How to train a cat to use a litter box in an apartment. How to train an adult cat to go to the litter box? Mineral cat litter

The recommendation to move the tray gradually, every day for a very short distance, can be read in every second article, the authors of which draw inspiration from each other’s creativity. I just imagine a tray gradually migrating from under the bed in the bedroom to the corner of the toilet, through the entire bedroom, corridor, hallway. I wonder how to implement this in practice. And will the cat agree to perform such intimate affairs in the aisle, even if she is already accustomed to the litter box?

However, the method may work if you need to move the tray a short distance within the same room.

However, more often than not, things are not at all as the authors of the articles imagine. My first cat, for example, chose a place for her toilet under the kitchen sink. She began to walk steadily and confidently into the tray placed there in just a couple of days. However, when trying to move her toilet even a little, she went exactly to the same place, ignoring the convenient “potty”. And it all started all over again: I wash the floor under the sink (and this, I tell you, was not easy in a 5-meter kitchen filled with furniture), put a litter box, monitor the cat for several days, make sure that the habit of using the litter box has developed, and make a new attempt move the tray (it’s very inconvenient to take it out to wash and put it back) - and with the same result.

So I switched to plan B.

Method No. 2 – Duplicate tray

This method is my invention. After suffering with the cat for a couple of months, I moved her litter box directly to the toilet, where it was intended to be, according to my plans. And in place of the tray under the sink I put an ordinary large herring tin with a newspaper inside. The can perfectly covered the most attractive place, in the cat’s opinion, and was also securely blocked by the cans standing there, so it was not easy to move it. Now my stubborn girl had a choice of two options: a comfortable, tested tray in a new place - in the toilet, and a small, inconvenient jar, but in a familiar place under the sink.

The choice of cat was obvious. Having broken down a little for the sake of decency, she went straight to her destination. A nuance: the jar stood under the sink until we moved, otherwise the favorite place was immediately used by the cat, just like in the good old days.

By the way, the problem didn’t even arise at the new place of residence. The cat immediately went to her litter box where it was placed and shown to her.

Getting your cat used to the travel tray

If you are planning a long trip, for example, to visit, on vacation, in a word, to a place where the cat will not be in a carrier all the time, but will take advantage of its freedom, you will have to take care in advance of accustoming it to a small folding tray.

If you plan to take your cat in a carrier, then it is better to get the carrier itself a few days before departure and leave it open and freely accessible. Then the animal will explore its new “house”, and at the same time leave its smell in it. And the road won't seem so scary.

It’s also better to get a “travel” tray in advance. It is optimal to place it next to the main one and add the same filler. Let them stay nearby for a few days. If the cat does not use the new toilet, we remove the old one for a while - and carefully observe so that no “trouble” occurs. After the cat “updates” the tray, you can periodically change them, putting out one or the other. This way we let the pet understand that both trays are quite suitable places for the toilet. And later, on the road, there will be no problems at a party, because you will have with you an already familiar, proven “pot”.

An adult cat moves to a new home. How to train her to use the tray?

If you become the owner of an adult cat or a cat whose previous owners confidently went to the litter box, you will still have to devote several days to accustoming your pet to the new toilet.

First of all, find out which litter box your pet is used to. Trays come in different sizes, depths, open and in the form of a house. It is best to purchase the same one or as close to it as possible. Find out if it was in a tray and if so, what type. Try to repeat exactly, down to the manufacturer and name of the product (a different smell may confuse a cat that is already frightened by the move and change of owner).

Ask the cat to hand over some used litter or a napkin soaked in the tray. And send it all to a new tray. Place the used filler on top of the fresh filler and smooth it out slightly. Place a damp cloth under the grate (even just running it along the bottom of the tray several times is enough).

Do not wash the new tray with strong smelling disinfectants before using it.

Immediately after moving, pet your new pet for a few minutes and take him to the litter box. Here you need to sit him down and have a calm, friendly conversation in the spirit that this is your new litter box, this is where you need to pee and poop. You're a smart cat (smart cat), I'm sure you'll understand everything right away. Look how convenient it is: dig the litter or empty tray with your paw and praise the animal. Now you can let him go and get acquainted with the room (don’t forget to show him where there is water). All that remains is to watch the newcomer so as not to miss the moment. When he decides to go to the toilet. If he goes to the litter box, everything is great, we praise him and admire his intelligence and intelligence! If excavations begin in another place, we urgently catch it, run to the tray and again conduct an educational conversation. And so on until the “first contact” takes place. He's the most important.

