Litter Training - Best Comment Wins
Have any litter training tips or hints? Let us and others know about them and have the chance to win a Cat Igloo! Leave a comment telling us your litter training tips or hints for your chance to win!
The most original comment will win! Be sure to include a valid email address so we can contact you about your prize.
This competition has now closed, Thanks for all the great tips. Please see below for the winning comment!
Congratulations to Laura. You are the winner of a Cat Igloo! We loved reading your entry! 
” I’ve never once had an issue litter training any of my cats (5; 14yrs, 4yrs, 2yrs, 1yr, 12wks) and never have any accidents!
Routine is very important, and if you are trying to litter train a new cat or kitten, don’t constantly move the litter tray around!
Cats or kittens from shelters, pet stores, breeders etc. generally have already been trained to use a litter tray, so just need to be shown where it is and you shouldn’t experience too many complications.
Cats by nature are clean, and like to bury their business, but they just need to be shown where the litter is, and be able to access it easily and quickly. Try a few different types of litter, e.g. paper pellet based, absorbant crystals, clumping litter, clay based, dirt, sand etc. Different cats may have different preferences, particularly when you’re first training them!
Try to place the litter trays in a ‘private’ type area where the cat won’t be disturbed whilst digging and doing their business. It may be beneficial to have a few litter trays in various locations to let the cat choose which it prefers, and which area it prefers. Some cats are really picky when it comes to using a litter tray, whilst many others don’t mind at all! If you have a really private cat, there are fully enclosed litter trays with flap doors etc. that may help your cat feel more private and secure.
When I have a young kitten, I generally start by keeping them in one relatively small room for the first few days, where they can easily see the litter tray, food, water, scratching post and their bedding. When I first take the cat/kitten in this room, I gently place them in the litter tray, where they are able to sniff it and feel the texture. Then, after each meal, I gently place the cat/kitten back in the tray to remind them where it is, until they’ve learnt where it is and use it without any help. Avoid having lots of loose things on the ground, of piles of clothes etc. as the cat/kitten may see that as a good area to urinate/defecate instead of using the litter tray. When the kitten does go to use the litter tray, make sure you don’t move and avoid making any noise, as it often startles or distracts them, where they will stop and leave the litter tray. Advantages I’ve found of keeping a new cat or kitten in a smaller room initially is that they have a ’safe area’ that they can adjust to fairly rapidly, which they can run back to when they are later let out if they get scared, and they rapidly learn exactly where the litter tray is. Once they get used to the location of this litter tray/s, and if you want to move the tray to another location, it is essential to move the tray slowly! If you suddenly remove the tray from one area, and place it in another, even if you place the kitten in the tray, they will often go back to the old spot and simply urinate/defecate on the floor, where the tray used to be.
When cleaning up accidents, the best products to use are the enzyme based ones, as they are the most effective to remove any odour, and discourage cats from continuing to use that area. A 50/50 solution of white vinegar/water can be used, though it is less effective and if it doesn’t work for you, try an enzyme based product. Ensure you apply a lot of enzyme based product, and give it time for the enzymes to have their effect.
In regard to urine found in locations other than the litter tray, don’t always jump to the conclusion that the cat/kitten simply had an accident. There are a number of causes for urination/defecation in areas other than the litter tray, including substrate preferences (if the cat does not have access to a litter substrate they like, anxiety/fearful or marking behaviour. If there are small quantities of urine away from the litter tray, either on horizontal or vertical surfaces, it is possible that the cat is marking. If there is a large volume of urine, however, it indicates that there may be an issue with the litter tray, such as it doesn’t like the substrate or location of its litter tray, it doesn’t know where it is, the area is not private enough etc. Just check that these factors are all ok!
If you have more than one cat, it is highly recommended that you have at least one litter tray! The recommendation from my behaviour lecturer is a minimum of 1 litter tray per cat, +1 extra tray. So if you have two cats, that would be 3 litter trays.
As mentioned previously, I’ve always found cats and kittens to be quite easy to litter train using the method I described above. Each cat is different though, so if you’re having trouble ask your fellow cat owners, come on here to check other peoples replies and google some good cat websites. If you continue to experience problems, I would strongly suggest you visit your vet or an animal behaviourist- they can both be very helpful!”
Laura was so happy with her prize she kindly sent in a photo of her cat Taz in the Igloo!
