The Ultimate Guide To Housetraining Your Cat
While most people know you have to housetrain your cat, most don’t know the many different things you can teach your cat to do. Cats are very intelligent creatures that can learn several different commands and processes. The one that will help you the most is training them to use the bathroom in a specific location, that hopefully is not the floor.
Housetraining your cat is as simple as finding a low-traffic area where you can place a litter box and allowing your cat full access to it at all times. After showing your cat where this location is a few times, they should begin to go on their own, and you shouldn’t have to do anything else.
However, if you wanted a different method to teach your cat to use the restroom, there are a couple of options that would require less work from you in the long run. You can teach your cat to use the toilet or even go outside for the bathroom. You can also teach your cat tricks and commands that would help you in the daily activities you would be doing anyway.
(Source: Fearfreehappy,bhg, hillspet, catcat)
Potty-Training Your Cat
It is a common thought that it is harder to train cats to use the bathroom in a specific place than it is to teach dogs. This is not true. Cats can be easily trained, just the same as dogs can. It simply takes a little bit of hard work from you and your cat.
The thing most people don’t know, though, is that you can actually train your cat to use the bathroom in three different ways.
- Using the litterbox
- Using the toilet
- Going outside
No matter what method you choose to teach your cat, all of these can be done with a bit of time and patience. Your cat will be healthier and happier, going to the bathroom where you decide, and your house will be cleaner too!
Litter Training Your Cat
Litterboxes are the most common way to housetrain a cat. For most people, this is the go-to option that they believe is the easiest thing for their cat and them. There are a few things you need to do to teach your cat to use a litter box.
If you have an older cat that you adopted or are rehoming, usually all you need to do is place the cat in the litter box a few times throughout the day, and they can do the rest. However, if you have a kitten or a cat that has never lived inside, it will take a little more work.
Choosing the Correct Litter Box
Choosing the correct litter box is pretty easy. As long as your cat will use it, it’s a good fit for you. The key things are making sure that your kitten can make it over the edge of your box and that your senior cat does not have any problems getting in and out of the box.
If your cat has problems getting in or out of the litter box, your best option is to buy a box with a lower side or a sloped entrance. This will reduce the strain or difficulty for your cat. The fancy litter boxes look cool, but they aren’t always conducive for use with all sizes or ages.
Placing Your Litter Box
When choosing where you place your litter box, it needs to be on the floor in a room with minimal foot traffic that is easily accessible to your cat. It is no recommended that a litter box ever be placed on a shelf or table due to the risk of your cat falling or missing a jump.
If you have kids or other pets, it is best to place it in a gated room to make sure no one gains access to the box. You have to make sure the gate is something the cat can pass through or get over easily, so it doesn’t prohibit it from using the bathroom.
It is a good idea to buy a rug designed to catch cat litter to place in front of your box. When your cat steps out of the litter box, it will bring litter with it, and this rug will stop most of it from being spread everywhere on your floor.
Cats have very strong-smelling waste, and you will likely smell it right after your cat has used the litter box. Keep this in mind when choosing a place for the box to stay. You don’t want it in the kitchen or dining room and risk smelling that while cooking or eating.
Cats are also likely not to use the litter box if it is too close to their food and water source. Keeping a good distance between these two areas is the best way to make sure there are no interruptions with your cat using the litterbox.
Choosing the Right Type of Litter
Technology has gotten us some amazing things that are extremely helpful in our daily lives. However, sometimes using technology and science can have the opposite effect and prevent people from using something due to its advances.
Cats are no different when it comes to new things. While science has given us some cat litter that smells better or clumps more for easier clean-up, it can deter your cat from using the litter box. It’s best to use a non-scented clay litter rather than some fancy litter your cat may not use.
Once you choose a litter, if possible, it’s always best to stick to that kind. Any change can cause your cat to stop using the litter box and needing to be retrained again. Some litter boxes are specifically made to only work with certain litter, so make sure when you are choosing what your cat will use, you get the right things, so everything works together seamlessly.
Keep It Clean
You not only have to scoop out the clumps of waste multiple times a day, but you will also need to completely clean and change the litterbox. You need to dump out the litter, wash the box, and replace the litter with fresh, unused litter.
It is recommended to clean the litterbox fully twice a week. However, depending on your cat’s behavior and use, you may need to clean it as often as every other day. Finding a litter than clumps well will help you scoop out waste better and keep the litter cleaner for longer without needing to change it out entirely.
One of the most common issues with cats using the bathroom somewhere other than the litter box is that it is not regularly cleaned out. Cats are very clean animals and will not use the bathroom if it is too dirty.
Introducing Your Cat to The Litterbox
If you have an older cat, simply placing your cat in the box a few times throughout the day will allow it to learn where it is placed. After a day or two, your cat should have no problem finding the litterbox.
