Cats are magnificent creatures that make our lives healthier, and most certainly happier. On the contrary to the popular belief, they make great pets because they are able to develop strong bonds with their owners, feel their emotions and act accordingly, even when something is wrong with their owner’s health. It’s also been proven that cuddling with cats has therapeutic effects on our bodies and our minds, creating happiness hormones and relaxation, releasing our stress after a long day of anxiety. They are also great companions for all the people who are working a lot, and therefore are not able to enjoy the luxury of having a furry friend by their side. Luckily, having a cat as a pet is possible even in the fast-paced world we live in. The reason for that is the fact that they are not as demanding as dogs, they don’t need to be taken outside, on walks (but they surely can be taken on vacations and trips!) and they are comfortable inside your home, spending time alone, until you come back. Finally, it has been proven that cats owners have lower blood pressure and resting heart rate, compared to people who don’t have this cuddly creature as their best friend. This is extremely important information because it portrays some of the benefits people experience when living with a cat. However, if you ask a cat owner what are all the benefits, be sure they will come up with a long list of amazing things – not just one or two!
Still, if you are a cat lover or a cat owner, you are probably familiar with the fact that you have to teach your cat certain commands and rules in order to live with no worries that your pet is going to be fine (and your house as well!). Teaching your cat several things such as using the litter box, not biting you or not picking the plants in your home is, according to many cat owners, much easier than training your dog not to chew items in your house or not experience anxiety if you have to be away for work. However, it is something that needs to be done, if you plan on living in harmony with your pet. You can also teach her to sit, come, look at you and most of the commands you would think that only dogs can master. But don’t underestimate your furry friend!
First Things First
One of the first things that cat owners have to teach their cat pets is – using a litter box. Why is this important? The answer is simple. Cats are going to the toilet up to ten times a day. Imagine if they weren’t using the litter box. Where would they go and what would they do? Since it’s a highly important habit they need to establish, you might wonder what’s the right time for training your cat. The research shows that your pet can be only a couple of weeks old, and you can immediately start teaching them the basics about using the very box. One of the best tips you can get is not to wait too long and leave them a lot of room for developing bad habits, or habits that are not aligned with what you want to teach them. However, if your kitten is only one or two weeks old, you might wanna consider waiting, and from other people’s experiences, chances are that you will have to worry about other things such as making them go to the bathroom with a few stimulating tricks, because they are too young to have it all naturally regulated.
Introducing your pet to the litter box should go smoothly but efficiently. This requires a couple of things to do, and the first is purchasing at least two of these items if you have one cat. This way, it will be easier for your cat to understand the command and it will also be easier for her to find her intimate spot easier. Among various types of boxes, different sizes and materials, choose the one that has no special smell, texture or anything that would make your cat refuse to use it. You also need to make sure the box is of good quality and that it fits your budget.
When you’ve chosen the two boxes, that’s when the training starts. Well, it starts when you choose the two spots in your house that you will never change (or at least for a period of time). This is crucial for teaching your cat how to use them, because they need to get used to the same exact place for their daily toiletries.
The next step is showing your cat the boxes, make her sniff them and place her inside of them as many times as you can, to make her feel comfortable. A good trick is to put her inside soon after she wakes up or after you give her food, and especially if you see that she acts like she wants to use it – simply grab her and show her her spot. However, don’t forget that this spot has to be intimate in some way – because your cat will most certainly need some privacy when going to the toilet, according to many surveys.
Finally, you want to give your cat a reward every time she uses the litter box, because that’s the best way to create positive behavior and have good feedback when it comes to your training sessions. Don’t forget to do this even if she didn’t use the box all by herself, especially in the first couple of months where you will probably have to place her in her spot. Still, after the cat is finished, give her a tasty snack or something that you figured she loves to eat. Over time, you will give her less treats and in the end, she will use it without your help of your treats, which is exactly what you want.
Keep in mind that this is a natural process for cats, so if you follow these steps, you will have no problems with your favorite tiny buddy!
