When furry pets appear in the house, it is important to think through and organize all everyday aspects: where and what to feed, how to accustom an adult cat to the litter box in a short time, etc. Owners need to be mentally prepared for the fact that the training period can be quite long, and this is often caused by stress from the animal’s changed habitat.
If a cat has settled in the house and was previously familiar with the litter box, then she will quickly figure out where it is in the new apartment, but difficulties may arise with furry creatures taken from a shelter or picked up on the street. But the calmness, confidence and patience of the owner will make the training process as fast and comfortable as possible.
Features of training an adult animal
By their nature, cats are capricious and capricious creatures; they are very delicate and scrupulous regarding the toilet. The ideal option for a latrine for them are hard-to-reach corners. Therefore, it is recommended to close areas under cabinets, armchairs or behind sofas during the animal’s adaptation period. There is a misconception that it is easier to train an adult cat to use a litter box than a male cat, but this is not true. Provided that the animal is sterilized, there are no special differences.
Each cat has its own personality traits that must be taken into account when training it to use the tray. Very often difficulties arise specifically with adult animals that have already developed certain “toilet” habits. For example, a cat accustomed to living on the street can consider almost any bush or other place hidden from prying eyes to be a toilet.
One of the important criteria for placing a tray is its accessibility for the animal. The most successful can be considered a bathroom in the apartment, as well as an insulated loggia. It is not recommended to set up a cat litter box in the hallway or kitchen, as this is inconvenient and unhygienic. But there is one exception: if the cat chooses a closed type of toilet, in the form of a house, then it can be left in almost any room, including in the hall.
During the adaptation period, it is advisable to limit the animal’s movement area to one room. Since he will most likely have a desire to “mark” his new territory, after which it will be more difficult to train him to the toilet.
How to tame a wild kitten
Let's get acquainted, little savage!
How this wild fluffy ball from the street appears in the house, everyone can tell their own heartbreaking story. But after the manifestation of such nobility, unpleasant surprises begin for many. For example, damaged furniture, when a kitten begins to sharpen its claws not where it is needed, but where it wants.
Throwing a little kitten out of the house just because everything didn’t go as expected is not a solution. If you are attentive, patient and persistent, then everything will work out. After the kitten completely begins to trust you, you can gradually teach him good manners.
How wild is a kitten?
If this is a kitten born to a domestic cat and somehow straying from the general pack, it is most likely not so wild. Therefore, taming him should not be a problem. But if he is a “hereditary savage”, you will have to tinker with him, since he will be equally afraid of you and not trust you, even if you feed him.
Determining age
In principle, this point can be skipped, since veterinarians determine age with virtually no error. But if you are also interested in this, then you can immediately do this by looking at the eyes and the presence (or absence) of teeth.
As a rule, kittens' eyes open 10-16 days after birth. It happens that a kitten has one eye larger than the other, which can only mean that the process is not completely completed, which means the kitten is about 2.5 weeks old. Even those kittens that do not have blue or gray eyes by breed, they are also blue or gray. Eye color changes to permanent from the 2nd to the 3rd month.
Milk teeth in kittens also appear gradually:
- If you see only the front incisors, the kitten is no more than 3-4 weeks old;
- If teeth appear on the sides, then he is about 5-6 weeks old;
- And if you notice fangs, then the kitten is already 7-8 weeks old.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
About parasites
It would be naive to assume that a wild kitten does not have parasites. You can be sure that he has them in sufficient quantities, both external and internal. And the first desire of many newly-made owners is the desire to urgently send the kitten to the shower. You will definitely do this, but a little later, as this can aggravate the stress.
First, you need to let the kitten get comfortable and feed him, since you may not know when he last ate.
The ideal solution is to visit a veterinarian, who will not only conduct a very thorough examination for the presence of parasites, but will also determine visually that there are no manifestations of any diseases. The doctor will also prescribe the correct antihelminthic drug.
About fear
If a kitten hisses, releases its claws, fights, bites, shows aggression in every way, or does not leave a secluded place for a long time, know that this is only out of fear.
