This past summer one of the neighborhood stray cats developed several cysts on its neck that caused a major erosion and the cat was not healing successfully on its own. This particular stray has gotten cysts in the past but they would heal rather quickly. After months of only seeing his condition worsen and worsen it made us realize this little loved tomcat had to go to the vet as soon as possible. After an expensive trip to the vet we brought him back home but couldn’t immediately release him because his wound would take a while to heal. It was quite the stinky adventure trying to train this wild stray cat how to use the litter box but some how we did it.
How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: Patience.
Now that you are embarking on the great feat of attempting to train a wiley feline make sure you invest in the best possible spray on carpet cleaner you can find. Be patient as the cat is in new surroundings and is probably frightened so potty problems are bound to happen. Take a deep breath, but preferably outside since your house might smell. Keep the doors shut to any rooms you don’t want the stray cat venturing into.
How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: Distance.
A lot of people attempt to train a cat to use the litter box by placing it next to its food. For cats that were raised indoors, sometimes that method works. However, with stray cats they have an abundant amount of freedom so they tend to venture far away from where they eat when they have to do their business. Place the litter box preferably about fifteen or more feet from where they eat.
How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: Multiple Litter Boxes:
Invest in two or three litter boxes. The chances of the feline finally figuring out that’s where it has to go increase greatly. Cats are intelligent creatures and eventually they will figure out that box is there for a reason.
How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: Observe.
Keep a close eye on the cat when you are trying to train him or her how to use the litter box. Like dogs, cats tend to sniff around in order to find out where they want to do their business. They also start to dig at things to decide where the best place to go would be. As soon as you see the cat doing this inch the litter box near them so they decide to explore that as well. That is how we finally got the stray cat we saved to be civilized. You can also pick up the stray cat and gently place them into the litter box so they can feel the texture of the sand and know its a good place to dig.
How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: Positive Reinforcement.
If you finally train the stray feline to use litter box be sure, when ever possible to reward their behavior. Learning how to train a kitty is similar to the way you would train a dog. Talk to the cat in a sweet and loving tone and you can also give it a treat. With patience it is possible to train even the wildest of stray cats.
