How To House Train Your Cat by Kathrynn Kelley

If you have an indoor cat, it is important that it knows how to use a litter box, but it can be very convenient (and cool!) for the cat to use the toilet. This can make life with Kitty much more pleasant.

Be Consistent

Consistency is very important. When you are using the litter box initially, make sure that kitty always uses it. Consistency is the key to train your cat, and toilet training success. Stick with it; keep showing your cat where he or she is supposed to go. Place a kitten in a litter box right after eating and upon waking from naps and in the morning (Many kittens are diurnal and you can often keep them that way if you stick with it.

That can make things much easier for you because the kitten will be sleeping when you are sleeping.). Be consistent in making the toilet accessible to the cat and while you are training, watch her and make sure that she places her feet on the seat and not in the bowl (until you remove it).

Rewards don't work - But Cleanliness Does

Face it; cats couldn't care less if you reward them for good behavior. Where dogs love to be praised when they do something good, cats don't care if you approve or not. Cleanliness, on the other hand, does influence your cat to use the litter box and later the toilet.

Make it seem like their Idea

This is particularly important to know if you have an older cat you are trying to toilet train. Cats will accept a new bed, toy and, yes, the toilet, much easier if it is their idea. Allow your cat to "discover" the litter box and gradually move it level with the toilet, then on the toilet. Soon they will be more inclined to use it right off the bat.

Here's a trick to getting a cat that doesn't use the litter box, to use it and make them believe it was their idea. Get your cat and put them in a location where it's just them, a bowl of food, water, and a toy. There should only be these items in the room with them. Take out any clothes, towels, and if possible any and all furniture.

Don't Play Hide the Litter Box

Cats are creatures of habit. If you put their litter box in one area, keep it there. If you are trying to toilet train the cat, place the litter box right next to the toilet. Don't switch it up and move it around. If you move your cat's litter box, you will probably find that the cat will use the area where the litter box was. Don't confuse poor Kitty.

Leave the litter box where it is and don't move it around a lot. Hide the litter box is not a fun game for Kitty, in fact, it is quite stressful. Plus, you want to direct kitty to the toilet so the only time you should move it is when you are raising the litter box to be level with the toilet, then over the toilet, the remove it altogether.

Move at the cat's pace

Be sure you are moving at your cats pace. If your cat stresses out they are more likely to have accidents. So if you notice your cat is having trouble or having accidents, go back a step until you are sure they understand. Then, you can move continue on with toilet training your cat.

Cats like to be clean and they like having their own litter box, but they respond well to toilet training as well. With a little patience and a lot of love your kitty will be toilet trained in no time at all.

About the Author

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