Getting used to unfamiliar surroundings
Safe Shelter
If you have a cat carrier, you can leave it in a separate room, covering it with a blanket and leaving the door open. This way you will organize a place where the kitten will feel more protected at first. But it happens that you don’t have a carrier, and the frightened kitten hid under the sofa or in a dark corner. Do not pull him out of there under any circumstances, do not talk loudly and do not move abruptly. Even if it seems to you that he has been sitting there for too long, it is not a problem.
If you see a kitten's extreme fear, do not be intrusive and leave it alone, only occasionally reminding it of your presence.
Feeding
To establish trust, it is advisable for the kitten to learn to eat from your hands. But this is not a necessary condition, so you can leave him food and leave the room. And then gradually lure him out of the dark corner, moving the food further and further. Believe that the kitten will not die of hunger of its own free will and, in the end, hunger will force it to go in search of food.
How to train a kitten to eat from your hands
- Whenever you want to feed a kitten, speak to it in a gentle, calm voice. Try to hand feed him, but if he is afraid, don’t insist. It may be that he needs to get used to your presence;
- Extend your palm and offer something warm and fragrant, such as chicken. It's rare that a kitten will refuse when the food smells so delicious. But if this does not happen, you can safely leave the room with the food for a while;
- Don't ignore encouragement if you see progress in your kitten's behavior. For example, if when you appear he has stopped showing aggression, but still refuses to eat from your hands, you can simply stick your hand into the cage and quietly and affectionately praise him. And removing your hand, leave a tidbit of food in the cage and leave;
- If you want to hand feed your kitten, never make sudden movements, and always be consistent - leave the room with the food. And only when the kitten begins to take food from your hands, you can start stroking it.
Latrine
You can leave a tray with sand or sawdust in the room, but even if for the first few days he ignores it and does his business somewhere nearby, there is no need to rudely punish him and poke his muzzle into the excrement. Especially if you notice this after a certain time, since the cat will not be able to correctly establish a cause-and-effect relationship and will not understand why such disfavor.
The maximum you can do is to let the kitten understand in a quiet but stern voice what he did wrong and try to put him in the litter box.
Games and "tenderness"
You can start playing with the kitten after he has gotten used to you. However, there is no need to force communication on him. Some individuals do not like to be petted or sat on laps at all. It all depends on the temperament, character of the cat and the lifestyle of its immediate ancestors. You can buy toys for games.
Some tamed wild cats do not show affection to their owners all their lives, even if they can sleep next to them, sometimes sit on their laps or play with them. You can also benefit from this, since they are unobtrusive, do not get in the way, and there is no need to entertain them.
Time factor
The younger the kitten is, the faster he will learn to trust you. The optimal age for easy taming is considered to be up to 8 weeks. But if the kitten is older, it’s also not a problem. Even if your cute savage grows up to be independent and proud, he will still give you a huge amount of positive emotions.
How to choose a tray and filler
It is difficult to determine in advance which type of tray an adult animal will favor. As a rule, it is recommended to choose plastic structures with high (at least 10 cm) sides. You can ask the previous owners how the cat’s latrine was arranged, or ask the shelter workers for advice.
The width and length of the litter box should correspond to the size of the cat so that she can safely bury her excrement there. High sides will help keep the apartment clean and prevent filler from spilling out.
A toilet house is better suited for a cat in terms of psychological comfort. The roof and walls completely hide the animal during the intimate process. But for owners, this type of tray may not be entirely convenient, since the houses are not very easy to wash. But they have special filters that adsorb unpleasant odors if you fail to clean the toilet in time.
One of the most common types of trays is a plastic box with a special removable mesh. Whether it is suitable for a particular cat can only be determined experimentally. Some animals will not go into a litter tray that has already been used, so as not to wet their paw pads.
Don't underestimate the role of filler. Sometimes it ensures 95% success of the training process. For animals from the street or from a shelter, wood or mineral is most often suitable. Choosing a familiar mixture will help you quickly accustom your stray cat to the litter box.
Important! When changing the type of filler, this must be done gradually, adding a new one to the old mixture so that the transition is not very abrupt.