In the words of a fellow cat-owner (after rescuing an adorable little kitten a few weeks ago): “It’s all fun and games until someone craps on the carpet”. He was referring, of course, to the incredibly frustrating task of litter-training his new addition to use the litter box and not his $3000 rug. Everyone who has been through the experience of toilet-training an animal knows that it can be a harrowing ordeal. Which is why we’ve searched through piles of opinions and stories on the web to find the best tips and tricks to make “potty training” your moggie as quick, simple and pain-free as possible.
• Be Consistent
Training is essentially about forming habits, and a habit needs consistency in order to form. When you first purchase a litter box, find a spot for it in the place your kitten seems to prefer to play the most. If your kitten has a favourite corner or nook in which he spends most of his time, situate the box there so he will have easy access.
Note, do not place it too near the kitten’s sleeping quarters or eating place…cats are reluctant to toilet where they eat and sleep (which makes sense!). Once you have chosen a place, ensure that the litter box remains there. You want it to become familiar to your kitten.
• Reward Positively, Don’t Punish Negatively
Almost everyone responds better to positive re-enforcement than negative. The same goes for animals. By placing your kitten in his litter box after he’s eaten or had a drink, you’re optimising your chances of him depositing something in the box. Positive words, tones and of course a tasty kitten treat will trigger a connection between using the litter box and pleasure. Reprimanding your kitten by showing him the mess after the event is problematic because the animal’s memories are not as sharp as human memories, and therefore messages can be misconstrued. The message your kitten gets may be more like ‘Don’t do it where they can see me’ rather than ‘don’t do it outside my litterbox’.
• Keepin’ It Fresh…
Cats are, by nature, very clean animals, so don’t expect your kitten to want to ‘go’ in a litterbox that is the feline equivalent of a back-alley drop-toilet in a slum. Keep the litter fresh, and when you introduce your kitten to the new batch, remember to scratch his paw around in it to show him how it all works.
Remember that the most important tool you have in this time is patience. Pay attention to your kitten to ensure that there isn’t something about the type of litter or the position of the box that is putting him off. Take heart though, he will eventually get it and when he does you’ll be glad you persisted!!
Leave a comment telling us your litter training tips or hints to win a Cat Igloo! The most original comment will win! Be sure to include a valid email address so we can contact you about your prize.
Images sources: kevinsteele and shine.yahoo.com
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4 Responses to “Litter Training - Best Comment Wins”
Michelle Garcia says:
Place the litter box in a clean, relatively quiet and accessible location. Keep it away from high-traffic areas and be sure your cat has access to it any time she needs it. Be sure to keep the litter box out of reach of children as well as the other animals in the household.
Show kitty where it is. Place her in the box and let her sniff. Some people have found it useful to rake their fingers through the litter to show their cat what they want her to do.
If you have more than one cat, consider a separate litter box for each. Cats generally don’t like to eliminate in the same place as other cats.
Keep the litter box clean. Scoop out soiled litter daily, and change the entire box every week, putting in fresh litter. You can wash out the box with a solution of water and vinegar to help reduce the odor, and then add a little baking soda to the litter itself. An inch and a half of fresh litter is usuall plenty.
Don’t place her litter box near her food and water. Cats don’t like to eliminate where they eat.
Clean any accidents immediately. If kitty does have an accident, clean the area right away with a half and half solution of white vinegar and water. This will help to eliminate the odor and hopefully prevent kitty from returning to that spot.
Never punish your cat for having an accident. Do not strike her or rub her nose in the mess; instead, firmly say “No!”, then place her in her litter box and praise her there
Sarah.K. says:
Learning to toilet train whilist teaching kitty can be a real learning experience for both parties! Remember to keep it simple, repetitious and encouraging. From personal experience, kittens do learn quite quickly and well if taught based on those three keys. If kitten has arrived from an animal shelter, petshop, breeder etc most the time they have the toilet skill established and just need reassurence of their new home and surroundings, so place the litter tray preferably where kitty’s being fed so he or she can distinguish meal time and toilet time and so that way kitten accustoms to the new home and daily routine where abouts. Also take into consideration, though adaptable, some felines prefer different texture so perhaps try different forms of litter for example clay rock form, recycled paper pellets, or even try dirt ( garden dirt ) for a more natural environment feel! Though do remember, if using dirt and your feline will be an indoor only cat try to eventually upgrade to bought litter to prevent the thought of toileting in your indoor pot plants! Depending on what litter kitten has used, best try to replicate as to not cause confusion though either way by your helping hand and a clean tray, kitty will learn either by your patience and guidance or perhaps by watching and noteing as his or her feline sibling/s show the way! Once successful and kitten knows its toilet place, is a memorable and rewarding time, so both you and your friend…deserve a pat on the back!!!
