Moving into a new home is a daunting experience for new kittens as well as seasoned adult cats. The feline must be given time to acquaint herself with the new space, the new adults and other animals in the house. For a cat to be happy, she has to feel safe and cared for. In the initial transition period, after a cat has been made aware of the new areas in her home, she must learn the laws of the land. But before training can happen, all felines like privacy and need to feel that they have a secluded location to eat, rest, and eliminate. Usually cats prefer their litter box to be further from where they relax/play, so bear that in mind when you arrange a cat’s eating and sleeping area. Older cats typically are able to adjust better to an unfamiliar environment, as long as the owner makes sure the cat knows where her space is. When a kitten is newly brought to a home, she will need to be kept in the same room as the food and water bowl, to remember where it is for a few days.
House Training
When your cat is welcomed into her new home, help her learn the rules by establishing consistent schedules and boundaries with your kitty. Show her the ropes of where she is allowed to go and where she is not allowed to go. Maintain consistent rules; if you don’t want your cat in the bedroom, make no exceptions, and put helpful barriers in the way. Always leave doors closed, and make sure those who live with you understand they are to do the same. This kind of consistency across the board will help your cat understand the boundaries that she must accept. Similarly, train her on a schedule that regulates when she is fed. Then after an hour or so of the first feeding, take her to the litter box. Consistency will help your cat become used to her new living space and the rules associated with it.
Set her up to succeed: Keep her in areas that are “safe”- without curtains, blankets, couches, or things she shouldn’t scratch. Instead add the carpeted cat structure, toys she can play with, in rooms with a hardwood/tile floor. This kind of environment is the perfect training ground for a cat it minimizes the chance to make mistakes.
Litter box: Let’s face it, this may be the most important element of training for cat owners. Litter is the loose gravel/woodchips/sand assigned to a designated area or box where your cat can leave her waste. This can be a box filled with anything from sand, gravel, shredded paper, wood chips, or dry clay powder depending on what you prefer. As some of the options like paper and wood cause odors to linger, most people prefer to use sand or gravel or other commercial litter options.
When you are teaching your cat to use the litter box, after the cat has taken a long nap for a few hours, carry her to the litter box and see if she will go to the bathroom. Once she has, pet, praise and feed her a treat to encourage the good behavior. Continue to do this for the first few days until your cat gets used to the routine.
If your cat is not using the litter box, she may have a bladder infection and try to alleviate pain by going in other places, and if the cat is not spayed s he could merely be trying to leave her “calling card” in different areas of your home, as a display of authority. Another reason she might be stepping out of character and using other places to eliminate, is if there has been a sudden change in her lifestyle, schedule, or if there has been a recent move. These kinds of upsets can sometimes cause cats to behave unpredictable, requiring patience and dedication and you work with your cat to remind her of the rules.
If the kitty has made a mess in certain areas of your home on several occasions, limit her area of roaming. Keep her only in the kitchen and laundry room until she becomes practiced in using her litter box and can be trusted in other rooms of the house. Though your cat might mean well, if she continues to make the same repeated mistakes, they could easily turn into a difficult habit to break.
If the litter box becomes too odorous, owners can opt for scented litter, room sprays, or by putting the box beneath a window or in another well-ventilated area. When using the litter box, it is important to keep the litter clean so that your cat will return to it. Though some pet-parents clean the litter box only a few times a week, this is not advisable since your cat might be tempted to urinate in a clean place elsewhere in your home. Simply brush out the dirty litter from the box, and pour a fine layer (about 1 inch) across the top for your kitty to use. Any unpleasant smell can be combated with vinegar or lemon juice sprayed over the new litter.
The most important training rule to remember is NEVER to punish your cat. They do not have the ability to associate punishment with a certain behavior if it administered after the fact. This will achieve nothing but fear in your relationship, causing your cat to distrust you and pull away. Instead of responding with harshness or discipline of any kind, just remind your cat of the right place to eliminate by taking her to the litter box. Since animals thrive with positive reinforcement, be sure to give the kitty treats and snuggles whenever there has been a success.
