House training your cat
Cats are naturally clean animals, so toilet training is usually pretty simple. Cats are also rather secretive about their toilet habits, so try to let them “do their business” in private.
Young kittens often learn how to use a litter box by watching and copying their mothers, so your kitten may already be trained -- or almost -- by the time you bring her home.
Litter boxes
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The litter box should be placed in a quiet, inconspicuous spot so that the cat may use it comfortably and in private -- she doesn't like an audience when she is eliminating. And don't place the litter box near the cat's feeding bowls -- she doesn't like to soil her feeding area.
Cat litter
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There are several types of cat litter commercially available. Whatever litter you use, it should be absorbent. Some commercial litters are deodorized to minimize smells from the box.
Cats do not like to use a soiled litter box. Remove the soiled litter at least once a day, and remove feces as soon as you find them. At least once a week, change the litter completely and wash the box thoroughly. You might also disinfect the box, but be careful to use disinfectants that do not contain phenol, which is extremely toxic to cats. Other strong disinfectants may smell offensive to cats and deter them from using the box.
Remember; always wash your hands after handling the litter box.
Outdoor access
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If you let your cat outdoors, first make sure that she has had two or three weeks to get used to her new accommodation. Don't let your kitten come into contact with strange cats until she has completed her course of vaccinations. Rather, let her have access to a confined area of the yard that is supervised and escape-proof. If, however, other cats in the neighborhood visit your yard regularly, keep your kitten indoors until her vaccinations take effect. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
Spraying:
Un-neutered male cats will often mark their territory by "spraying" objects with their urine, which has a characteristically unpleasant smell. Neutered males and both neutered and entire females may also spray objects with urine, but they do so less frequently and the odor is less pungent.
Most often, neutering of tomcats solves the problem. Your vet may recommend hormonal treatment in some circumstances, as well. Females that spray urine may also be spayed. Please check with your vet.
Problems with toilet training:
A breakdown in toilet training can often be traced back to a particular incident, such as a bout of diarrhea or a disruption in the cat's normal daily routine. If a kitten or cat persists in soiling an inappropriate area, the following guidelines may help to solve the problem.
Make sure the litter box is kept clean - but be careful because many cats don't like the smell of strong disinfectants.
- Make sure the litter box is private and not situated close to the feeding area.
- Make sure that the litter box is large enough for the cat.
- Make sure that the sides of the box are not too high for a young kitten.
If the cat chooses to eliminate in one particular area, make that spot as uninviting as possible.
Alternatively, move her feeding bowls or bed to the area - most cats will not soil where they are to eat or sleep.
Try to minimize any disruptions to the cat's routine and check whether there are any new cats (or dogs!) in the area.
Try using a different type of litter. The deodorant in some cat litters may be repellent to your cat.
If you catch your cat in the act, try “shunning” or isolating her from the rest of the family for a short while to deter her from repeating the same mistake.
If these strategies have no effect, have your cat checked by your veterinarian to ensure that she does not have an underlying medical condition.