Litter Box Training
Most kittens naturally learn to use a litter box with a little guidance and consistency. Setting them up for success early helps establish good lifelong habits.
Setting Up the Litter Box
Choose a litter box that is easy for your kitten to enter and place it in a quiet, easily accessible area away from loud appliances and heavy foot traffic. Most kittens do best with an unscented clumping or clay litter. If you have multiple cats, provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra whenever possible.
Training Tips
Show your kitten where the litter box is as soon as they come home. Place them in the box after meals, naps, and playtime, or anytime you notice them sniffing or circling. Praise them calmly when they use the box, and keep the litter box clean so they want to return. If you cannot supervise your kitten, confine them to a safe room with food, water, a bed, and their litter box until they are using it consistently.
Litterbox Accidents
Never punish your kitten for accidents. Instead, clean soiled areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and look for possible causes, such as:
Spraying
As cats mature, some may begin spraying to mark territory. Spaying or neutering greatly reduces this behavior in most cats. If spraying continues after surgery, your veterinarian can help determine the cause and discuss treatment options.
Keep It Consistent
Cats are creatures of habit. Once you find a litter, box, and location that your cat prefers, try to keep things consistent. If changes are needed, introduce them gradually to help prevent litter box problems.
The Indoor Pet Initiative
https://indoorpet.osu.edu/
Most kittens naturally learn to use a litter box with a little guidance and consistency. Setting them up for success early helps establish good lifelong habits.
Setting Up the Litter Box
Choose a litter box that is easy for your kitten to enter and place it in a quiet, easily accessible area away from loud appliances and heavy foot traffic. Most kittens do best with an unscented clumping or clay litter. If you have multiple cats, provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra whenever possible.
Training Tips
Show your kitten where the litter box is as soon as they come home. Place them in the box after meals, naps, and playtime, or anytime you notice them sniffing or circling. Praise them calmly when they use the box, and keep the litter box clean so they want to return. If you cannot supervise your kitten, confine them to a safe room with food, water, a bed, and their litter box until they are using it consistently.
Litterbox Accidents
Never punish your kitten for accidents. Instead, clean soiled areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and look for possible causes, such as:
- A dirty litter box
- A recent change in litter or box location
- Stress or a frightening experience near the litter box
- Medical conditions such as urinary tract disease, diarrhea, or constipation
Spraying
As cats mature, some may begin spraying to mark territory. Spaying or neutering greatly reduces this behavior in most cats. If spraying continues after surgery, your veterinarian can help determine the cause and discuss treatment options.
Keep It Consistent
Cats are creatures of habit. Once you find a litter, box, and location that your cat prefers, try to keep things consistent. If changes are needed, introduce them gradually to help prevent litter box problems.
The Indoor Pet Initiative
https://indoorpet.osu.edu/
Office HoursMonday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
By appointment only Saturday & Sunday: Closed CLOSED for most Federal Holidays
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