lizard@nbires.UUCP (07/21/83)
Does anyone have a solutions for training a cat to use its litter box? We have a 2 year old neutered indoor cat that prefers to poop in the tub than in his litter. So the bathtub is always kept filled. He prefers to pee in a corner on the carpet than in the box. I change the litter daily so its not a matter of the dls (dirty litter syndrome). Thanks in advance.
zzz@mit-eddie.UUCP (Mike Konopik) (07/23/83)
I don't have any suggestions for suppressing the in-corner peeing, but we had to train our youngest cat not to mess on the floors. At that time we read that they will react favorably (in that they will stop doing it) if you take the cat and lightly stuff its nose into the pile, say "NO!", and then take it to the litter box, depositing the mess there and covering it up with the litter. (this, of course, requires a pooper-scooper) You'll probably encounter some resistence to the first step, but after a week or so, you'll find that you aren't doing it much anymore, and after a month or so, none at all. If you decide to use this method, good luck... -Mike
mmr@ritcv.UUCP (Margaret M Reek) (07/25/83)
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vernak@tekecs.UUCP (Verna Knapp) (07/26/83)
Professional cat breeders often hear this complaint. It usually results from the cat being given a different kind of litter from what it is used to. The most common situation is when a cat that is used to clay litter is given Litter Green or something similar to use. Some cats simply will not use Litter Green. If this is what you are using, try switching to clay. I have also seen a cat that was used to Litter Green refuse to switch to clay. I hope you get a miracle cure. Verna Knapp
bmg@tekecs.UUCP (Barbara Gniewosz Theus) (07/30/83)
My vet says that training a cat to use a litter box is one of the easiest things you can train a cat. Since cats won't sleep where they litter, simply enclose them in an area that is twice the size of the litter box. Put the litter box inside, and leave the cat there for a day. Some cats need more, but most learn in one or two days. This is NOT cruel to the cat since they sleep through most of the day anyway. If you do not want to try to attempt this, your friendly local vet will probably do it for you for normal boarding fees. You won't even need to leave any special instructions with the vet because this is how they are normally boarded anyway. Good Luck.