A lot of people are wondering about how to litter train a cat or how to get a cat back to using the litter box. In our time we almost immediately start making assumptions that the cats litter problems arise because of stress, jealousy or even un-happiness. Very often though, cats who have used the litter box but aren't doing that anymore have physical complaints that need to be addressed. These problems can range from diabetes and kidney problems to different kinds of infections in the bladder. For this reason it is recommended to always have your kitten examined by a trained vet or have the vet at least take a urine sample to exclude physical issues.
This guide will focus on what can be done to litter train cats after it already has been established that the cat is not suffering from any known sicknesses.
Litter problems with kittens
Getting a young kitten used to the litter box should not be a difficult thing to do. Show the kitten a litter box which it can reach (with a lower edge). Show the cat inside the litter box a few times and you'll see that the kitten will make it a habit to use its new toilet instead of your expensive carpet. Be careful to not put the kittens toilet near where the cat eats and drinks.
If you have a large living space, you should let the kitten spend some time in the same room where you've put the litter box. Chances are that the young cat otherwise won't be able to find the toilet if he's able to run freely through your home.
If the process isn't going as smoothly as described above then something is going wrong in the learning process. It could also indicate that the kitten was removed from it's mother too early. In this case prepare yourself for a ride where a lot of patience will be required from your side.
In those moments when you are unable to keep an eye on your kitten, it's recommended to lock the kitten up in a confined space with a litter box in it. This way the cat will not have any other choice but to use the toilet when he needs to. If you let the cat roam through your home freely, you should put him back on the litter box every once in a while to make him grasp the idea of an assigned toilet.Please do award good behavior with a treat or a cuddle, the litter box experience should be something very positive to you cat and make the cat want to use the toilet.
It would also be wise to take one of his paws and gently move it through the sand simulating the covering of his droppings. It will take some patience but the kitten will understand eventually. However, keep in mind that for a young cat to start using the litter box should be like a second nature and it should take you very little effort to achieve this.
Adult cats
Litter problems with neutered cats can be divided in two separate problems:
The cat sits down and urinates after which you discover a wet stain on the floor.
The cat sprays an object and you find it dripping down or the stains there of.
The cat who performs one or both of the above, and whose tests have shown no signs of any sickness might act this way because:
There has been a significant change in your household making the cat insecure. This can be the coming of a baby or the introduction of a new kitten in your home.
You changed the living environment. This can vary from re-modelling to just replacing a sofa making the cat protest against the change by urinating outside of the litter box. It might also be that your cats wants you to clean the litter box more often.
There is a lot of fighting in the home or the cat is picking up negative energy in general, making him/her nervous.
You are using bleach in your cleaning. Cats LOVE to urinate on anything that smells remotely like bleach. Same goes for old shoes that haven't seen a fresh smell in a while. That's toilet heaven for a cat!
Litter training adult cats
The main thing you should know is that you should never clean cat urine with bleach. This will only strengthen the cats desire to keep urinating in that same spot. Try cleaning the stain with something that smells like apples or lemon and then putting a sheet of tin foil over it. This should prevent the cat from coming back to the same spot to urinate. If your kitty has been urinating on different spots in your home, this might be a sign of a deeper behavioral problem and should probably indicate to you to not place clothing or expensive purses on the floor.
In the unlikely case that you cat has been showing this behavior for a longer period of time and nothing else helps, it's time to re-train your cat from the start. The training method itself might seem mean but it's the only possible way to break this unwanted habit. Next step would be removing your friend from your home and that's something we want to avoid at all costs.
Training
Lock the cat up in a very small space, presumably a bathroom, utility room or something similar together with the litter box. Don't use any mats, carpets or other floor covers or any cages or blankets. Provide the cat with food and water and leave him/her here for about three to four days.
After this period of time, release the cat from the room only when you are able to monitor the kitty closely. Prepare a water sprayer or a water pistol and give the cat a few squirts every time you see him getting ready to urinate in your home. Put him back in the shower cabin or the "lock up" space directly after the water-scare. This will learn the cat to associate his/her needs with the litter box again and the cat will be able to freely roam your house without accidents in no time.
