Toilet Training

Cats are usually fastidious about cleanliness and most kittens have been house-trained by their mothers; just in case yours has not learnt its lessons, be prepared for the worst. In any event, you should ensure it is able to cope with the facilities you have provided in case it is left in the home for extended periods of time when it is older.

Place the litter tray in the position you have chosen, preferably a quiet spot away from the human traffic lanes and not too far away from the kitten's bed. If it does not use the tray, quickly carry it to the tray, but do not punish it. A distracting noise, a handclap for example, will often stop toilet activity quicker than you can reach the kitten to carry it to the tray. Incidentally, a handclap can also be used to stop any undesirable activity such as scratching the furniture, chewing electricity cables and so on.

Using the Litter Tray:

• Until the habit of using the litter tray is firmly established, confine the kitten to a small room with its litter tray whenever it cannot be closely supervised.
  
• Place the box in an area that is easily accessible and provides some privacy.
  
• Provide at least two boxes if you have more than one cat.
  
• Scoop the box daily and completely clean at least once a week.
  
• Avoid using strong-smelling disinfectants to clean the box.
  
• DO NOT medicate, punish, scold or do anything else disagreeable to the cat when it is in the litter tray.
  
• If you change the brand of litter, gradually replace the old litter with the new over a 5 day period.
  
• NEVER rub the pet's nose in urine or stool if it misses the box.
  
• NEVER use any physical punishment. Any reprimands for not using the box must only be given during the act of eliminating.
  
• Neuter the pet soon after it reaches 6 months of age.
  
• Call your Veterinarian or a behaviourist at the first sign of problems. Housesoiling which has persisted for a long time can be very difficult to correct.