There are several types of special cat litter. Some of them are made of pressed sawdust. They prevent odor and are good adsorbents, however, small particles often stick to the legs of an animal and spread throughout the house.
The most convenient and economical are the so-called clumping fillers: moisture is quickly absorbed and forms a small dense lump that is easy to remove. Such material can be used for a very long time; in addition, it allows you to always keep the house clean.
Fillers with synthetic flavors are also sold in pet stores.
At first glance, this seems like an excellent solution: thanks to special additives in your house there will never be an unpleasant smell. Nevertheless, it is not recommended to use them, since any extraneous smell can scare away your pet. Moreover, artificial flavors are even dangerous for kittens: curious babies may well taste an unfamiliar object, which can lead to very serious consequences.
Having prepared the tray and filler (in case you did not prefer to do without the latter), you need to choose the right place for your pet's toilet.
This must be done in advance, since in the future it will be very difficult to train a kitten (and especially an adult cat) to cope with its natural needs elsewhere.
Often a kitten refuses a toilet precisely because he does not like the place chosen by the owner. Therefore, the toilet should be primarily convenient for the animal. It is best to install the tray in a secluded corner, hidden from prying eyes (the cat will never relieve the need for witnesses). In addition, do not forget that the animal should always have free access to the toilet.
It is important from the very first days to create optimal conditions for the kitten. This also applies to cat litter.
Perhaps the best way out is to place the tray in the toilet or in the bathroom. If you put it on a fleecy rug, it will not slip and the kitten will not be able to turn it over.
To teach a kitten to use the toilet is far from as difficult as it might seem: after all, cats, as has been repeatedly noted, are characterized by innate cleanliness. However, in order for the pet to get used to a certain place, its owner will still have to make some efforts.
As soon as a kitten has appeared in your house, you should take it to the tray and give the opportunity to explore a new place. Having subsequently discovered that your baby is looking for a secluded corner, immediately take it to the place designated for this purpose and the place previously examined by it. If the kitten has successfully completed the task, you need to praise and gently stroke it: in this way the baby will receive positive emotions, and in the future he will develop a certain conditioned reflex. Do not forget to encourage the baby every time he fulfills your request.
If the kitten cannot get used to the proper place, it can be slightly scolded (but by no means physically punished), gently grabbing the withers, draw his attention to the wrongdoing, and then take it to the toilet and try to "persuade" the baby to do his job where required. Act only with praise or affection.
Among the owners of kittens there is an opinion that you need to spank a kitten if he again made a puddle on the carpet. However, this is still not recommended.
“Crime scene” is recommended to be thoroughly washed with a strong disinfectant to destroy the smell, which subsequently can repeatedly attract the attention of a pet. Do not poke your baby's nose into the puddle, as many owners do: it is unlikely that in this way you will be able to achieve a positive result. Quite the contrary, the kitten will only have a negative impression, and this may interfere with your future relationship with him.
Cat litter should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. For this, various means are used, for example, such as hot water with vinegar. It is not recommended to wash the pet's toilet with any strong chemicals that leave a foreign smell. Often, special scoops and panicles are sold complete with pallets, very convenient in the case of “clumping” filler.
Some cats prefer, like their owners, to use the toilet. Sometimes a pet can be specially accustomed to this. It is quite simple to do this: first you need the kitten to get used to the usual tray, which should be placed next to the toilet. Then put a book under the tray and gradually increase the level. When the tray is at the same height as the toilet, you can remove it. Most likely, in this case, the kitten will understand what is required of him. However, you should not force the baby to use the toilet if he is already used to another place.
If all the recommendations were followed correctly, your baby will quickly learn how to use the toilet.