Furry felines are very clean creatures by nature … perhaps an aspect that you have already heard or read about the nature of these beautiful creatures.
Trash training fits in perfectly with this natural behavior and helps further develop this cleaning instinct.
If this is your cat’s first time teaching a specific task, it can seem like a challenge. Still, with the right information and knowledge, you will eventually find this activity to be a very worthwhile endeavor. Trust me, it’s definitely worth the time.
Not sure what to do or even how to get started?
No problem!
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of pet training resources available that you can get to help you on your way to successful cat training.
Let’s look at some of the basic guidelines.
Experts suggest that the litter box should be placed in a quiet, clean, and easily accessible place or area. Make sure it is in an area that is less disturbing to your cat. It should also be very accessible so that when the need arises, your cat can easily use it to take care of business.
One way to introduce the idea is to gently rake your cat’s paws over the sand to help him understand the purpose and method of cleaning once you are done.
It is best to clean a cat’s litter box daily. Think about it for a moment … as we discussed earlier, felines are extremely clean creatures, so you want to encourage that cleanliness. One way to accomplish this is by keeping your area clean. By doing so, you will simply reinforce this natural tendency. In between changing it, you can also wash the litter box thoroughly with vinegar and a water solution to help with the odor. You can also add baking soda.
Take note of a very important rule when teaching your pet, and that is do not place the litter box anywhere near your cat’s food or water. These animals do not want to do their business where they enjoy their food. It’s a basic fact … I mean, really … would you?
In case your feline friend misses the designated spot, be sure to clean it up immediately with a vinegar and water solution. You should do this to help eliminate the odor and prevent the same thing from happening again in the area … because if you leave traces of the odor in that spot, your cat will begin to map that spot with his potty area. .
A fundamental rule when training your cat is to never punish him for having an accident in another area that is not the expected box.
Hitting your pet or rubbing his nose at the “business” will not teach him. Cats respond much better to positive reinforcement, so it’s best to frequently praise your kitty when she finds the litter box and uses it appropriately rather than the negative reinforcement of punishment.
While it may seem like a bit of work to teach your cat at first, litter training is definitely something worth the time and effort.