Home - Pets - 9 Tips For Toilet Training A Cat
9 tips for toilet training a cat

9 tips for toilet training a cat

Getting a cat toilet trained may seem like a time-consuming activity, but it is a must to keep the floors and other surfaces clean. The activity requires patience and the right tactics, but once cats get used to their litter boxes, life becomes much easier for their owners. However, as cats can be quite finicky when it comes to hygiene, one can use the following tips to toilet-train them with ease:

1. Choose a box of the right size
Cats need to be comfortable in their litter boxes, or they may reject them altogether. So, while buying a litter box, cat owners should measure the cats’ height and buy a box that is at least one and a half times that.

2. Determine the preferable litter type
Cats are often particular about textures, so they may not like all types of litter. However, the only valid strategy here is trial and error. So, one should try filling up the litter box with one type of litter and see if the cat takes to it. If not, they should empty the box and refill it with some other litter until they figure out the type of litter the cat prefers.

3. Reward the cat for using the litter box
When cats know they will receive a treat for something they do, they are likely to repeat the action. So, giving them tasty treats or praising them every time they use the litter box is a great idea to toilet train them.

4. Avoid choosing noisy spots
Cats guard their spaces fiercely and avoid noisy environments. So, if a litter box is placed in a noisy room, they might never really get used to it. A quiet room without many sources of disturbance is the ideal location for litter boxes. Also, cats do not like to eat where they do their business, so one should keep litter boxes away from where they are fed.

5. Clean the litter box frequently
An unclean litter box is sure to repel a cat, so cat parents should clean the litter box frequently, preferably every day. Also, they should empty the litter box of all its contents and clean it thoroughly once a week. An effective hack for cleaning litter boxes is to soak them in a solution of hot water and unscented dish soap for a few minutes. Then, the box should be drained, washed, dried, and refilled with litter.

6. Place the cat in its litter box
This approach to toilet-training a cat may seem too simplistic, but it may work. So, one can move the cat into its litter box immediately after its meals, which is when they usually defecate. If the cat begins going outside its box, one should move it back into the box. This way, the cat can make the connection between peeing or pooping and using the litter box more quickly.

7. Avoid punishing the cat
Punishments can instill fear in cats, and they may rebel against using the litter box. When it comes to toilet training, one needs to be extremely patient with their cats and reward them for using the box instead of punishing them for not using it. Using the toilet is an acquired habit in general, so one should give it some time and effort.

8. Avoid changing the litter abruptly
As creatures of habit, cats may be put off if the litter changes all of a sudden. For this reason, it is important for cat parents to test the waters first. One way to do this is to fill another litter box with the new litter and place it right next to the old box. If the cat leaves the old box to explore the new one, this could mean it probably likes the new litter. If the cat does not like the new litter and does not explore it for a while, it is best not to continue with it.

9. Consult a vet if necessary
If a cat rejects its litter even after all these efforts, it is best to consult a vet because not adopting this habit can be unhygienic and messy for cat parents and a health concern for the cat. In such cases, vets can identify the possible reasons for the issue and help one find solutions.

Latest Articles

4 hair styling tools that give a salon-like look
Beauty

4 hair styling tools that give a salon-like look

If you like to style your hair frequently without having to spend money at salons, you can invest in some basic hair styling tools. These tools can create beach waves or curls or even straighten them out. There are many hair styling tools that are versatile, easy to use, and do little or no damage to your hair. If you want to invest in hair styling tools, here are a few tools to check out: Hair straightener and curler Combining a hair straightener and curler that is suitable for all hair types allows you the freedom to try out trending hairstyles. Look for a professional straightener or curler with a ceramic or copper flat iron. Choose a flat iron that allows you to control the temperature so that you don’t damage your hair. Experts claim that setting the straightener or curler to temperatures as high as 455 degrees can help straighten the most challenging and rigid curls. The copper ceramic tools also ensure that the hair doesn’t break while you are straightening, leaving your hair straight and smooth once you are done. You can also choose regular and smart Bluetooth straighteners to help you choose the best temperature and care settings every time you use the tool. Hot air brush Hot air brushes combine a hairbrush with a flat iron and blow dryer. Choose the desired heat setting and gently brush your damp hair. It is essential to remember a hot air brush cannot be used on wet hair or right after your shower; your hair needs to be dry by at least 80%. It works well with mildly damp hair. The bristles in the hairbrush guide your hair, and the heated plates smooth and polish it. You no longer need to use a hair dryer to dry your hair after a shower and then use a straightener.
8 effective remedies for nasal polyps
Health

8 effective remedies for nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are tiny tear-shaped growths in the nose and sinuses, usually brought on by asthma, infection, allergies, or other kinds of inflammation. These polyps are usually painless and non-cancerous, however, they can be big enough to cause itchiness, breathing difficulties, sneezing, and running nose. Doctors usually prescribe nasal sprays that can relieve the symptoms and get rid of the polyps. However, one can also try a few natural remedies to deal with the condition: Neti pot (or nasal irrigation) Neti pot is a popular and convenient nasal irrigation device. All one has to do is fill this container with saline solution or add 1–2 tsp salt to distilled water or boiled (and then cooled) tap water. Then, one would have to lean over a washbasin or a sink and tilt their head sideways so that the liquid does not flow back into the mouth. One would have to breathe through the mouth, insert the spout into the upper nostril and allow the fluid to drain from the lower nostril. Then the nostrils will have to be cleaned by blowing the nose to remove mucus and dirt. This process should be repeated through the other nostril. The goal is to loosen and clear the mucus and debris like dust or pollen from the nasal cavity. Using a neti pot twice a day can help improve symptoms of nasal polyps. The container and hands have to be clean and dry to prevent infection. Steam inhalation In the absence of a nasal irrigation device, one can use steam to relieve nasal congestion, headaches, and other symptoms. People can boil some water in a pot or dish, place it on a counter or the dining table right in front of them as they sit in a comfortable position, and inhale the steam for a while.
4 foods that are surprisingly bad foods for diabetics
Health

4 foods that are surprisingly bad foods for diabetics

Many foods are portrayed to be the best for diabetics, but it would be surprising to know that even wholesome foods could cause a spike in sugar levels if the portion size is not moderated. Food choices truly matter when a person has diabetes. Under normal circumstances, one would think that these foods aid in better health and maintain sugar levels, but they don’t. Here are four surprisingly bad foods for those with diabetes: Brown rice While brown rice certainly has more fiber than white rice, a single cup of brown rice contains nearly 50 grams of carbohydrates. This can easily be broken into glucose which could spike the sugar levels. The alternative would be to cut down on rice and add more green leafy vegetables. Fresh fruit juice It does not matter if one opts for seasonal juice or those that claim that they have no extra sugar added. If we take an orange as fruit and look at its nutrient content, it has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber. An orange juice, on the contrary, has 45 grams of carbohydrates and less of other nutrients. Therefore, drinking juice is not the same thing as eating fruit.   Dried fruits If one thinks having a raisin is healthier than a chocolate cookie, think again. Raisins contain 1 gram of carb more than what is available in a chocolate cookie. That said, they are undoubtedly wholesome compared to a cookie. However, both of them would result in a spike in blood sugar. The same holds good for cranberries and apricots. Yogurt Yogurt offers a plethora of health benefits, including probiotics for gut health. However, they are heavily processed and contain a wallop of 30 grams of sugar, even in the best of the brands. Ensure to read the ingredient before buying one.