how to help your kitten become proficient with the toilet
You can begin litter box training an older kitten or adult cat as soon as you bring them home. Before cats arrive at their new home, you must put out a proper litter box for them and show them where it is so they can start using it.
When to Start Litter Box Training for Kittens
Mother cats will encourage their newborn kittens to urinate in the first two weeks after birth and will clean up after them, so kittens don't require litter boxes during that period.
By providing kitten-friendly litter boxes, you can begin litter-training kittens as early as 4 weeks of age. This is also when kittens begin to wean themselves.
How to Toilet Train Your Cat or Kitten
To successfully toilet train your cat, follow these steps.
1. Pick a Litter Box.
Although selecting a litter box might seem insignificant, your cat will actually notice a tremendous difference.
2. Get a Litter Box of the Correct Size
A little kitten can find full-size boxes to be too big and intimidating. A litter box measuring 13 by 9 inches is recommended for kittens to start.
If your cat is older or you have other adult cats living in the house, they will need full-size litter boxes, but a kitten first needs its smaller litter boxes.
The litter box must expand as your kitty does. The size of your cat's litter box should be roughly 1.5 times that animal's length. As your kitty grows, you'll need to size up. You should have several trash cans available. We recommend the Litter Genie which will drastically reduce the odor and save you time as you do not need to change your garbage often.
There should be at least the same amount or one more litter box in your home than there are cats. For example, there should be two to three boxes if you have two cats. There should be at least three to four boxes if you have three cats.
Litter Boxes with and Without Covers
A lot of cats prefer to use litter boxes with an open top, but this depends on the cat. Some cats prefer an open space to relieve themselves, while others prefer an enclosed space. It depends on your cat's unique preferences whether or not a lavatory has a roof.
You can train your cat to use a covered box later as they do prevent litter scattered everywhere especially if you have a cat that is extra messy, and they do look better. Simply remove the top for a few weeks as they get familiar with the box itself, then put the top on and see how your cats react. Making sure there is an additional litter box in the house in case they do not like the covered one.
Select the Proper Kind of Litter
Most cats prefer fine-grain litters because they feel softer on their paws. However, each cat has their own preferences for clumping or non-clumping litters. Of course, you might like clumping because scooping is so much simpler.
Some cats won't use a litter box with corn or wheat-based litter because it smells like food compared to the standard clay litter.
To be sure you purchase the kind of litter your cat enjoys, try out a few different kinds. Some cats are not fussy and will use whatever litter you train them on, and some are extremely picky and will simply not use your litter box if it is not consistently cleaned, or if it’s not the right litter. If it is the consistent cleaning that is an issue, we recommend the self-cleaning Litter Robot, which was by far the best litter box ever made.
Plan Location of the Litter Boxes
The location and accessibility of the litter box might play a significant role in motivating your kitten to use it.
Eliminate Distractions
Place the litter box for your kitten in a place with minimal distractions so they can focus on their business.
You might need to take away the possibility of having other "interesting" areas for kittens to urinate if they have problems focusing. Until they have been trained on the litter box, try keeping your kitten in a tiny area with no rugs or carpeting and only a sparse amount of bedding for easy clean up.
Have a Litter Box on Each Floor
There should be a box on each story of your house, and they should be distributed widely.
Make it simple for your cat to access their litter box. Don’t make them go down the stairs, through a playroom, or through a cat door. Cats don't want to travel any further than humans to use the restroom. It's crucial to keep in mind that your kitten is still in the training stage, once they grow into an adult, it will be easier for them to travel further for the litter box
Introduce the Litter Box to Your Kitten.
Here's how you can assist your kitten with litter training after choosing the right bin and setting up.
Step 1: Show your kitten where each litter box is located and let them explore them.
Step 2: Put your kitten in the litter box gently. They might begin using the litter box or pawing at the litter out of the blue. If they don't, simulate pawing by sifting your fingers through the tidy litter.
Step 3: Try putting your kitten in one of the boxes every time they eat, drink, or wake up from a nap until they start using the box on their own if they haven’t been using it on their own.
Reinforce The Use of the Litter Box
Give your cat their favorite treat when they correctly use the litter box to create a positive relationship with the behavior.
In order for this to be effective, the treat must be delivered right away after they exit the box, helping them to link the action with the reward.
NEVER scold or penalize your kitten for making a mistake. Use pet safe cleanser to calmly clear up the mess while remaining completely silent. Remember they are just learning, and most cats will learn this quickly.
Keep All Litter Boxes Clean
After each poop, try to scoop the litter box for your kitty. During the training process, you don't want the kitten to grow a dislike of the box. To keep the depth of the litter between 2 and 3 inches after scooping, add some fresh litter. This will offer your cat plenty of room to dig.
When your kitten is older and routinely uses the litter box, you can switch to just scooping every day rather than every time your kitten uses the box.
Each box should periodically be cleaned, all the litter removed, and new litter added. The majority of non-scoop litters will have their own instructions for how frequently they should be changed on the label. For standard clay litter you should completely clean out all litter and clean with baking soda and vinegar mix (animal safe cleaning products only) and replace with new litter every 2 weeks. Check out the article How and When to Clean the Litter Box for more information.
What if Your Kitten Won’t Use the Litter Box?
Try these methods if your cat is having trouble learning to use the litter box:
1. Thoroughly assess your litter box set up. Every kitten has unique preferences, make sure the litter boxes are:
- Freely accessible
- Calm areas
- Not tucked away in a corner
- Not being watched over by other cats
2. Take into account switching the litter box or the kind of litter, like mentioned previously, your cat could just be more fussy and doesn’t like the litter. Consider purchasing a new litter box, maybe one covered as opposed to exposed or, one with low sides, and putting it close by to see whether your kitten prefers it. Alternately, keep the same box and merely alter the type of litter to determine whether the problem lies with the box or the litter.
3. Replace and scoop all litter more frequently.
4. To reduce stress and help your cat feel more at ease in their environment, think about placing pheromone diffusers close to the litter box. When these diffusers are set up in the area where the litter box is, kittens feel as though they have claimed their territory.
5. Take your kitten to the vet to be checked for fleas, worms, parasites, UTIs, or other conditions that could encourage unnatural elimination. Although they are uncommon in kittens, these should not be overlooked.
You can always see your local veterinarian for assistance in resolving your kitten's litter box concerns. Above everything, always practice patience! Although training takes time, your attention, love, and support will help your kitten develop good habits.
Looking for more personalized training? Book a call with our experts here!