By Muna wa Wanjiru
Training a toddler to use the toilet is hard enough think about toilet training your cat! There are many books that have been written on this particular subject. Earlier times when people actually lived in houses that had gardens you would find that cats go into the garden and do their potty right in the garden soil and then cover it up with more soil. However, times have changed now and more people are living in apartments where there are no gardens for the cats to use and it is very difficult toilet training a cat.
Now that you have a cat in your apartment and would like to toilet train it. Just imagine how you would go about it. You could buy books where they teach you how to toilet train your cat. But most of the advice that is given in those books simply do not work on all cats.
Each cat has its own unique personality and what works for one cat need not work for another. Normally in homes we have what is called the litter box where the cat goes and eases it self. But the litter box can get smelly too and the whole smell can pervade the house causing an unpleasant experience especially to guests.
But to toilet train your cat you must first make your cat use the litter box. Slowly as time goes by you can get your cat toilet trained easily with a little bit of patience. Begin by keeping the litter box all over the room and slowly move the litter box to the toilet area.
Once the cat is aware that it has to use the litter box it will begin to look for the litter box to ease itself, so in a matter of time it will also come to the toilet. This is a good way of toilet training a cat.
As you move the litter box close to the toilet seat make sure that you also trim the sides of the litter box. Next place the litter box on the toilet seat and allow the cat to go up to the litter box. Allow the cat to be comfortable with the box on the toilet seat.
Next make a small hole in the centre of the litter box and allow the cat to get used to this also. Slowly the cat will get used to the hole in the litter box. The last step is to cut out the brims of the litter box fully, leave only the flat cardboard on the toilet seat, and watch your cat.
Once the cat has learnt to balance it self nicely on the toilet seat you will find that he has learnt to use the toilet all by itself and you can pride yourself that you have been successful in toilet training a cat.
You can read books written by many people on toilet training a cat and also look up the internet for articles written by many people who have toilet trained their cats successfully.
About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Toilet Training for Years. For More Information on toilet training a cat, Visit His Site at TOILET TRAINING A CATI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On toilet training a cat At My Blog here Toilet Training A Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Litter Boxes For Cats
By : Charley Huang
As the market for pets is expanding, there are more and more choices available for pet owners now, and instead of plain cardboard litter boxes, there are various selections one can choose from for his cat. Litter boxes now range from old dishpans to used cardboards, or some store-stocked expensive products that you may find interesting.
Here are some choices of litter box you may consider:
a) Cardboard boxes. These are easy to obtain, and they’re disposable, which is inexpensive and ideal, although not a very reliable long-term solution. Cardboard litter boxes are popular with pet stores, animal shelters and breeders, but perhaps choosing something more lasting and sturdy would be a better idea.
b) Plastic pans. There are a large variety of plastic pans in ranges of shapes and sizes available that will be a better litter box for your cat. These pans are affordable and are easily obtained, as they can be bought in most household supply stores. There are shallow ones or deep ones, depending on your cat’s needs. Be certain to choose a pan that scrubs off easily, as plastic pans are not supposed to be disposable. However, if you do not prefer to clean the pans, you may find cardboard boxes a better idea.
c) Covered Litter Box Pans. Although not the smartest option, this choice is also worth consideration. Covered pans manufacturers claim that having a lid on the litter box will prevent children and smaller pets from accessing the litter box as well as keep the house from stinking. Although it carries some truth, some pet owners are liable to forget to clean the box as often, as they cannot smell the cat’s poop due to the lid of the pan. As a result, the cat will be forced to use a dirty and smelly litter box. Therefore, if a covered pan is your preferred choice of litter box for your cat, do remember to clean it more frequently than you would a non-covered litter box.
d) Self-cleaning litter box pans. Let’s face it, the worse part about being a pet owner is to clean up after the pet after it answered nature’s call. However, technology has allowed the invention of a “self-cleaning” litter box. Pet product manufacturers have found an almost hands-free solution. Some self-cleaning boxes come with inserts which you have to dispose of and replace with another. Others may have a rollover collector that captures the cat poop while the clean granules remain on the pan. The collector is then removed and disposed of while more granules are added if necessary.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
For more information on Cat Litter Boxes or visit www.siamesecatsinfo.com/4-types-of-cat-litter-boxes-you-can-choose-from/, a popular website that offers information on Cats, Cats Breeding, and Cats Behavior. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks
As the market for pets is expanding, there are more and more choices available for pet owners now, and instead of plain cardboard litter boxes, there are various selections one can choose from for his cat. Litter boxes now range from old dishpans to used cardboards, or some store-stocked expensive products that you may find interesting.
Here are some choices of litter box you may consider:
a) Cardboard boxes. These are easy to obtain, and they’re disposable, which is inexpensive and ideal, although not a very reliable long-term solution. Cardboard litter boxes are popular with pet stores, animal shelters and breeders, but perhaps choosing something more lasting and sturdy would be a better idea.
b) Plastic pans. There are a large variety of plastic pans in ranges of shapes and sizes available that will be a better litter box for your cat. These pans are affordable and are easily obtained, as they can be bought in most household supply stores. There are shallow ones or deep ones, depending on your cat’s needs. Be certain to choose a pan that scrubs off easily, as plastic pans are not supposed to be disposable. However, if you do not prefer to clean the pans, you may find cardboard boxes a better idea.
