Home-born kittens, at the age of 3-4 weeks, use their mother's example to learn how to use the toilet. Over time, they develop a habit and, getting to the new owners, the pets know that it is necessary to defecate in the tray prepared for them. But if the animal was taken from the street, or got to you at a fairly early age, you will have to teach it to the toilet yourself.
Site preparation
The modern market offers several types of trays for cats. They differ in size, functionality and design. By type of toilets are divided into open and closed. In the first case, the product is a square or rectangular tray with sides around the perimeter. Some models have a removable mesh that does not allow the pet to scatter the filler on the floor.
Speaking of closed toilets, it is understood that the design consists of the bottom and the lid, resembling a small house. Such a tray for most cats is more acceptable, it allows them to retire, and also prevents spilling of the filler. But unlike the open construction, the closed one needs to be washed much more often, as the pets may find it too dirty and will not want to defecate in it.
The fact is that inside the tray retains an unpleasant smell, which causes hostility in such clean animals like cats.
For kittens, choose a large open tray with low sides. At first, it is better not to use the retaining net, since the child instinctively needs to dig in the filler. When he gets used to the toilet, you can install the grid.
When choosing a place for a tray, it is imperative to consider that it should be easily accessible and isolated. And also should not stand next to bowls for water and pet food. Quite often, the owners put a pot for a kitten in the toilet room, but for a baby it is not very convenient. While it is small, the tray must be positioned so that it is visible, and it can be reached quickly and easily.
Filler selection
In order for a cat to go to the tray with pleasure, it is necessary to choose a good filling for it. It should not have a pronounced smell, lumps or dust - for animals such characteristics will be unpleasant and repulsive. In pet stores you can buy the following types of filler:
- woody;
- mineral;
- corn;
- silica gel;
- paper.
The last option is interesting because the paper after the defecation of pets changes color, which allows you to monitor the regular use of the tray as intended, and also helps keep it clean.
For small kittens at first it is best to use sawdust or paper, and when the baby develops a habit, you can try fine mineral filler, resembling sand. This option will be pleasant for the pet and convenient for the owner. When wet, the granules hold the liquid in one place and change color. Consequently, the tray can be cleaned partially, removing only contaminated filler.
How to train an animal?
Teaching a kitten to the tray occurs gradually, and this process can take 1-2 weeks, so do not think that from the first day the baby will stop shitting in places not intended for the toilet. The owners must be attentive and patient to the pet, because it is also not easy for him.
The first thing you need to acquaint the cat with a prepared tray, so that he looked around, got used to the smell of the filler.As a rule, the animal becomes interested in a new object, and they are not even averse to lie down or play around in it. It is recommended to visually show him that you can “dig” in the filler, but this should be done with your own fingers, not the paws of the animal. From the first time, the pet is unlikely to use the tray for its intended purpose, because it does not yet know what it is for.
You need to constantly monitor the kitten, periodically plant it on the pot, especially if he began to behave strangely, as if he is looking for something or is torn. Similar actions should be performed 30 minutes after eating. After the first successful results do not rush to clean the tray - the smell of leftovers will attract the baby, and next time, most likely, the pet goes to the toilet at the same place.
After each successful visit to the tray of a kitten, you need to praise, but you should not blame for “misses”. Places where the baby spoiled, you need to thoroughly wash with detergents. If this is repeated repeatedly, then put in a place a bowl with food and water - cats will not shit where they eat.
Using special tools
To simplify the task of the owners will help a special tool for teaching the kitten to the tray called "Smart spray." Its smell attracts animals and signals that it is possible to defecate in this place. The tool is sprayed on a piece of paper, which is placed in a tray, or sprayed directly filler. After that, you need to bring your pet to the tray so that he meets with his toilet.
Means are also available to protect areas that are not intended for use in the toilet. Mostly they are also available as a spray, but have a repulsive odor. This tool needs to spray the places where the kitten shits. It can be applied not only to the floor, but also to surrounding objects, for example, a sofa, a wall, a curbstone, curtains, and so on.
All specialized products are completely safe for pets and in no way harm their health.
On how to properly teach a kitten to the tray, see the following video.
