How Do Cats Know To Use A Litter Box

Hepper is reader-supported. When you purchase via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate committee at no toll to y'all. Learn more.

cat inside a hooded litter box

One of the biggest barriers nosotros hear near preventing new pet owners from getting a cat is their fear of training them to use the litter box. Still, training your cat is easy, and your cat will likely figure it out without preparation, but how practise they know? Keep reading while we explore various reasons for this behavior to help yous understand your cat ameliorate. Nosotros'll also cover some reasons your cat might not be using the litter box so you can spot any potential problems early.

How Do I Train My Cat to Use the Litter Box?

About experts recommend placing your cat in the litter box and scraping its forepart paw in the litter to aid it get the idea. Others recommend placing the cat in the box until information technology figures out what to do. We found that as long equally the litter box is in the same room as the kitten, it will discover it and begin using it. In fact, the cat will find the litter box no matter where in the house it is. We've had dozens of cats and never had a problem getting them to use a litter pan.

See also: How to Train a Devious Cat to use a Litter Box? seven Like shooting fish in a barrel Steps

cat litter box_Nadya Buyanowa, Shutterstock — Paradigm Credit: Nadya Buyanowa, Shutterstock

How Does My Cat Know to Utilise the Litter Box?

While no ane can be certain of why a cat does what it does, most experts concur that cats bury their poop in nature to assistance protect them from predators. Protection from predators might also explain many cats desire to run chop-chop from the litter box later using it. Cat poop is as well a social status symbol among cats, and the dominant animal volition leave its poop uncovered while the others will bury information technology. These strong instincts likely crusade the cat to seek out soft ground or litter to use for these instincts without training or guidance from you.

See besides: Why Does My Cat Try to Bury Her Nutrient?

Are There Cats That Don't Use a Litter Box?

Some experts claim that it is possible a cat won't acquire how to use a litter box, merely information technology is extremely rare. Wildcats bury their poop, so information technology is as automatic as running away when people get shut or eating. We have known people to train their true cat to apply a toilet instead of the litter box, but this results from a skilled trainer and non natural behavior.

cat sitting outside of the litter box — Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

Why Is My Cat Going Outside the Litter Box?

It can exist more than challenging to effigy out why your true cat stopped using the litter box than information technology is to get them started in the start place, simply the post-obit list will probably get you on the right track.

Your true cat is mad at you. If you find poop on your chair, pillow, shoes, or another place in the house that you lot like to frequent, there is a skilful chance your true cat is sending yous a message. Your cat will normally get dorsum to using the box, but you will need to picket out for time to come surprises.
Your cat doesn't like the litter box. Cats are extremely picky, and if you lot have simply switched to a new litter or box, there is a good chance your cat doesn't approve and is refusing to get in. Yous can endeavour to ride it out for a day or 2 to see if your true cat submits to using it, or you lot will need to switch back. If you are trying to utilise a ameliorate litter, you tin can try to get your cat used to it past slowly calculation more and more to their regular litter, getting them used to it gradually.

cat leaving the litter box — Paradigm Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock

Your cat can't utilize information technology. Many people purchase litter pans that are too pocket-size for their cat or put them near walls that make them hard to move around. Others might have an archway hole that's besides small. We recommend observing your cat while it'southward using the litter box every few months to make sure it's not having a hard time.
There are not enough litter boxes. Cats are territorial animals, and if you have more than 1 in your home, you can await disputes to break out. When this happens, i cat might refuse to employ a litter box the other is using. Most experts recommend having one litter box for each cat plus one box to forestall this blazon of dispute from taking place.
It'south also dusty. If you switched to a new litter, there might be too much dust in the air for your pet. Moving your litter box to an enclosed area can also cause it to exist too dusty.

smelly dirty cat litter box — Image Credit: Ninotee, Shutterstock

It's dirty. Cats are extremely picky, and many will reject to use a litter box that already contains poop, specially if it's from another cat. If you notice this behavior frequently, purchasing more litter boxes can help keep the poop off your floor until you have fourth dimension to make clean the boxes.
Your cat is sick. It could accept an injury that makes it also painful to enter the litterbox or a medical condition that doesn't give your true cat fourth dimension to reach information technology. If yous suspect your cat might accept a medical condition, it'due south of import to seek a vet immediately to accept your cat looked over.

If y'all're tired of all the smells and stains that come with pet parenting, you should check out the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Scent Eliminator Spray. Okay, information technology's our product, so we may be biased – simply we love it so much, we just accept to share it! It permanently removes even the very worst smells and stains, and nosotros offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Summary

Natural instinct is the most likely reason that your cat knows to apply the litter box. It's the merely place in your home that allows information technology to perform the important ritual of burying (or not burying) its poop, and information technology will likely search your unabridged house to discover it, even as a small kitten. The true cat volition exist unlikely to break grooming for its entire life, with few exceptions. The nigh common reasons being a alter in the litter they use, a health status, or a dispute with you or another cat.

Nosotros hope you have enjoyed reading and learned some new facts nigh your kittens. If nosotros have helped you understand your cat better, please share this guide to how cats know to use a litter box on Facebook and Twitter.

Featured Image Credit: Zoran Lensman, Shutterstock