c) Covered Litter Box Pans. Although not the smartest option, this choice is also worth consideration. Covered pans manufacturers claim that having a lid on the litter box will prevent children and smaller pets from accessing the litter box as well as keep the house from stinking. Although it carries some truth, some pet owners are liable to forget to clean the box as often, as they cannot smell the cat’s poop due to the lid of the pan. As a result, the cat will be forced to use a dirty and smelly litter box. Therefore, if a covered pan is your preferred choice of litter box for your cat, do remember to clean it more frequently than you would a non-covered litter box.
d) Self-cleaning litter box pans. Let’s face it, the worse part about being a pet owner is to clean up after the pet after it answered nature’s call. However, technology has allowed the invention of a “self-cleaning” litter box. Pet product manufacturers have found an almost hands-free solution. Some self-cleaning boxes come with inserts which you have to dispose of and replace with another. Others may have a rollover collector that captures the cat poop while the clean granules remain on the pan. The collector is then removed and disposed of while more granules are added if necessary.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
For more information on Cat Litter Boxes or visit www.siamesecatsinfo.com/4-types-of-cat-litter-boxes-you-can-choose-from/, a popular website that offers information on Cats, Cats Breeding, and Cats Behavior. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks
Four Reasons Why You Have A Cat Litter Box Problem
By: Kurt Schmitt..
There are two main causes for a cat litter box problem. One is behavioral, and the other is physical. Before assuming it's a behavioral problem, you should always bring your cat to the vet so that you can rule out any physical causes.
If your cat learns to link a bad experience with the litter box, she may start to resent the box. If this happens often enough, she may stop using the box altogether. You should be aware that the problem may have a physical cause at the root.
Here are four physical reasons why your cat can't or won't use the box properly.
1. Urination Pain - if your cat has a physical problem causing her pain when she urinates, she'll learn to hate the box. When she absolutely can't hold it anymore, she'll go on your bedroom carpet. Remember that cats often return to the same spot again and again until you remove the odor!
2. Pain During Bowel Movements - if, for example, your cat is painfully constipated she will associate pain with the litter box. When she is finally able to go, it may be on the kitchen floor, instead of in the box.
3. Joint or Muscle Pain - in order to use the litter box, cats have to be agile enough to get in and out of the box. They also have to be able to squat comfortably. Arthritis, an injury, or any problem with your cat's joints or muscles may cause your cat too much pain. The litter box becomes associated with pain, and your cat doesn't use it.
4. Limited Range of Motion - it's possible that your cat may not be able to climb up into the litter box. If you have an older cat, or injury or disease has limited her movement, she won't be able to use the box.
Many readers believe that litter box problems are always behavioral. I hope this article has shed some light on other possibilities. If your cat is having a physical problem that you are unaware of, your vet can help sort that out.
Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can come up with a treatment plan. The treatments will vary for depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining for your cat will probably be required. Just make sure to exercise a lot of patience while your cat readjusts.
If a mobility problem is at fault, there may be some things you can do to help. Make it easy on your cat by getting a low litter box so your cat doesn't have to step too high into it. Also, a large box that is easy to move around in would be better. Depending upon your situation, your vet may have a treatment to help your cat's mobility problem.
Remember, a cat litter box problem that has a physical cause is usually fixable, once the cause is identified by your vet. Anything that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box needs to be addressed right away. If you catch these problems early on, they are much easier to handle.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
About the author: Kurt Schmitt publishes Cat Lovers Only as an aid to pet owners. See the site for the behavioral causes of a cat litter box problem and a longer version of this article.
There are two main causes for a cat litter box problem. One is behavioral, and the other is physical. Before assuming it's a behavioral problem, you should always bring your cat to the vet so that you can rule out any physical causes.
If your cat learns to link a bad experience with the litter box, she may start to resent the box. If this happens often enough, she may stop using the box altogether. You should be aware that the problem may have a physical cause at the root.
Here are four physical reasons why your cat can't or won't use the box properly.
1. Urination Pain - if your cat has a physical problem causing her pain when she urinates, she'll learn to hate the box. When she absolutely can't hold it anymore, she'll go on your bedroom carpet. Remember that cats often return to the same spot again and again until you remove the odor!
2. Pain During Bowel Movements - if, for example, your cat is painfully constipated she will associate pain with the litter box. When she is finally able to go, it may be on the kitchen floor, instead of in the box.
3. Joint or Muscle Pain - in order to use the litter box, cats have to be agile enough to get in and out of the box. They also have to be able to squat comfortably. Arthritis, an injury, or any problem with your cat's joints or muscles may cause your cat too much pain. The litter box becomes associated with pain, and your cat doesn't use it.
4. Limited Range of Motion - it's possible that your cat may not be able to climb up into the litter box. If you have an older cat, or injury or disease has limited her movement, she won't be able to use the box.
Many readers believe that litter box problems are always behavioral. I hope this article has shed some light on other possibilities. If your cat is having a physical problem that you are unaware of, your vet can help sort that out.
Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can come up with a treatment plan. The treatments will vary for depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining for your cat will probably be required. Just make sure to exercise a lot of patience while your cat readjusts.
If a mobility problem is at fault, there may be some things you can do to help. Make it easy on your cat by getting a low litter box so your cat doesn't have to step too high into it. Also, a large box that is easy to move around in would be better. Depending upon your situation, your vet may have a treatment to help your cat's mobility problem.
Remember, a cat litter box problem that has a physical cause is usually fixable, once the cause is identified by your vet. Anything that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box needs to be addressed right away. If you catch these problems early on, they are much easier to handle.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
About the author: Kurt Schmitt publishes Cat Lovers Only as an aid to pet owners. See the site for the behavioral causes of a cat litter box problem and a longer version of this article.