Housebreaking Your Cat

Right off the start I want to say that Housebreaking your cat isn't just showing them how to use the litter box. It involves teaching them to scratch the scratching post rather then your furniture, and learn to develop bonds with humans around them.

A cat's first several weeks in their new home is a crucial time. You'll be preparing the groundwork for your relationship in the years to come. Cat's are very similar to people, in that first impressions are very important. If this is your first cat, get ready for one of life's great pleasures. Cats are great! But remember they have “ways” so you just go through housebreaking your cat correctly, while not going against their nature.

Confinement is a necessary part of housebreaking a cat. Use a bathroom if you can, and make sure it's large enough to have his litter box, and approximately 4 feet away his bed in a clean area. Also place some food and water, along with a scratching post in the confined area. If you cannot use a bathroom, cover and protect any furniture to ensure the only thing he can scratch is the scratching post. If there's a window in the room ensure it's closed, and has no cold drafts coming through.

It's important to have your new cats confinement room setup prior to bringing him home. You don't want to introduce him to too much too fast. This is a critical point to housebreaking your cat. Bring him home in a carrier, and to be safe place him directly in his confinement room. Having some wet food ready for him would be a good idea, remember what we said before, first impressions are very important.

Only allow one person in his confinement room at a time when he is first let out of the carrier. Another person may overwhelm him, at least during the first hour. When opening the carrier door, speak very gently and encourage him. Be friendly and sensitive. If he walks towards you, say encouraging words and his name with pride and joy. To help him get acquainted with the surroundings, show him the wet meal and the litter box. If he runs and hides, do not use his name or say much until he is more relaxed. Part of housebreaking your cat, is knowing that it's partially on his terms and when he's ready to experience things for himself.

The first day you have him home, try to keep everything as quiet and gentle as possible, and limit the number of people he has in his room. Time permitting , sit with him while he east his wet meals and for a half hour or so after eating, by that point he'll probably be looking for a little nap alone. A good way to comfort them for the alone time is to have a soft radio station playing on low in the background, also providing a night light when it's dark will reduce any anxiety.

One last point of housebreaking your cat, or maybe more housebreaking yourself to the cats ways, until you take your new kitten to a vet be sure to wash your hands before you handle him. You don't want the chance of transferring germs to him. If you have other cats or animals don't forget to spread the attention around, sometimes jealousy can set in with the older pets. Last but not least leave the empty cat carrier in another room with any other pets you might have. This will let them get the scent of the new cat, before they're officially introduced.

It can be a trying time but housebreaking your cat is a wonderful experience, that will lay the groundwork for a great relationship to come. Take the necessary time to make sure things go right, and you'll enjoy your new friendship for years.