How to Housebreak a Kitten

A new kitten is a wonderful addition to your family. From the moment you bring your new kitten home, you must begin the housebreaking process. Housebreaking a kitten means more than teaching it to potty in a litter box. Actually, litter box training is one of the easiest parts of housebreaking a kitten. A kitten must also be taught not to sharpen his/her claws on your furniture. Another aspect of housebreaking your kitten is to keep them from jumping on the kitchen counters and dining tables, where you prepare and serve food for your family.

I have been a kitten/cat lover and owner of many cats and kittens through the span of my lifetime. I have learned several lessons along the way, that will help you to housebreak your kitten with relative ease. Once you have housebroken your kitten and he/she has learned the rules of the house, you will reap the benefit of many years of love and enjoyment from this new addition of a kitten into your home and life.

TIPS TO HOUSEBREAK A KITTEN TO A LITTER BOX

Tip #1. When you first bring a kitten into your home, carry him/her directly to the litter box, and place the kitten inside of it. Using your finger, scratch around a little bit, in front of the kitten, to let him/her see the digging action. The kitten may or may not go potty, but thats O.K., do this several times, regardless of whether he/she goes potty or not.

Tip #2. Watch your kitten closely. If he/she goes to a corner, or to a secluded place and starts to meow loudly, he/she needs to go potty. Pick up the kitten and quickly place him/her into the litter box. The kitten may not use it then, but just keep a close eye on the kitten and repeat the process, every time the kitten acts in this manner. He/she will eventually potty in the litter box.

Tip #3. If your kitten should have an accident and potty on the floor, if it is of the solid persuasion, take a tissue and pick the waste up and place it into the litter box. Then take your kitten and place him/her into the litter box, and "show" him/her the excrement. In essence the kitten needs to smell the waste, in this manner he/she will realize that this is where he/she is suppose to go potty.

TIPS TO HOUSEBREAK A KITTEN TO STAY OFF COUNTER TOPS AND DINING TABLES

Tip #1. Keep food in your kittens feeding bowl at all times. If your kitten is full, he/she has no desire to go in search of something to eat. Therefore he/she will have no need to get onto your counters or dining table in search of food.

Tip #2. If your kitten does get onto your counter tops and dining table, let him/her know this displeases you by shaking an empty drink bottle, that has rocks or coins in it. Your kitten will soon associate this scary noise with the bad behavior, and quit the behavior, before it becomes a habit.

Tip #3. If the kitten becomes accustomed to the loud noise, and still insists on jumping on the counter tops and dining table, then try filling a squirt bottle or water gun with water and squirt your kitten, when he displays this undesirable behavior. This idea usually will do the trick, as cats and kittens detest water anywhere on their body.

TIPS TO HOUSEBREAK A KITTEN FROM SHARPENING THEIR CLAWS ON FURNITURE

Tip #1. If you have expensive furniture, or furniture that is made from leather or any material of that nature, you might want to consider having your kitten declawed. If you do decide to go this route, only have the claws removed from the front paws, do not remove the claws from the back feet. A cat uses his/her claws in defense and should your cat ever stray from home, he/she needs a method of defense.

I do not agree or approve of having a cat or kitten declawed, as I find it cruel and inhumane. I prefer to clip my cats claws to keep them blunt, so they do not destroy my possessions as easily.

Tip #2. Invest in a scratching post. If you find your cat scratching the furniture or anything else that displeases you, squirt him/her with the water bottle or water gun, then show them the scratching post, by placing their paws upon it.

Tip #3. If all else fails, and your cat or kitten is using a non-porous surface, such as a door frame or wall as a source for sharpening his/her claws, spread a lavish layer of Vick's Vapor rub on the surface that is being used. The kitten hates the smell and will avoid the area. When the kitten no longer shows any interest in this area, you may remove the Vapor rub, without any damage to the door, wall or any non-porous surface..