In the event that an adult meowing creature appears unplanned in your apartment, as a rule, a huge number of questions arise that must be resolved as quickly as possible. For example, one of them sounds like this: how to train an adult cat to use a litter box?
For many cat owners, the animal’s refusal to use the litter box becomes a significant incentive to achieve their goal.
People often believe that male cats place their scent marks outside the litter box as revenge on their owner. However, this is not always the case. It’s just that, as a rule, in this way the pet “fights” something that worries him. By spreading its scent, which is soothing for it, throughout the house, the animal thereby, as it were, eliminates the imaginary cause of its worries. One of the factors causing anxiety in a pet can be either the mating season (if the cat is not castrated or the cat is sterilized), or an unacceptable atmosphere for the animal in certain places in the apartment. Despite the above, you should not panic if you were unable to solve a household problem the first time - how to train an adult cat to use the litter box.
It is important to choose the right place for your cat to go to the toilet.
Choosing a location for the tray
Cats are rather delicate creatures, who, if they visit the litter box, try to find a good corner for themselves, away from human eyes. Because of this, it is advisable to place the toilet in such a place.
The best places for cat litter are the bathroom, toilet, and warm balcony. And always remember that your cat needs 24/7 access to the litter box. This will help you cope with training faster.
There is no need to place the cat litter in the hallway and kitchen. Since such places are not suitable for hygienic reasons, and the cat will be uncomfortable here. So which place should you choose? A closet may also be suitable if the owner and the cat feel this is acceptable, as the cat may refuse to visit it if you are there often.
If your pet has not been potty trained before, then you need to make it attractive to her. To do this, it must be very spacious and also deep. The depth is required to be at least 10 cm so that the cat can freely dig around there and reliably hide the fruits of its labors. The width of the tray should be large enough for the pet to fit well there.
First stage
The first stage of acquaintance requires caution, since the cat can attack a person and scratch him. The first step is to conduct an inspection in a friendly and respectful manner. To find out the cat's mood, place a palm above its head. If he nuzzles or purrs, he allows himself to be petted. At your next meeting, you can pamper your new pet with something tasty.
If the cat rubs against his legs and purrs, then perhaps he is bored and wants attention. Unconditional trust is evidenced by the fact that the animal sits comfortably on the person's lap.
A cat rubbing against its legs is a good sign
Next, they ensure that the cat climbs onto its knees. Then they carefully teach her to limit her movements and lift her into her arms. At first, to avoid injuries in the form of scratches and bites, wear long sleeves and do not walk with bare legs or bare feet.
To communicate with your cat, you need to choose a specific time - for example, 20.00 after dinner and 7.00 before work. The new resident is treated with respect, they knock on the door every time before entering the room where he lives. When entering a room, do not make sudden movements. When cleaning, feeding and changing water, they have a calm conversation with the cat.
Attention! You should not look directly at the animal, otherwise the cat may regard this as a sign of danger and show aggression. You need to look away and lower your head.
You can't look a cat in the eyes
When the cat begins to calmly perceive the presence of the new owner, you can spend some time with her - for example, 30-60 minutes, for example, reading a book. And the cat is offered toys that are sold in a pet store.
Choosing a toy for a cat
The cat should not be given a reason to be aggressive. Human touch and fear can cause inappropriate behavior. Another common method is to try to lure the animal towards you with treats. Once the cat is on your lap, you can pet it and give it a treat. But at the same time, the animal cannot be restrained by force. Another way is to smear your hands with a product with a pleasant smell for cats - for example, valerian.
Attention! Particular care is taken when contacting old individuals. Due to a decrease in the cognitive function of the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for memory and learning, very serious problems with domestication can arise.
Fear of touch takes a long time to heal, but the new owner must be patient. At first, the cat is not picked up and contact is not required if the animal seeks privacy. Light touches are only possible if the pet itself approaches the person.
Nervous excitement should always be a signal to stop contact. And it manifests itself like this:
- the tail trembles;
- ears drooped towards the head;
- shoulders and limbs tense;
- pupils are dilated.
Full pupils and pinched ears are a sign of tension
Toilet house for cats
This option will be an excellent replacement for a regular tray. It will be convenient for your pet, and it will be easier for you to clean it.
The toilet house for cats has a special filter. It purifies the air. If for some reason you forget to clean your cat's litter box, filters can remove the unpleasant odor.
Animals are happy to visit such a toilet, because the house hides the cat from prying eyes thanks to its reliable walls and roof. And it is possible to install such a miracle device not only in the bathroom, but also in the hallway, neither the cat nor you will be embarrassed by the toilet.