Laura says:
I’ve never once had an issue litter training any of my cats (5; 14yrs, 4yrs, 2yrs, 1yr, 12wks) and never have any accidents!
Routine is very important, and if you are trying to litter train a new cat or kitten, don’t constantly move the litter tray around!
Cats or kittens from shelters, pet stores, breeders etc. generally have already been trained to use a litter tray, so just need to be shown where it is and you shouldn’t experience too many complications.
Cats by nature are clean, and like to bury their business, but they just need to be shown where the litter is, and be able to access it easily and quickly. Try a few different types of litter, e.g. paper pellet based, absorbant crystals, clumping litter, clay based, dirt, sand etc. Different cats may have different preferences, particularly when you’re first training them!
Try to place the litter trays in a ‘private’ type area where the cat won’t be disturbed whilst digging and doing their business. It may be beneficial to have a few litter trays in various locations to let the cat choose which it prefers, and which area it prefers. Some cats are really picky when it comes to using a litter tray, whilst many others don’t mind at all! If you have a really private cat, there are fully enclosed litter trays with flap doors etc. that may help your cat feel more private and secure.
When I have a young kitten, I generally start by keeping them in one relatively small room for the first few days, where they can easily see the litter tray, food, water, scratching post and their bedding. When I first take the cat/kitten in this room, I gently place them in the litter tray, where they are able to sniff it and feel the texture. Then, after each meal, I gently place the cat/kitten back in the tray to remind them where it is, until they’ve learnt where it is and use it without any help. Avoid having lots of loose things on the ground, of piles of clothes etc. as the cat/kitten may see that as a good area to urinate/defecate instead of using the litter tray. When the kitten does go to use the litter tray, make sure you don’t move and avoid making any noise, as it often startles or distracts them, where they will stop and leave the litter tray. Advantages I’ve found of keeping a new cat or kitten in a smaller room initially is that they have a ‘safe area’ that they can adjust to fairly rapidly, which they can run back to when they are later let out if they get scared, and they rapidly learn exactly where the litter tray is. Once they get used to the location of this litter tray/s, and if you want to move the tray to another location, it is essential to move the tray slowly! If you suddenly remove the tray from one area, and place it in another, even if you place the kitten in the tray, they will often go back to the old spot and simply urinate/defecate on the floor, where the tray used to be.
When cleaning up accidents, the best products to use are the enzyme based ones, as they are the most effective to remove any odour, and discourage cats from continuing to use that area. A 50/50 solution of white vinegar/water can be used, though it is less effective and if it doesn’t work for you, try an enzyme based product. Ensure you apply a lot of enzyme based product, and give it time for the enzymes to have their effect.
In regard to urine found in locations other than the litter tray, don’t always jump to the conclusion that the cat/kitten simply had an accident. There are a number of causes for urination/defecation in areas other than the litter tray, including substrate preferences (if the cat does not have access to a litter substrate they like, anxiety/fearful or marking behaviour. If there are small quantities of urine away from the litter tray, either on horizontal or vertical surfaces, it is possible that the cat is marking. If there is a large volume of urine, however, it indicates that there may be an issue with the litter tray, such as it doesn’t like the substrate or location of its litter tray, it doesn’t know where it is, the area is not private enough etc. Just check that these factors are all ok!
If you have more than one cat, it is highly recommended that you have at least one litter tray! The recommendation from my behaviour lecturer is a minimum of 1 litter tray per cat, +1 extra tray. So if you have two cats, that would be 3 litter trays.
As mentioned previously, I’ve always found cats and kittens to be quite easy to litter train using the method I described above. Each cat is different though, so if you’re having trouble ask your fellow cat owners, come on here to check other peoples replies and google some good cat websites. If you continue to experience problems, I would strongly suggest you visit your vet or an animal behaviourist- they can both be very helpful!
Goodluck!
Laura says:
I forgot to add to my post above- It is essential to keep the litter tray clean! Cats are ery clean animals, and you can’t blame them for not wanting to use a dirty, smelly, moist litter tray!!