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SillyTilly's Avatar
Catsey Junior
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 111
18-06-2006, 05:37 PM   #1

How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I'm very lucky that my new kittens are already litter trained.

But, how do I teach them where the litter trays are in my house. Eventually I want to have one in the bathroom upstairs and one in the hall way downstairs.

Should I start off with one in each room? Or will they learn quicker once if I just start with the two.

What should be the first step - physically showing them where they are? Putting them on their after they've eaten? Or something else?

I'm well aware that there will be a few little accidents to start off with, but I want to make it as smooth as possible.

Cheers

Olivia



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CJK CJK is offline
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18-06-2006, 06:01 PM   #2

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I just put them in it to start with, and let them jump out, they then seem to know where they are. I have four around my house lol, but some people are ok with one, i jsut have fussy cats



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Mags's Avatar
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18-06-2006, 06:28 PM   #3

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I have one litter tray.....but only have one cat I keep it by the back door and Cassie has never had any problem 'finding' it since she was a small kitt.......



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Catsey Veteran
 
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18-06-2006, 06:30 PM   #4

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I have one litter tray and 4 Cats, only 1 Cat uses it, put your kittens in it a couple times and leave free access to it, Cats are very clean creatures they will use it in no time.
Dawn.



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Donna's Avatar
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Cats owned: Tortie Chloe & Black Misty
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Location: Kent, UK
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18-06-2006, 07:09 PM   #5

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I put my two in the tray to start with when they were kittens, and they have never lost it since!!!! They know exactly where it is and never had accidents.



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MrsH's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 blue-eyed moggies
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Location: Hampshire
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18-06-2006, 07:20 PM   #6

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


When I first showed my 2 where the litter tray was, as well as picking them up and putting them in it I held a paw and scratched at the litter with it. One of mine had an accident on the kitchen floor the first evening so I then put the kitchen paper I'd used to mop it up with into the tray as well so the right odour was in there.

It's important that you don't move the tray around as they very quickly associate a particular area with the tray.



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Sweet's Avatar
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Cats owned: 10 cats (stray stayed) 3 sleeping x
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Location: Bristol
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18-06-2006, 11:29 PM   #7

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


I have one tray now and two kitties, but they go outside now mostly to do their business x



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dandysmom's Avatar
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Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
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19-06-2006, 02:39 AM   #8

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


Mine have always been indoors only; just show them the box & they've always used it/them (have 2, one downstairs & one upstairs).



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dinahsmum's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggie boys; 1 grey 1 red striped
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19-06-2006, 09:37 AM   #9

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


You could take a couple of plastic bags with you when you collect and scoop up a small amount of wee'd on litter to place in their new trays. Their noses will lead them to it.
However, I'd say don't worry - cats are amazingly clean and seem to be drawn, magically, to the litter tray. Obviously place them in prominent positions first of all and, if you want to move them at a later stage, do it inch by inch.



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smudgley's Avatar
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19-06-2006, 09:43 AM   #10

Re: How do I teach them where the litter trays are


It always amazes me how kittens are naturally so clean. Even litters that have been born outside & not come in until 5 / 6 weeks, naturally go in the tray.
To teach your little ones to use the tray won't be a problem, however they need to know where it is.
I would put the tray/s wherever they are going to be long term & leave them there, put the food water nearby & ensure the kittens spend most of their time in this area initially. No good having the tray in the utility room at the back of the house if kitten is spending all his time in the lounge at the front, as it's a lot to expect the kitten to remember to go through the lounge / hall / kitchen to the utility each time he needs the toilet (not suggesting that's what you would do, but just giving an example). It is much easier if the tray is close by.
then easy peasy lemon squeezy - they will quickly get into a nice routine.



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