People often believe that cats are born with a natural instinct to use a litter box. In fact, most cats require at least some introduction to the litter box before they understand exactly what it is for. Litter box training is normally straightforward because cats prefer to keep their living areas clean and to bury their waste. In an indoor environment, the pet owner can control where the cat has access to soft materials to bury his waste.

How to litter train your cat:

• Start with the right materials. The litter box should be made of plastic or a nonporous material so that it can be cleaned easily on a regular basis. There are many types of litter available, and if you are just beginning to litter train your cat, the choice is yours. If the cat has previously been litter trained, it is best to continue to use the same type of litter as the cat has been using.
• Choose the location carefully. Deciding where to place the litter box is often the most difficult decision for the cat owner. The litter box should be placed in an area that is quiet, where the cat can go undisturbed, but it should not be in an out-of-the-way corner of the home, such as the basement. The litter box shouldn't be in a room where the cat can potentially be shut out. Finally, if the litter box is too close to the area where you feed your cat, he may decide not to use the area for a bathroom.
• Don't change its location. Although sometimes a situation won't work out and a move is inevitable, try to keep the litter box in the same spot. Otherwise, you may find that the cat uses the same spot as a litter box, whether there is an actual box there or not.
• Keep the litter box clean. If the litter box is allowed to get dirty and the cat cannot easily bury his waste, he will find some other spot to use as a bathroom. Scoop the waste out of the litter box daily, and completely empty and wash the litter box once per week. If your cat decides to start using another area of the home rather than the litter box, your first step should be to clean the box more frequently.

After you have the litter box set up and ready for use, it is a simple matter of placing your cat in the box and gently scratching his paws in the litter. He will quickly realize what the litter is for and come back to the litter box when needed.