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While many cats take to using the litter box immediately, yours may need a little extra encouragement. PetSmart's wide selection of litter box products includes everything you'll need to keep your cat comfortable using her litter box. The following suggestions will help you train your cat to use a litter box, or correct any litter box problems that have occurred.
If you see your cat or kitten sniffing or squatting in an inappropriate area, she's probably about to relieve herself. Say "NO" in a calm, clear voice. Then pick her up and immediately take her to the litter box.
The key to litter training is not punishment; it's correction. When your cat accomplishes her goal in the appropriate place, reward her with a favorite treat.
A dirty litter box is the number-one reason a cat stops using it. Remove any solids and urine clumps daily. Periodic cleanings keep odors and bacterial growth to a minimum. If your cat stops using her box, dump the contents, wash the box with soap and water, and refill it with four inches of fresh litter. PetSmart also carries scent-absorbing powders, filters, and liners that won't offend your cat's delicate sense of smell. It's always a better idea to keep a litter box clean than to try to cover up odors with heavy perfumes.
Some cats need more privacy than others in order to use a litter box. A hooded litter box is great for giving your cat her own space while keeping litter in the box. Other varieties of boxes include open, sifting, and self-cleaning.
The best place for a litter box is out of the way of household traffic but in an easily accessible area. Noise, bright lights, and vibrations can be disturbing. Also, never place the litter box near the area where your cat eats.
A rule of thumb is to have at least as many litter boxes as you have cats. In addition, separate litter boxes decrease the spread of germs.
If your cat finds a brand of litter she likes, stick with it. Various types of litter include clumping, non-clumping, and clay. Some cats are very finicky, and changing brands could be traumatic, thereby causing them to relieve themselves elsewhere.
If your cat has used an inappropriate area to relieve herself, you should thoroughly clean the soiled area with enzymatic cleaner. To discourage this behavior, put objects that your cat won't like in the affected area-for example, a citrus-scented room deodorizer, ground-up mothballs, or squares of aluminum foil.
