Kittens like to relieve themselves in dirt or sand.They will go to the litter box if you introduce them to it.As soon as you bring your kitten home, he or she will use the box regularly.You don't need to "litter train" a cat in the same way you would house-train a dog if you find the right box.Instinct will take over if you teach your cat to use a litter box.You need to provide an accessible litter box.
Step 1: Pick a large litter box.
Cats grow up so fast that you'll have to replace the litter box soon after you introduce it.If you want to use a box for a long time, it's better to start with a litter box.If one side of the litter box is low enough, kittens can step inside.If you don't know if the kitten will be able to climb inside a great box, use a piece of plywood or another flat material with good traction to make a ramp.Fix it to the side of the litter box and then remove it when the kitten is big enough to get inside.
Step 2: There is a litter box.
There are some litter boxes that have an enclosure around them.If you have a litter box in a small living area, it can contain the litter for an enthusiastic kicker/digger and it will cut down on smells.Cats feel protected by the enclosure.Cats need enough room to comfortably turn around in the enclosed litter box.Most cats have a need to sniff their feces and then bury them, and the box needs to allow plenty of room for that.When cats are first introduced to them, they don't like enclosed boxes.Remove the swinging door until your cat is used to the box.
Step 3: You can buy kitty litter.
Most types of litter are fine for most juvenile or adult cats.Since dust can irritate cats' lungs, choose a litter that is as dust-free as possible.Do not use clumping cat litter for kittens.It can cause a serious impaction if they eat it.Unattractive litter can be used if possible.If the scent is overpowering, kittens and cats may use the bathroom somewhere else.Some smells could cause problems for cats who are prone to respiratory problems, as well as irritate a cat's nose and eyes.There is a scoopable litter.Scoopable litter makes it easy to remove the kitten's waste.There is a concern that a cat could become sick from eating scoopable litter, but there is no evidence of this happening.Pick a litter that is widely available.Some cats don't see the tray as a toilet unless they have their usual litter.
Step 4: Purchase cloth and scooper.
If you want to keep stray litter out of your house, you need a scooper and a drop cloth under the litter box.
Step 5: There is a box in a peaceful place.
Don't put it in a high-traffic area of the house.The ideal litter box location is easy to access, has plenty of privacy, and is free from sudden noises that could frighten a kitten.The laundry room is a popular choice for a location because it has less traffic than other areas of most houses, and the sudden noises that a washer or dryer can make while changing cycles could frighten a kitten and cause her to fear using the box.A kitten spends a lot of time in an area where the litter box is located.If the kitten needs to use the litter box, she should be able to see it most of the time.There is a little privacy for kittens and cats.If they don't have it, they may start to relieve themselves behind the sofa or in another out-of-the-way corner.If you start litter training a kitten and it becomes necessary to move the box, do it slowly, a few feet at a time every few days.The kitten could be confused by moving the box to a different room from one day to the next.Most cats are reticent to use the toilet where they eat, so it may be helpful to place the kitten's food bowl where the litter box used to be.
Step 6: The kitten needs to be placed in the litter box.
If you bring the kitten home, put her in a box so she can get used to the smell and feel of the litter.Even if she doesn't go to the bathroom the first time, let her spend a few minutes there.Continue to put the kitten in the box when you think she will need to relieve herself.Place her in the litter box if she squats anywhere else.Some kittens understand the purpose of the litter box and don't need litter training.They need to be placed in the litter box at least ten times a day to figure it out.If you attempt to show the kitten the digging motion that cats use to bury their waste as it may frighten them, you should avoid taking her paws and helping her dig into the litter until she catches on.
Step 7: Praise, not punishment, should be used.
When the kitten starts using the litter box as her toilet, she should be praised for petting her and making comforting sounds.She might start to associate being in the box with punishment if you don't discipline her.Kittens don't like being rubbed in a mess outside the litter box.If she has an accident, gently lift her and put her in the box so she knows where to go next.Don't spank or yell at a kitten.It will make her afraid of you.
Step 8: Provide plenty of litter boxes.
You should have at least one litter box for each cat in your house.One kitten should have at least 2 litter box options.You should provide at least four litter boxes for your cats.
Step 9: A confinement period is something to consider.
For the first few weeks after you introduce a kitten to your home, you may want to confine her to a small area.This can help her slowly adjust to her new environment, give her easy access to the litter box, and help minimize accidents.If accidents occur, you may want to confine the kitten to an area with no carpet.At opposite ends of the confinement area, keep the litter box and the kitten food and bedding.
Step 10: Every day, clean the litter.
Kittens don't like to relieve themselves in dirty areas.The kitten may find a cleaner place if you don't change the litter.The best way to clean the litter box is to scoop the waste out of the box, put it in a small baggie, and throw it away.During the first few weeks, you can leave a small amount of feces in the litter box.The kitten knows what the box is for.
Step 11: It's a good idea to clean the litter box.
You will need to dump the contents of the litter pan about once a week.Once the pan is emptied out, wash it with a non-hazardous cleaning solution and then rinse it and refill it.It is possible to leave scoopable litter for longer than one week due to the ease of removing the cat's waste.Scoopable litter needs to be emptied and replaced frequently.
Step 12: The accident areas need to be cleaned thoroughly.
If your cat or kitten uses the bathroom outside of the litter box, it is important that you clean the area.This will help reduce accidents in the same area.
Step 13: If you have large potted plants in your home, consider getting rid of them.
If you find that your kitten is using the dirt in your potted plants for a toilet, you may need to remove them or cover them with foil during litter training.Kittens may be attracted to dirt or sandy areas because they bury their waste.The only place in the house where they want to relieve themselves is the litter box.
Step 14: Feed the kitten regularly.
Predicting when she will need to use the litter box is important.About 20 minutes after eating, kittens feel the urge to have a bowel movement.Take her to the box if you think she wants to go.