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How to Train Your Cat to Use the Litter box

June 28, 2011 By lpcatsru Leave a Comment

Training a cat to use the litter pan is probably the easiest time you’ll ever have teaching your cat to do anything. Cats are instinctively clean animals and will practically teach themselves to go in a litter pan assuming they know that one is available. 

The first step to any successful litter-training program is to choose a litter pan that is both functional and pleasing to both you and your cat. Let’s face it, if the cat finds the litter pan distasteful, he will not use it. Litter pans come in three basic models: covered, uncovered and automatic. The covered units will come in two pieces, the main pan and a plastic shell that covers it. The uncovered model will have a similar base but lacks the hard plastic shell that covers it. An automatic litter pan will consist of a base and a motion sensor rake that will scoop the urine or feces out of the pan after the cat exits the area. The pan you choose will depend on your budget and your cat’s preferences. Some cats will refuse to enter a covered pan and many do not like the noise automatic pans make, so be prepared to purchase more than one pan just in case.

The type of litter you choose will also be determined by what your cat prefers. There are several different litter media you can choose from: clay, clumping, and shavings. Clay litter is inexpensive and practical, though will require that your pan gets regular cleanings as the urine will sink straight to the bottom. Clumping litter allows you to scoop both feces and urine, keeping the pan cleaner longer. Some owners prefer a biodegradable litter such as pine shavings or cedar, which absorbs urine, smells fresh and will completely decompose in the environment. 

It is best to work with a younger cat when starting litter training. Younger cats have had less time to develop bad habits or specific aversions to litter.    After feeding your kitten, when he wakes from a nap, or after a few minutes of hard play, place him in the vicinity of the litter pan and encourage him to check it out. You may need to place the kitten in the pan in order to get him in the mood. Most kittens will quickly take advantage of the litter pan as it caters to their natural elimination behaviors by allowing him or her to cover the urine or feces afterward. Lavish plenty of praise on the kitten after he has finished. 

In the early stages of training, it is best to keep the kitten in close proximity to the litter pan so that he has the opportunity to use it on his own. Most will use it as a matter of choice rather than to relieve himself on the floor.

Older cats may present a slightly tougher customer when it comes to litter pan use. Older cats have either already developed idiosyncrasies regarding litter pan use or have developed undesirable elimination behaviors. The first step is to purchase several different types of pans and litters. Most often, litter pan aversion is caused by a particular dislike of a specific pan or litter type. Next, keep the cat confined to a small room with a slick surface floor. This will encourage him to use the pan instead of the floor. Some cats have a particular distaste for using a dirty pan, so make sure the pan is cleaned after each use. 

If the cat you are attempting to train is an intact male, the behavior you are witnessing is not associated with litter pan aversion, but with territorial marking. Have the male neutered and you may see a decrease in territorial urinating. Females can also do this in an attempt to assert dominance in a multi-cat household. Ensuring that all the cats in a household are spayed or neutered will help reduce these behaviors. If all else fails, mature cats can be placed on Valium to help with elimination problems.

Written by Sandra Parker
Freelance writer, veterinary technician

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How To Train A Cat

June 28, 2011 By lpcatsru Leave a Comment

 

Cats are independent and willful, so it is impossible to train them, right? Well, actually, in most cases, it is perfectly possible to train a cat. The “in most cases” proviso is because cats vary dramatically in temperament and character. Subsequently, there are some cats that are more difficult to train than others.

However, despite not having a dog’s desire to please, even the most stubborn and independent cats can be taught basic behaviors, such as using the litter box. Of course, cats that are more interested in their human owners can be taught more advanced behaviors and tricks. The following training tips can be used with any cat or kitten.

1. Some cat owners find clicker training to be a very successful technique. You may like to consider a clicker or other form of cuing device when training. Simply, sound the clicker once or twice when you give the cat a treat. Soon, the cat will associate the sound and the treat and then the treat can be substituted for the click alone. It is wise to phase out food treats, because otherwise you will have a very well behaved, but very overweight kitty.

2. Regardless of the reward method you choose, it is a good idea to offer the reward immediately after a cat has done what you have asked. For example, when litter box training, ensure that you provide praise, the clicker or a treat as soon as your cat has used the litter box.

3. No matter what you are trying to train your cat to do, it is crucial to use positive reinforcement in order that the cat associates the action that you want with something pleasant. The use of catnip, or something that your cat particularly enjoys, is recommended, especially if you are having difficulty training your cat.

4. It is advisable to keep your training session quite short. 10-15 minutes is the longest that they should be, but if your cat becomes restless after five minutes, then you should cease and begin again some other time. If your cat is disinterested, you will not have any success. So try to keep training sessions interesting and, most importantly, as brief as possible.

5. Likewise, cats are not likely to respond well to training in a noisy or busy atmosphere. Therefore, it is wise to attempt training when the house is as quiet as possible and there are only a few people (whom the cat feels comfortable around) in the room. For some cats, however, the only technique that will work is one-on-one training.

6. A mistake that can easily be made is to alter the training methods or techniques. Consistency is all-important when attempting to train a cat. So, for example, if you have begun using a clicker then it is advisable to stick with this method. Additionally, always be sure to use exactly the same commands and try to use the same tone of voice each and every time you try to teach your cat a behavior or trick.

7. Perhaps the most important piece of advice that can be offered is this: do not punish your cat. Punishment is not an advisable method of training any animal, but it will prove particularly counterproductive with a cat. If your training style is having no effect, then try using another method, but never chide your cat. Of course, if it is a destructive or dangerous behavior that you are trying to modify, then you may find it helpful to administer a quick squirt of water from a plant sprayer. However, this should not be used to coerce a cat into doing a specific activity.

Bear in mind, all cats are different and so will not respond to training in the same way. However, these tips will provide a great basis for your cat and kitten training.

Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer, based in the UK. She is proud to work for remmeer.com, an online supplier of unique pet products, including personalized cat food dish place mats and cat clocks & home decor.

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How to Train Your Cat: Easy Cat Training Home Study Course ? Review

June 28, 2011 By lpcatsru Leave a Comment

When it comes to cat training, people need all the help they can get. Having the right information when attempting to train a cat is CRUCIAL. Although there is much information on the web about , much of it can be misleading. Most of the times, the author doesn’t really know how cats think and how they behave and just write because of their animal psychology knowledge. But cats aren’t at all like other animals. What you do to train a dog you certainly can’t do when training your cat. Unfortunately most owners don’t understand this and they can easily get down the road of frustration when attempting to train their cat.

A great by Anthony Nerman called: holds your hand and teaches you on a step by step basis, the exact techniques to easily train your stubborn cat into the most lovely and obedient pet. Click here to take a look at the course:  

As I said there is much out there. And some products kinda have it right and some – well, I don’t want to give any bad reviews or call names, but let’s just say that some just don’t get it. You know, I’ve come to the conclusion that whether you do or don’t do cat training, you are still training your cat somehow, and what you do will determine your cat’s behavior. Some of your behaviors can affect your cat in a way you don’t want to. Without having the right information to help you understand your kitty can really affect your relationship with him or her.

If you’re like me, then , so you can have a great relationship. But having kitty run away from you when you want to pet him might not be exactly what you had in mind. This can happen if you don’t understand the essential cat training concepts.

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