To train a cat to use a litter box, place your cat’s box in a quiet area with little traffic, away from food and drink. Make sure it has enough litter and is clean and odorless. To get your cat to use the box, put them in it after they eat and sleep. When they do something right, tell them how great they are. Don’t penalize them if they make a mistake. If you have kittens or new cats, keep them in one room at first with their litter box so they can find it easily.
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Cats are great at learning because they have instincts that help them.
- Give each cat two boxes, one for each cat.
- Pick a clumping litter that doesn’t smell and stick with it.
- Put the box in a calm, easy-to-reach place, but not near food.
- Always praise good work and never punish faults.
- If the symptoms don’t go away, take it to the vet and keep the box clean.
Table of Contents
What is Litter Box Training, and Why is it Important?
To housebreak, toilet train, or litter box train your cat means to teach it to use a litter box instead of going outside. This important skill will help you and your cat stay safe and keep your home clean.
Why You Should Teach Your Cat to Use the Litter Box
Cats like to bury their waste, but if you don’t show them how, they might pee or poop where you don’t want them to. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that the most prevalent behavior problem for cat owners is when their cats go to the potty where they shouldn’t. A lot of people also give up their pets for this reason.
Training your cat early prevents:
- Behavioral issues like spraying, scratching, or carpet soiling.
- Health risks from unsanitary conditions and stress.
- Household stress between family members and pets.
Setting the right mood and teaching your cat appropriate habits will help it stay healthy and keep your home clean. (AVMA, ASPCA)
Step 1: Get the area and the litter box ready
Picking the right place makes training a lot easier. Cats can be picky, and the size or location of the box might make a difference.
- The Right Box for Litter: Kittens and older cats might need boxes with low sides so they can easily get in and out. Cats that don’t like being in small spaces frequently like boxes with open tops. (Cornell Feline Health Center)
- Right Litter: Research shows that most cats like unscented, fine-grained clumping litter since it feels better on their paws and hides smells naturally. They might not like strong odors. (Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery)
- The AAFP recommends you have “one box per cat, plus one extra,” and you should put them in different places. This lets people relax and stops them from fighting over land.
- Good Location: Boxes should be in quiet, private places that are not close to food, water, or loud appliances. If a house has more than one storey, put at least one box on each level.
- Put litter boxes on every floor, spaced out so your cat doesn’t have to go far.
- Place them where people can see them, where there is enough light, and where they are easy to get to. Don’t put them in dark places.
- Pick peaceful settings with few objects that could scare your kitten to help them feel safe and sure of themselves when they use them.(petMD)
Step 2: Show your cat about and show it how to do things
Cats usually learn things quickly, but they could need some guidance, especially if they’re kittens, rescues, or cats who are moving from outside to inside.
- Give Them the Box: Let your cat in so it may smell and look around. Your pet might want to dig if you scratch the litter with your finger.
- Timing is very important: Put them in the box after meals, playtime, or naps, which are all times when they might need to go to the bathroom.
- Positive Reinforcement: Give praise, a gentle touch, or a small treat right away. This makes the link between the activity and the reward stronger.
- No Punishment: People would want to avoid accidents if they know they will be penalized for them. Use an enzyme cleaner instead to get rid of any scents that are still there. (ASPCA Behavior Team)
The best way to teach a new kitten is to keep them in a safe room with their litter box, food, and water. This will help them get used to their new home before they explore the rest of the house.
Step 3: Keep the litter box neat and clean
You still need to keep up with it once the training is over. Cats are very clean. The most common reason for accidents is a filthy box.
- Everyday Cleaning: Once or twice a day, pick up solid trash and clumps. Cats might not use a dirty box.
- Clean it often: At least once a month, take everything out of the box and wash everything with a mild, unscented soap. Ammonia and bleach can make smells worse and hurt cats, so don’t use them.
- To keep the litter from getting too nasty, change it every week or two.
- Be patient; it takes time to train, and kittens can be especially hard to train. Stay on schedule, make the box fun, and applaud good behavior.
- Fix things as soon as they go wrong. If your cat suddenly stops using the box, for instance, take them to the vet to make sure they don’t have a health problem like arthritis, bladder stones, or a urinary tract infection. (American Association of Feline Practitioners)
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Even cats that have been taught how to use the litter box sometimes have problems. Here are some things you can do to make things better:
- Not using the box: Change the litter, the box’s size, or where it is. Cats that have had bad experiences may not even go near a box.
- Kittens like to play in their litter: Give them toys and praise when they utilize the box the right way.
- Older cats may have trouble moving around, which can cause accidents. It’s crucial to have more than one site and low-entry boxes. A vet should always check on problems that last a long time.
- If an animal sprays or marks, it could be because it’s scared or trying to protect its space. You can aid with this by spaying or neutering the animal, giving it more activities to do, and giving it more boxes.
👉 Read “How to Keep Your Cat from Scratching Furniture” to find out more about how to stop your cat from scratching furniture.
Advice from Professionals for Success
- Having a timetable is really important. Things should stay the same for cats. You should be able to trust your pet to eat, play, and use the bathroom.
- There is more than one box for more than one cat. Stops problems with being bullied or being in charge.
- Comfort is quiet. Stay away from busy places and gadgets that produce noise.
- Check to see if there are any medical reasons. You should see a doctor if your behavior changes unexpectedly. You could have kidney disease, a urinary tract infection, or arthritis. (AVMA, ASPCA)
- Be careful when you combine things together. Taking care of your pet, such as clipping their nails, and making your home less stressful, could make the litter box more comfortable.
FAQs
- How long does it take to teach a cat to use the litter box?
Most cats learn in a few days, but kittens or cats that are scared after being rescued may take 1 to 2 weeks. - Do older cats need to be taught?
Yes, but a lot of people already know this. Senior cats might merely require boxes with low entrances or more boxes to make it easier for them to get to them. - What should I do if my cat goes to the potty outside of the box?
First, make sure it’s clean. Take your pet to the vet if this keeps happening to be sure it isn’t sick. - Is it possible to teach an outdoor cat to use a litter box?
Yes. Put the litter box close to the door and then carefully bring it inside. - What type of litter is best for kittens? Fine-grained, unscented, clumping litter is the safest and easiest sort for kittens to dig in.
Karim Kaifi is an experienced pet owner and writer. He shares practical, research-backed advice based on over 10 years of caring for cats and dogs.