However, you shouldn’t relax for a few more days. It is better to control where your pet goes to the toilet.

Instructions

First of all, you need to properly organize the toilet for the cat, which must be placed in the most secluded place of the apartment, where no one will disturb the animal. A bathroom, toilet, balcony or loggia are suitable for these purposes. A plastic tray with sides, at least 10 centimeters deep, or a special toilet house is suitable as a cat litter box. The high sides of the tray will allow your cat to dig into it, but at the same time the litter will not be scattered beyond its boundaries. The cat toilet house has one more additional advantage - special filters on the lid that purify the air after the cat has gone to the toilet. The tray should be stable and spacious enough so that your pet can easily twirl around in it, rummage around, and choose a suitable place for him. Then train the cat to it will be much easier.

It is not recommended to use a tray with a mesh, as in this case the unpleasant odor will quickly spread throughout, and the tray will have to be washed immediately. It will be much more difficult to accustom an adult cat to a litter box with a mesh. Cats always try to bury the results of their “labors”, which is why the tray needs a special filler. High-quality cat litters consist of natural ingredients that quickly absorb moisture and prevent the spread of unpleasant odors and bacteria throughout the apartment. Caring for such a toilet is much easier and more pleasant, since the filler granules easily absorb moisture and stick together into a lump. You can simply pull out the lump of filler and throw it away, filling it with new granules.

If an adult cat begins to shit in inappropriate places, persistently avoiding the litter box, then in this case you should contact a veterinarian. Sometimes this behavior indicates health problems. Very often, animals draw your attention to their problem in this way.

Cats are naturally very intelligent, observant and quick-witted animals, but at the same time they are too capricious, capricious and stubborn. How these fluffy and purring creatures combine these qualities in their character remains a mystery. There is still no consensus on what actually happens: is the owner raising the cat or is it the owner? And if a small kitten is easy to accustom to the rules established by a person, then with an adult cat you will have to “negotiate” and seek a compromise.

If you decide to take into your apartment an adult cat with already formed habits and character, then be prepared to calmly and patiently go through the adaptation period, during which the pet will need to be accustomed to a tray, scratching post, etc.

Ways to accustom an outdoor cat to an indoor litter box

There is no universal way to litter train an adult cat, but there are general proven recommendations that are worth listening to. When choosing your own training tactics, be sure to make adjustments to the conditions in which the cat lived before, how it reacts to a new environment, whether everything is in order with its health and other factors.

So, first you need to purchase a deep and spacious tray, and also determine the optimal place for it in the apartment. A good place would be some secluded corner in the bathroom, toilet or on the balcony. The main thing is that the animal has unhindered access to its toilet, and that it is convenient for you to maintain cleanliness and order there. Cats are delicate animals and need to hide from human eyes to relieve themselves.

At first, sand will work as a cat litter if the cat previously lived in the yard and is used to going free to relieve itself. But you can immediately accustom him to wood or other types of litter for the tray, which are sold in any pet store.

On the first day, you need to carefully observe the cat’s behavior, and it is also recommended to temporarily limit its movement around the apartment, let it get used to the new environment in the room where its potty is. Or immediately, as soon as you notice that the cat begins to fuss and look for a secluded place, take it to the tray and put it in it. If the cat begins to protest and jump out of the litter box, patiently and calmly return her to the litter box again until she is able to relieve herself there. After each successful trip to the toilet, praise the cat, pet it, treat it with something tasty, because they really understand everything!

A few successful “get-togethers” in the tray, and in the future the cat will begin to go into it without reminders or mistakes. This describes, of course, the ideal and most optimistic scenario for the development of events during potty training of a cat. In practice, everything is not so simple, because cats are stubborn and unpredictable.