Which cat litter is best? It’s impossible to say for sure; it all depends on the preferences of the animal. Some people like litter boxes, while others will happily go to a simple bright litter box, so you should start training your cat with the most ordinary one. And after some time you will be able to understand what is preferable for your animal.
What to do if your cat shits on the floor
The cat has an excellent litter box with excellent filling, but he still prefers the floor, then you should think about whether the family pet is looking for a girlfriend? This will be shown by his behavior - on the one hand, an excited state, accompanied by wandering around the apartment with an unnatural meow, and on the other hand, the cat shows increased affection, constantly rubbing, “hugging.” Puddles will appear in different places and have a very rich smell. If you are careful, then during such a period you can notice how the cat lifts its tail from time to time and shakes it.
Of course, the best way out of the situation is to provide the cat with a sexual partner. But if this is not possible, then you will have to limit yourself to special drugs that inhibit the cat’s sexual activity.
Which filler is better?
Cats always act according to their intuition, and going to the toilet is no exception. This only helps the owners. After all, knowing your animal’s preferences can make life more joyful.
Before accustoming an adult cat to a litter tray, you should choose a litter. This is a very good invention. It helps in the training process for the owner, showing the pet where the place for needs is located. After all, if there is nothing to dig into, is it really a toilet? And besides, the filler absorbs unpleasant odors, which gives the owner a state of comfort.
But which filler should you choose, since there are so many of them now?
Previously, torn paper and sand were used as filler. Now there are other, more hygienic options. Let's take a closer look.
Mineral cat litter
Granular fillers (for example, “Fresh Step”, etc.) absorb moisture and odor well. Due to this, a lump is formed, which can be removed using a child's spatula.
Reviews about it are only good, because this filler not only removes odors, but also does not stick to the animal’s paws. The granules in the litter have different sizes, so each cat will be able to choose the right one.
Among the disadvantages: it cannot be used for small kittens and it is undesirable to throw it into the sewer.
How to train a cat to poop in a litter tray: choosing the right toilet
The place where the baby or adult will relieve himself should remain comfortable for them. Care must be taken that the pet fits completely into the container, and the height of the sides, if we are talking about a complete kitten, does not exceed the 7-centimeter mark. For babies, it is advisable to place such an improvised “toilet bowl” in a secluded corner not too far from the food bowl, and after the animal grows up, move it to the toilet room. It is advisable to sit down the animal almost immediately after finishing the next meal or sleep. Since cats are sensitive to odors, it is unacceptable to leave already used litter not cleaned from the previous trip there, if any.
Wood litter for cat litter
Such fillers are compressed sawdust from coniferous trees. Suitable for both small kittens and adult cats.
Such fillers absorb moisture well, but do not clump, but crumble into dust. The advantages are that it is a natural material, which means it does not harm cats, and you can safely throw it down the drain.
Minuses:
- uneconomical;
- Light enough (a cat can drag it all over the apartment on its paws).
Among the natural fillers that are safe for kittens is corn, it is good in its own way, but it does not absorb odors. This is rare in our stores.
We train a cat to use the toilet
How to train an adult cat to use a litter box? Usually this process is simple and quick. After all, cats feel why and where they have a tray. However, outbred cats have difficulty potty training. Moreover, the opinion that it is easier to train a cat to a litter box than a cat is fundamentally wrong. It's just the opposite.
Cats are driven by the desire to mark their territory. Therefore, it is easier to accustom him to the tray. A cat is a very capricious creature. Therefore the task becomes more difficult.
The first time your cat wants to go to the toilet is some time after eating. Although these animals are quite patient.
It is better to show your cat the toilet immediately after moving it to a new home. After all, intuitively she knows what the tray is for. If this is your option, then consider yourself lucky. Since, having relieved itself in the litter box once, the pet will go there all the time.
But if the cat starts shitting anywhere, you will have to wait for the right moment when he wants to retire. Noticing that he is looking for a suitable place, pick him up and take him to the tray. Then pet it, the cat will calm down and, most likely, will relieve itself here. If he tries to escape, then try to bring him back. Do this repeatedly until it comes off exactly where you planted it.
Another option, when you notice that your cat is starting to litter somewhere, is to place a litter tray there. Having started her business, she will not stop halfway and will continue the process.
Do not rush to change the litter right away, let the cat get used to it, then next time she will go to the same tray based on the smell.
If your pet keeps returning to an area where there is no litter box, place it there and very slowly move it in the direction where you would like it to be for your cat. Of course, this will take a long time, but it will more than pay off.
If the animal is brought from the street, then at first pour earth or sand into the tray. The usual filler will help the animal navigate what they want from it.
