Introduction
Litter training an outdoor cat can seem daunting at first. Unlike indoor cats who are confined to a smaller space, outdoor cats have much more freedom to roam and do their business wherever they please. However, with a little patience, effort, and commitment, it is possible to successfully litter train even the most stubborn outdoor cat.
The key to litter training an outdoor cat is taking small, incremental steps to shape their behavior. You’ll need to confine them to a smaller space at first, reward them for using the litter box, and then slowly give them more freedom as they demonstrate consistent litter box use. It’s also important to use tactics like strategic litter box placement and deterrents to make going outside the box less appealing.
While it takes time and diligence, litter training an outdoor cat is one of the best things you can do for their health and safety. It helps prevent them from using gardens, children’s play areas or public spaces as their bathroom. It also stops them from spreading parasites or diseases from their waste. With the right technique and tools, you can preserve your garden and yard while keeping your outdoor cat healthy and reducing conflicts with neighbors.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to litter train even the most stubborn outdoor cat. With the step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips and training products we recommend, you’ll be well on your way to an outdoor cat who uses their litter box consistently.
Step 1: Confine The Cat to a Small Space
The first step in litter training an outdoor cat is confinement. Just like training an indoor cat, limiting their space helps establish good litter habits by forcing them to use the litter box. Start by keeping them in a spare bathroom or confined area with their food, water, scratching post, toys, bed and litter box.
Ideally the space should be just big enough for their essentials and not much extra room. A bathroom or utility room works well. Baby gates are useful for blocking doors and keeping them from escaping. Continue confinement until they are consistently using the litter box for both urination and bowel movements.
During confinement:
- Provide at least one large litter box – bigger is better. Place it on a hard floor rather than carpet.
- Scoop urine and stool from the litter box daily. Dump, wash and refill the box once a week.
- Use an attractant litter like Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract to encourage box use.
- Feed them on a consistent schedule and remove food between meals. This gives them set times for elimination.
- Keep their routine consistent with playtime, feeding and interactions. Cats prefer consistency.
Confinement allows you to monitor litter box use closely. The more often they use the box correctly during this period, the better chance you have of continuing that behavior as they gain more freedom.
Expect this initial confinement period to last 1-2 weeks. Confinement might seem cruel, but it’s temporary and essential for training an outdoor cat. Be patient, reward them for using the box, and confine them until litter box habits are established.
Step 2: Reward Them for Using the Litter Box
The next step is rewarding your cat every time they use the litter box during confinement. This positively reinforces the behavior you want. Use verbal praise, petting or treats to reward them immediately after they get out of the box from urinating or a bowel movement.
Some ways to reward litter box use:
- Give treats like Greenies Dental Treats or TEMPTATIONS Classic Treats. Catnip or tuna work too!
- Verbally praise them with an excited, happy tone. Say “Good kitty!” and similar phrases.
- Pet them gently while praising. Focus on areas they enjoy like under the chin.
- Use a clicker to mark the desired behavior then give a reward. The clicking sound becomes positive reinforcement.
- Give them playtime with toys like feather wands or laser pointers.
Keep rewards small but frequent, especially at first. You want to establish a clear connection between using the litter box and something pleasant happening immediately after. Consistency is key in training cats.
Rewarding outdoor cats for appropriate litter box use helps motivate them internally to keep displaying that behavior. It also strengthens your bond and trust through positive interactions. Be patient and keep rewards fun – your cat will make the connection!
Step 3: Extend Their Space Gradually
Once your outdoor cat is consistently using the litter box with minimal accidents during confinement, it’s time to give them slightly more space. Do this in increments, starting with one extra room at a time.
For example, after 1-2 accident-free weeks confined, let them access an adjacent room like a bedroom with their food and litter still in the starting bathroom. Close doors to any other rooms. Continue supervision and rewards for litter box use.
After another accident-free week with the additional room, give them another room. Gradually allow access to more of your home this way. At any point accidents increase, scale back their space temporarily.
