We wouldn’t disagree that cat litter is indeed a great product and makes it easy for cat parents to manage their feline baby’s washroom habits. However, there are instances when a parent can get tired of scooping pee and poop from a litter box or get disturbed by the stink and mess involved. In such cases, it can be a good idea to teach cats to relieve themselves outdoors. It will help control the stink inside the home and prevent messy accidents. If you are one of those cat parents who is looking to train their feline baby to pee and poop outdoors, this blog will surely make your job easier as we’ve compiled some simple steps to effectively get the job done without much of a hassle.

How to teach your cat to relieve itself outside your home?

Here’s the step-by-step guide to bathroom train your cat for the outdoors:

• Gather sand

While training your cat to relieve itself outdoors, make sure to gather waterproof litter, such as sand. Combining the sand with peat moss can help in holding the sand in place.

• Introduce your cat to the designated spot

If your cat happens to find the transition difficult, you can move its existing litter box outdoors close to the spot where you want it to relieve itself. The entire process can take one week to 10 days. We’d advise you to be patient and not rush with the process.

Also, when your pal shows signs that it needs its doo-doo break, you can take the it outdoors and place it in the area that you’ve designated for the business. Ensure to keep repeating the process for a few days unless your pet gets used to the practice of stepping out to relieve itself.

• Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the act of showering pets with praise, treats and toys when they do a good job. Therefore, as a part of your training, you may consider rewarding your feline baby when it follows your instructions and relieves itself in the area that you’ve designated.

Remember to never use negative tactics like punishment and physical force when your cat takes time to grasp the process as it can scare them and delay the training process.

• Keep the designated spot clean

The spot that you’ve designated for your cat to pee and poop need to be cleaned at least once or twice a week. Keeping the area clean will encourage your pal to use it comfortably. If the spot remains dirty and stinky, your cat can get repelled and attempt to look for an alternative place to do their business which may not be very appropriate.

Benefits of training cats to litter outdoors

Below are a few of the many benefits of training cats to relieve themselves outdoors:

Helps control messes: While pooping inside the litter box, your kitty may accidentally create a mess inside your home. Also, you will have to regularly scoop the litter tray and clean up the granules that stick to your feline’s feet as it steps out of the box. If you can manage to train your cat to relieve outdoors, you can ensure a clean home.

A better smelling home: Unfortunately, a litter box comes with an unwanted smell that’s difficult to ignore. If your cat gets the habit of excreting outdoors, you can prevent the spread of unwanted smell and ensure a nicer-smelling home.

Involving a natural process: It is a matter of fact that cats naturally relive themselves outdoors. Taking doo-doo breaks outdoors will make the process feel natural to them.

Wrapping Up

While training your cat to use the washroom outdoors has its own set of benefits, remember that it may not be suitable for all pets. If your feline is old, sick, disabled or timid, it may get uncomfortable to step outdoors to pee and poop. In such situations, it is advisable to not force them to oblige to you and prioritise their comfort and safety.