Make sure your cat can physically access his litter box. Do not put the box on a high shelf or an otherwise difficult to reach area if your cat is old and has trouble jumping or climbing. Avoid noisy or high-traffic areas. Do not place a litter box next to a washing machine, for example, or in a crowded hallway that gets a lot of foot traffic. Cats want peace and privacy, but they also want convenience. [2] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Do not put your cat’s litter box in close proximity to its food and water dishes. This may discourage your cat from using the litter box. [3] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Put out enough litter boxes so there are 1 more than the number of cats you have. For example, if you have 1 cat, you should have 2 litter boxes. [4] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.
Wear rubber gloves while handling cat feces to reduce the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. [7] X Research source Scoop out solid waste and clumps of urine-soaked litter everyday. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling soiled cat litter, even if you wore gloves. [8] X Research source Do a thorough cleaning once a week. This entails dumping out old litter, washing the litter box with a mild detergent, thoroughly rinsing the soap away, drying the box completely, and pouring in a fresh layer of litter. You should only add about two to three inches (five to seven centimeters) of litter when refilling the box. [9] X Research source
The most common types of cat litter are clay litter, clumping litter, crystal/silica gel litter, and bio-degradable litter. [11] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Switch litters gradually, rather than abruptly, to minimize the shock and confusion to your cat. Mix a small amount of the new litter in with your cat’s existing litter every day over the course of three to five days. If you change litters gradually, your cat shouldn’t notice a difference. [12] X Research source If your cat continuously relieves himself in a potted plant, he may prefer using soil instead of litter. This can be especially problematic in cats that used to live outdoors. Try lining your cat’s litter box with potting soil, and see if he uses it. [13] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
If your cat eliminates his waste outside the litter box, it’s important to immediately wash that surface with an odor-neutralizing enzymatic cleaner. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If your cat can smell his urine on the carpet, he might begin to associate that spot or that texture with going to the bathroom. If your cat passes solid waste outside the litter box, pick it up (with a paper towel or gloves) and place it in the litter box. This will give your cat scent-based cues to use the litter box next time. [18] X Research source Try making unwanted elimination areas less desirable to your cat. If he has a part of the house that he tends to relieve himself in instead of using his litter box, leave tin foil or double-sided tape on the floor in that spot to discourage him from going there. [19] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
This should only be used as a last resort, when nothing else has worked. Do not confine your cat to a small room for extended periods of time. It is cruel to lock your cat up over long periods of time. Make sure your cat has food, water, and his bed in the room with the litter box. Keep the litter box on the opposite side of the room as the food, water, and bed. If he poops on the floor, scoop it up and put it in the tray to give him a scent mark to return to. If you cat is absolutely sold on a substrate, such as soil or carpet, and refuses to use the tray, then put that substrate in the tray. If necessary, purchase multiple pieces of carpet off cut and put it in the tray. Once the cat uses the tray with carpet in it, start to sprinkle cat litter over the carpet in the tray, to give the cat the idea. Replace sodden carpet with fresh in the tray.
Never hit your cat. Likewise, do not yell at him or squirt him with water if he has bitten you. Over time, these negative responses can cause your cat to become fearful of you. [22] X Research source Try changing the nature of your play if your cat becomes too aggressive. It’s possible that he has slipped into hunting mode. Use a toy with a long string or handle to allow your cat to exercise his need to hunt without causing you injury or creating poor behavior. [23] X Research source
If your cat’s ears are flattened or its tail is whipping back and forth quickly, it probably doesn’t want to be pet or handled. [25] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.
Try using catnip. Many stuffed cat toys come with a velcro pouch to insert catnip, or you can simply sprinkle some catnip on the floor and let your cat roll around in it. About half of all cats won’t find catnip desirable, but those that do will enjoy a short, safe burst of play time, followed by a period of ecstatic inactivity. [28] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
If you catch your cat scratching furniture, a carpet, or any other place he’s not supposed to scratch, interrupt him with a sharp noise. Try clapping your hands or shaking a jar full of coins to startle your cat out of his scratching. [30] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Immediately direct your cat to his scratching post. By interrupting his scratching of furniture and moving him to an acceptable object like a scratching post, you are reinforcing for your cat the notion that some objects are okay to scratch, but not others. [31] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Soak several cotton balls in either citrus oil or a menthol-based muscle rub. [33] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Try dabbing the cotton ball on the legs and armrests of furniture your cat tends to target. Note that this will leave your furniture with a slight odor and may cause staining. Citrus oil may be less likely to stain. If you’re concerned about the oils soaking through to your furniture, you may want to try simply taping the cotton balls onto the legs of couches and tables your cat tends to scratch. [34] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Be advised, however, that your cat will come to associate you with the unpleasant sensation of being sprayed with water. He may even come to fear you. [35] X Research source
Apply double-sided tape to one side of a plastic laminated placemat. [39] X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane Society Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source Lay the placemats across the counter. [40] X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane Society Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source Over time, your cat will come to associate the counter with the unpleasant experience of walking on tape.
Hold the treat in front of your cat’s nose so he understands that there is a potential reward waiting for him. Slowly move the treat in your hand over and behind his head. Continue to do this until your cat tips his head up and sits down on his bottom. Praise your cat and give him the treat as soon as he completes the “trick” of sitting down.