Extending space slowly allows monitoring while building litter box habits through greater freedom. Make sure to:
- Keep rewarding all litter box use during this process
- Provide multiple large litter boxes in different areas they now have access to
- Pick up food bowls and limit food to mealtimes
- Close off access to problem areas if that’s where accidents happen
- Limit unsupervised time until litter trained
- Confine them again at night and anytime you can’t monitor closely
Patience and persistence are key during this step. The more often they can use the box successfully with greater freedom, the better the habits will stick long-term. Stay positive and reward all progress!
Step 4: Allow Outdoor Access
Once your cat is fully litter trained indoors with no accidents, it’s time to start providing supervised outdoor access. Again, take this slowly with short sessions at first to set them up for success:
- Start with 10-15 minutes outdoors per session, then gradually increase over days and weeks
- Bring them directly back inside to their litter box afterwards so they learn to hold it until using the box
- Continue rewarding every time they use the box immediately after being outside
- Limit outdoor access to fenced yards or pet-safe screened balconies/porches only
- Provide outdoor enrichment like catios, climbing structures and toys
- Accompany them on all outdoor sessions until fully trained
The goal is teaching them to come back inside and use the litter box, not go potty in your yard or the neighbor’s garden. With patience and rewards, they’ll learn to come back and use their indoor litter box after outdoor time.
Keep rewarding and supervising until your cat has litter box habits ingrained. At that point they can have longer outdoor sessions. But continue monitoring and limit yard access if accidents occur to reinforce training.
Step 5: Add Deterrents Outside the Box
In addition to rewards for using the litter box during training, also make going potty outside unpleasant for an outdoor cat. Effective deterrents include:
Aluminum Foil or Pavers
Place sheets of aluminum foil or concrete pavers where your cat has eliminated in the yard. The texture is unpleasant on their paws and deters elimination.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Sprinklers like this turn on when they detect motion and startle cats. Place wherever your cat goes potty outside. They learn it’s an unpleasant spot.
Scat Mats
Similar to aluminum foil, electronic mats like the PetSafe ScatMat give a mild 3-second static correction when stepped on. Use them to make off-limit areas unpleasant.
Citrus or Perfume
Citrus and perfume scents are unpleasant for cats. Try spraying peels from oranges, lemons or grapefruit diluted in water. Or use commercial cat deterrent sprays. Reapply daily.
Deterrents make eliminating anywhere outside the litter box unappealing. Never discipline or punish a cat for accidents. Just persistently make going potty indoors rewarding and outdoors unappealing. With time, even stubborn cats will get the message.
Troubleshooting Litter Training Challenges
Training an outdoor cat presents some unique litter training challenges. Here are solutions to common problems:
They urinate or poop right outside the litter box
Try placing foil or mats just outside the box perimeter. Also make sure boxes are large enough – big plastic tote-style boxes work great for outdoor cats.
They only urinate, not poop, in the litter box
Some cats don’t mind peeing in a box but feel too vulnerable pooping there. Try larger, more private covered boxes. Also place boxes in quiet, low-traffic areas.
They go potty in same spots outside repeatedly
Deter them by using motion sprinklers, foil, citrus or scat mats on their “bathroom” areas. Also clean soiled areas thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner.
Neighbor cats come in the yard and eliminate
This can encourage your cat to think it’s an approved spot. Try deterrents to make your yard less appealing. Also talk to your neighbor about confining their cats until they are litter trained.
Litter box avoidance or decreased usage
Rule out medical issues first. Then try new litter types, adding more boxes, and bigger covered boxes. Make sure they aren’t ambushed by other pets when trying to use the box.
Accidents after being litter trained
This can happen with changes or stressors. First address medical problems, then reinforce training using confinement and rewards. Increase deterrents outside the litter box as well.
