Helpful tips on training your cat plus information on behavioral problems

Housebreaking/soiling the house:

Kittens and cats have a natural affinity to using a litter box, but it is important the help your kitten get off to a good start.  The first step to ensure successful housetraining is to make sure you have the right equipment.  If the kitten was using litter prior to coming in your home, make sure you use the same type of litter.  The litter box should be made of a washable material such as plastic.  The sides must be low enough for the kitten to enter, but high enough to contain the litter. Some commercial litter boxes come with hoods that help control odor as well as keep in litter. The box must be placed in a relatively quiet are of the house in a minimal traffic area.  Be sure the box is easily accessible and not too difficult for your kitten to find

To ensure that your kitten uses its litter box every time, keep it within eyesight at all times.  If it stops playing and begins sniffing around, gently carry it to the litter box.  Praise any sniffing or scratching and give it lots of praise or a small food treat for eliminating.  Whenever you are unable to watch your kitten, restrict it to a cat-proofed room with its litter box.  Continue this for at least the first two weeks, until your kitten is using its box regularly. Also, make sure you keep the litter box clean and that the kitten is never frightened when in or around the box.  The box should be scooped daily and washed out weekly.  Many cats do not like to use an excessively dirty litter box and may look for a cleaner spot to use.When an accident does occur, do not scold your kitten as this technique does not work with cats and will only make them afraid of you. Instead, try to determine why your kitten did not use the litter box and work on a solution.

Causes for house-soiling:

Brand of litter was changed

Litter has scented additives or the odor of cleansers/deodorants.

Litter box is not cleaned frequently enough.

Kitten was frightened in or near the box.

Kitten has medical problems.

If soiling persists, make sure that the soiled area has been thoroughly cleaned and treated with a commercial odor neutralizer. Additionally, you should take your kitten to the veterinarian as a medical problem may exist.

Once you have trained your kitten and are confident in leaving them outside, adding a SmartCats StayHome fence will give you confidence that they will not leave the property or have any unwelcome neighbourhood animals visit them.