If you have a kitten or a cat that is new to the litter box, you will need to keep it confined to a room or two that contain the litterbox. This ensures your cat will have no trouble finding the litter box.
After your cat uses the box frequently, you can continuously expand their area until they are given full access to the entire house. If you do this too quickly, your cat will forget how to get to the litter box, so it is best to take your time.
Teaching your Cat to Use the Toilet
It is not common knowledge that you can actually teach your cat to use your toilet instead of using a litter box. However, there is a heavy debate about whether the positives outweigh the negatives and whether it is too stressful for your cat or not.
You should always do your research before changing your cat’s potty spot, but if you choose to have them use the toilet, it is not a very hard process. You can buy potty seats for the cats containing a small amount of litter and a hole, so the waste goes into the toilet.
After a few days of giving your cat both options, it is recommended that you remove the litter box and start training for only toilet use.
If your cat starts using the bathroom elsewhere, you may need to change your training habits, or it may not be the right decision for your cat. While this can be easier on you, it is not worth stressing out your cat for a few more easy moments.
Teaching Your Cat to Go Outside
If you aren’t a fan of cleaning litterboxes, it is always an option to train your cat to use the bathroom outside. If you don’t mind installing a cat door and giving your cat the ability to go a safe and secure enclosure outside whenever it wants, this could be a good alternative for you.
It is pretty simple to start the process. Moving the litter box to an outdoor location is the first step. Positive reinforcement is the biggest part of training your cat to do anything, so you will want to pay close attention to your cat for the first few days and make sure it gets a treat every time it uses the restroom outside.
After a few days, once your cat understands that it needs to go outside, you can move the litter box into a grassy area that you would be okay with your cat using for the restroom. After a few more days of your cat successfully using the litterbox in that location, you can remove the litterbox altogether. Your cat should then start using the bathroom to place the litter box before you removed it.
Housetraining Issues
With any attempt at getting a new pet or training your cat to do anything, there are always issues that can show up at any point. However, the good news is, there is almost always an easy fix for any problems you may have.
The most common issues cat owners have been spraying and your cat using the bathroom in places that are not the litterbox. These are very common issues and are usually fixed by one of the following solutions:
- Fixing an illness
- Moving the food to a location away from the litterbox
- Making it easier to get to the litterbox
- Cleaning the litterbox more often
- Adding extra litterboxes in numerous locations
- Trying different types of litter
If none of these solutions fix your problem, it is best to talk to your vet about the issues you are still having. Usually, a vet can give you a few tips or more of an insight as to why your cat won’t use its litterbox.
(Source: Petcentral, lovetoknow, hillspet, catcat, kingdomofpets)
Teaching Your Cat Tricks
When people think about teaching animal tricks, cats are not usually the animals that come to their minds. However, you can teach a cat tricks just as well as any other animal.
Cats are very intelligent creatures, and while we may not see it often, they are incredibly emotionally intelligent. This means they want to please their owners, so hearing the excitement in their owner’s voice encourages them to do things just as it does for dogs.
Training them to be comfortable with certain things can lead to a more peaceful experience for them during already stressful times. For example, teaching them to be comfortable with a crate can help keep them calm for vet visits.
This can also be useful for grooming services or baths. Cat’s don’t like water, so you could easily teach them how to stay calm in situations like that, just like you have done with the crate.
Things You Need
Before you start training your cat to do anything, you need a few things:
- Treats
- A quiet place with no distractions
- A clicker or something that makes a clicking sound (optional)
Treats are for positive reinforcement, which is crucial in teaching a pet a new trick. You want minimal distractions so that your cat does not have to focus so hard on concentrating, and they can focus on learning.
If you have something that clicks, even a loud pen, this will help establish the actions your pet is supposed to do. You will use the clicker as the “command” at first and then add the verbal cue later once they have responded to the initial process.
Coming When Called by Name
To teach your cat to come to you when you call their name, start off close to them. Using a clicker, move away from them and click once. When they come to you, give them a treat. You will move farther away each time, offering a treat each time.
After a few times of using only the clicker, start adding the verbal cue (their name) along with the click. Once they seem to have that down pat, you can remove the clicker and only use their name. This may take a few times to fully grasp the concept, but they will learn their name.
This can help keep your cat safe in case they were to get out of the house or get stuck or lost. If you can’t find your cat, but they can respond to their name, it is far more likely that they will come to you in a situation rather than you having to chase them down.
Traveling Well
Whether you want to crate train your cat or just get them to travel without all of the fighting and noise, this is something you can absolutely train your cat to do. The best thing you can do at first is to simply make the crate apart of their everyday life. Make it as common as the furniture, so they have a chance to check it out on their own terms.
Once they have gotten used to the crate being available, start using the clicker when your cat gets near or goes inside. This will tell your cat that what they are doing is a good thing. After a few weeks of this, wait until your cat goes inside the crate and shut the door. Make sure you are praising them in a happy, calm manner the entire time to help calm them.
