Most cats learn from their mothers how to use the litter box at a young age, but stray cats who have recently been adopted may not know how to use it. Sometimes even well-trained cats "forget" and begin to do their needs around the house. The reasons for these lapses may be medical problems or personal preferences. Whether you are training a newly adopted cat or have never used the litter box, or you are retraining your pet cat to use the litter box, you will need these simple steps to show your cat the right way.
Choose the right litter box
1. Choose a large box.
A common reason cats may improperly relieve themselves is because the litter box is too small for them. If your cat is still growing, the right litter box for her will now be very small over the coming months. When choosing a litter box for your cat, it is best to avoid future problems and bring a larger litter box. Your cat will feel like she has more space, and she won't think about how quickly the box will fill. If your cat is very young or very old, choose a litter box with low edges so that she can get in and out of it without difficulty.
2. Decide if you want it covered or open.
Covered and open boxes have their own disadvantages and advantages. Some cats have preferences, while others do the opposite. You may want to try both and let your cat decide. The biggest advantage of a covered box is privacy, which some cats appreciate very much. A cover will also prevent your dog from eating from the litter box if this is a threat in your home. Covered boxes tend to trap odor in the room, making an unclean box unattractive to your cat. If your cat is too large, it may struggle to turn and dig in the sand.
3. Bring more than one box.
If you have enough space for more than one box, it may be worth buying more than one or two. This is very necessary if you have more than one cat, or if your cat is small and is still in the process of learning, but some experts recommend buying at least one box for each cat in the house.
4. Find a suitable spot for the litter box.
Cats have a natural intuition to bury litter, but if the litter box is difficult to reach, your cat may look for another place to relieve himself. Choosing the right spot may require some mistakes and attempts, but generally, there are some key points to consider when choosing a spot.
Make it comfortable and easy to reach. Your cat will not be searching for long periods of time for the litter box when it needs to relieve itself, so keep it close to all corners of the house.
Do not put it near your cat's food. Cats see their food as another home inside the house, and their nature pushes them to relieve themselves away from that area. Placing the box next to your cat's food and drink can make her anxious and increase her distaste until she does so outside the box.
Provide your cat with some peace and quiet. Most cats want a quiet, unobtrusive place to go to the toilet. If you put the box in a crowded and noisy place (such as a laundry room or family), there is a good chance that your cat will not use the box due to its location. Give her an area that is quiet, uncrowded, and easy to reach.
Maintaining a litter box
1. Choose the correct box.
Cats generally prefer lumpy sand, as it is more comfortable to walk on and easier to bury waste. Also, when using agglomerate sand, it will be easier for you to pick out and clean up the excrement. Some cats prefer odorless sand. animal care association warns against using scented sand, as it may cause allergic reactions or harm to the cat.
2. Use an appropriate amount of sand.
Using too much will cause a mess, as some of it may spill or fly out of the box after your cat has buried its litter. But also not filling the bin with enough sand will make your cat feel that she cannot bury the waste, and this will cause him to poop outside the box. Filling the box in an inappropriate quantity can cause odor problems, and it will make cleaning it very stressful.
Some experts estimate that the box must be filled with about two inches (5.08 cm) of sand. Others recommend using four inches (10.16 cm) of sand, which will give your cat more space to dig and bury.
Start with 2 inches (5.08 cm), and if your cat seems dissatisfied, you can increase the depth to 4 inches (10.16 cm).
3. Keep the litter box clean.
If you are raising a kitten or a cat that is still learning to use the litter box, you may want to leave an amount of liquid or solid waste in the box for the first few weeks to remind it of where to go to the toilet. Once your cat is used to it, you should keep it clean. In fact, a dirty litter box is one of the most common reasons cats relieve themselves outside the box.
Remove solid and liquid waste daily. Some experts recommend pulling it out twice a day to keep the box as clean as possible.
Wash the box completely once a week. Use warm water and gentle soap. Never use harsh chemicals, as they may leave deposits or odors that could harm your cat or cause her to alienate the litter box. After washing and drying the box, refill it with clean sand as desired by your cat (again, two to four inches, or 5.08 to 10.16 cm)
Train your cat to use the litter box
1. Know your cat's schedule.
Most cats will need to relieve themselves after sleeping, or playing and running, or after eating. Knowing your cat's schedule will help you determine when to go to the toilet and thus direct her to the right place instead of the sofa.
2. Play with your cat near the box.
Because many cats prefer to relieve themselves after playing and running, you can make the process easier by playing with them near the litter box. This activity will prompt her to urinate, at which point you can direct her (or place) her inside the box.
If your cat's litter box is in a room that has a door, close the door and stay with her in the room. Bring some toys and let her chase until she feels the need to pee.
3. Teach her what to do.
If your cat hasn't learned how to use the litter box from her mother, you will need to teach her how to do it. This does not mean that you use the litter box yourself, but rather carry the cat to the litter box and teach it how to dig in the sand.
Use your finger to slide some sand aside until she learns from you. If your cat learns to defecate in the litter box but does not bury the litter, use your finger to slide sand onto the litter. This will take time, but she will understand that you expect her to keep up.
