Mary Allen
Getting a cat used to the litter box is not that difficult. With our tips and a little love, your cat will quickly become housebroken.
The time has finally come: a kitten is moving in with you. In order for both parties to be happy for a long time, you need to get the young cat used to the litter box.
With our nine tips, your cat will soon be housebroken and use the litter box dutifully.
How to get a kitten used to the litter box?
At a tender age of just three to four weeks, cats are old enough to get used to a litter box. If you buy a cat, you will “only” get it when it is about twelve weeks old. However, if you do everything right from the start – i.e. from the moment you move in – you will make this training much easier.
We tell you which tricks really help to train your kitten to go to the litter box. This keeps your cat healthy and happy and your home clean and cozy.
Start exercising immediately
Once your kitten moves into your home, it’s time for housebreaking. The faster it learns to use a toilet, the higher the likelihood that it will implement what it has learned quickly and conscientiously.
Therefore, start training right away on the first day. So make sure you have everything ready before your cat moves in, such as a suitable litter box, litter, and a small scoop to clean the litter box.
If you have everything there, you can use the first moment: the cat may be stressed or unsettled after moving into your home and will soon need a toilet. This is the perfect time to start teaching your velvet paw where to go in the future if she needs to.
Use the breeder’s litter
Cats are creatures of habit and tend not to like change. It can therefore be helpful to start with using the litter that the breeder has used. (Extra tip: How to find a reputable cat breeder.) It may seem so familiar to the young cat that he remembers it and even finds his way to the litter box on his own.
If you want to use a different cat litter, gradually mix in a little more of the new product. This way the kitten will have little to no notice of the change and will casually get used to the change.
Tip: Use clump-free litter. Young kittens are curious and may swallow the lumps.
The right litter box
Let’s be honest: everyone likes to be left alone when they go to the toilet. This is also the case with cats. Therefore, choose the place for the litter box for your house cat carefully. These points are important so that your cat feels comfortable on the toilet:
- The litter box should be in an undisturbed corner where people aren’t constantly walking by and there’s no draft.
- Place the litter box close to the food and drink bowl (but not too close, as cats also like to eat without disturbing smells). If she has to go to the toilet after eating or drinking, she doesn’t have to go far.
- Is there a corner where your kitty keeps doing her business? Then she may feel particularly safe and comfortable there. If you can, place the litter box there.
By the way: If the cat is free, you can also get your pet used to go to the toilet outdoors.
Hygiene in the bathroom for cats too
A clean bathroom pleases cats as much as we humans do. Cats may even value it a little more because they have much more sensitive noses.
Therefore, regularly wipe the area around the litter box with cleaners from pet shops. You can also place a special mat under the litter box. This catches litter carried out of the toilet and ensures additional hygiene. Also, get rid of odors and stains and change the litter frequently.
You’ll be better able to get your kitten used to the litter box if it’s clean and welcoming. A thorough cleaning of the entire toilet pleases the cat and motivates it to pee in the toilet instead of next to it.
Play with the cat litter
Young kittens in particular are very curious and have an almost insatiable urge to play. That’s why we love them.
You can also take advantage of these properties when you get your cat used to the litter box: play with your hand in the (fresh) cat litter from time to time. This makes your mini house cat curious and he begins to explore all corners of the litter box, digging in the litter and familiarizing himself with it.
If you notice your baby cat digging on the ground outside of the litter box, she’s probably looking for a place to relieve herself. Put the mini tiger in the litter box at such moments and playfully show your kitty where to go when she has to.
Keep calm
Like human children, kittens sometimes go wrong. That is normal. No master has fallen from the sky and your little fur nose must first get used to the litter box and how to use it properly.
So if a small mishap should happen and the small or large business ends up next to the toilet instead of in it, then stay calm.
Of course, no one likes to keep wiping urine off the floor, and almost stepping into an inheritance isn’t particularly appealing either. But your cat doesn’t want to annoy you and it’s probably more uncomfortable than you think.
Respond correctly in the event of an “accident”.
But how do you react correctly when something goes wrong? It is best to put some cat litter over it and let the mishap move in. Your cat learns that her business and the cat litter are related and links the knowledge she has learned. Over time, she understands that she can relieve herself where she finds the litter: in the litter box.
Catch your kitten-making beside the toilet, then put him in the litter. Gradually, your kitty will understand that this is the right place to relieve himself and will be housebroken. Patience is the key here.
Give plenty of praise
Has your kitty adapted to the litter box and is doing her business inside the litter box instead of next to it? Great! Show your velvet paw that you did a great job and give her plenty of praise.
Reward your cat with treats, cuddles, and loving words. From your tone of voice and your reaction, the velvet paw will notice that it has done everything right and will better and better remember the learned behavior.
Buy the right litter box
Every cat is different and has different preferences and needs. While some cats prefer litter boxes with lids because they feel safe and unobserved, other cats love open litter boxes. Most cats prefer the latter.
For young kittens, there are even special litter boxes with a lower rim so that the young animals can get in better.
In general, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. In the end, your cat knows best which toilet, which cat litter, and which place is the right one for the toilet.
To keep the joy lasting, make sure to avoid common litter box mistakes and your kitty will become housebroken quickly, voluntarily, and for the long term.
We wish you every success with your training and lots of fun with your new roommate!