If you're going to have a cat inside your house, then one of the things you must teach it is how to use the litter box. Potty training a cat is as important as teaching it to stay down off of the counters, kitchen table, and other furniture.
Fortunately, potty training a cat can be a relatively easy task if you go about it in the right way. The reason for this is because cats are creatures of habit. Once they learn something, such as using a litter box, staying off the furniture, or even not to scratch the furniture, that will become their way of life.
In order to start to potty train your inside cat, you'll need to acquire a litter box, a scooper, and litter, if you don't already have them. Having a box that has high sides and a detachable lid is the best choice. This way, the high sides will help to keep the litter in the box when they scratch in it. The detachable lid will also help to contain the litter, as well as provide a sense of privacy for your cat. In choosing the type of litter to use, the best type is the clumpable/scoopable type. Not only will it be easier to clean out with the scooper, but it will also be easier on your wallet.
Once you have the materials you need, place the litter box in a private area away from the main living area in your house. A laundry room, mud room, or enclosed porch can be a perfect spot. This will give your cat privacy and keep its toilet area away from the main part of your house at the same time. If you don't have a room that's out of the way, you can always place your cat's litter box in a bathroom. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the box. Basically, though, you'll need to fill the litter box with approximately four inches of litter.
Now that you have the litter box set up, it's time for you to introduce your cat to it. To do this, you'll need to use some time and patience. Place Kitty inside the box and let him or her sniff around inside it. You can even gently take your cat's paw and scratch around in the litter. This can help them to catch onto what they're supposed to do in there. After a short time, Kitty will probably hop out of the litter box and go about their way. This is perfectly normal as you can't expect your cat to learn on the introduction.
Then, you'll need to keep an eye on Kitty throughout the day so you can continue the potty training process. Whenever you see him or her sniffing the floor, especially in a corner or behind a piece of furniture, grabs your cat and gently place them in the litter box. If they jump right out without using the box, simply place them back in it. You may need to do this several times until they get the picture. After your cat eats or drinks is another good time to grab them and gently place them in their litter box.
Your Kitty should learn within a day or two that they are supposed to potty in the litter box. If not, you can confine your cat in a small room with the litter box. This way, by curtailing its wandering space, the chances are higher that he or she will start using the litter box.
Finally, cats are clean creatures by nature. Therefore, once Kitty starts to use the litter box, if you don't use the scooper to keep it clean every day, your cat may refuse to go in there. He or she will potty in a corner or behind a piece of furniture, exactly where you don't want them to go.
