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How to Teach a Cat to Use His Litter Pan – Top Tips
It’s not any petsitter who manages to teach a cat a party trick, but Kelly found a way to teach Pouncer the tom cat how to use his litter pan. Just how did she teach him? Read on to learn more.
How I Taught a Cat to Use His Litter Pan
Photo credit – Kelly Hayes-Raitt
Pouncer was clearly an underappreciated cat. He was put out at night into the chilly Chapel Hill evening and reluctantly let back in every morning for breakfast. He wasn’t a cuddler; he was quite aloof. He was huge.
And it didn’t help that he did his business in the leftover ashes in the fireplace.
Not only did he track grey ash around the house, but when the fireplace was used, it took a good ten minutes to burn off the pungent scent of cat urine. We had a problem and I had to figure out how to teach a cat a fundamental trick or two like how to use his litter pan.
Catsitting and Learning About the Cat
His owner seemed to barely tolerate him while she doted on DeeDee, her demure, affectionate female cat. She shooed Pouncer outside whenever she caught him heading to the fireplace. She refused to allow him to stay in the house when she was asleep or out and couldn’t monitor him. That’s no way to teach a cat, I thought.
I was just a couple of days into the month long house sitting assignment when I decided I needed to take matters in hand. So just how do I teach a cat how to use a litter pan, I wondered. Sticking my head in the dusty fireplace daily to clean the cat poo was not going to define this house sit!
I started this mission like I do most missions: By consulting Mr. Google.
So How Do You Teach a Cat
I learned that domestic cats carry over their wild ancestors’ behavior of covering their scat so they don’t attract predators. That explained why Pouncer preferred the far back corners of the fireplace’s ash piles to bury his poo and disguise the scent of his urine.
Next, I studied the cats’ litter pan. Experts advise that each cat should have his or her own litter pan to prevent territorial disputes. But it’s not unusual for two cats to share “facilities.” This litter pan was placed on the bottom shelf of a plastic storage unit in the utility room.
👉 If you’re new to housesitting and wondering how to handle situations like this, you can learn more about how it all works with HouseSit Match—and what to expect on your first sit.
While the space between the shelves was big enough for diminutive DeeDee to jump in and squat, it was downright head-banging claustrophobic for the bruiser tom cat.
Photo credit – Kelly Hayes-Raitt
Size Matters When You’re Trying to Teach a Cat
I decided to experiment. Since studies show that larger cats like bigger-than-normal litter pans, I bought a larger litter pan and put it in a corner with nothing above or around it.
Cats like to be able to check out the space around them for potential dangers while they are in such a vulnerable position.
I heaved Pouncer into the pan and explained that it was his.
“If you use your litter pan,” I told him, “I’ll let you stay inside tonight.”
(I know, I know, but I swear some cats actually understand my words.)
It’s Never Too Late To Learn
That night, when it was time for Pouncer to be let out, he dutifully followed me to the back door. Then, he turned sharply toward the utility room, hopped in his new litter pan, squatted, peed and looked at me triumphantly!
“OK,” I laughed. “Good boy. You can stay in tonight.”
I was a bit dubious, though, when I went to bed. What kind of mess might I wake up to?
In the middle of that night, Pouncer came bouncing into my bedroom, yowling like crazy. I figured he needed to go out.
But when I padded to the back door, he again headed for his litter pan. He had woken me up to show me he was using his pan! Rascal. But so smart!
Photo credit – Kelly Hayes-Raitt
A Winner or Just Lucky? You Can Teach a Cat
We had no misadventures that month, proving that you can teach a cat. Pouncer actually became a wee bit more cuddly once he wasn’t tossed outside every night.
The owner was pretty amused when I texted her that I’d taught Pouncer to use his litter pan. I think she pictured me crouched in the pan, crunching litter beneath my bare toes. But I never had to clean the fireplace again!
By Kelly Hayes-Raitt
Bio
For 15 years, Kelly Hayes-Raitt house sat full-time throughout the world. She relished adding “I once taught a cat to use its litter pan” to her house sitting applications! She’s now “settled” in Portugal, but continues to pamper pets in far-flung parts of the globe. She’s the author of How to Become a Housesitter: Insider Tips from the Housesit Diva.
Actually having to teach a cat to use a litter tray might not have been part of the original plan—but it’s these unexpected moments that build confidence and make each housesit memorable.
FAQ – How to Teach a Cat to Use a Litter Tray
1. Why is my cat suddenly refusing to use their litter box?
Answer: A sudden refusal is usually a sign of stress, a health issue, or a problem with the litter box setup itself. Cats are clean, routine-oriented animals. If their environment changes—such as their owner going on holiday or a new person entering the house—they may express anxiety by avoiding the box. It is also important to rule out medical issues, like urinary tract infections (UTIs), with a vet.
2. Can you train an adult cat to use a litter pan?
Answer: Yes, adult cats can absolutely be retrained. While kittens learn quickly, adult cats usually miss the litter box due to a specific behavioral trigger rather than forgetting how to use it. By identifying what is making them uncomfortable (such as the location, type of litter, or size of the pan) and adjusting it to match their natural instincts, you can successfully guide an adult cat back to using their litter tray.
3. How does the placement of a litter tray affect a cat’s behavior?
Answer: Placement is everything. In the wild, cats bury their waste to hide their scent from predators. If a litter pan is placed in a cramped space—such as under a low shelf or in a tight cupboard—a cat may feel trapped and vulnerable. For example, larger cats often reject covered boxes or low clearances because they cannot comfortably stand up or turn around. Moving the pan to a quiet, open corner with clear lines of sight can solve the issue immediately.
4. What should a house sitter do if a cat has an accident outside the litter box?
Answer: First, never punish the cat, as this increases anxiety and worsens the behaviour. Clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent completely, otherwise, the cat may return to the same spot. Next, observe the cat’s routine. Are they stressed by your presence? Is the box clean enough? Experienced pet sitters know to check if the box matches the exact setup the owner left behind, ensuring the cat feels secure.
5. How often should a litter box be cleaned to prevent behavioural issues?
Answer: For a single-cat household, the litter box should be scooped at least once a day, and completely emptied and washed every two to four weeks. If a litter box is too dirty, a cat’s natural fastidiousness will drive them to look for alternative “clean” spots in the house—like carpets or even fireplaces. Regular maintenance keeps the cat stress-free and your home odour-free.
Further Reading
At Housesit Match we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitting and petsitters, such as this one on how to teach a cat. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters and house sitting useful.
