The decision to provide pee pads for your cat may be an easy one – but just how easy is it to actually teach a cat to use them?
Photo courtesy drinkerthinker.
According to those who use pee pads in their home, it just requires a little know-how and some patience. Here are some best practices:
To get started, simply place a pee pad inside a clean litter box. Lay the pee pad flat on the bottom or make sure it’s big enough to drape over the sides. The cat should pee on it out of habit.
Training a cat to use a pee pad can also be much like training a cat to use the litter box. Place some of the cat’s stool on the pee pad to give him the idea, Andrea says. He’ll smell the stool on the pee pad, and he’ll be drawn to use it. That said, it may take some time before he’s comfortable going on the pee pad.
Others suggest putting a handful of litter in the center of the pad to clue him in. Once he starts using the pad faithfully, less and less litter can be used, until none is needed.
If a cat is currently going to the bathroom outside of the litter box, place a pad where ever the cat tends to go. Some even recommend taping them to walls if the cat has a tendency to spray.
Once a pee pad is in its desired location, check on it now and then. A cat may fold or crumple the pad in an attempt to bury his business. If the pad is askew when the cat uses it, it may result in the cat’s business spreading to the floor. Consequently, consider using pee pads only on a floor that’s easy to clean, like tile.
Photo courtesy djg0333.
If you’re not comfortable with using the pee pad on your floor, there are several options. One idea is to put the pee pad on a cookie sheet. A cat or even kitten should be able to walk over its low sides easily. That way, if a pad is overturned or askew, the mess will still be somewhat contained.
Another idea is to modify a litter box by cutting off one of its sides or transforming a storage container into a litter box. You can place duct tape around the cut edges so they’re not sharp.
You may also want to consider looking into training pad holders. A holder will secure the pad in place; its non-slip bottom will ensure that it doesn’t slide around when your cat steps on it.
Depending on how many cats you have in your home and how many of your cat use them, you may want to change the pad once or twice a day. Some cats will pee on one end of the pad, and then pee on the other end later in the day.
Does your cat use pee pads? How did you train him or her to use it? Please share in the comments!
