Toilet Training Puppies and Kittens

One of the most important things you need to do when you first get a puppy or kitten is to toilet train them. It’s not a fun thing to do, but neither is cleaning up toileting accidents! 

If you put in the hard work right away, you will be rewarded with a toilet-trained puppy or kitten. You can then focus on more enjoyable activities to do with them. Regularity, consistency, patience, and rewarding good behaviour are keys to training any puppy or kitten, including toilet training. 

Toilet Training Your Puppy 

It’s important to note that puppies don’t have complete control over their bladders until they’re around 12 weeks of age. 

Some important tips for toilet training your puppy include: 

Start Right Away 

As soon as you bring your puppy home, take them outside and allow them to sniff outside and go to the toilet if needed. If they do manage to go to the toilet outside, give them praise or a treat. 

If they do go to the toilet outdoors, ensure that it becomes their designated spot for toileting. 

Take Them Outdoors Regularly

Take your puppy outside to toilet every hour, especially once they wake up from a nap, ten minutes after they eat or drink, after they play or just before you go to bed. Remember that small puppies have very small bladders and can’t hold on for very long. 

Recognise the Signs 

Dogs will have telltale signs of needing to go to the toilet. Keep your eyes peeled for your puppy sniffing the ground, circling around or trying to sneak away to a quiet and personal space. 

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take your puppy outside! 

Regular Toileting Spot 

Take your puppy to the designated toileting area and point and say a cue word like “go” or “toilet”. Once your puppy starts to go to the toilet in the designated area outside, reward them with praise and treats. 

Repeat these steps as often as possible, and eventually your puppy will learn to go to the toilet in the same area outside. 

Important Tips 

Here are some important tips to remember when toilet training your puppy: 

• Place training mats around your home: Toileting accidents are a given. Place training mats around your home, and if you notice signs that your puppy needs to go to the toilet, pick them up and place them on the mat, so they can learn to use it when indoors. Training mats and grass patches are also important if your puppy is left inside alone for periods of time.
• Don’t punish toileting accidents: Never punish your puppy if they have a toileting accident indoors because it can encourage behavioural issues and make them wary of you. 
• Clean up any toileting accidents thoroughly: Make sure you clean up any accidents thoroughly, because if a dog can smell their past accident, it can encourage them to go to the toilet in the same place again. 
• Use training mats or potty plants: If you live in an apartment, it can be more challenging to get your puppy outside on time. If you have a balcony, you can set up a training mat or a real grass potty outside, so your dog still has a safe and designated place to go to the toilet. 

Toilet Training Your Kitten 

Cats are typically kept indoors, which is why it’s crucial to train them to use the litter tray right away. Cats are very intelligent and can be taught to use a litter tray quickly as long as you are consistent with training. 

Some vital tips for toilet training your kitten include: 

Choose the Right Litter Tray  

Make sure the litter tray is big enough for your cat to move around in and that the sides aren’t too high, so they can easily climb in and out of the litter tray.  

Place the Litter Box In a Quiet and Private Place 

Cats prefer their privacy when using the litter box, so place it in a quiet and private area to ensure they feel comfortable while doing their business. 

Choose the Right Litter 

These days, cat litter is available in various forms, including traditional clay litter, crystal litter, and more eco-friendly options. Each litter has their pros and cons, and not every litter will work for every cat. Unscented litter is usually best. 

If you buy your kitten from a breeder, you can ask them what litter they have introduced your kitten to, and buy the same kind. Otherwise, asking a vet what litter they recommend is a good idea. 

Get Them Used to Their Litter Tray

Place your kitten in their litter box in the morning, after they have eaten or drunk, and after playtime. This will ensure that they quickly become accustomed to their litter tray and understand that it is the designated area for toileting. 

Reward Good Behaviour 

Encourage your cat with praise and reward them with treats when they use the litter box. This will encourage them to continue using the litter tray. 

Recognise signs 

If you see your kitten squatting, it’s a sure sign that they need to go to the toilet. Quickly grab them and place them in the litter box, so they know that’s where they need to relieve themselves. 

Important Tips 

Here are some essential tips to remember when you toilet train your kitten: 

• Avoid punishing accidents: If you get angry at your kitten after they have an accident, it can cause them to become scared of your voice and discourage them from listening to you. 
• Keep the litter tray clean: Cats are notoriously clean animals, and they appreciate clean places to use the toilet. If their litter boxes are dirty, they may try to go to the bathroom somewhere else. Ensure your cat’s litter tray remains as clean as possible, so they have no issues using it.
• Have at least two litter trays on hand: Having an extra litter tray ensures that one is always clean, allowing your cat to alternate their usage.
• If you have more than one cat, you will need multiple litter trays. 
• Clean up any accidents: If your kitten has an accident, make sure you clean it up well, so they can’t smell any remaining odour and be tempted to go to the toilet in the same place. 

If your kitten does a number two outside of their litter box, scoop it up and place it in the litter box, so they know that’s where it belongs. 

At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to obtain a quick quote and explore our various coverage options. 

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