While challenging, consistency and persistence are key in addressing litter box problems with outdoor cats. Rule out health issues, stick to the plan, and engage their natural motivation to use a preferred indoor litter spot.
Top Products for Training Outdoor Cats
Certain products can help make litter training outdoor cats easier. Here are some recommendations:
- Large plastic storage totes – Get high-sided litter boxes your cat can enter and exit easily.
- Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract Litter – This clay litter has herbal scents that encourage cats to use the box.
- PetSafe ScoopFree Litter Box – This self-cleaning box makes maintenance easy.
- Feliway Pheromone Spray – This calming spray relieves stress during training.
- Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cloud Control Litter – Lightweight litter controls odors extremely well.
- Purina Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Litter – Clumping mined clay litter locks in odors.
- Cat Attract Litter Additive – Just sprinkle this herbal additive onto regular litter to make it more attractive.
- PetSafe Scat Mat – This mat gives a mild static correction when stepped on to deter elimination.
- Nature’s Miracle Cat Block – Natural enzyme-based spray deterrent that cats dislike.
- Hoont Motion Activated Sprinkler – Deter cats from areas in your yard by startling them with a quick spray when detected.
Investing in the right supplies makes a big difference in litter training success. Don’t skimp on getting a variety of large, high quality litter boxes. Top entry and covered styles work great for outdoor cats.
Q&A About Litter Training Outdoor Cats
Still have questions about training your outdoor cat to use the litter box? Here are answers to some common questions:
How long does it take to litter train an outdoor cat?
It can take 2-3 months on average to fully litter train an outdoor cat, sometimes longer for more stubborn cats. Have realistic expectations for the time investment required.
At what age can you start litter training a kitten?
Kittens can start litter box training as young as 8 weeks old. The earlier positive habits are established, the better long-term success you’ll have.
Do I need to confine my outdoor cat?
Yes, confinement is crucial to establish good litter habits at first. Allowing free roaming right away allows accidents and makes it much harder to train them.
How often should I scoop the litter box?
For outdoor cats, scoop solid waste daily and change litter completely 1-2 times per week. More frequent cleaning encourages use.
How many litter boxes do outdoor cats need?
Start with 1 box per cat in your home, then add an extra box or two in different areas they access during training. More box options means fewer accidents.
What types of litter work best for outdoor cats?
Good options are clumping clay litters like Tidy Cats or Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal. Avoid lightweight litters which resemble sand or soil that cats may eliminate in outdoors.
Where should I put litter boxes for outdoor cats?
Try to place boxes in quiet, low traffic areas. Make sure cats have multiple escape routes. Raised boxes or commercial litter furniture work well.
Why does my cat go poop outside the litter box?
Large open litter boxes, additional privacy, reducing stress, more frequent cleaning, and deterrents outside the box can help curb this behavior. Check for medical issues too.
How can I keep neighbor cats from eliminating in my yard?
Deterrents like citrus, motion sprinklers and Ssscat spray help. Also speak with your neighbor about confining and litter training their cat.
Consistently reward litter box use, provide enticing large boxes, and use training aids and deterrents outlined in this guide to address common outdoor cat litter training challenges.
Conclusion
While it takes time and diligence, you can successfully litter train even stubborn outdoor cats. The secret is following clear steps for confinement, rewards, gradual freedom, deterrents and troubleshooting common problems. Exercise patience and stick with it – you’ll be amazed at the transformation when your outdoor cat is regularly using their box!
With the right techniques and tools, litter training your cat to “go” indoors keeps yards, gardens and public areas clean. It also keeps your cat healthier by avoiding contact with parasites and diseases from elimination. While challenging, both you and your neighbors will appreciate your efforts to responsibly manage your outdoor cat’s bathroom habits.
Use the step-by-step guide provided, invest in recommended litter training products, and tap into your cat’s natural instincts. With the right knowledge, you’ll be on your way to an outdoor cat who reliably uses their litter box without creating a mess for you or your community. Both you and your cat will be happier with this important training accomplished.