Start out by keeping them in the crate for a minute and slowly increase the time over the next few weeks. After a while, your cat will have no issues using or being inside the crate. You can start the process of moving them around and taking them in the car by slowly allowing them to get used to the idea of being moved.
This is a fantastic thing to teach your cat so that they have minimal stress when needing to travel or go to the vet. Your cat will be better off if they have a comfortable and safe space for them that they are used to using.
Sit or Stay
Whether you are teaching your cat to sit or stay, the process is the same. Pick which command you want to teach first and during your training session, click every time your cat does the action. After a few sessions, your cat will understand the correlation between the clicks and their actions.
With positive reinforcements, start using the verbal cue along with the clicker and praising them heavily when they get it right. After a few sessions, you can remove the clicker and only use verbal cues.
Both of these commands are great ways to ensure your cat doesn’t get into things that could hurt them or stop them from running out an open door and getting lost. When you realize these tricks can help your cat to stay safe, the time investment definitely seems worth it.
(Source: dr.sophiayn, dailypaws)
Redirecting Bad Behavior
Anytime you are raising a cat, whether you are specifically training them for something or not, there is going to be negative behavior. Most people do not know how to curb these issues, and most of the time, they end up ignored, which only makes things worse.
The best way to stop bad behavior from continuing is to choose an uncommonly used phrase such as:
- “Bam!”
- “Hey!”
- “Whoa!”
- “AAHT!”
If you use a common phrase like “No” then you risk your cat becoming confused when they hear is throughout the day. You always want to be loud and direct when using the phrases so your cat can understand these are said with a negative connotation.
Simply using the phrase when your cat is performing a negative action will, over time, result in them discontinuing the action. They may pop back up every now and then, but for the most part, they will be broken of their habit.
Eliminating Scratching
The most common negative action a cat will do is scratching. It is common for cats to do this so they can sharpen their claws. The issue is they tend to do it on walls, furniture, or cabinets. In conjunction with the loud noise you will make when they do this, you can do something else to help eliminate this issue.
You can purchase scratching posts that are built specifically for cats to use to sharpen their claws. It may take a few days for them to understand they need to use these, but through using positive reinforcement, using a wand to encourage the cat to and catnip spray on the posts, they should learn rather quickly.
Buying scratch posts that are made from household fabrics, cardboard, or tree bark are the best options due to the resistance it gives them. They like variety, so maybe a combination throughout the house would help break them from scratching your furniture.
(Source: catcat, dr.sophiayn)
Are Cat’s Hard to Train?
Cats are no harder to train than any other animal. People believe that cats are hard to train because, unfortunately, people don’t see cats as intelligent as other animals, so they automatically discount their abilities to learn.
Giving your cat a quiet place free of distractions for a short training session is the best way to help them learn something. If you notice your cat becoming frustrated or angry during a training session, it is best to stop and try again another day. A frustrated cat is not a cat that will learn well.
The most important parts of training a cat in any capacity are positive reinforcement and their health. Positive reinforcement is the only way your cat will understand that they are doing the right thing. Keeping your cat healthy will allow their minds and bodies to work well enough to fully grasp what they are supposed to learn.
Keeping Your Cat Healthy
Keeping your cat healthy is not hard, especially if you regularly take them to the vet to be checked on. The vet will be able to notice any issues your cat may have and give them vaccines that will keep them healthy and in good health for a longer period.
The core vaccines your cat would be given throughout their first two years are:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
- Feline Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia
They will receive doses of these vaccines in increments throughout their first two years with this schedule:
- 1st Dose at 8 weeks
- 2nd Dose at 12 weeks
- 3rd Dose at 16 weeks
- A booster twelve months later and each year after if you are using a cattery
If your cat lives a particularly active and social life, it is recommended that they get some non-core vaccines to prevent them from getting or spreading feline diseases. Some of the non-core vaccines are:
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Chlamydia Felis
- Bordetella
- Feline Leukemia
These are not required but are recommended for cats that will contact more animals than the average house cat—especially those in public kennels often. Your cat would receive a first dose of these vaccines early in age, but throughout their life, when necessary, they would receive boosters to make sure they are still protected.
Vaccines are incredibly important for keeping your cat healthy and capable of living a long, good quality of life. Even if your cat never leaves the house or isn’t exposed to any other animals, it is still wise to get them vaccinated. Protecting your cat from any possible issue is the best thing you can do for them as their owner.
(Source: Purina)
Final Thoughts
Housetraining a cat is very simple. Placement, positive reinforcement, and consistency are major factors in how quickly your cat responds to learning something. If you can provide those three things, your cat should be housetrained in a matter of days.
If your cat seems to be having trouble learning or sticking with something, it may be a good idea to have a conversation with your vet. So many issues stem from health or body issues that your vet can fix.
