How to Train a Kitten: A Step-by-Step Litter Training Guide

Generally, it is a big misconception in the minds of many that cats cannot be trained. training a cat is a challenging task, however, train a kitten is not as easy as training a dog. It requires a little patience and attention. There are many ways to train cats and training them from kittenhood is an effective method. Here’s a detailed guide on how to train a kitten that will help you teach your furball and bond with them. Training a kitten is a fun experience. As a cat parent, you feel proud and motivated when your kitten learns a new trick.

how to train a kitten: A Step-by-Step Guide

When training a kitten, your patience, understanding, and consistency play an important role. Here are some essential tips that will help you during training:

kitten

Understand the behavior of your kitten/cat

It is crucial to understand the behavior of your kitten before the process of training. All kittens have different temperaments, depending on their gender and breed. Some kittens are very playful and sometimes it becomes difficult to handle their mischievous and misbehavior. Such kittens can be taught new skills and discipline by being given treats and attention. During their training, their creative nature attracts their attention to new things. Kittens have a short attention span, so cat toys can be used to make the training session entertaining.

Training before giving meal:

orange tabby kitten

Kittens are more active on an empty stomach and it becomes easier for them to learn new activities. Giving treats during this time acts as a reward for cats and kittens and encourages them to learn new things. Giving food after 30 to 45 minutes of training activities will increase their hunger and restore their exhausted energy. Cats and kittens like to sleep after eating and it is difficult to get their attention at this time, which makes them irritable.

Eliminate distractions

Getting the attention of kittens is a task in itself, so loud music and noise made by children divert their focus. If you have other pets in your house, they can also become distractions. So try to train them in a quiet and secluded place. Training in a park or on the terrace will make them lose focus due to the sounds of birds.

Start with litter training

It is very difficult to take cats for a walk tied to a leash like dogs. For indoor cats, the question arises how to litter train a kitten and how long does it take to litter train a kitten By following these steps, you can train your kitten just in 3 days.

Choose the right litter box: Use a litter box that the kitten can easily climb into. The size of the box should be sufficient for the kitten.

Introduce the kitten to the box: Put the kitten in the box 3 to 4 times a day. After 10 minutes of eating, pick up the kitten and put it in the litter box. Hold the kitten’s paws and let it dig in the litter.

Use tissue paper: Rub the tissue paper on the kitten’s genitals and put it in the litter box. The kitten will get accustomed to the litter box by smelling it.

Accessible location: Place the litter box in a place where your kitten can reach it at all times. There should be no barrier or gate in between.

Important Tips

  • Kittens are very sensitive to smells, so clean the litter box regularly.
  • Use good litter material that absorbs odors and liquids and stays fresh for a long time.
  • Boost your kitten’s morale by giving him treats after he uses the litter box.

how to train a kitten not to bite

Whenever your kitten is nipping or scratching you should say no in a loud voice like Nooo…. or instead of shouting, if it bites then ignore your kitten and stop playing for some time so that it understands that you did not like its bite. And slowly it will give up this habit.

cat biting

Kittens like scratching and biting. This is part of their normal behavior. You can only teach them what to bite and what not to bite. You can teach them by giving them soft toys like stuffed mice.


how to train a kitten to be cuddly

Here is some advice that will strengthen your bond with your kitten and she will start to cuddle you.
Pet your kitten.

cuddle with cat
  • Avoid sudden movements, yelling, or aggressive actions.
  • Look into your kitten’s eyes and blink slowly. This will strengthen its faith in you.
  • Spend time with her.
  • Do not compel it to do anything it does not want to do.
  • Use treats as a reward.

train a cat to go outside

  • First, you have to make your cat habituated to coming when called. You can call it by its name or by whistling sound. You can reward it by giving it its favorite treat when it comes near you.
  • You can first take it to the doorstep of the house after closing the leash.
  • Initially take it outside for 10 to 15 minutes. Then gradually increase the time.
  • Try to establish a routine in which the cat is introduced to the areas around the house.
  • While taking the cat for an outdoor walk, do not pick it up, let it roam around with the leash.
  • Keeping safety in mind, do not take it to such areas where there is a lot of traffic and noise. Avoid roads with street dogs.
  • Do not forcefully pull the leash.
  • When it becomes comfortable, call it near you and give it its favorite treat.
cat walking on street


Things to keep in mind while training a kitten


Be calm and patient

Training a kitten is not an easy task, it has many ups and downs. Just keep in mind that you have to teach your dear kitty with love. Sometimes it is possible that you do not see any change in your kitten for a few days, in such a case you should not get angry nor should you shout or hit your kitten. You have to be patient, with love and the right technique your kitten will learn everything easily. You have to focus on one skill first, when the cat or kitten starts following the command of that skill well, then move on to the next skill.

Consistency

Training a kitten is not a one-day game. It is a matter of building a bond between you and your companion cat. Consistency plays an important role in teaching and learning. You need to learn the right techniques continuously and then use those tricks in your daily training of your kitten.

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