How to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box, Properly Clean Your Cat’s Litter, and More!
What’s the Best Litter Box for Cats? Is All Cat Litter Created Equal? Mighty Pet Is Here to Help!
There are few things more upsetting and unpleasant than your cat or kitten struggling to do their business inside its litter box. No one likes to come to a mess of cat markings on the floor or strong odors, let alone your cat seeming sad or scared that they didn’t go potty the way that you trained them to.
Whether this is your first negative litter box experience or a problem you’ve been dealing with for quite some time, we at Mighty Pet understand that a kitty doing their business outside the box or who doesn’t enjoy their current litter box or litter type can be a nuisance, and our trained staff is here to help you take care of your litter box issues!
Maybe you’re in need of a new litter box or a different variety of litter? Perhaps you’re looking to better understand the frequency in which to change your cat’s litter, or why there are so many different litter types? Which litter is best for your cat?
Have no “feline fear”, your helpful team at Mighty Pet is here, and this article will answer many of your questions about cat litter, litter boxes, cleaning techniques, proper litter box maintenance, and more!
Cat Peeing Outside Litter Box? Methods to Managing Messy Cat Markings
The Size & Style of Your Cat’s Litter Box Matters!
There are a variety of reasons why your cat or kitten may not be properly using their litter box. First things first, the litter box may be too small, dirty, or has a cover that doesn’t allow your cat easy access to their litter.
A common misconception is that cats don’t like covered boxes since they’re hidden from view. This isn’t the case; in fact, many cats prefer covered boxes because they offer privacy and they help to absorb odors. However, if you find that your cat is avoiding their litter box due to discomfort or difficulty accessing it, try switching to an open one instead!
Click here to shop for litter and litter boxes we have in stock here at Mighty Pet!
Different Cats Prefer Different Litter!
Another reason your cat might not be using their litter box is that they’re not fond of the type of litter you have chosen for them (e.g., clumping vs non-clumping). Cats have their own preferences and needs, so what works for one may not work for another.
Some cats prefer non-clumping litter to clumping litter, while others may need something with added odor control or extra absorbency due to an illness or injury in their urinary tract system.
If you’re looking for a specific type of litter that’s designed around your pet’s needs, be sure to check out the multiple varieties of cat litter we have in stock right here at Mighty Pet. From clumping to non-clumping and everything in between, we look forward to helping you select the cat litter option that works best for your four-legged feline friend!
Start at the Source: Find a Cat Food that’s Best for your Cat!
Maybe you’ve tried multiple styles of litter boxes and tested several different brands of cat litter and you’re still dealing with messy cat markings on the floor of your house? Versus continuing to search for a litter box and cat litter, consider starting at the source and determine if the cat food you’re feeding your cat is the catalyst to your litter box problems.
Not all cat food is created equally, and whether it be the ingredients in your cat food or if the cat food is wet or dry, your cat’s diet may be contributing to the messes you’re finding outside the litter box and around the house, not to mention that unpleasant odor!
Cats that are on a high water content diet most often have better urinary health because due to the fact they pass liquid through their system more frequently than cats who are on a dry food diet. The reality is that no matter how fancy your cat’s water dish is or how easy you make access to their water source, cat’s typically don’t drink near enough water to stay sufficiently hydrated. We recommend adding canned, freeze-dried, naturally re-hydrated, or natural raw foods to your cat’s diet in order to increase their water intake.
All this being said, a diet that encourages regular potty breaks will not only better your cat’s urinary health, but also assist in preventing litter box aversion. It’s well known that a cat that avoids using their litter box in the first place results in unpleasant cat markings around the house! Check out some of our top cat food options here at Mighty Pet! We’re proud to carry top-quality cat food brands that are proven to be healthy diet options for your kitty!
It is worth noting that if you’ve exhausted several litter, litter box, and cat food options and your cat or kitten is still marking outside their box or around your house, this may be sign of a more serious health issue that could be affecting your cat’s urinary tract, and a visit to your veterinarian could be warranted. Some cats associate the pain of a urinary tract infection with their box, and because of this, retraining to their litter box may be necessary after the infection has cleared.
How Often Should You Clean Your Cat’s Litter Box?
The cleaner your cat’s litter box, the more comfortable your cat will be when it’s time to do their business! A cat that is at ease and comfortable with their litter box will be more likely to use their litter box when it is go-time, and they’ll be encouraged to do their business inside the litter box rather than outside of it or around your house.
Scooping out your cat’s litter box once a day is recommended and beneficial to your cat because it reduces unpleasant odors, which not only keeps you happy and your house smelling fresh and clean, but also encourages your cat to continue to use its litter box because of its sanitary state.
