With all this working for us, we don’t actually have to train the cat. It actually makes more sense to say, “litter train the person.”

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We must be alert for, or eliminate, the two big reasons for litter box problems:

The cat is not altered.

What people call “litter box problems” can often be territorial spraying. Boys have the notorious reputation, but girls do it too. The latest research indicates the traditional “waiting period” before altering was never adequately tested, and the recommendations are now that if the kitten is in good health, and over two pounds, go ahead.

The cat is sick.

Once we have a routine going, and the cat suddenly doesn’t use their litter box, get them to the vet right away. This is a distress signal. We can’t fault the cat’s logic; this is a big red flare sent up into the night sky, impossible for humans to ignore.

Don’t put it off, thinking the cat is not acting sick. They don’t do that. In the wild, a cat’s survival depends on them not acting sick. So they don’t. Litter box accidents are a way of the cat sending a signal that fits with their instincts. So get them vet-checked, and head off worse problems.

Another pitfall is unknowingly having what I call a Marginal Litter Box. It’s not ideal, it’s only adequate. If we place the box in the wrong place, or don’t clean it enough, we are lowering the cat’s litter comfort. We can get away with a marginal situation as long as the cat puts up with it. If anything adds to the cat’s stress, then they can’t handle a dicey litter box arrangement, and they start having litter box problems.

If we are alert to not only have the cat use the litter box, but enjoy using the litter box, we have bullet proofed our housebreaking situation. It will then be a reliable warning sign; the cat is very upset to not use their box.

The number one thing we can do to make our cats happy with their arrangement is clean litter. By a wide margin.

Clean litter can trump all kinds of other preferences. Mr. Bond did not take to the enclosed Litter Robot as quickly as Puffy did because he is a large cat who dislikes a claustrophobic box. Yet the always-clean-litter inside the Robot motivated him to find a way to like it. Now, he loves it, and fusses over the operation like a construction boss.

Cats, being naturally clean, will avoid dirty litter. They need something clean to dig in, for instance. And since we have a lot of close contact with the cats, this is to our advantage, too.

The second thing they like is a calm, easy access, location. Just as some restaurants never prosper at a particular address, a poorly sited litter box will make this essential cat accessory something the cat feels torn about using. Even with the litter kept clean, a loud or unpredictable noise will make the cat feel tense. This should never be a time or place for the cat to feel tense.

More tips:

If we listen to the cat, we don’t have to figure out how the cat wants their box.

They will tell us what they want from their box.

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Find out how to create an Optimal Litter Situation with The Way of Cats. See my article The Invisible Litter Box.

I moved my 16 year old female cat’s litter box from the spare bathroom to my closet. It fits fine and we get no more water splashes from the shower and litter on the guest room floor. BUT – while she uses the box in its new location, she still uses the old bathroom floor and rug. How do I stop her from using the old bathroom as her litter box?

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Dear Reader,

She’s sixteen, which means she relies a lot on her old habits. If she gets an urgent call of nature, and heads to where she’s used to going, there might not be enough time for her to realize her mistake and doubleback to where the new box is.

And she is willing to use her new box. I’m betting she just forgets.

Help her remember by:

Leaving the bathroom door closed for now. This is an immediate signal that indicates the old place is no longer available.

Give her time to make new habits.

And if she has a pattern to when she uses the litter box, be alert at those times, and remind her by showing her where the new box is. Make it a happy time; tell her how glad we are she is using the new place, praise her for doing so, and tell her we are reminding her where it is.

How many times have we moved something, and then kept going to the old place where it was kept? Lots, I bet. The cat can go through the same thing.

If this doesn’t work, try a strong scent to drive them away. A rag sprayed with that orange cleaner works well, or peppermint scented candles, anything with that sharp scent. If it makes our eyes water, it will do worse to the cat’s nose.

Also, since cats tend to not go where they eat, put some bowls of food there, or feed her treats there. Or stack some precariously perched empty cardboard boxes or empty tin cans there, so brushing against them causes them to topple.

Making it an unpleasant place to go will remove the urge to keep going there.

Just wanted to say thanks again for your great advice. I have been feeding her there and the behavior has stopped. You are the cat whisperer!

You are welcome.

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There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on CAT CARE.

My Robot Experience

What to expect?

How the cats will react?

How it improved all our lives?

Well, that’s how it got so long! With some favorite pictures of my Cat Boys.

It will be up top in my Pages section, on the left hand side of the header.

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There’s more to raising and training a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CAT TRAINING TIPS.