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Training Cats to Pee in the Litter Box

"There are different boxes and litters suitable for your cat."

Training cats to pee in the litter box

Eliminating (peeing and pooping) problems and messy accidents at home are one of the biggest problems you, as a cat pet parent, will have to deal with. But training cats to pee in the litter box is so much easier than you think!

Preventing accidents is way better than having to deal with cleanups so here are some effective ways to train your cat to use the litter box.

Choose the Litter Box and Cat Litter That's Good for Your Cat

There are different boxes and litters suitable for your cat. If you have an adult cat, a smaller litter box would seem fit. A larger box works for younger cats for it to be more spacious as they are still trying to adjust.

The box should be made out of nonabsorbent material so the litter absorbs any urine, not the box.

Litter boxes can be covered, self-cleaning, and specially designed to fit into corners.

Some cats feel more secure in boxes with hoods, some who dig to cover up their mess are more comfortable in boxes with high sides.

There are also a variety of litters to choose from including clumping clay (highly absorbent clay that forms your cat's pee into solid clumps), crystals, recycled paper,wheat, pine, corn and even grass! You can experiment to know which litter your cat likes best.

Opt for a Quiet Location

The location of the litter box should be somewhere accessible and quiet. It should also be far from where your cat usually eats and sleeps. This is because cats don't usually want to eliminate where they eat and sleep. A good location can be in a corner for your cat to stop being watchful of her surroundings as she tries to pee in the box.

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The place for the litter box should be constant and you should refrain from moving it around your house.

Have Daily Visits to the Litter Box

Training cats to pee in the litter box can go a long way. Place your cat inside the box a few time a day (particularly during times when she would usually pee) to help her familiarize it. Teach her where the litter box is located and what to do with it.

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If she jumps out of the box, that's okay. If she starts to get comfortable with it, leave her alone for cats want privacy when peeing or pooping.

Never Punish Accidents

Accidents are normal if your cat has not yet fully grasped the whole idea of using the litter box. Do not punish her because she will not understand why you are upset about it and will instead hide from you every time she "takes a break". Instead, go back to square one of placing her constantly in the box until she begins using it. Training cats to pee in the litter box IS a challenge but always keep your patience in check.

Pee Pads for Cats!

Pee pads are not only for incontinent pets. They go well with litter boxes as well! You will for sure hate the strong odor of the litter box caused by your cat’s urine not completely “hitting” the bulls eye.

Pee pads placed under litter boxes are intended to catch any “misses” while it’s odor-eliminating property removes/lightens any unpleasant smell; becoming the ultimate lifesaver. They also come in handy for cats who tend to be extra messy when they use the litter box and end up trailing or spilling over the litter.

More Things to Keep in Mind

  • Keep the litter box clean as some cats will avoid eliminating if it is not clean enough. If the box isn't clean and still full of what she left behind, she can be finicky and will try to hold it in just to avoid stepping into a dirty, filthy, full litter box.
  • Wash the box and change litters once a week.
  • If your house has several floors, keep one litter box on each floor.
  • Any accidents made by your cat as she is still getting a hang of the litter box must be cleaned with enzymatic cleaner to neutralize the odor and prevent her from revisiting and peeing on that same spot again.

You can have your cat wear cat diapers to skip the accidents and the cleanups and have an odor-free, clean home!

Cats have strong instincts about using the litter box which makes it a lot easier training them.

And keeping some 'litter box basics' in mind can help keep your cat comfortable and prevent elimination problems from happening in the future.

"If the box isn't clean and still full of what she left behind, she can be finicky and will try to hold it in just to avoid stepping into a dirty, filthy, full litter box."

The author

MICKA V.

Author Bio

Micka Virtudazo is a full-time content creator at Pet Parents® who lives with thirteen adorable American Bullies and a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Gretel. She especially enjoys writing how-to articles as she feels through this she can connect to other pet parents on a more personal level.

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