Difficulties in training a cat to use a litter box and ways to overcome them

“If the mountain does not come to Magomed, then Magomed goes to the mountain” - this wisdom is often remembered when a cat flatly refuses to go to the designated place to relieve itself. If attempts to make her potty friendly have not been successful, and the stubborn animal has chosen a completely different place for the toilet, move the tray there. Over time, after the cat gets used to the litter box, you will gradually return it to its place. After all, you are the boss of the house, right? With all the love for your purring pet, it’s hard to disagree with the fact that the hallway, kitchen and bedroom are not the place for his toilet. Hygiene, aesthetics, cleanliness and convenience of all family members always remain in the first place.

Cats have a very developed sense of smell, so it is necessary to carefully clean and disinfect the places of their “crimes.” The puddle can be blotted with a napkin, which is then recommended to be placed in the tray, as a pointer and guide for the cat, and the floor should be washed and treated with vinegar essence or ammonia. In case of an “accident,” shoes, flooring or upholstery of upholstered furniture should be cleaned and treated with special products that, with their specific smell, will force the cat to ignore these places in the future. There are also special products designed for litter box training; they are usually produced in the form of emulsions or sprays. The tray filler is treated with training agents. Don’t forget to also clean the litter tray and change the litter on time, because cats are very clean and squeamish by nature. The cat itself will tell you how often it needs to be cleaned by its behavior, just carefully observe its behavior, try to decipher its signals and hints.

Difficulties with litter box training may arise if you get a cat that is too selective and has a harmful character. If your patience and calmness are running out, and she still doesn’t want to go to the litter tray regularly, then try putting her in another toilet, removing the grate from it, or buying another litter. Some especially original cats can stubbornly ignore their litter box, but at the same time do “their business” in the owner’s toilet without any problems. As you already understand, each specific case requires an individual approach.

How quickly will a cat get used to the litter box?

It is impossible to predict exactly how quickly you will be able to toilet train an adult cat. Success will depend equally on the character of the animal, its intelligence, state of health, temperament, and on your diligence. Just don’t forget that there are no hopeless situations and nothing is impossible. With enough patience and consistency on your part, the cat will sooner or later be forced to obey the rules and recognize the litter box as the only permitted place for “toilet matters.” Sometimes litter box training can take several days, sometimes it can take a week or more.

What if you are lucky, and the cat that you fell in love with and decided to take from the street to your home turns out to be very smart and will immediately master the litter box? Be persistent, patient and creative, and then the process of adapting a yard cat to home conditions will be successful, quickly and calmly!

Teaching a kitten to go to the toilet in the right place is quite simple, which cannot be said about an animal with a developed character and habits. If you take an already adult cat into your home, for example, from the street, serious difficulties may arise with litter training, since the animal simply does not understand why it suddenly has to do its business in some incomprehensible trough.

It is still possible to teach an adult cat to go to the toilet in the right place. However, to achieve the desired result, you will have to make some efforts, be patient and strictly follow the recommendations given by veterinarians and experienced cat owners.

Selecting a location

An important role in training a cat to use the litter box is played by the place on which it stands. The cat will not go to the toilet anywhere. For this task, she needs a secluded corner where she can remain in absolute solitude, hidden from prying eyes. Therefore, you need to choose a quiet place, ideally slightly shaded. Premises such as a bathroom or a heated loggia are perfect for it. You can also use the pantry for these purposes. It is important that the animal can easily get to its toilet at any time.

The kitchen and hallway are completely unsuitable for installing a tray. This has to do with hygiene and the fact that it is very difficult to find a suitable quiet place in these rooms. And the cat may also not like doing his business in a place where other people often visit.

Tray selection

The cat litter box itself is of great importance, since the pet will never go into a litter box that is uncomfortable for him. The length and width of the tray should be such that the cat fits entirely in it, and there is still a little space left on each side. The latter is due to the habit of cats burying their waste, for which they need some space.

The height of the sides of the toilet should not be less than ten centimeters. Better - more. This way the cat will feel more protected, hidden from prying observers. And during the burying process, filler and excrement will not fly out of the tray, which will make life easier for the animal’s owners.

