Just brought home a furry bundle of joy? While cats and kittens enjoy rent-free domestic bliss, there are some house rules they need to follow—the most important of which is using their litter box. Many cats use litter boxes instinctively, as long as the litter box is the right size and is set up properly. However, some cats, and especially kittens, need help through litter box training.
In this Sploot Vets guide, we discuss how to train a cat to use a litter box and steps for finding the underlying problem if litter box training is not effective.
Is It Easy to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box?
Yes, litter box training a cat is typically easy. This is because cats and kittens will instinctively gravitate to using a litter box, as long as it is properly set up and placed somewhere accessible. This is primarily due to their instinct to bury their pee and poop, which helps keep them safe in the wild. Though domesticated, cats still retain this instinct.
How to Train A Cat to Use a Litter Box
Once a cat is more than 4 weeks of age, they can undergo litter box training. While it’s a straightforward process, the success of it hinges on starting with a proper setup.
A. Get the Right Litter Box
One of the biggest stumbling blocks in litter box training is having a litter box that discourages the cat from using it. This can slow down or interfere with litter box training. Therefore, make sure to get a litter box that is appealing to use; here are the key features to look for:
- 1.5 times the length of your cat – measure your cat from their nose to the base of their tail and multiply this by 1.5. This should be the minimum length of your cat’s litter box. Kittens can use adult-sized litter boxes, as long as the entry point is low enough.
- Accessible entry point – consider your cat’s age and mobility. For both kittens and older cats, a low entry point is better so that they don’t struggle to get inside.
- Uncovered – while some cats may prefer the privacy of a covered litter box, others can find them confining or intimidating, and they may trap odors. Because preferences vary, many cats do best with an uncovered litter box, but offering both options can help determine your cat’s preference.
- Brand new – secondhand plastic litter boxes can hold unpleasant odors or the scent of another cat, even after cleaning. For some cats, this can be off-putting, which is why a brand new litter box is often best.
- Plastic litter box – while steel litter boxes have many pros in the long run (e.g., better hygiene, odor control), some cats may be uncomfortable with the cold feel and the metallic noise. Therefore, a plastic litter box is often better for beginners.
B. Choose the Best Litter
Some types of litter deter cats because of their unnatural texture or scent. Therefore, the objective is to select a type of litter that most closely mimics the natural experience of digging, while also providing safety for your kitten or cat.
Here are the key features to look for:
- Unscented litter – strong scents can deter cats from using the litter box. For beginners, it’s best to choose an unscented product.
- Granular texture – while this may not be as appealing to cats as fine sand litter, it provides the ideal balance of appeal and safety. Granular cat litter is similar to the feel of dry topsoil, while producing less dust (which can irritate the lungs) than fine sand litter.
- Non-toxic – no cat litter is meant to be eaten. However, in case of accidental ingestion (which can happen with inexperienced cats or kittens), it’s best to opt for non-toxic cat litter; these can be made from ground corn kernels, wheat, cassava, or similar materials. AVOID clay or silica gel, as these are harmful to the digestive tract if accidentally ingested.
C. Place the Litter Box Somewhere Accessible
Proper litter box placement is key. If the litter box is placed somewhere busy or loud, this can discourage your cat or kitten from using it. While many seasoned cat parents will recommend placing the litter box in the bathroom, litter boxes can be placed in other areas—as long as the area meets the following criteria:
- Quiet & low-traffic – place your cat’s litter box in a place where they can go potty in peace at any time; AVOID areas that are busy or close to loud machines.
- Easily accessible – place the litter box somewhere that doesn’t require climbing or straining, especially for kittens, older cats, and cats with mobility issues. The litter box must also be located fairly close to where your cat usually spends time.
- Familiar & visible – your cat’s litter box is best placed in an area that they are familiar with and can access without fear. In addition, the litter box must be easily visible for your cat.
D. Potty Training Your Cat or Kitten
Once you have the ideal litter box, fill it up with 2 -3 inches of cat litter and place it in your selected spot. Next, follow these steps on how to train a cat to use a litter box:
- Show your cat the litter box – place your cat gently in the litter box; let them smell and explore the litter.
- Watch out for ‘bathroom signals’ – if your cat or kitten is sniffing the floor, scratching the floor, circling, or squatting, this means they are about to go potty. Take them to the litter box immediately.
- Turn away – some cats feel safer to poop or urinate when they are not being watched.
- Calmly praise and reward – most cats prefer calm praise followed by a small treat; this helps to reinforce the behavior.
E. Handling Potty Accidents
Potty accidents can happen, especially with kittens and inexperienced cats. If your cat goes potty outside of their litter box, clean the spot up using a pet-friendly enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaning agent removes the scent so that your cat will not be drawn to going potty in the same spot.
Note: AVOID punishing your cat, as this can create fear about using the litter box. It can also weaken your cat’s bond with you.
