While we all love our feline friends, the stinky little surprises they sometimes leave around the house are far from endearing. To ensure your cat doesn't regularly deposit poo-shaped presents around the home, it's important to toilet train them properly from a young age.
The first step in this process is to select the right tray. Cat litter trays need to be durable and easy to clean so consider purchasing a hard plastic tray. Size-wise you should look for something that's big enough for your cat to lie down in (while quietly hoping that they don't choose to actually lie down in it). Your aim is to make your pet feel relaxed and comfortable and that won't happen if your kitty feels cramped while doing their business!
Before you bring your kitten home make sure your tray and related equipment are fully set up. Fill the tray with litter - commercial cat litter is a reliable choice as it has a high absorbency rate. These can come in scented varieties which are great for keeping your house smelling fresh; however, strong smells can put your furry friend off using areas for toilet purposes, so you may want to stay clear of these, at least at first. In case of any mishaps you should also put some paper underneath and around the litter tray, this will help identify your cat's waste 'landing pad' and make it easier to clean up any mistakes.
Place the tray in a secluded area away from your pet's food. Just like us pussies aren't keen on being watched while they pee and they don't like to go to the toilet where they eat. You will need to be patient but it shouldn't be too hard to train your cat to use a litter tray as they have a natural urge to bury their waste. The key is to build association between the tray and going to the toilet, which should start as soon as the kitty arrives. Take them to the tray after they have eaten, when they've finished playing and as soon as they wake up -times when they are likely to need to go. At first talk to them when they are in the tray and encourage them with gentle tones and move the litter around with your hands to help inspire them.
If your cat goes to the toilet in other areas of the house - move them and the waste to the tray as soon as possible to build their association with the correct spot and always be sure to reward them with praise and treats when they do go in the tray. Try and build going to the tray into their other behaviours. One way to do this is to direct them to the tray when they ask to be let out, that way they get used to being rewarded with a trip outside once they have had a successful loo trip. Although some cats might prefer to go outside in the garden this can upset neighbours who can end up with disturbed and damaged plants!
Finally, don't forget you have your own toilet duties. Clear out any lumps of waste daily and clean out the litter and disinfect the litter tray at least once a week, you may need to complete a full clean out more regularly if you notice any unwelcoming odours which will put off your pussy, as well as creating a whiff in the home.