In addition to standard trough-shaped toilets, there are also tray-houses. This is a rectangular box, closed on all sides, with a door for the animal to pass through. These are more expensive than regular ones, but they are more convenient for both the cat and his owner. Such a tray gives an animal the same feeling of security and intimacy, and a person - cleanliness in the house, since nothing will spill out of this toilet. Also, the houses are usually equipped with special carbon filters that prevent odors from the inside from penetrating outside. Therefore, such a tray can be placed in the corridor, and even in the living room.

Tray training a cat

The very process of teaching an animal to go to the toilet in the correct place consists mainly of showing the cat this very place and explaining why it is needed. For this purpose, you need to carefully monitor the animal. When he wants to do things (usually this happens a short period of time after eating), he will become restless, look for a place, sit in the corners, and rake his paws along the floor. Once this behavior is noticed, you can proceed in one of two ways:

1. 1. Take the cat, take it to the tray and put it in it. Most likely, she will do her business there. If this does not happen, the animal jumps out of the toilet and tries to escape; it is necessary to catch it and put it back in the tray until the desired result is obtained.
2. 2. Bring the tray itself to the place chosen by the cat and place it there. In this case, having started doing her business, she will finish it by going to the toilet. After this, there is no need to remove it and change the filler so that the next time the animal detects it by smell. If next time the cat still sits in the wrong place, you should take him to the litter box. Sensing a familiar smell, the animal goes to the toilet where it is supposed to.

Most often, it is enough for a cat to do things in the tray once in order to continue going there without mistakes. But if this does not happen, you must first put the toilet in the place that the animal has chosen for its business. Then you need to gradually move the tray a few centimeters every day to where it should eventually stand. This process will take quite a long time, but the cat will not even understand that the toilet has been moved and will go to it regularly.

The opinion that it is more difficult to accustom a male to a litter box than a female is incorrect. If the cat is not neutered, he can leave odorous marks throughout the apartment. But cats are more capricious and finicky creatures, and if the pet doesn’t like something in the toilet, she will never go to it.

If a cat goes to the toilet in the wrong place in the absence of the owners, the puddle should be blotted with a napkin, which is then placed in the tray. Transfer the excrement there. To ensure that the animal no longer uses the chosen place for its business, it can be treated with ammonia, bleach, vinegar essence or citrus-scented aroma oil. A strong unpleasant smell will scare away the cat and make him avoid this area of ​​the apartment. And such products will also destroy harmful microorganisms that can be dangerous to people.

Under no circumstances should you scold a cat or poke its nose into its own waste. The animal will only get angry at such actions and will start going to the toilet in the corners out of revenge. Instead, you need to quietly, but persistently and strictly pronounce any prohibiting word (“No”, “Ugh”), and then take the cat to the litter box, demonstrating to him where things need to be done.

If the cat stops going to the right place

If a domestic cat, which previously regularly visited the litter box, begins to go to the toilet past it, the reasons may be as follows:

• health problems (especially if it is a castrated male);
• the animal does not like the tray or the place where it is located;
• the cat is not satisfied with the filler;
• The tray is not cleaned often enough.

Based on this, you must first take your pet to the veterinarian. If he is healthy, you should pay attention to other reasons. The most likely one is that the toilet is too dirty. This means you need to try to clean it more often. Cats are clean animals, and at the slightest dirt they may refuse to go to the litter box. Therefore, excrement and the top layer of litter (or lumps thereof) must be removed as they appear, and the contents of the toilet must be completely changed and washed once every two weeks.

To accustom your cat to the litter box, you need to make sure that it is comfortable for her and is located in a fairly secluded place. The toilet should be moved to the place that the animal has chosen for its business, if this does not cause any particular inconvenience to the owner. It’s also worth experimenting with the filler - very often pets don’t like it. You can try to start using a different type, and also pay attention to other manufacturers.

• if possible, each of them should purchase a separate tray;
• when a new one appears in a house where cats already live, it will be easier for him to learn to go to the litter box, following the example of animals who are already familiar with the rules of behavior in the apartment;
• similarly, if several animals were taken at the same time, it is enough to train only one of them to the tray, and the rest will most likely follow his example.

