Litter Box Training

Erin Hicks, DVM

One of the wonderful things about kittens is that they tend to figure out potty training on their own quickly; most people with feline companions never have to train their kitties to use the litter box. However, very young kittens and previously outdoor cats can get a little confused. Below are some general guidelines for training a kitty to use the litter box. If your cat or kitten is eliminating outside the litter box when they usually use it without problems, please schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. The most common cause of sudden change in litter box habits is a medical problem.

1. Provide your kitty with its own small room, ideally a room without any carpeting. Provide a bed, food, water, litter box, and toys in this room. Keeping kitties confined to a smaller space with no other options for elimination typically encourages them to use the litter box properly.

2. Make sure you provide the type of litter box your cat prefers. Individual preferences vary from open to covered boxes. The box should be located in an open, low-traffic area. Cats like to have their privacy, and they also do not like to be surprised in the box. They should be able to see around them, especially in multi-cat homes. For this reason, locating the box in a closet or other enclosed area generally is unsatisfactory to cats. In general, cats prefer litter boxes that are approximately 1.5 times the length of their body so they have plenty of space to move around and adequately cover their eliminations.

3. Make sure you provide the type of litter your cat prefers. Individual preferences vary from no preference at all to clumping litter to recycled paper or pine litter. Some cats prefer scented litter while others abhor it. Try experimenting with different types of litter. In general, most cats prefer unscented clumping litter. Be sure to change litter gradually - sudden changes can upset a kitty. Also clean the litter box frequently - allowing eliminations to accumulate is both unsanitary and distasteful for kitties.

4. If your cat is just learning to use the litter box and has an accident, do not scold or punish your cat. They don't understand proper potty habits yet, and punishment may make them anxious and more likely to have additional accidents. Simply transfer solid waste to the litter box and clean any stains or urine with an enzymatic cleaner (such as Nature's Miracle, OxiClean, etc.). If the area is properly cleaned to remove stains/odors and the waste is transferred to the appropriate place, your cat will soon learn the proper location for eliminating.

5. As your cat uses the litter box consistently, you may offer rewards when kitty steps out of the box to encourage proper elimination. Once his/her litter habits are firmly established, they may be allowed out of the room. Make sure they have proper access to litter boxes. We generally recommend one litter box per cat in the home plus one extra. Litter boxes should be located in different rooms of the house, with at least one per floor. Ensuring that your cat has plenty of options no matter their location will help ensure good litter box habits for life.