If, while you were not at home, the cat relieved itself in an indecent place, blot it with a napkin, and then put it in the tray. If the animal left not only a puddle, but also feces, then it must also be moved to a pot. And wipe the place chosen by the cat with vinegar or alcohol, then she will not want to visit it again.
Tips from netizens
Alina Barashova
I also trained adult cats. I just bought the filler, they liked it. We immediately went to the place.
Anna Shilova
Try to wash the places where it is marked with white (they don’t like the smell), you can put jars under the beds/sofas (glass, so that not only is it impossible to crawl through, but it also rattles unpleasantly). You can temporarily put orange peels in the marked places. And another good way, if it’s not marked everywhere, but only in some places, is to put bowls of food there (I haven’t tried this method, but they say it helps a lot).
Irina Kvasova
Pet stores also sell sprays like: “No shitting” (spray in places where you don’t want the pussy to go) and “Toilet training (spray in the tray). It also works with older cats, especially if you are persistent.
Tatyana Lanshina
Wash the areas where the cat shits with 28% hydrogen peroxide using gloves!!!! then add a mixture of peppers and mustard. They definitely won’t go there anymore. I have a place like this under the bathroom. Sometimes I update it when a new guest arrives.
Murrka
You need to put a piece of paper in the tray that smells like her urine. It is best to catch the moment when she is about to go to the toilet and put her in the tray, and then stroke and praise her. You need to scold him in a serious voice for using the toilet in the wrong place, don’t hit him, it won’t help.
Masyanya
You need to give her time, watch her for at least two hours, as soon as she wants to go to the toilet, just put her in a tray with filler. I trained my cats this way (I have two of them), there were no problems, they live for more than a year.
I don't know who I am
Just a week ago I trained my cat to use the litter box. I had to buy antigasin and treat those places where I shouldn’t go. I notice that she is starting to stomp around - and I immediately splash next to her, she runs away on her own. I catch her and put her on the tray, praise her, stroke her. It took about a week and a half to do everything, but now he only goes to the litter box. Tata
We trained the cat this way - we had a second tray without sand, we put a damp cloth in the tray, and he began to pee on it, we just have to stock up on cloths) ours quickly got used to it, in a couple of days. then instead of a rag I put toilet paper. and then he walked on his own. and he never shitted anywhere!!!
Possible problems that arise during the training process
There are situations when an adult animal refuses to use the tray, although until recently it willingly did everything. You should not immediately scold the cat; it is better to consult a veterinarian. Since such behavior often indicates health problems. Sometimes this simply means the tray is inappropriate or in the wrong location.
Trust your cat to choose a location for the litter box.
Keep the toilet relatively clean. Since many animals cannot stand dirty trays and will meow demandingly when the potty turns out to be dirty.
Most animals are owned. This means that they do not like to share the toilet with anyone. Therefore, if you do not want animal conflicts, purchase as many trays as you have pets.
It is very difficult to say definitively whether you can train your cat to use a litter box; it all depends on the individuality of the animal.
Although there is nothing impossible in this world. Because there is a desire, and everything else will follow. Be persistent and persistent in training your cat to use the litter box, only then everything will work out over time.
The cat shits on the carpet and in the corners
When training a kitten to use the litter box, you may accidentally hear an unpleasant odor coming from the carpet in the living room or from the most distant corner.
The reason for this behavior may be health problems. If a cat has chosen a fluffy carpet, it means that something hurts him, and it is painful for him to go to the toilet made of hard litter. It could be urolithiasis. To find out, take the test to a veterinarian to confirm or refute your concerns.
A cat may choose corners or places under the bed if it is in a state of fear, received from evil and cruel owners or from strong external noise, for example, repairs. Change your attitude towards your furry family member or complete repairs as soon as possible, and then the animal’s condition will improve, and he will easily get used to the tray.
There are often cases when a cat, being small, goes to the toilet perfectly. And when they reach sexual maturity, problems arise, and all methods and means turn out to be useless, there is only one way out - castration in cats or sterilization in cats. And then peace will be established in the house.
Upbringing
Follow simple rules:
- Don't engage in assault.
- Show the animal that he is not allowed to do whatever he wants. Explain to him that he is not allowed to hang on curtains, jump on shoulders, etc.
- Buy a special scratching post and teach the kitten to it, then you won’t have the problem of damaged furniture.
- A cat and a dog in the house is a special situation. Contrary to popular belief, these animals can get along together. It is better to take a kitten and a puppy, rather than adults, then they will get used to each other. Cats and dogs require a lot of attention from the owner, so think about whether you can give it.