When teaching your cat to dig and bury, it is important to use your fingers. If you try to hold her palm and "teach" her how to dig, this may frighten her and make her anxious, which may lead to alienation from the box over time. Just be patient, and trust your cat to learn to do this on her own
Addressing the need outside the box
1. Never yell at your cat.
It is important to know that your cat is not trying to make trouble. You may be experiencing a medical problem, or you may have brought an unsuitable box for it. Screaming and scolding your cat will make her afraid of you, and it will not solve the problem.
2. Put the litter where it belongs.
If your cat did this outside the box, instead of picking up the litter and throwing it in the litter box, it might be helpful to pick it up with a tissue and put it in the litter box. This might be a reminder to her, as she will smell the scent and associate her with the toilet in the litter box.
3. Clean litter outside the box regularly.
If your cat does this outside the box, whether on the floor, tiles, sheets, or a piece of furniture, it is imperative that this stain be cleaned to prevent any future accidents. If your cat smells this residue in a spot, she will associate that spot with the toilet.
Use an enzyme-based cleaner to treat dirty covers and furniture. This type of detergent will help get rid of the scent of the excrement, and it will reduce the desire of your cat to relieve itself there again.
If your cat does this again, try to close the door to keep her out of the room as much as possible. You might try placing unwanted objects on the floor in the vicinity, such as aluminum foil or an upside-down runner rug.
4. Move food and drink to the problem area.
If the cat continues to do this outside the box and is accustomed to another specific area, try moving the food and drink there. Cats have a natural instinct to avoid defecating around the food and drink area, perhaps this will convince your stubborn cat not to repeat this outside the box.
5. Try the temporary confinement period.
If your cat continues to do so, you may want to try a confinement period. This should be your last option when the rest of the methods have failed.
Choose a safe room to hold the cat. Make sure it has enough space in that room, and make sure the room will not be sensitive to extreme temperatures. That is, make sure it is cool enough in the summer and warm in the winter (depending on your choice of confinement time).
Place the box on the other side of the room, out of the way for food, drink, and sleep. Make sure the room is large enough to do this, as cats will not relieve themselves aside from their food.
If your cat continues to do it outside the box, try throwing some sand on the floor in the confinement room. This will allow her to eliminate the need for sand and may tie sand to defecation over time.
Exclusion of medical problems
1. Check if your cat is eliminating her needs elsewhere.
If your cat has not used the litter box, it is important to check other areas to ensure that it is still eliminating its need. If you don't find anything, she may have a partial or complete blockage of her urethra. If you find that your cat is not eliminating its need at all, it is essential to see it to a veterinarian "immediately".
If your cat is dehydrating but outside the box, it could be a sign of urinary tract problems. Some cats with urinary tract infection or blockage issues tend to urinate on tiles, cement, or wood surfaces because they like to use surfaces that are cool and soft to the touch on their skin.
2. Look for blood in your cat's urine.
One of the signs of urinary tract disease in cats, in addition to kidney and bladder stones, is blood in the urine or strenuous efforts to urinate. Other symptoms that may be noticed include crying during urination and exaggerated licking of the genitals. If your cat is exposed to any of these, it is important to see the vet right away. Untreated, these symptoms may cause urethral obstruction, which can be fatal.
In addition to a general examination, your vet will do a urine analysis and may order x-rays and tests to determine the cause and location of the problem.
Your doctor will prescribe some medications for kidney stones. If your doctor determines that your cat has a bladder stone, it will require surgery to remove the stones or break them up inside the bladder to facilitate its passage.
If your cat suffers from urinary tract problems or bladder and kidney stones, this will be because she is not drinking enough water. Always "make sure" your cat has fresh water (changed daily). Your doctor may also recommend giving your cat "canned" wet (canned) cat food at least 50% of the time.
3. Look for vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss.
Some cats suffer from inflammation of the digestive system, which causes feline inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and extreme lethargy. Also, some cats are exposed to blood in the stool. Symptoms may vary depending on which part of the digestive system has been affected. If your cat experiences these symptoms, she should see a veterinarian immediately.
The doctor will perform a blood and stool analysis to determine if these symptoms are due to feline inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, he may need to use a CT ultrasound to determine the location of the injury.
To treat this, the doctor may prescribe your cat some corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and the immune system's response to the disease. Depending on the severity of the situation, the doctor may recommend some antibiotics. The doctor may recommend changing the cat's diet to better contain the disease. A better diet includes hypoallergenic cat foods and foods with more fiber and less fat.
Additional tips
- Never punish your cat for littering outside the box.
- When you move out, it's a good idea to confine your cat to a small area in the new home first. This will support her sense of safety and knowing the location of the box and will reduce dirt in the new home.
- Choose a convenient, accessible bin. Consideration should also be given to places that are not noisy and crowded.
- Give your cat a prize when using the box so that she does not think it is punishment.
- If you have a dog, make sure that it does not disturb your cat when it lays out.
- If your cat is clearly struggling with the toilet or finds blood in his stool or urine, take her to a veterinarian immediately.
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