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In most
cases, training a kitten to use a litter box will be
very simple and straightforward. Cats have a natural
predisposition to cover their droppings and urine
markings. In nature, this behavior is very adaptive
since it masks the cat’s whereabouts, making it less
likely that the animal will be discovered by potential
predators or prey.
Most
kittens learn to use the litter box from watching their
mothers, usually when they’re about one month old. In
most cases, when you take a kitten home, the only thing
necessary to do will be to show him the litter box. You
should place the kitten in the litter box and gently run
his paws through the litter so he can become accustomed
to the texture. Then, you should step back and let the
kitten find his own way out of the box.
For
about the first week, you should take the new kitten to
the litter box as soon as he wakes up (both in the
morning and after a catnap) as well as after he eats or
engages in a lengthy play period. The kitten will
quickly get the idea about what’s supposed to take place
in the box.
Start
off with a small open litter box with low sides. These
models are less intimidating for a kitten than covered
boxes, plus they’re easier for a tiny pet to enter and
exit.
Make
sure to clean the litter box daily and to locate it in a
quiet area where the kitten feels secure. This area
should not be located near the kitten’s food. If you
live in a multi-story house, a box should be located on
each level.
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