For an outdoor cat, instead of store-bought litter, at first you should pour regular soil or sand into the tray. This will make it easier for the animal to understand what exactly the strange object is intended for. If an adult cat did not come into the house from the street, it is better to take it from its previous owners along with the litter box. In a new place, she will be much more willing to go to the familiar toilet. The filler used should also be familiar to the animal.

There are times when owners of adult cats are forced to deal with their stubborn nature. This is why many pets may even leave a couple of puddles in the wrong place. It is important to overcome an already formed habit in a cat. How to train an adult cat to use a litter box is the topic of our article today.

If an adult cat has only recently appeared in your apartment, be prepared for the fact that even during the period of adaptation to the new environment, it may show waywardness and even capriciousness. In addition, by nature, a cat is a domestic creature that takes the need to correct its needs very seriously. Such pets simply adore hard-to-reach corners, because this allows the process itself to provide some intimacy, and this is what cats always strive for. That is why if a pet that has just arrived in your family does not like a toilet with bars or high sides, or is overly frightened, the result will be the same: the cat will certainly find a new corner for this area, but his intentions will not be compatible with your preferences.

The first thing you should take care of in order to avoid the appearance of puddles on the floor is to limit your pet’s access to various nooks and crannies (areas under cabinets, armchairs, behind sofas). Don't forget that your cat's preferences should also be taken into account. Over the years of its life, each furry individual has formed certain habits regarding toilets. So don’t be surprised if a cat who has lived outside for several years defines any pots and flowerpots with indoor plants as a litter box.

When choosing a location for the cat litter box, consider the fact that it should be easily accessible for your pet. However, you should not place the tray in the kitchen or in the hallway.

Another key point to keep in mind while you're trying to toilet train a new pet is to keep your pet in the room where the litter box is located for a period of time. He must get used to it, then he will recognize his toilet much faster.

Video “An easy way to train a cat to use the litter box”

In this video, experts will tell you how to effectively train a cat to go to the toilet in a litter tray.

The Importance of Proper Tray Selection

Before deciding how to quickly train your cat to go to the litter box, you should carefully consider the process of choosing a cat litter box. The modern range of these products is quite wide, but it is better to give preference to the same item that the cat used before (for example, in a nursery). If she has not had such experience, it is better to buy a tray with high sides (at least 10 cm). In this case, the filler will not spill out over the edges of the toilet. Choose a product that is suitable for your pet in size (it should fit completely there).

You need to buy a tray in any case, and it is advisable to choose the one that your cat will like. Some cat owners purchase toilet houses: pets feel comfortable in them because they are closed from prying eyes. However, removing such a device is not so easy. Pay special attention to the choice of filler. It is better to buy wood or mineral. Like the tray, it is of great importance. Do not forget that the effectiveness of its training will depend on how your cat perceives the new toilet.

Sequence of training

To toilet train an adult or one-year-old street cat is not an easy task. Immediately after you bring the cat to its new home, show it not only its sleeping place, but also the tray prepared for it. Some pets intuitively feel what such a device is for. Wait until your cat relieves himself in the litter box at least once, and the habit should take hold quickly.

You will be able to stop your cat from pooping in corners if you are patient. Watch your pet: if the furry fuss is fussing and is actively looking for a place to retire, put him in the toilet and pet him. Most likely, he will relieve himself there. If you see a cat already pooping somewhere, bring the tray and make her sit down.

Don’t rush to change the litter right away - let your pet feel its smell and remember why it needs this device. Then there should be no problems with the toilet in the future.

Possible difficulties and owner's reaction

If a cat does not understand why they are trying to force her to go to the toilet in a place other than where she wants, she can show her character. However, sometimes there are reasons for this behavior:

• cat's health problems. If she doesn't feel well, trying to mark corners in the apartment will be a signal for help;
• inconvenience. A pet can be willful if it simply doesn’t like the tray or if its location does not suit the animal;
• the need to share this treasured place with someone. If you have several cats, and the new family member does not want to use the same toilet with them, he will not relieve himself nearby. Buy another one, and treat the “crime scene” with a citrus-scented spray or something with another strong aroma, and the problem is solved.

You can teach a cat good manners, even if you are dealing with an adult. The main thing is patience and perseverance.