You might be all excited because you just brought home your cute and cuddly new addition to your family. You know how much happiness your kitten will be bringing to your family, but is your newest addition trained to use a litter box yet? If not, there is no need to worry. By the end of this article you will be able to train your cat in no time at all to use the litter box and not your house plants.

It is really important for you to begin the lesson of litter box training your kitten immediately after bringing him or her into your home. Depending on the age of your new family member will depend on the length of time it will take before you no longer have to worry about the possibility of finding waste in unacceptable locations throughout your home. If your cat is still fairly young, it will be much easier for you to train him or her to use only the litter box.

The first thing you should do is show your kitten where the litter box is. If your cat is still young, you can even take one of the front paws and gently dig for two or three strokes in the litter. As frequently as once an hour place your kitten in the litter box until he or she uses it. At this time, praise the cat and even give him or her a treat.

Placing your new family member on a schedule for feeding will help you in establishing the times your cat will need to relieve himself. Feed at the same time everyday. Typically, a cat will relieve himself when he wakes up, after some exercise and after a meal. Knowing these times for your cat will make it fairly simple to stay on top of the litter box training.

Cats are very clean and sensitive to smells. This makes it vital that the litter box is kept clean at all times. If there is too much waste in the box, your cat will find a better location to relieve himself. This location can very well go unnoticed for quite sometime.

It is common for some housebroken cats to begin to refuse using the litter box. This can actually be for a few different reasons. One is stress. Everyone and everything deals with stressful situations in different ways. Also, make sure you are cleaning the box thoroughly and have not changed the type of litter you have been using. Not using the litter box can be your cats way of dealing with stress. Another possible reason for your cat to no longer be using the litter box is a UTI, or urinary tract infection. You should contact your veterinarian to try and solve your cats problem.

Many cat owners throw away a decent amount of money trying to find toys for their cat. Many toys are just not interesting enough to grab and maintain the attention of a kitten. So, how are we supposed to know what kind of toys we should buy for them?

For the most part, there are a few basic things you will need to keep in mind when you are looking for a toy for your kitten. First and most importantly, safety. Your cat should only play with toys that are safe for them. Be sure you stay away from a toy that can be quickly chewed and destroyed by your cat. If your cat chews a toy to get the little bell inside, he or she is risking the possibility of choking on the small pieces or on the plastic chewed up pieces.

Toys that will get your kitten up and moving around the house are ideal toys. Your cat will be able to get some needed exercise and constructive play at the same time. You actually, do not have to go and spend a lot of money on toys to entertain your cat. When you are putting up a new shower curtain and rings, recycle the rings. Your cat will love playing for hours with the rings. They are thick enough to not pose a threat to your cat is they are chewed. Although, you should sterilize them first. Wash them as you would your dishes and then boil them for a couple minutes. Once they are cool give them to your furry friend.

Old stuffed animals are great play toys for cats. If the stuffed animal has small eyes or anything else that can come off and possibly choke your cat, take it off before giving the toy to your cat. If the small stuffed animal has a tail, you cat will surely love it. Be sure to keep the size of the stuffed animal relatively close to the size of the cat playing with it.

A great way to keep your kitten stimulated with his or her toys is to only offer a select few each day. Continue to rotate the different toys. Each day will be a different set of toys for your fur ball to enjoy. Any toys that are not being left out for that particular day should be kept completely out of the cats sight. Although, if your furry family member has one particular toy that you know he or she is quite fond of, you can leave it out at all times for him or her.

You know your kitten better than anyone else. You will be able to decide what types of toys he or she is going to get the most enjoyment from. However, remember cats are very similar to children. They often get the most enjoyment from the box the gift came in. Therefore, there is no need to spend a lot of money on toys. Use your imagination and safe household items for toys.

Just when you thought that you were through buying your own furniture for your home, condo, or apartment, along comes someone that tries to sell you on the idea of furniture for your cat. Whats the deal? Does your cat really need its own furniture and what on earth can it look and function like?

A Place to Call its Own

The truth be told, your cat in fact prefers to have its own soft place or places to recline in. It recognizes its scent on its own bed and will prefer it over anything else in your living space. This means that if you are tired of your cat climbing all over and shedding on your furniture, then chances are it needs its own comfy bed.

A Second Secluded Bed

So, first on your list should be a nice padded cat bed for your furry little house mate to call its own. Next on your list should be a second cushy cat bed to place under one of your beds or in a closet where your cat can recline and relax when it just wants to get away from it all and spend some time alone.

Keep the Fleas Away

Your cat will be happier and more friendly when it has its own soft places that it recognizes as its own territory. Also, your cats bed is an excellent place to sprinkle a little flea powder from time to time to keep it free of these anything pests. Still yet your cats bed is a great place to put its toys when you pick up your place. It will be glad to have them handy and they will be out of the way when he or she isn’t playing with them.

A Carpeted Cat Tree for its Claws

The next time you look up in shock, to see your cat scratching its claws on a piece of your own furniture, you must bear in mind that it would rather have its own carpeted cat tree to use. Once again, it will grow to recognize its smell on it and prefer it over anything else because it is its own territory.