To prevent cats from urinating and defecating everywhere, we need to train them to use the litter box. However, cats are not naturally born knowing how to use it. Some cats initially strongly resist using the litter box. Surely owners have spent quite a bit of effort teaching their cats to use the litter box. Below are some practical litter training methods to easily get your cat to obediently use the litter box for their toilet needs.

　　I. Methods

　　1. Place the litter box in a quiet location. Cats prefer to use the toilet in quiet, noiseless places. Put the litter box in a spot that is not obstructive, such as the laundry room, a secondary bathroom, or a porch with a screen, for better training results. If your cat is older, be sure to put the litter box in a place that is easy for them to reach. You don’t want your cat climbing stairs or furniture just to use the litter box. The litter box itself should also feel comfortable to the cat. Cats generally like open litter boxes and dislike enclosed ones. Use odorless litter (cats also prefer it) that does not produce much dust. The more comfortable the litter box, the more likely the cat will use it.

　　2. Place the cat in the litter box shortly after feeding. Doing this after every meal helps the cat start to understand the function of the litter box. Eventually, the cat will automatically use the litter box when it needs to relieve itself.

　　3. Reward the cat after it uses the litter box.

　　Each time the cat successfully uses the litter box, feed it a small treat as a reward and praise it. Cats, like all animals (including humans), respond well to positive reinforcement. This quickly creates a positive effect.

　　4. Do not punish the cat after it soils elsewhere.

　　Negative reinforcement won’t train the cat. Yelling or spanking only scares it. If your cat soils other places, first let it sniff the area it soiled, then gently place it into the litter box.

　　5. Keep the litter box clean.

　　If the cat occasionally starts using flower pots or carpets as toilets, it’s often because it feels the litter box is not hygienic. Remember to scoop litter daily and wash the litter box several times a month. Frequently replace the litter to avoid lingering urine odors.

　　6. Choose the cat litter your cat likes.

　　Some cats are picky about litter. It’s best to try several types until you find the one your cat prefers most.

　　II. Notes

　　Training kittens is easiest, but adult cats can be trained too. Buy treats your cat likes. Avoid overfeeding treats. Overdoing it makes the cat take the treats for granted and not see them as rewards. It also causes obesity and serious health problems.

　　III. Cats Not Using the Litter Box May Be Physically Unwell

　　If no matter how you train, the cat does not use the litter box, the most common reasons relate to health issues, such as urinary tract or bladder infections, intestinal parasites, or injuries. These illnesses cause pain during elimination, so the cat naturally associates the litter box with pain and looks for more comfortable places to relieve itself. Though soiling elsewhere does not solve the pain, it is a useful sign for owners. Once you notice your cat stops using the litter box, it’s best to contact a veterinarian immediately and have a full physical exam done. If the cat not only refuses the litter box but also stops defecating, you must promptly take it to a pet hospital, as failure to defecate normally for over two days can likely lead to death from acute kidney failure.

　　Of course, cats not using the litter box isn’t always due to illness. Unsuitable litter, a litter box that’s too small or dirty, can cause dissatisfaction, leading them to soil elsewhere to protest. But whenever your cat refuses the litter box, owners must find the real cause quickly to avoid fatal complications such as acute kidney failure. (Source：PetsZone)