Get a FREE Report Now: Training a cat to Use a litter Box
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_D_King
This guide will focus on what can be done to litter train cats after it already has been established that the cat is not suffering from any known sicknesses.
Litter problems with kittens
Getting a young kitten used to the litter box should not be a difficult thing to do. Show the kitten a litter box which it can reach (with a lower edge). Show the cat inside the litter box a few times and you'll see that the kitten will make it a habit to use its new toilet instead of your expensive carpet. Be careful to not put the kittens toilet near where the cat eats and drinks.
If you have a large living space, you should let the kitten spend some time in the same room where you've put the litter box. Chances are that the young cat otherwise won't be able to find the toilet if he's able to run freely through your home.
If the process isn't going as smoothly as described above then something is going wrong in the learning process. It could also indicate that the kitten was removed from it's mother too early. In this case prepare yourself for a ride where a lot of patience will be required from your side.
In those moments when you are unable to keep an eye on your kitten, it's recommended to lock the kitten up in a confined space with a litter box in it. This way the cat will not have any other choice but to use the toilet when he needs to. If you let the cat roam through your home freely, you should put him back on the litter box every once in a while to make him grasp the idea of an assigned toilet.Please do award good behavior with a treat or a cuddle, the litter box experience should be something very positive to you cat and make the cat want to use the toilet.
It would also be wise to take one of his paws and gently move it through the sand simulating the covering of his droppings. It will take some patience but the kitten will understand eventually. However, keep in mind that for a young cat to start using the litter box should be like a second nature and it should take you very little effort to achieve this.
Adult cats
Litter problems with neutered cats can be divided in two separate problems:
The cat sits down and urinates after which you discover a wet stain on the floor.
The cat sprays an object and you find it dripping down or the stains there of.
The cat who performs one or both of the above, and whose tests have shown no signs of any sickness might act this way because:
There has been a significant change in your household making the cat insecure. This can be the coming of a baby or the introduction of a new kitten in your home.
You changed the living environment. This can vary from re-modelling to just replacing a sofa making the cat protest against the change by urinating outside of the litter box. It might also be that your cats wants you to clean the litter box more often.
There is a lot of fighting in the home or the cat is picking up negative energy in general, making him/her nervous.
You are using bleach in your cleaning. Cats LOVE to urinate on anything that smells remotely like bleach. Same goes for old shoes that haven't seen a fresh smell in a while. That's toilet heaven for a cat!
Litter training adult cats
The main thing you should know is that you should never clean cat urine with bleach. This will only strengthen the cats desire to keep urinating in that same spot. Try cleaning the stain with something that smells like apples or lemon and then putting a sheet of tin foil over it. This should prevent the cat from coming back to the same spot to urinate. If your kitty has been urinating on different spots in your home, this might be a sign of a deeper behavioral problem and should probably indicate to you to not place clothing or expensive purses on the floor.
In the unlikely case that you cat has been showing this behavior for a longer period of time and nothing else helps, it's time to re-train your cat from the start. The training method itself might seem mean but it's the only possible way to break this unwanted habit. Next step would be removing your friend from your home and that's something we want to avoid at all costs.
Training
Lock the cat up in a very small space, presumably a bathroom, utility room or something similar together with the litter box. Don't use any mats, carpets or other floor covers or any cages or blankets. Provide the cat with food and water and leave him/her here for about three to four days.
After this period of time, release the cat from the room only when you are able to monitor the kitty closely. Prepare a water sprayer or a water pistol and give the cat a few squirts every time you see him getting ready to urinate in your home. Put him back in the shower cabin or the "lock up" space directly after the water-scare. This will learn the cat to associate his/her needs with the litter box again and the cat will be able to freely roam your house without accidents in no time.
Get a FREE Report Now: Training a cat to Use a litter Box
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_D_King