Here are 3 effective tips on litter training your kitten the smart way
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Litter training is an essential part of owning a cat. For cats, litter training is comparatively easier as they are instinctively cleaner animals. They are naturally conditioned to defecate in a fixed, regular spot. With little effort, you can teach your kitten to do their business in a litter inside the house. Let us take a look at three effective tips which will house train your cat effortlessly and in little time.
Start The Training As Soon As Possible And Keep It Simple
For quick results, we recommend that you start the litter training program as soon as you adopt a kitten. Keep the routine simple and don’t overcomplicate it. Follow these simple tips:
- In the beginning, keep your cats close to the litter box. Keep them inside a utility room or a bathroom and place the litter box nearby.
- Place the litter box in a quiet and secluded place so the cat can defecate in peace without any distractions.
- Keep the feeding bowls and litter box separate and at a distance from each other.
- Your cat may deviate from the litter box during the training and go someplace else to defecate. As a gentle nudge, half fill the litter box with some of its feces or urine. The scent of its waste will attract her and act as a reminder that the litter box is the right place to defecate.
- Anticipate their needs and be proactive during the first few weeks of the training. Look for cues that your cat has a natural urge to relieve herself and is looking for a suitable place to do so. These cues include:
- Sniffing
- Scracticng their bodies
- Crouching or bending forwards
- Take your kitten to the litter box if they send a signal for the need of defecating through their body language. This will prevent any accidents and reinforce the lesson that the litter box is the right place to defecate.
- Thoroughly clean soiled carpets and floors to get rid of the stench so that kittens will not be attracted to their own stench at those spots.
Devise A Reward System for Defecating in The Litter Box
- Another effective tip to reinforce good behavior and help them learn faster is to praise, encourage and motivate the kitten. Whenever they defecate in the litter box, show your appreciation by clapping hands or saying encouraging phrases. You can also devise a reward system by giving them cat treats or playing games with them to show your appreciation of the good deed they have just done.
Chide Them Gently When They Make A Mistake
- Previously, cat owners believed that cats should be disciplined strictly if they break house training and relieve themselves elsewhere in the house. Excessive strictness and physical punishments during the training phase can have the opposite effect and you may make your cats anxious and nervous.
If your cat breaks house training accidentally, chide them gently to express your disapproval and help them imbibe that they have done something wrong. You can squirt them with a light spray of water from a water bottle if you catch them relieving themselves in an undesignated spot. This moderate action will startle them and deter them from doing it again.
To learn more about cat health and psychology, contact Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center. We pride ourselves on having the best team of vets and animal caretakers that are equipped to keep your cat healthy and safe. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, call us at 434-971-9800.