Furry cats are naturally very clean creatures…perhaps one aspect you may have already heard or read about the nature of these beautiful creatures.
Litter training fits perfectly with this natural behavior and helps to further develop this cleanliness instinct.
If this is your first time teaching your cat a specific task, then it may seem like a challenge. Still, with the right information and knowledge, you will eventually find this activity a worthwhile endeavor. Trust me, it’s definitely worth the time investment.
Not really sure what to do or even how to get started?
No problem!
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of pet training resources available that you can get to help you on your journey to successful cat training.
Let’s look at some of the basic guidelines.
Experts suggest that the litter box should be placed in a quiet, clean, and easily accessible area or location. Make sure it is in an area that is less disturbing to your cat. It should also be highly accessible so that when the need arises, your cat can easily use it to go about their business.
One way to introduce the idea is to gently scratch your cat’s paws in the litter to help her understand the purpose and method of cleaning after you’re done.
It is best to clean a cat’s litter box every day. Think about it for a moment… as we discussed earlier, felines are extremely clean creatures, so you should encourage that cleanliness. One way to accomplish this is by keeping your area clean. By doing so, you will simply be reinforcing this natural tendency. In between changes, you can also thoroughly wash the litter box with a vinegar and water solution to help with odor. Baking soda can also be added.
Take note of one very important rule when teaching your pet, and that is, do not place the litter box near your cat’s food or water. These animals do not want to do their business where they enjoy their food. It’s a basic fact… I mean really… would you?
In the event that your feline friend does not reach the designated spot, be sure to clean it immediately with a vinegar and water solution. You need to do this to help eliminate the odor and prevent the same thing from happening in the area again…because if you leave traces of the odor in that spot, your cat will start to assign that spot with her potty.
A cardinal rule of thumb when training your cat is to never punish him for having an accident in an area other than the expected box.
Hitting your pet or rubbing his nose in the “business” will not teach him. Cats respond much better to positive reinforcement, so it’s better to praise your kitty frequently when he finds the litter box and uses it appropriately rather than the negative reinforcement of punishment.
While it may seem like a bit of work at first to teach your cat, litter training is one thing that is definitely worth the time and effort.