If you are planning on bringing home a new kitten it’s important to do some reading about litter box training first. Granted it isn’t the most fun topic but it is important to understand some of the basics ahead of time. By taking the proper steps right away you should have a much better chance of avoiding litter box problems in the future. Unfortunately many cats are given away because of they aren’t using the litter box regularly, but in many cases this can be avoided.
It’s a natural instinct for cats to scratch in sand or soil to go to the bathroom. They also learn from watching their mother. So chances are by the time you bring your kitten home she will be somewhat used to using a litter box. But she still may need a little help or guidance.
The location of the litter box is one of the first things you’ll want to consider. It should be in a quiet place that is easy for the kitten to access. When you bring her home you need to show her where it is by placing her in it. She will probably jump out, but don’t worry. Periodically place her in the litter box so she can start getting familiar with it. If you notice her going to the bathroom in the litter box let her be; most are pretty private about their bathroom habits and you don’t want to disturb her when she’s doing what you want her to do.
Cats usually get familiar with the new litter box pretty quickly but if your kitten isn’t using it right away don’t scold or yell at her. Scolding can scare her and cause more problems. Instead clean the mess with an enzyme cleaner and begin putting her in the litter box more often until she starts using it. If it’s still taking her a while to catch on watch for diarrhea and straining. These could be signs of a medical condition that may need to be addressed by your veterinarian.
Cats do better when their litter box is in a quiet place where they feel safe. It’s best to keep the litter box in a quiet room where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic or the noise of buzzing appliances, or other loud noises. Make sure it’s convenient; if you have multiple floors in your house you should have a litter box on each floor. Keep the litter box separate from the food area. Cats often won’t go to the bathroom where they eat. Can you blame them?
As a general rule it’s good to one litter box for each cat plus one extra. In small places this can be difficult so at minimum you should have one box for each cat.
Cats are cleanly creatures so it’s important to keep the litter box clean. They may not use a litter box that is too dirty or one that smells too much. Clean the litter box every day and periodically wash the box with a mild soap. Don’t use a strong smelling cleaner for this.
Cats tend to use a litter box pretty easily because it’s a natural behavior. But with a little patience and understanding of the basics you should be able to prevent any litter box problems. It’s always easier to prevent these problems then to deal with them once they have already begun.