Nuances of catching
Adult cats are afraid of humans and it is not easy to catch them. As a rule, at the sight of animal shelter workers, these creatures flee for their lives, hiding in bushes, basements and other nooks and crannies. That is why, if you decide to catch a cat, take with you an old blanket or a fishing net.
When your catch is in the nets, take it home and place it in a box prepared in advance for this purpose. Place a regular tray not too far away - let the animal sniff and get used to it a little. If possible, allocate a separate room for the newcomer or place him in the bathroom. Let him stay in a closed area for the first time: this will help him relax a little. If you have a small apartment, place the kitten in a cage and cover it with a blanket. In any case, your main task is to create a calm environment for the animal.
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How to easily train a kitten or adult cat to go to the litter box
Instructions for toilet training a cat
This training system is applicable for adult cats that use the litter box flawlessly.
It is important to strictly follow the instructions, respecting the time intervals
On a note! Only older animals who have previously used their own “potty” flawlessly should be trained to go to the toilet on the toilet.
First of all, it is necessary for the animal to get used to the noise of the draining water and not be afraid. They take him in their arms and, standing in the toilet, flush the water several times. If the cat does not show any anxiety, move on to the next step.
Move the tray to the toilet
If the tray is located far from the toilet, move it closer. Every day they shift it by 5-6 cm, no more. Otherwise, the cat may not get his bearings and shit in the place where the box used to be. After the animal gets used to being in the neighborhood with a white friend, they move on to the next level of training.
Raising the tray to the height of the toilet
The goal of this stage is to level the tray with the level of the hole so that the cat develops the skill of jumping. They do this slowly so that the pet understands what they want to achieve from him. It is enough to add a few centimeters per day. To do this, place unnecessary waste paper, a box or other
It is important that the structure does not swing. On average, this training period lasts about 12 days
Stages of toilet training a cat.
If the cat categorically refuses to climb the hill, it is worth suspending the process for 7-8 days. Then they try again.
Moving the tray onto the toilet seat
Now they gradually move the cat litter onto the toilet. It is better to first remove the cover to stabilize the device. If the cat feels the precariousness of its position, all previous efforts may be in vain and you will have to start over.
The tray is completely installed on the toilet after 4 days and left there for some more time. This will allow the animal to develop the skill.
Tray refusal
If all stages are successfully completed, the tray is removed from view. It’s better to throw it away, otherwise it will give off a smell that will prompt the pet to search for it. Not finding their toilet in its usual place, many purrs begin to get nervous and fuss. But they quickly understand what to do - they sit directly on the toilet.
How to prepare
Try to make the animal’s stay in the house comfortable and pay attention to the arrangement of its place and toilet.
To teach you to relieve yourself correctly, you need to acquire a minimum set of things at the pet store: purchase a container, choose a filler and, if necessary, buy a special spray that attracts pets with its smell. From my own experience, I can say that you may also need disposable diapers, which are sold at the pharmacy.
Selecting a tray
There are different types of toilets for pets: open, high-sided and closed.
- The open tray is suitable for the little ones. It is convenient to climb into it, and you can place a grate on top, through which urine will flow to the bottom of the container, and the paws will remain dry.
- The high sides of the tray do not allow the filler to be scattered, but are inconvenient for children and sick animals. In addition, filler consumption increases.
- Closed litter boxes are suitable for shy breeds, such as Sphynx, Ragdoll, and Maine Coon. The downside of such containers is the inconvenience of cleaning.
If you are just starting to toilet train your animal, purchase the most common inexpensive toilet, regardless of the cat’s age. Subsequently, if necessary, you can always replace it.
Choosing a filler
Litter is extremely important in the training process to awaken your pet's instincts. In nature, animals love to rummage in the ground and dig holes for themselves, so first you should purchase a filler that is similar in structure to earth or sand.
I recommend clumping litter. It is suitable for both the smallest and adult cats, especially at the learning stage. When liquid gets in, such filler immediately forms lumps that are easy to remove, and the remaining one will be clean. In addition, it is small and suitable for burying excrement.
