While potty training a cat to use the litter box may not be considered as difficult as training a dog to go outside, it does take a little thinking on your part!
Let’s first focus on what you’ll need to have a successful litter box training adventure.
- Litter: Most cats prefer clumping-style litter.
- Litter box: The box should allow for at least 3 inches of digging material and enough room to enter and turn around. For a kitten, you’ll need a box with sides that are low enough for them to get into and out of the box easily.
- Location: The box should be in a quiet but accessible location. Block the box completely off from any dogs. The litter box should not be placed directly next to the kitten’s beds, water or feeding dishes.
- Number of boxes: You should have one more litter box than the number of cats in the home. We recommend having a litter box on each floor of the house.
The good news is that most cats prefer eliminating in substances like kitty litter. Often, they’ll find the box on their own and use it appropriately.
You can help your kitten get used to the litter box by placing them near the box upon bringing them home. With a new kitten, it’s best to confine them to a room while they adapt to their new home. Ideally, this would be the room where their litter box will remain. The kitten should not be allowed to roam the home unsupervised until they consistently use the litter box. If you have other pets in the home, the kitten’s adaptation period may be longer. Speak with your veterinarian for advice on helping a new kitten adapt to a multi-pet household.
Robotic litter boxes are very nice! However, not all robotic litter boxes are appropriate for young kittens. Make sure to check your robotic litter box for age and/or weight restrictions before setting it up for your kitten.
If your kitten isn’t using the litter box, consider trying different types of litter, removing any box covers or moving the location of the box. Some cats are simply pickier than others! You can consider setting up a “buffet” of litter box styles to see which your kitten gravitates to.
If you find accidents outside of the litter box, do not punish your cat or make them sniff the area. Clean the area using an enzymatic product to remove the odor, and consider what adjustments should be made to encourage them to use the litter box.
If your kitten continues eliminating outside of the box despite all the tips we’ve provided, speak with your veterinarian to rule out other underlying causes.
Interested in learning what other reasons may be to blame for slow progress when litter training? Read about other causes that may explain why.
