Litter & Toilet Issues
Cats are by nature clean animals. Not only are they very fastidious about their grooming and cleanliness, but they are also very particular about their litter box activities.
Once trained, cats will generally use their litter box on a regular basis. Cats that exhibit a change in their litter box habits may actually have a serious health problem and you need to consult a veterinarian.
Because cats are so particular about their surroundings and cleanliness, they are relatively easy to litter train. Most kittens are ready to begin litter training at about 3-4 weeks of age. If you are trying to train your cat to use a litter box, keep the following suggestions in mind:
- Keep the litter box in a private, quiet area and ensure that the kitten can easily use the box.
- Move the box near your kitten, or vice versa, when it looks like it is ready to urinate. This will also stimulate the kitten to urinate and defecate.
- Never rub your kittens nose in its waste if it goes in the wrong spot. This is totally ineffective as a training tool and will make your cat fearful of you.
- Clean all inappropriate waste areas completely. Cats may regard these uncleaned areas as the proper place to urinate in the future.
- You may have to try different types of litter if your kitten seems unreceptive to your first choice.
Several different types of litter boxes are sold at most major stores. The most basic litter box is a simple pan that is filled with litter. Other litter boxes have covers for shy cats, and to prevent litter from spilling all over your floor. It really depends on which type your cat finds most comfortable, but most will use almost any type of litter box.
Many different brands of litter are also available. Some cats prefer their litter chemical free, while others like scents added to their litter.
Proper litter box maintenance benefits both you and your cat. Many cats will not use their litter box if it is too dirty or in a busy section of the house. They like their litter to be fresh and clean. If you have multiple cats, you should have, at a minimum 1 box for every two cats in the home.
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