Pet stores offer us other options: mineral, wood, silica gel. I will not dwell on them in detail, because they are rarely chosen at the stage of toilet training and are mainly acquired when the animal already knows a place to relieve itself.
Do not use pieces of newspaper or napkins for toilet training. It won't help.
Choosing a place
Most often, animals go to the toilet in secluded corners. This is due to the fact that this way they feel protected. Therefore, you need to choose the appropriate location for the tray and not change it without good reason.
Place the container away from batteries, washing machines, TVs, and intercoms. Any loud or unexpected sounds can confuse your pet. In addition, the place should not be a walk-through area.
First actions
When the pet is in the house, he needs to be given some time to get used to it in a dark corner. At first, you should not disturb him or touch him with your hands. But some procedures must be carried out almost immediately, without delay. First, you need to check your nose and eyes - discharge from them indicates the presence of infection. Secondly, you should wash the animal using a special shampoo for kittens to get rid of ectoparasites. Be prepared for the fact that the kitten is not accustomed to such procedures and therefore will bite and scratch.
The pet will need to be shown immediately to a veterinarian so that he can determine its age, take the necessary tests and advise on vaccination, feeding and care.
What should you not do when training a street animal to use a litter tray?
Mistakes that inexperienced owners often make when training a stray animal to use a litter box:
- punishment: if the cat does not immediately get used to it and continues to shit in the wrong place, you should not shout at it or use physical force - this will cause additional stress and will only aggravate the problem;
- untimely cleaning of the litter box: cats are clean creatures, and if the potty is not cleaned on time, the pet will feel disgusted with its new toilet;
- uncomfortable tray: if the new toilet is too small, cramped and uncomfortable, the cat will not go there, in this case the only way to solve the problem is to replace the tray;
- location of the toilet next to the food bowl: a cat will never shit where it eats, so you should choose a place to locate the cat’s “bathroom” as far as possible from the feeding bowl.
Arrangement of the place
Cats are quite finicky creatures. They won't use the litter box if they don't like its location.
Therefore, it is important to create the right, comfortable conditions for your pet.
Cat door. The pet should not depend on the actions of household members who left or locked the door at night, as a result of which he will not be able to go outside.
If this is not possible, you need to regularly let the cat outside, starting in the early morning. It is recommended to do this according to a specific schedule so that the cat develops a routine.
Choosing a location. This is an important nuance that has a number of requirements:
- Soft soil. The cat should be able to bury its own waste. If a children's sandbox is installed on the site, it must be closed with a lid, otherwise the cat can use it for its own needs.
- Security. The chosen place should be covered with a wall so that the cat feels comfortable and safe.
- Top protection. If the owner decides that the cat will go to the toilet outside, the place should be chosen so that the pet is not disturbed by rain or snow. Accordingly, there must be a canopy.
- The place for the cat's toilet should be calm and secluded, and other pets should not have open access to it.
After the place has been chosen and prepared, you can begin to train your pet to go to the toilet outside. In the chosen place, for example, in the front garden, you should install a tray with the usual filler. Bring the kitten to him. The sides of the toilet should be clearly visible to the animal. After a few days, sprinkle the tray with a little earth. When the kitten is already comfortable with the new toilet, it can be completely covered with earth.
Toilet house for cats
This option will be an excellent replacement for a regular tray. It will be convenient for your pet, and it will be easier for you to clean it.
The toilet house for cats has a special filter. It purifies the air. If for some reason you forget to clean your cat's litter box, filters can remove the unpleasant odor.
Animals are happy to visit such a toilet, because the house hides the cat from prying eyes thanks to its reliable walls and roof. And it is possible to install such a miracle device not only in the bathroom, but also in the hallway, neither the cat nor you will be embarrassed by the toilet.
Which cat litter is best? It’s impossible to say for sure; it all depends on the preferences of the animal. Some people like litter boxes, while others will happily go to a simple bright litter box, so you should start training your cat with the most ordinary one. And after some time you will be able to understand what is preferable for your animal.
