How to Train Your Cat to Use the Litter Box Again

How to retrain a cat to use the litter box
(Image credit: Getty Images)

It can be frustrating if your previously toilet-trained cat seems to have forgotten their training, so you might exist wondering how to retrain a cat to use the litter box. Just like toddlers, every kitten is different when it comes to toilet preparation. Some pick it up very quickly, while others take a piddling longer to get the idea!

If yous rescue a senior cat or take in a feral moggy, they might not be familiar with a litter box, simply the skillful is that older cats can exist litter box trained. There are also a number of reasons why cats can suddenly become on strike from using their litter boxes, which can be a piddling frustrating as well as messy. Simply how do you retrain a cat to utilize the litter box? Is it the same principle as for kittens, or are in that location other considerations?

  • Best cat litter: Hygienic and odour-controlled options

What could cause a cat to stop using their litter box all of a sudden?

Occasionally, cats tin can of a sudden stop using their litter box, which might lead you to think that they've somehow forgotten how to utilise i.

Yet, there are various reasons why cats can stop using their litter boxes including age, medical issues or sudden changes to routine.

Historic period

Some older cats suffer from senility, so information technology could be true that they've forgotten where to find the litter box. Some might besides exist unaware that they're not quite aiming in the right management.

older cat

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Medical issues

Firstly, they might laissez passer urine around the business firm or even nearly their tray if they have a urinary tract infection. This is partially due to the true cat's need to laissez passer urine frequently and urgently, merely information technology might also exist related to a desire to withdraw for more privacy while feeling a bit poorly.

Arthritis tin likewise cause cats to be unable to get into their tray, or make information technology painful for them, leading them to blame the litter tray and avoid it in the future.

Stress

Stress tin also cause cats to pass urine or feces outside of their litter box. This might exist due to other cats or a new baby in the home, a firm move, or anything else that disrupts your kitty'southward routine.

diy hidden litter box

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Why practise some cats refuse to use a litter box?

If you adopt an adult cat, you might assume that they know their way around a litter box. Yet, that'south not e'er the case. Cats who have previously been kept in a domicile with outside admission may not accept had the desire nor the necessity to utilize a litter box.

Equally, stray or feral cats will have been used to finding their own toileting area wherever they choose. And so, for many cats, the litter box might be a afar or even a non-existent retention. It could also be that the true cat has used a litter box before, but they are used to a unlike type of cat litter or litter box. Later on all, cats can be pretty fussy well-nigh these things!

How do you train an adult cat to use a litter box?

The principle of training an developed true cat to use a litter box is not that dissimilar from litter-training a kitten. It does crave patience, though, as there are many possible factors to consider.

The good news is that a cat's natural behaviour is to dig around before going to the toilet, and bury their waste afterwards. Therefore, if you provide an area for them to exhibit this behavior they should instinctively seek it.

However, if your furry friend needs a little encouragement, try giving them a tasty treat after each successful use of the litter box as positive reinforcement. It's important not to punish or scold them for any failed attempts, though, since this could cause stress. The best approach is to ignore any little accidents altogether.

Earlier you leap into training, information technology'due south a good idea to work through the following steps to brand sure that you lot've not missed anything:

1. Check the cat litter

Your cat might prefer a sure type of cat litter. Effort dissimilar options to see if they are fractional to clumping, not-clumping, clay, gravel, or wood.

2. Consider litter box style

Simply like litter, cats might accept a liking for a particular kind of litter box. For instance, some might like a covered litter tray with a door, while others might feel restricted past a roof!

3. Deepen the layer of litter

Information technology'southward always worth questioning whether your fussy feline might want a deeper layer of litter. If you're being a bit stingy with the cat litter, this could be a cause of your cat's reluctance to employ the litter box.

How to litter box train an older cat

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5. Keep the litter box make clean

Nosotros all know that cats are very make clean animals, and they're as well very sensitive. Many cats won't use a litter tray unless it is perfectly immaculate.

half-dozen. Avoid smelly chemicals

Despite wanting a clean tray, some cats are put off using their litter boxes by strong smelling disinfectants.

vii. Consider litter box location

We all desire privacy when we get to the toilet, and cats are no dissimilar. It's worth placing litter boxes in tranquility areas of the home where there'due south minimal footfall. Don't be agape to try a few different places to run across which your true cat prefers.

eight. Increase number of litter boxes

Cats like choice, and they don't similar to share. So, ever follow the rule of having one more than litter box than the number of cats you accept.

how to move house with a cat

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What to try next

If your cat used to utilize a litter box but has recently stopped, information technology might not exist sufficient merely to run through the listing above.

Y'all may need to get your cat checked over past a vet to ensure they're not suffering from cystitis or a urinary tract infection. The vet can also give you advice on whether stress might be the cause of your true cat's sudden change in behavior. If they think that stress could be contributing, they could recommend calming diffusers or sprays as well as anti-anxiety medications.

And then, is it possible to retrain a true cat to use a litter box?

With some patience and agreement, it's very possible to retrain your true cat to use a litter box. Cats are very clean animals and like to be able to coffin their poop. In one case factors like infections and stress are ruled out, y'all should exist able to find the right litter box combination for your furry family fellow member.

Dr Hannah Godfrey is a minor animal vet with a dear of dentistry and soft tissue surgery. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and their 2 cats.

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Source: https://www.petsradar.com/advice/how-to-retrain-a-cat-to-use-the-litter-box

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