It should be noted that more frequent cleaning will be necessary if you have a sick or aging cat, or if you have multiple cats in the house. If you’re just starting out with a kitten, it’s best to keep your litter box clean from the start to avoid any accidents. In addition to daily scooping, it is good practice to discard all of your cat litter, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your cat’s litter box, and replenish the box with fresh litter once every month.
When replenishing litter, there is indeed such a thing as “too much” litter for your cat. Don’t overfill your cat’s litter box, as this will prove to be uncomfortable for your cat and it will make scooping and cleaning the litter more difficult.
Typically, cats prefer their litter to be right around two inches deep, and this will provide an adequate amount of litter for them to do their business and remain comfortable, as well as make it easier for you to do routine scoopings and cleanings. If your cat has longer hair, it may like even less litter, so we recommend filling your cat’s litter box to about 1 ½ inches in depth.
How Many Litter Boxes Should I Have In My Home?
The general rule is to have one more cat litter box than the total number of cats living in your household. If you have more than two cats, you should probably consider getting at least four boxes to ensure that there’s always a spare ready for when one gets dirty and to prevent litter boxes from being overcrowded.
Cats prefer doing their business in a private, quiet place that is out of the way of highly traveled areas in your house. Cats also prefer having their own separate space to go to the bathroom away from a space that is already set up for another cat in your home.
For those cats who don’t get along well with others, adding another litter box per animal will help prevent them from competing over territory and mitigate behavioral issues, aggressiveness, and unpleasant cat markings around the house.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Buy a New Litter Box?
To determine whether or not you should replace your current litter box, consider the following questions:
- Are there any other issues with using their current litter box that may be causing them stress or discomfort (such as difficulty getting in/out due to its placement)? A different type of litter might help this problem as well.
- Is the box dirty? If so, clean it out with a sanitary scooper. Some cats are more finicky than others when it comes to cleanliness, but this is a good rule of thumb for all cats. Also consider a self cleaning litter box for your cat’s next litter box, as this will cut down on mess and extra cleaning time.
- Is the box too small for your cat to turn around comfortably? If your cat can’t turn around in their own bathroom, they may have trouble using it. Try a larger size or different model if possible.
How To Train a Kitten To Use a Litter Box: Your Guide To Proper Litter Training
Few things are more joyous and exciting than welcoming a new kitten to your home. Soft purring and warm cuddles are in order, but so too are potty messes! We at Mighty Pet can’t wait to help you answer any kitty litter training questions you may have so that you’ll be on your way to a happy, clean, mess-free home for your kitten in no time! Here are a few quick steps to take to best go about how to train a cat to use the litter box.
1. Familiarize your Kitten With Their New Litter Box
It is recommended to show your new kitten their litter box as soon as they arrive in your home so that they associate the space as their own bathroom space. Let the cat examine the space as you set them into the litter box, and make sure to not relocate the box once you’ve familiarized them with their space.
2. Continue to Familiarize After Meals & Naps
After you’ve completed your kitten’s initial familiarization, continue to set your kitten into their litter box immediately following their meals and after they’ve woken from their naps. This consistent training will further cement their familiarity with their new environment and encourage them to use the space when potty time arrives next time! Keep an eye out for sniffing our crouching in a certain area of the home, as this is a sign that your kitty needs to go! Pick them up and place them in their litter box when you see this activity to further facilitate proper litter box use!
3. Reward Your Kitten For a Job Well Done!
Once your kitten has done their duty in their new litter box, reward them for a job well done by giving them a treat, a quick pet with some verbal compliments, and give them a chance to play with a toy or enjoy some cuddles! Keep in mind that positive reinforcement is what you’re looking to achieve in this step, and it is never right to punish your kitten or scold them for a mistake. Kittens and cats do not associate loud and stern punishment with the incident at hand, so scolding your kitten will only lead to anxiety and stress and make proper litter training more difficult and time-consuming.
Kittens & Cats Welcome! Mighty Pet Is Here to Help!
There you have it, a quick Mighty Pet rundown of all things Cat Litter related! We at Mighty Pet hope that this article helped to answer some of your cat litter and litter box training questions!
We understand that there are a wide variety of cat litter boxes, cat litter, and healthy cat food brands out there to choose from, so that’s why we’ve done our part to make finding all of your cat care essentials available to you in one spot! You guessed it, Mighty Pet!
If you have any unanswered questions about litter boxes, cat litter, litter training, proper litter cleaning, or proper pet nutrition, feel free to stop in and see one of our pet care professionals on-site, or give us a call at (906) 723-0253.
We love talking about all things animals, and would be happy to answer any questions that you may have! We’ll see you soon at Mighty Pet, your local mom and Pup store right here in Menominee!