F. Consider Using Your Cat’s Pee or Litter Attractants
If your cat or kitten is resistant to litter box training, you can try using your cat’s own pee or litter attractants to entice them to use their litter box.
The scent of cat urine encourages them to go potty in the area where they smell it. Before cleaning up their potty accident with a pet-friendly enzymatic cleaner, take a paper towel and dab a small amount of your cat’s pee. Place this paper towel in the litter box to encourage your cat to use their litter box.
Note: While using another cat’s pee may work in theory, it’s best not to do so because it can trigger territorial behavior, stress your cat, and potentially create hygiene risks.
Litter attractants are an alternative to the above; these are additives you can place in cat litter to encourage cats to recognize the litter box as a safe place to go potty. Opt for a non-toxic product that is endorsed by your veterinarian for maximum safety.
→ Need help with litter box training and other behavioral concerns in cats? At Sploot Vets, we provide all-in-one veterinary care to help your feline companion stay at their healthiest and happiest, all in a Fear Free environment. Book an appointment today!
What are Common Litter Training Mistakes?
Some of the most common mistakes in litter training a cat or kitten involve litterbox setup. Cats and kittens can be deterred from using a litter box if the size is wrong, it’s inaccessible, placed in a noisy area, or if the litter does not smell or feel natural.
By following the steps on how to litter box train a cat discussed above, the setup should be covered. A few additional common mistakes to watch out for include the following:
1. The Kitten is Below 4 Weeks
If a kitten is below 4 weeks old, they are not yet in control of their elimination and aren’t ready for litter box training. However, if you adopted the kitten from a shelter, they would typically be around 8 weeks old, which means they are ready for litter box training.
2. Giving Up Too Early
While litter box usage is instinctive in cats, it doesn’t mean that learning will be instant. Kittens may need a week or so to develop nearly-reliable litter box skills. As for adult cats, it can take them a few days. This can still vary per individual cat and be influenced by health or behavioral issues.
3. Using Ammonia-Based Cleaners for Potty Accidents
Ammonia is generally not pet-friendly, as its fumes can irritate your cat’s eyes, skin, and lungs. Trace scents of ammonia can also encourage inappropriate elimination.
Always use pet-friendly enzymatic cleaners when cleaning up potty accidents. These provide a deep clean while also removing odors, which can interfere with litter box training.
4. Fussing Over Your Cat
Avoid fussing over or staring at your cat when they explore or start using the litter box. Too much attention can startle them and make them hesitant to go to the bathroom.
What if My Cat Refuses to Use the Litter Box?
If you’ve tried all of the above guidelines on how to train a cat to use a litter box and your cat is still not doing so, they may have an underlying issue that needs prompt veterinary attention.
Here are some possible reasons why your cat is pooping or peeing outside the litter box. The following can be linked to urinary incontinence, diarrhea, or behavioral issues:
- Feline urinary tract infection or bladder stones (urinary continence)
- Feline idiopathic cystitis (urinary continence)
- Gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea)
- Food allergies in cats (diarrhea)
- Arthritis in cats or joint problems (litterbox access issues)
- Stress and anxiety (behavioral)
- Marking or spraying (behavioral)
If your cat or kitten is not using the litter box and you can’t locate where they’ve gone potty, it’s also possible that they haven’t eliminated at all.
Important Note: If you suspect that your cat has not urinated in the last 12 hours or has not pooped in the last 48 hours, contact an urgent care veterinarian, especially if they are showing signs of cat pain (e.g., uncharacteristic hiding or aggression, vocalizing, lethargy, or straining to go potty).
→ Sploot Veterinary Care offers urgent vet care with multiple locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Chicago, and Salt Lake City. Call us at (720) 770-8656 to arrange an urgent vet visit or schedule an appointment.
Final Thoughts on How to Potty Train a Cat or Kitten
This wraps up our guide on how to train a cat to use a litter box. In many cases, kittens need this type of training, especially if they were separated from their mother at an early age. Litter box training is just as important as kitten socialization and overall kitten care.
Some older cats may also lack litter box training, depending on their history. However, if a cat was previously litter box trained, but has developed an aversion, it’s likely that there is an underlying medical or behavioral issue.
Sploot Vets: Your All-in-One, Fear Free Cat Vet
Whether you are taking your kitten to the vet for the first time for a kitten exam or are concerned about an older cat’s litter box aversion, Sploot Vets has you covered with all-in-one vet care, providing routine care, urgent care, and emergency vet services, all under one roof!
With our experienced vets and state-of-the-art facilities, your cat gets top-tier care, as well as a compassionate, Fear Free veterinary approach that prioritizes their comfort at every step.
Visit one of our vet clinics in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Chicago today! We are open 365 days a year with extended vet clinic hours to fit your schedule.
Easily book your appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app! You can also call us at (720) 770-8656 for urgent concerns.
